NPR News: 01-26-2025 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 27, 2025, 8 PM EST

NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines in five minutes, updated hourly. This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode released on January 27, 2025.

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1. US-Colombia Tensions Escalate Over Military Deportation Plans

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

President Donald Trump has initiated retaliatory measures against Colombia, a longstanding US ally, following Colombia's refusal to permit two US military deportation planes to land. This escalating tension has drawn international attention and prompted responses from both nations.

• Trump's Statement: In a post on Truth Social at [00:41], Trump declared that Colombia's decision "has jeopardized the national security and public safety of the United States." He outlined several punitive actions:

  • Imposition of a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, escalating to 50% the following week.
  • Travel ban implementation.
  • Revocation of visas for Colombian government officials.
  • Introduction of additional financial sanctions.
  • Increased inspections of Colombian citizens and cargo at US borders.

• Colombia's Response: Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced plans to retaliate by imposing tariffs on U.S. goods. Additionally, the Colombian government has committed to providing a presidential plane for migrants, signaling further diplomatic strain.

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2. Trump Denies Oracle's Plans to Acquire TikTok Amid Ongoing Negotiations

Reporters: Jeanine Herbst & Bobby Allen

Amidst persistent rumors, President Trump has publicly denied that Oracle is planning to take over the popular video app TikTok. This comes despite reports of senior White House officials discussing a potential Oracle-led deal to manage TikTok's operations in the United States.

• Trump's Denial: At [01:25], Trump was asked about NPR's report on Oracle's significant investment in TikTok. He responded dismissively, stating, "I haven't talked to Larry," referring to Larry Ellison, Oracle's founder and chairman.

• Context of the Denial:

  • Trump previously attempted to broker a sale of TikTok to Ellison during his first term.
  • Just days prior, Trump expressed interest, stating, "I'd like Larry to buy it."

• Behind-the-Scenes Developments: According to sources involved in White House discussions, Oracle, along with Microsoft and other investors, is assembling a deal to buy out TikTok's Chinese stake. The proposed arrangement would grant Oracle oversight of TikTok's data algorithms and software updates, aiming to address national security concerns related to data handling and user privacy.

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3. Southern California Receives Critical Rainfall Amid Wildfire Containment Efforts

Reporter: Chandelyse Duster

Recent thunderstorms have delivered much-needed rain to Southern California, aiding firefighters in their efforts to contain ongoing wildfires. However, the rains also bring heightened risks of mudslides and exposure to toxic ash, posing new challenges for residents and emergency services.

• Weather Impact: At [02:20], Duster reports that the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the region. The rains are beneficial for wildfire suppression but raise concerns about subsequent natural hazards.

• Public Health Concerns: Dr. Barbara Furrier, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, warns at [02:50], "Heavy metals such as lead and arsenic can come from burned electronics and building materials, and even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritations and lead to more serious illness."

• Safety Advisories: Residents returning to their homes are advised to exercise caution due to the presence of toxic materials. Additionally, authorities recommend wearing an N95 mask to prevent inhalation of smoke and ash particles.

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4. President Macron to Inspect Deteriorating Conditions at the Louvre Museum

Reporter: Eleanor Beardsley

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit the Louvre Museum amidst reports highlighting significant structural and environmental issues threatening the world's most visited museum.

• Current State of the Louvre: Eleanor Beardsley reports at [03:29] that the museum is grappling with a leaky roof and a severe lack of temperature control. These problems have been detailed in a letter from the museum's director to the French culture minister, as revealed by the French press.

• Insights from Elaine Ciolino: New York Times journalist and author of a forthcoming book on the Louvre, Elaine Ciolino, describes the situation at [03:40], stating, "The Louvre is like a leaky aircraft carrier." She criticizes architect I.M. Pei's iconic glass pyramid, noting at [03:55], "The pyramid... is in terrible shape. There's a greenhouse effect, so it's hot, it's noisy."

• Visitor Management Issues: Designed to accommodate 4 million visitors annually, the Louvre is currently handling twice that number. The museum director has proposed establishing a separate entrance for Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa to better manage the overwhelming crowds concentrated around this masterpiece.

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5. Latvia Seeks NATO Assistance Following Damage to Undersea Data Cable

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

Latvia has reached out to Sweden and other Baltic Sea NATO allies for support as it investigates the damage to an underwater fiber optic data cable connecting to Sweden. This incident has implications for regional cybersecurity and infrastructure integrity.

