NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 02-12-2025 10PM EST
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Host: Jack Spear
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.
1. U.S.-Russia Negotiations on Ukraine Conflict
Timestamp: [00:17]
President Donald Trump announced a significant shift in U.S. support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. In a statement, Trump revealed that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to commence negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Donald Trump [00:39]: "I'll be dealing with President Putin largely on the phone and we ultimately expect to meet. In fact, we expect that he'll come here and I'll go there and we're going to meet also probably in Saudi Arabia. The first time we'll meet in Saudi Arabia, see if we can get something done."
Trump also mentioned his discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although White House officials did not clarify Ukraine’s role in the negotiations. This move indicates a potential shift towards a diplomatic resolution involving direct talks between Washington and Moscow.
2. Funding Freezes Impact Environmental Projects
Timestamp: [00:55]
The Trump administration has imposed funding freezes on several environmental projects approved by Congress, causing disruptions across the United States. NPR's Michael Copley reports that this pause threatens initiatives aimed at combating climate change and supporting vulnerable communities.
Zahra Ahmed [01:20]: "The administration paused funding Congress had approved for removing lead pipes, cleaning up contaminated land and installing solar panels in low income neighborhoods."
These funding cuts affect projects such as lead pipe removal, land contamination cleanup, and the installation of solar panels in low-income areas. Grant recipients fear that these freezes could nullify Trump’s pledge to reduce federal spending, undermining public trust in federal aid.
Zahra Ahmed [01:44]: "Disrupting government backed projects looks like a way of trying to shake people's trust in federal aid."
Additionally, Carbon Direct's Zahra Ahmed highlighted concerns about businesses' reluctance to engage with the federal government due to these disruptions.
3. Climate Change Threatens U.S. Housing Market
Timestamp: [02:00]
Research from First Street Analytics warns of a potential $1.4 trillion loss in the U.S. housing market value by 2055 due to climate-related risks. NPR’s Julia Simon discusses how increasing climate events are impacting home values.
Julia Simon [02:13]: "Home ownership has often been seen as a key part of the American dream... Now more wildfires, flood events and heat events made more likely because of humans burning fossil fuels have led insurance providers to increase premiums or withdraw from certain areas."
The study indicates that 84% of all census tracts could face negative property value impacts from climate risks, driven by the rising costs or unavailability of insurance in vulnerable areas. This trend threatens the long-term stability and desirability of home ownership across the nation.
4. Federal Reserve's Stance on Interest Rates
Timestamp: [02:50]
In response to President Trump’s call for lower interest rates, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell maintained that the central bank will not alter its policies based on political pressure. Speaking before the House Financial Services Committee, Powell emphasized the Fed’s commitment to economic data.
Jerome Powell [paraphrased, not directly quoted]: "We will keep our heads down, do our work and make our decisions based on what's happening with the economy."
Despite Trump's assertions, the Federal Reserve remains determined to follow its independent mandate, resulting in a Dow Jones Industrial Average drop of 225 points as Wall Street reacted to the ongoing policy discussions.
5. Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as Director of National Intelligence
Timestamp: [03:10]
In a contentious confirmation process, Tulsi Gabbard has been approved by the Senate to serve as the Director of National Intelligence. Her nomination sparked debate due to her previous comments perceived as sympathetic towards Russia and her meeting with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
Gabbard, a military veteran and former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, faces scrutiny over her lack of formal intelligence experience and her unfamiliarity with running a government agency. Despite these concerns, the confirmation proceeded largely along party lines, highlighting the partisan divides within the Senate.
6. Yogurt Consumption Linked to Reduced Colon Cancer Risk
Timestamp: [03:50]
A new study presented by NPR’s Marie Godoy reveals that regular yogurt consumption may lower the risk of aggressive colon cancer. Researchers from Mass General Brigham analyzed data from over 150,000 individuals tracked for more than thirty years.
Dr. Tomotaka Ugai [03:57]: "People who ate two or more servings of yogurt per week had lower rates of proximal colon cancer... The good bacteria in yogurt appear to be helping to keep the gut microbiome healthy, thus protecting against colorectal cancer."
Published in the journal Gut Microbes, the study underscores the potential health benefits of yogurt, attributing the protective effect to probiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome. Trump humorously commented on the findings.
Donald Trump [04:34]: "My kind of message is that if you like yogurt, go for it."
7. Crude Oil Prices Decline
Timestamp: [04:45]
Crude oil futures experienced a decrease, with prices falling nearly $2 per barrel to $71.37 in New York. This downturn follows recent gains, reflecting market volatility amid global economic and political uncertainties.
Conclusion
This episode of NPR News Now covered a broad spectrum of pressing issues, from high-stakes international negotiations and climate-related financial risks to significant political appointments and health studies. Each story provides insight into the evolving landscape of U.S. politics, environmental policy, economic stability, and public health, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of current events shaping the nation and beyond.
Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the news content.