NPR News: 01-27-2025 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 27, 2025, 11 AM EST

Host: Kristen Wright
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Duration: 4 minutes, 56 seconds

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Texas Deploys Additional Troops to Southern Border

[00:18] Kristen Wright

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the deployment of 400 additional Texas troops to the southern border. This move is part of the newly formed Texas Tactical Border Force, which is set to collaborate closely with the U.S. Border Patrol to enhance border security measures.

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Colombia Accepts U.S. Deportees Amid Tensions with Trump Administration

[00:44] John Otis (Bogota)

The relationship between the United States and Colombia has seen heightened tensions following President Trump's threats to impose steep tariffs on Colombian imports. Originally, the Trump administration attempted to send two military aircraft to Colombia to deport migrants. However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro revoked their landing rights, citing concerns over migrant mistreatment.

In retaliation, Trump threatened significant tariffs and sanctions, prompting Petro to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports. Despite the initial tensions, Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that Colombia would continue to accept deportation flights from the U.S., effectively ending the impasse.

Notable Quote: Petro stated in a message to Trump, “Your blockade doesn't scare me.” ([00:44])

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Trump Denies Oracle's Involvement in TikTok Acquisition

[01:29] Kristen Wright

In a surprising turn, President Trump has publicly denied claims that Oracle is planning to acquire TikTok, despite reports suggesting ongoing discussions between senior White House officials and Oracle to secure a deal.

[01:46] Bobby Allen (NPR)

Trump was dismissive when questioned about Oracle's potential involvement, stating, “I haven't talked to Larry about it,” referring to Larry Ellison, founder and chairman of Oracle. This denial comes amidst discussions of Oracle, Microsoft, and other investors potentially buying out TikTok’s Chinese stake. The proposed deal would grant Oracle oversight of TikTok's data, algorithms, and software updates to mitigate national security concerns.

Notable Quote: Trump remarked, “I'd like Larry to buy it,” referencing his earlier attempts to involve Ellison in TikTok’s future. ([01:46])

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Palestinians in Gaza Begin Returning Home After Ceasefire

[02:28] Kristen Wright

After over a year of displacement due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, tens of thousands of Palestinians are returning to Gaza. The Israeli military has lifted roadblocks in the northern region as part of a ceasefire agreement.

[02:56] Aya Batrawi (NPR)

Residents, who have endured severe hardships such as lack of electricity and adequate shelter, are now preparing to rebuild their lives. Many plan to set up tents amidst the rubble of their destroyed homes, relying heavily on UN aid for essential needs like food and water. Additionally, there is optimism that more hostages, detainees, and prisoners will be released in the near future.

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China's Lunar New Year Travel Rush Peaks

[03:00] Kristen Wright & [03:32] Alwen Cao (Beijing)

China is experiencing its largest annual migration with billions of trips anticipated during the Lunar New Year holiday, marking the Year of the Snake. The travel surge began on January 14, with an estimated 9 billion trips expected over the 40-day period, predominantly by car.

[03:32] Alwen Cao (NPR)

The festival is a critical time for family reunions, especially for migrant workers who often use all their vacation days for this journey—making it their only opportunity to see their parents and children. The massive movement underscores the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year as a time for family and renewal.

Notable Quote: Alwen Cao highlighted, “Many of China's migrant workers use all their vacation days for this annual trip, often their only chance to see parents and children.” ([03:32])

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Super Bowl 59 Matchup and IRS Tax Filing Expansion

[04:04] Kristen Wright

The stage is set for Super Bowl 59, where the Kansas City Chiefs will vie for a historic three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Superdome in New Orleans on February 9th. Last night, the Chiefs secured their spot by narrowly defeating Buffalo 32-29, while the Eagles won decisively against the Commanders with a score of 55-23.

In other news, the IRS has expanded its free tax filing system, allowing taxpayers in 25 states to take advantage of the direct file option following a successful pilot program.

