NPR News: 02-12-2025 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary (02-12-2025 11PM EST)
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Host: Shea Stevens

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International Affairs

President Trump's Negotiations with Putin on Ukraine Ceasefire
At [00:18], Shea Stevens reports that President Donald Trump announced a significant development in international relations: he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to initiate negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump detailed the discussion during a phone call earlier that day, stating:

"We talked about the possibility, I mentioned it, of a ceasefire so we can stop the killing. And I think we'll probably end up at some point getting a cease fire in the not too distant future."
— Donald Trump [00:32]

Trump emphasized that any potential ceasefire would be a preliminary step, suggesting that "Ukraine should hold elections after any ceasefire" and voiced his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. This stance has sparked discussions about the future political landscape of Eastern Europe and the balance of power in the region.

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U.S. Federal Government

Deferred Resignations Program Faces Legal Hurdle
Shea Stevens highlights a pivotal legal decision regarding the Trump administration's deferred resignations program. NPR's Andrea Hsu explains that the program offered federal employees the choice to resign voluntarily in exchange for continued pay and benefits until the end of September or to remain in their positions with the possibility of being laid off amid federal workforce downsizing.

Labor unions representing civil servants sought to block the program, deeming it unlawful. However, U.S. District Judge George O'Toole denied their request, citing a lack of standing:

"The unions didn't have standing to bring the case because they are not directly affected."
— Andrea Hsu [01:00]

While the ruling allows the program to proceed for the time being, unions view it as a setback but intend to continue their efforts against the administration's workforce reduction plans.

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Government Appointments and Senate Proceedings

Confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as Head of Intelligence Agencies
In a closely contested Senate vote of 52 to 48, former Hawaii Congresswoman and Army veteran Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed to lead 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. Despite her military background, Gabbard faced opposition due to concerns over her previous meetings with the former Syrian dictator and her public support for an intelligence contractor accused of leaking classified information.

Democrats Resist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Nomination
Concurrently, Democrats are mobilizing to prevent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from being confirmed as Health Secretary. They plan to keep the Senate floor in session late into the night, aiming to persuade Republican senators to join their opposition. This move underscores the heightened partisan tensions surrounding high-profile cabinet nominations.

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Military Recruitment Trends

Trump Administration Credits Leadership for Army Recruitment Surge
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attributed the recent spike in Army enlistments to President Trump's leadership and a shift away from diversity initiatives:

"High numbers of Americans joined the army...because of President Trump's leadership and a new emphasis away from diversity initiatives."
— Pete Hegseth [02:22]

However, NPR's Quill Lawrence provides a broader perspective, noting that the recruitment increase began a year prior and is influenced by multiple factors:

"Army data show that after a slump in 2022 and 2023, recruiting goals have been met over the past year, with a surplus from 2024 to start off this year."
— Quill Lawrence [02:22]

Additional drivers include an Army program designed to prepare future soldiers physically and academically, as well as a notable rise in female enlistments over the past three years.

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Economic Developments

Inflation Rises as Federal Reserve Signals Cautious Interest Rate Cuts
Shea Stevens reports that inflation increased by 3% month-over-month, driven by rising costs in food, gasoline, and housing. This uptick follows indications from the Federal Reserve Board that future interest rate reductions will proceed cautiously, aiming to stabilize the economy without triggering excessive inflation.

Chevron Announces Major Workforce Reductions Amid Acquisition Battles
Chevron revealed plans to lay off up to 20% of its global workforce starting in April as part of a strategy to eliminate $3 billion in costs. This decision comes amidst fierce competition with ExxonMobil over Chevron's attempt to acquire oil producer Hess, highlighting the volatile nature of the energy sector.

Joann Fabrics to Close 500 Stores Following Second Bankruptcy
In a bid to restructure, Joann Fabrics has announced the closure of 500 underperforming stores across the United States. This marks the company's second bankruptcy filing within a year, signaling ongoing challenges in the retail and crafts market.

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Public Health Concerns

CDC Halts Influenza Data Sharing with WHO Amid Bird Flu Outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ceased sharing almost all influenza data. NPR's Gabriela Emanuel details that this halt coincides with the circulation of bird flu in the U.S. and elevated seasonal flu levels. The breakdown in communication began in late January, following President Trump's directive for CDC officials to stop interacting with WHO representatives.

