NPR News: 02-11-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 11, 2025, 7 AM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive roundup of the latest developments both domestically and internationally. Here's an in-depth summary of the key topics covered in the episode released on February 11, 2025.

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1. U.S. Foreign Policy: Jordan-Palestinian Relations

Jordan’s King Abdullah Visits President Trump

In a significant diplomatic move, Jordan's King Abdullah paid a visit to President Donald Trump at the White House late morning. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Trump’s Proposal to Relocate Palestinians

President Trump proposed a controversial plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring Jordan and Egypt. According to NPR's Gina Raft, Trump suggested that the U.S. take control of Gaza and forcibly move approximately 2 million Palestinians to alleviate the region's instability. Raft reported, “Trump floated that plan last week during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the US to take over Gaza and forcibly push 2 million Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan” (00:29).

Jordanian Opposition to the Plan

Jordanian officials have firmly rejected Trump’s proposal. The Jordanian Foreign Minister stated that expelling Gaza residents would violate Jordan's peace treaty with Israel, effectively declaring war. Raft emphasized, “Jordan is a key ally and without any consultation, according to Jordanians and White House officials” (00:29), highlighting the diplomatic strain caused by the unilateral suggestion.

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2. Federal Employment: Resignation Offers Extended

Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Resignation Strategy

A federal judge has extended the hold on President Trump’s administration’s offer for federal employees to resign. Initially, the deadline was set for federal workers to decide whether to resign or remain in their positions, risking termination. NPR’s Walter Wuthman detailed, “A group of unions representing thousands of federal workers say the offer is unlawful and aims to replace career civil servants with people ideologically aligned with Trump” (00:55).

Union Response and Legal Proceedings

Union attorney Elena Goldstein expressed optimism about the extension, stating, “We hope that this decision today will provide civil service workers with the assurance that the American people have their backs and we will continue to pursue all legal options to ensure that they are protected and that the law is upheld” (01:55). Meanwhile, government attorneys countered, claiming the unions lack the necessary standing to challenge the administration's actions. Federal Judge George O’Toole has yet to announce a final ruling, leaving the future of the resignation offer uncertain (02:09).

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3. Ukraine and U.S. Relations: Anticipated Visits and Strategic Talks

Zelensky Anticipates Trump Administration Engagement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced expectations for visits from Trump administration officials this week, signaling potential shifts in U.S. support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts. Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky remarked, “We have a common vision of the main issue, how to stop Putin and how to guarantee security for Ukraine and Ukrainians” (02:29).

Discussions with Russian Leadership

President Trump indicated that he has already engaged in conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding ending the war. This development could pave the way for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

Upcoming Munich Security Conference

Zelensky also mentioned plans to meet with Vice President J.D. Vance at the upcoming Munich Security Conference, scheduled for February 14-16 in Germany. This meeting aims to align international strategies to support Ukraine’s security and sovereignty (02:29).

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4. Weather and Economy: Winter Storm Impact and Market Trends

Powerful Winter Storm Hits the U.S.

A formidable winter storm is sweeping across the central and eastern United States, with the National Weather Service issuing winter storm warnings and advisories from Colorado to Delaware. The storm is expected to bring heavy snow and significant ice accumulation, particularly in the Appalachian regions where parts could receive up to half an inch of ice (03:09).

Economic Implications: Wall Street Under Pressure

Pre-market trading indicated a downturn on Wall Street, with stock futures trending lower. The winter storm's potential disruption to transportation and commerce is likely contributing to investor apprehension (03:09).

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5. Alzheimer's Research: Defying Genetic Predisposition

Breakthrough Study on Alzheimer's Resilience

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers are examining a 75-year-old man with a rare gene mutation that typically leads to early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Remarkably, he shows no signs of cognitive decline despite his genetic predisposition.

Protective Proteins Identified

Jorge Gibre from Washington University in St. Louis and his team discovered that the man's brain contains elevated levels of proteins associated with high-temperature exposure and stress responses. Gibre explained, “These proteins may help protect the brain from Alzheimer's” (04:12). NPR's John Hamilton emphasized the significance, stating, “It's so important, right, because he's telling us that something is going on that is protecting these people” (04:07).

This research offers promising insights into potential protective mechanisms against Alzheimer's, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.