Notable Quote: Kristen Wright noted, “A Chiefs Super Bowl win would be the first time any team recorded three consecutive Super Bowl wins.” ([04:04])

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Conclusion

Today's NPR News Now episode covered a range of significant topics, including Texas's increased border security efforts, evolving U.S.-Colombia relations, the ongoing TikTok ownership saga involving Oracle, humanitarian developments in Gaza, the massive Lunar New Year travel period in China, and key updates in sports and tax filing. Each segment provided insightful updates on current events shaping national and international landscapes.

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This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on January 27, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listening to the full episode is recommended.

Transcript

[NetSuite Representative]

This message comes from NetSuite by Oracle, the number one Cloud ERP, bringing accounting, financial management, inventory and HR into one platform. Download the CFO's guide to AI and machine learning for free at netsuite.com story.

[Kristen Wright]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is sending 400 additional Texas troops to the southern border. Abbott says the Texas Tactical Border Force will coordinate with U.S. bO Patrol. The President of Colombia has agreed to accept Colombian migrants deported from the US After a series of threats from President Trump. Those threats included steep tariffs. As John Otis reports from Bogota, the.

[John Otis]

Trump administration tried to send two military aircraft back to Colombia, but Colombian President Gustavo Petro revoked their landing rights, claiming the migrants were being mistreated. In response, Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on all Colombian imports and other other sanctions. Petro then announced reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports and said in a message to Trump, quote, your blockade doesn't scare me. But apparently Petro had second thoughts.

[Kristen Wright]

Seguiermos residento.

[John Otis]

Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo ended the impasse by saying his country would in fact continue to receive deportation flights. For NPR News, I'm John Otis.

[Kristen Wright]

In Bogota, Colombia, 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.

[Kristen Wright]

Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are returning home for the first time in more than a year. This is a major moment for those displaced in the war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military has unblocked the roads leading north in Gaza as part of the ceasefire. NPR's Aya Batrawi reports on what's next. People in Gaza have been living without.

[Aya Batrawi]

Electricity or adequate shelter for over a.

[Kristen Wright]

Year now, displaced in other parts, so.

[Aya Batrawi]

They'Re ready to set up tents atop.

[Kristen Wright]

The rubble of their homes. And they will be heavily relying on UN Aid for basics like food and water. More hostages, detainees and prisoners are expected to be freed in the coming days. From NPR News. From Washington, this is NPR News. China's Lunar New Year travel rush is in full swing. Billions of trips are expected in the coming days as the world's largest annual migration hits its peak. NPR's oh Wen Cao tells us more.

[Aya Batrawi]

The Lunar New Year holiday begins Wednesday, marking the start of the Year of the Snake. New Year's Eve on Tuesday is a time for family gatherings. The travel rush started on January 14. Over 40 days, people are expected to take around 9 billion trips, mostly by car. The festival is traditionally a time for families to reunite. Many of China's migrant workers use all their vacation days for this annual trip, often their only chance to see parents and children. Alwen Cao, NPR News, Beijing.

[Kristen Wright]

The super bowl matchup is set. The Kansas City Chiefs will play for a three peat against the Philadelphia Eagles in the AFC Championship game. Last night. The Chiefs beat Buffalo 32, 29. The Eagles beat the Commanders in the NFC. It was not a close game. Philly won 55 to 23. Super Bowl 59 will be played at the Superdome in New Orleans. February 9th. Chiefs Super bowl win would be the first time any team recorded three consecutive super bowl wins. The tax filing season opens today. The IRS has expanded its direct file free tax filing system. The agency says the pilot program went well and so now it opens up to taxpayers in 25 states. I'm Kristen Wright and this is NPR News in Washington.

[NetSuite Representative]

Support for NP this message comes from NetSuite by Oracle, the number one cloud ERP, bringing accounting, financial management, inventory and HR into one platform. Download the CFO's guide to AI and machine learning for free at netsuite. Com STORY.