"We have not had direct communication with CDC related to influenza. We are communicating with them, but we haven't heard anything back."
— Maria Van Kerkhov [04:33]

This cessation adversely affects the WHO's ability to monitor flu strains and adapt vaccine formulations accordingly.

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Market Update

U.S. Futures Climb in After-Hours Trading
Concluding the episode, Shea Stevens notes that U.S. futures are trending higher in after-hours trading, reflecting investor optimism or reactions to the day's news developments.

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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the NPR News Now episode from February 13, 2025, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the key topics and discussions covered.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump says he and Russian leader Putin have agreed to hold negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. Trump says they discussed the matter in a phone call earlier today.

[Donald Trump]

We talked about the possibility, I mentioned it, of a ceasefire so we can stop the killing. And I think we'll probably end up at some point getting a cease fire in the not too distant future.

[Shea Stevens]

Trump says Ukraine should hold elections after any ceasefire. He also expressed opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine. A federal judge in Boston is refusing to block the Trump administration's deferred resignations program. As NPR's Andrea Hsu reports, it means that the offer can move forward for now.

[Andrea Hsu]

The Trump administration had given workers a choice. They could offer their resignations now in exchange for pay and benefits through the end of September. The expectation was they'd be on leave most of that time or they could remain in their positions and risk being laid off as Trump downsizes the federal workforce. Labor unions representing civil servants asked the court to block the offer, calling it unlawful. U.S. district Judge George O'Toole declined that request, finding that the unions didn't have standing to bring the case because they are not directly affected. He did not rule on the legality of the deferred resignation program. The unions call the ruling a setback, but not the end of the fight. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

The Senate has confirmed former Hawaii congresswoman and army veteran Tulsi Gabbard as head of 18 US intelligence agencies. The vote was 52 to 48. Opponents of her nomination expressed concerns about Gabbard's meeting with the now former Syrian dictator and her public support for a former intelligence contractor accused of leaking classified U.S. data. Democrats say they'll hold the Senate floor into the night to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. S nomination to become health secretary. They hope to convince Republicans to join their effort to block Kennedy's confirmation. The Trump administration is taking credit for a jump in army recruitments, but NPR's Grill Lawrence reports that the increase began a year ago.

[Quill Lawrence]

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has claimed that high numbers of Americans joined the army in December and January because of President Trump's leadership and a new emphasis away from diversity initiatives. That may be true, but army data show that after a slump in 2022 and 2023 recruiting goals have been met over the past year, with a surplus from 2024 to start off this year. One reason is an army program for future soldiers that helps Americans get physically fit or academically caught up so they can qualify to serve. Another factor is a growing number of women enlisting over the past three years. Quill Lawrence, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Food, gasoline and housing costs rose last month, helping to push inflation up 3% from the same period. The report comes after the Federal Reserve Board indicated that it intends to go slow when it comes to interest rate cuts. This is NPR News. Chevron says it plans to lay off up to 20% of its global workforce beginning in April as part of a plan to slash $3 billion in costs. The announcement comes amid a battle with rival oil company ExxonMobil over Chevron's bid to acquire oil producer Hess. Joann Fabrics has announced plans to close 500 stores across the US as it seeks a buyer. The move follows the Ohio based fabrics and crafts chain's second bankruptcy filing within a year. Joanne says the closings will affect underperforming locations across the U.S. the World Health Organization says the U.S. centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped sharing almost all data on influenza. As NPR's Gabriela Emanuel reports, this comes at a time when bird flu is circulating in the US and seasonal flu levels are high.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

For decades, the US has shared influenza data through the WHO flu reporting system. Then in late January, the WHO says the US Stopped uploading their data. That's right around the same time that President Trump ordered CDC officials to stop communicating with WHO officials. Maria Van Kerkhov is with the who.

[Maria Van Kerkhov]

We have not had direct communication with CDC related to influenza. We are communicating with them, but we haven't heard anything back.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

Among other things, the WHO relies on flu data about which strains are circulating that helps them tailor the flu vaccine to the current situation. Gabriela EMANUEL, NPR NEWS.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are higher in after hours trading. This is NPR.

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