NPR News: 01-16-2026 6PM EST
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What are the latest developments in Iran's anti-government protests?
This week on Consider This, Minneapolis. Are federal agents there operating with absolute immunity?
The only immunity the officer would have is if he could demonstrate his actions were necessary and proper to carrying out his federal function.
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The U.S.-based human rights activist news agency says Iran has killed more than 3,000 people in its crackdown of anti-government protests. The exiled son of the late Shah of Iran says he believes President Trump is a, quote, man of his word and will do more to topple the clerical regime. Reza Pahlavi says the protests are continuing despite the brutal crackdown and internet blackout, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
Pahlavi showed a video montage of the bloody crackdown on protesters with a sign at the end that read, This does not require putting boots on the ground.
The Iranian people's boots are already on the ground.
How is the U.S. Department of Education changing student loan collections?
They are the ones marching, sacrificing, and fighting for their freedom every single day.
It's not clear how much support the exiled crown prince has in Iran, though Pahlavi says that large sections of the Iranian army and security forces have, in his words, whispered their loyalty to him. He says he has a 100-day plan to ensure a stable transition if the government falls. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.
In a surprise move, the Department of Education says it will delay its plan to garnish the wages of student loan borrowers in default. NPR's Corey Turner explains.
The Trump administration announced last spring that it would soon resume involuntary collections on borrowers in default, seizing a portion of their wages, as well as tax refunds and even Social Security benefits. Involuntary collections have been on pause since the pandemic began. Now, the Trump administration has further delayed the restart and offered an explanation. Republican legislation passed last year created two new student loan repayment plans.
What challenges are lawmakers facing in extending health insurance subsidies?
and allows borrowers a little more flexibility in getting out of default. But those new plans won't be available till July 1st. So the department says it will delay collections so borrowers can benefit from the big changes. Corey Turner, NPR News.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers say they are still hunting for a deal to further extend health insurance subsidies that expired at the end of last year. But NPR's Sam Greenglass reports that some now see the chances of a compromise fading.
President Trump created uncertainty about the direction of the bipartisan talks in Congress when he unveiled his own health care blueprint that would not resurrect the subsidies. But even before that, the bipartisan talks had been stalling. lawmakers struggled to address the desire of some Republicans to insert more stringent language on abortion. That topic has always been tenuous in the talks, but as recently as last week, the bipartisan negotiators were signaling confidence that a compromise was within reach.
What is the current political situation in Uganda after the recent elections?
Now that has faded. Negotiators say they still hope they can salvage the effort. Thursday was the last day of open enrollment for marketplace plans in most states. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.
This is NPR. The Palestinian committee set to govern Gaza under U.S. supervision has met for the first time today. Its leader is Ali Shath, an engineer and former Palestinian Authority official from Gaza. He says reconstruction could take about three years, with an initial focus on shelter and other immediate needs. President Trump says he supports the group's efforts.
How are changing ocean conditions affecting shark populations?
Uganda's president is in the lead following an election that took place under a government-imposed Internet blackout and was marred by reports of intimidation and violence. The president's main challenger, former pop singer Bobby Wine, condemned the polls and said he had been put under house arrest, as NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu reports.
81-year-old Yoweri Museveni is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders and is set to extend his 40-year rule of the East African country following a widely criticised election marked by violence.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the latest developments in Iran's anti-government protests?
0:00–1:10
2
How is the U.S. Department of Education changing student loan collections?
1:10–2:14
3
What challenges are lawmakers facing in extending health insurance subsidies?
2:14–3:10
4
What is the current political situation in Uganda after the recent elections?
3:10–3:45
5
How are changing ocean conditions affecting shark populations?
3:45–5:01
6
What are the implications of the new international money app, WISE?
5:01–5:21