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6. Tourism Management: Venice Increases Entrance Fees

Venice Implements Higher Fees for Day-Trippers

To manage the overwhelming influx of tourists and preserve the integrity of its historic canals, Venice officials have decided to double entrance fees for day visitors from approximately €5 to €10. Additionally, the enhanced fees will be enforced on more days throughout the year.

Addressing Overcrowding Concerns

With tens of thousands of tourists visiting Venice daily, municipal authorities aim to mitigate the strain on the city's infrastructure and cultural sites. This strategic move seeks to balance tourism revenue with sustainable city management (04:26).

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and essential news updates, ensuring listeners are well-informed on critical issues shaping the world today.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Jordan's King Abdullah will visit President Trump at the White House late this morning. Their meeting could be significant. NPR's Gina Raft reports. Trump wants to force Palestinians in Gaza to go to Jordan and Egypt.

[Gina Raft]

Jordan is a key ally and without any consultation, according to Jordanians and White House officials. Trump floated that plan last week during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU for the US to take over Gaza and forcibly push 2 million Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan. Monday night, Trump doubled down, threatening Jordan if it didn't accept the plan.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Jana Raf reporting. Jordanian officials said Trump's suggestion won't happen. Jordan's foreign minister says expelling Gaza residents to Jordan would break Jordan's peace treaty with Israel and therefore would be seen as a declaration of war. Trump says the US should take control of Gaza, saying the war torn enclave is like a big real estate site. A federal judge is extending the hold on the Trump administration's resignation offers to federal employees. Yesterday was the deadline for some 2 million civilian workers to choose whether to resign or stay in their jobs and risk being terminated. From member station wbur, Walter Wuthman has more.

[Walter Wuthman]

A group of unions representing thousands of federal workers say the offer is unlawful and aims to replace career civil servants with people ideologically aligned with Trump. Government attorneys reject those claims and say the unions lack standing to challenge in administrative action. Union attorney Elena Goldstein praised the extension.

[Elena Goldstein]

We hope that this decision today will provide civil service workers with with the assurance that the American people have their backs and we will continue to pursue all legal options to ensure that they are protected and that the law is upheld.

[Walter Wuthman]

Federal Judge George O'Toole did not indicate when he will issue a final ruling. For NPR News, I'm Walter Woffman in Boston.

[Korva Coleman]

Ukraine's president says he's expecting Trump administration officials to visit his country this week. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports. President Trump says he has already talked with Russia's president about ending the war.

[Joanna Kakisis]

Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv with the head of the European Investment Bank, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said people from Trump's team, important ones he says will be in Ukraine this week for preliminary talks. There may be different opinions, but we have a common vision of the main issue, Zelensky said, how to stop Putin and how to guarantee security for Ukraine and Ukrainians. He said he's also planning to meet with Vice President J.D. vance at the Munich Security Conference, which is set to take place between February 14th and 16th in Germany. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street and premarket trading stock futures are lower. This is npr. A powerful winter storm is headed for the central and eastern U.S. the National Weather Service says winter storm warnings and advisories spread from Colorado to Delaware. Some areas will get a lot of snow, others will get significant ice. Forecasters say parts of the Appalachians could get up to half an inch of ice accumulation. Researchers are trying to understand how a man who was expected to develop early Alzheimer's has remained mentally sound into his mid-70s. NPR's John Hamilton has more on a study in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

[Jorge Gibre]

The man has a rare gene mutation that caused family members to develop Alzheimer's in their 30s and 40s, yet he still shows no sign of the disease at 75. Jorge Gibre of Washington University in St. Louis is part of a team that's been studying the man, along with two earlier cases of people who defied their genetic destiny.

[John Hamilton]

It's so important, right, because he's telling us that something is going on that is protecting these people.

[Jorge Gibre]

Gibre says the man's brain has high levels of proteins found in people exposed to high temperatures and other forms of stress. He says these proteins may help protect the brain from Alzheimer's. John Hamilton, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Municipal officials in Venice are boosting their entrance fees for some visitors who take day trips to see Italy's famous city of canals. That fee has been doubled from about 5 to $10, and it will be imposed on more days than it was last year. Venetian officials are trying to manage enormous crowds in the world renowned city. Tens of thousands of tourists often enter on a single day. This is npr.

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