• Incident Details: At [04:20], Latvia's Prime Minister announced on platform X (formerly Twitter) that a data cable on the seabed to Sweden has been damaged within Swedish territorial waters.

• NATO's Response: In response, Latvia, along with Sweden and other NATO members in the Baltic region, are investigating the cause of the damage. Additionally, measures have been taken to increase patrols in the affected maritime area to prevent further incidents and ensure the security of critical communication infrastructure.

• Market Reactions: Concurrently, U.S. futures contracts are showing declines, with Dow futures down about 0.3% and Nasdaq futures down about 1.5%, possibly reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical tensions affecting global markets.

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This summary provides an overview of the critical discussions and developments covered in the January 27, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For comprehensive coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full broadcast.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump is taking retaliatory action against Colombia, a US Ally, after the country refused to allow two military deportation planes US to land. And now Colombia's president Gustavo Petro says he will respond in kind with tariffs on U.S. goods. NPR's Elena Moore reports.

[Donald Trump]

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Colombian leader's decision has, quote, jeopardized the national security and public safety of the United States. He laid out a handful of measures, including a 25% tariff on Colombian goods that would rise to 50% the following week. The move, Trump says, would also enact a travel ban and revoke visa visas for Colombian government officials, as well as impose additional financial sanctions and ramp up inspections of Colombian citizens and cargo at the border. These measures, Trump says, are just the beginning. The Colombian government has put out another statement saying they would provide a presidential plane for migrants. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump is denying that software company Oracle is planning to take over TikTok. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, Trump's comments come despite senior White House officials discussing an Oracle deal to save the video app.

[Bobby Allen]

When asked on Air Force One about an NPR report describing how Oracle is working on a deal to put up tens of billions of dollars for a large stake in TikTok, Trump was dismissive. Trump said he hasn't talked to Larry about it. That's Larry Ellison, founder and chairman of Oracle. Some context. Trump tried to broker a deal to sell TikTok to Ellison in his first term. Trump said just days ago, quote, I'd like Larry to buy it. About TikTok and Oracle already has a huge contract with TikTok for web hosting. Two people involved with the White House talks who weren't authorized to speak publicly told NPR Oracle, Microsoft and other investors are putting together a deal to buy out TikTok's Chinese stake. Negotiators say under the deal, Oracle would have oversight of the app's data algorithm and software updates. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Much needed rain is falling across parts of Southern California, helping firefighters as they make progress in containing wildfires, but it's raising worries of mudslides and toxic ash. NPR Chandelier's Duster reports thunderstorms could bring heavy downpours and gusty winds.

[Chandelyse Duster]

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch. Parts of Los Angeles county scorched by the fires, and officials are cautioning those who return to their homes to be careful of toxic material. Los Angeles County Department of public health director Dr. Barbara Furrier.

[Dr. Barbara Furrier]

Heavy metals such as lead and arsenic can come from burned electronics and building materials, and even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritations and lead to more serious illness.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Residents are also advised to wear an N95 mask to not inhale smoke and ash. Chandelyse Duster, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Louvre this week amid reports that the world's most visited museum is deteriorating. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley has more.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

A leaky roof and a dangerous lack of temperature control were among a list of complaints detailed by the museum's director to the culture minister in a letter obtained by the French press.

[Elaine Ciolino]

The Louvre is like a leaky aircraft carrier.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

That's New York Times journalist Elaine Ciolino, whose new book on the Louvre will be out in April. She says architect I.M. pei's iconic glass pyramid at the museum's entrance is not helping matters either.

[Elaine Ciolino]

The pyramid, which everybody loves and is supposed to be modernite, and everything, is in terrible shape. There's a greenhouse effect, so it's hot, it's noisy.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Set up to receive 4 million visitors a year, the Louvre welcomes twice that many. The director called for a separate entrance for Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, which is thronged by visitors all day long. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Latvia is reaching out to Sweden and other Baltic Sea allies in NATO for assistance as it investigates the cause of damage to an underwater fiber optic data cable running to Sweden. The country's prime minister said on X today that a data cable running on the seabed to Sweden has been damaged in Swedish waters. Latvia, Sweden and other NATO allies in the region are investigating and increasing patrols in that area. U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Dow futures down about 0.3%. Nasdaq futures are down about 1.5%. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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