NPR News: 01-27-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 27, 2025, 7 AM EST

Hosted by Kristen Wright | Source: NPR

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Colombian President Accepts US-Deported Migrants Amidst Tensions

[00:16] Kristen Wright opens the episode with a report on the escalating tensions between the United States and Colombia over the deportation of Colombian migrants.

John Otis reports from Bogotá, detailing how the Trump administration attempted to repatriate 160 Colombian deportees via two military aircraft. However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro intervened, revoking the landing rights of these flights, citing concerns over the migrants' treatment. In retaliation, President Trump threatened "steep tariffs on all Colombian imports and other sanctions."

Initially, Petro responded by imposing reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports, stating, "your blockade doesn't scare me," demonstrating a firm stance against U.S. pressure. However, the situation took a turn when Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo announced that Colombia would proceed with accepting the deportation flights, signaling a resolution to the impasse.

Notable Quote:

"Your blockade doesn't scare me," – Gustavo Petro ([00:33])

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Pushes for Special Legislative Session on Immigration

In the state of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis is convening a special legislative session in Tallahassee to align state laws with President Trump's immigration policies. NPR's Greg Allen provides an in-depth look into DeSantis's agenda.

DeSantis is advocating for several stringent measures, including:

• Mandatory Participation: Requiring counties and cities to engage in federal deportation programs.
• Authority to Suspend Officials: Granting DeSantis the power to suspend elected officials who fail to comply with these immigration mandates.
• Criminalizing Illegal Entry: Proposing legislation to make it a state crime to enter the U.S. illegally.
• Restricting Remittances: Introducing a requirement for individuals to disclose their identification and immigration status before sending money abroad, effectively barring those without legal status from making remittances to their home countries.

Notable Quote:

"Governor DeSantis is expecting lawmakers to support President Trump's immigration agenda," – Greg Allen, NPR ([01:36])

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Israel Unblocks Northern Gaza as Ceasefire Holds Fragile Peace

[02:06] Kristen Wright transitions to the Middle East, focusing on the recent developments in Gaza. NPR's Kat Lahnsdorf reports from Tel Aviv on the Israeli military's decision to reopen roads leading north in Gaza, allowing Palestinians to return for the first time since the conflict began.

The return of Palestinians is a critical component of the fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Initially slated to commence the previous day, the movement of people was contingent upon the release of a female civilian hostage by Hamas. After prolonged negotiations, it was confirmed that the hostage, along with two others, would be freed later in the week.

Early this morning, Israel activated a pedestrian corridor, followed by routes accommodating vehicles, buses, and even donkey carts. Kat Lahnsdorf notes the emotional scenes as thousands gather, hopeful yet anxious about the fate of their northern homes after enduring over a year of warfare and displacement.

Notable Quote:

"Thousands of people had gathered on the routes over the last few days, eager to see what might be left of their homes in the north after more than a year of war and displacement," – Kat Lahnsdorf, NPR ([02:29])

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Belarus Declares Lukashenko as Election Winner Amid Western Condemnation

Shifting focus to Eastern Europe, Kristen Wright reports on the contentious presidential elections in Belarus. NPR's Charles Maynes in Moscow outlines how Alexander Lukashenko has been declared the official victor, securing nearly 87% of the vote according to the Belarus Central Election Commission.

Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe's last dictator, has maintained power since 1994. This latest election featured four opposition candidates, all perceived as "handpicked" by Lukashenko to ensure his continued rule. Genuine political challengers remained sidelined, either imprisoned or exiled, preventing any substantial contest to his authority.

The West has dismissed the election results as a sham, with significant evidence pointing to electoral manipulation and suppression of dissent. Reflecting on the tumultuous 2020 elections, where heavy protests nearly unseated him, Lukashenko pledged that this election would differ. Despite these assurances, his regime's survival hinges on a combination of brutal security crackdowns and unwavering support from the Kremlin.

Notable Quote:

"Lukashenko had vowed the election would not be a repeat of 2020... his regime ultimately survived thanks to a brutal crackdown by security forces and backing from the Kremlin," – Charles Maynes, NPR ([03:35])

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U.S. Tax Filing Season Begins and Super Bowl AFC Championship Highlights

Concluding the news roundup, [04:17] Kristen Wright touches on the commencement of the U.S. tax filing season. The IRS has expanded its Direct File Free tax system based on a successful pilot program, now allowing taxpayers in 25 states to utilize this service, simplifying the process for millions.

In sports news, the AFC Championship game featured a thrilling matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs secured a place in the Super Bowl with a narrow victory over the Buffalo Bills with a score of 32-29, aiming for a three-peat title. Conversely, the Philadelphia Eagles dominated their game against the Washington Commanders, clinching a decisive win of 55-23, reflecting a less competitive contest.

Notable Quotes:

"The tax filing season opens today. The IRS has expanded its direct file free tax filing system," – Kristen Wright ([04:17])

"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," – Kristen Wright ([04:17])

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Stay Informed: For comprehensive coverage and updates, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Kristen Wright]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. 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 with 160 deportees 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 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.

[Luis Gilberto Murillo]

Segu remos, presidento.

[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 in bogota. Columbia.

[Kristen Wright]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is calling state lawmakers to a special legislative session in Tallahassee today. NPR's Greg Allen reports. DeSantis is expecting lawmakers to support President Trump's immigration agenda.

[Luis Gilberto Murillo]

Among the proposals that DeSantis wants is one that would require counties and cities to participate in the federal deportation program, and it would give him the authority to suspend any officials who don't comply, including those who are elected. He wants to make it a state crime to enter the US Illegally. He also wants to make it he wants to require people to show ID and their immigration status before sending money back home, which would essentially prohibit anyone who's here without legal status from sending any money in remittances back to their home country.

[Kristen Wright]

NPR's Greg Allen reporting. In the Middle east, the Israeli military has unblocked the roads leading north in Gaza, allowing many Palestinians to return for the first time since the beginning of the war. The return was supposed to begin yesterday as part of the fragile cease fire deal between Israel and Hamas. NPR's Kat Lahnsdorf has more. Now.

[Kat Lahnsdorf]

Israel said Hamas was supposed to release one of the only female civilian hostages left last weekend and refused to allow passage to north Gaza until her release was arranged. After negotiations late into the night, it was announced that the woman is expected to be released later this week along with two other hostages. Just after sunrise, Israel opened a corridor for Palestinians traveling on foot back to the north. Soon after A route for cars, buses and even donkey carts was opened as well. Thousands of people had gathered on the routes over the last few days, eager to see what might be left of their homes in the north after more than a year of war and displacement. Kat Lahnsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Kristen Wright]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. In the former Soviet republic of Belarus, strongman Alexander Lukashenko has been declared the official winner of presidential elections held Sunday. The vote, which extends The Kremlin allies 31 year hold on power, was condemned by the west as a Sham. From Moscow, NPR's Charles Mainz reports.

[Charles Maynes]

According to Belarus Central Election Commission, Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering nearly 87% of the vote. Lukashenko ran against four handpicked opponents, all of whom said they wanted the 70 year old autocrat to remain in a post he's occupied since 1994. More serious political rivals were either in jail or exile. Lukashenko had vowed the election would not be a repeat of 2020 with that's when he was nearly swept from power after hundreds of thousands took to the streets for months to protest what they insist was a vote stolen from a pro democratic candidate. Lukashenko's regime ultimately survived thanks to a brutal crackdown by security forces and backing from the Kremlin. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Kristen Wright]

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. The super bowl matchup. 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. This is NPR News from Washington. Support for NPR.

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