NPR News: 02-12-2025 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 12, 2025, 5 PM EST

Host: Jack Speier
Producer: NPR

1. Presidential Communications on Ukraine Conflict

Jack Speier opened the episode by reporting that President Donald Trump has engaged in significant discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a statement released on social media, Trump announced, "I had a lengthy and highly productive conversation with President Putin" (00:14). Danielle Kurtzleben provided further insights, detailing that both leaders agreed to visit each other's countries and commence negotiations to end the war. However, Trump did not elaborate on the specifics of these negotiations.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth weighed in, expressing skepticism about the feasibility of restoring Ukraine to its pre-2014 borders before Russia's annexation of Crimea. He stated, "It's unrealistic to expect that Ukraine could return to its pre-2014 borders before Russia annexed Crimea. If Ukraine wants a return to those borders, it would prolong the war" (00:37). The White House also indicated that Trump plans to meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia, although a date has yet to be confirmed (01:04).

2. Senate Confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence, a move that included a notable dissent from GOP Senator Mitch McConnell (01:04). Deidre Walsh reported that Republican leaders praised Gabbard for her plans to "reduce inefficiencies and refocus national intelligence" (01:19). GOP Leader John Barrasso emphasized Gabbard's vision, asserting, "We can trust our intelligence agencies again. We need to take an axe to the weaponization of these very agencies" (01:31).

Some Republican senators had reservations due to Gabbard's past praise for Edward Snowden, the former contractor who leaked classified information. Despite these concerns, they ultimately supported her nomination after she assured them of her commitment to preventing unauthorized disclosures. Conversely, Senate Democrats opposed her appointment, arguing that her experience and judgment were insufficient for leading the agency (01:37).

3. US-Mexico Trade Relations

Jack Speier reported on escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico concerning trade tariffs. NPR's Adri Peralta highlighted that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is pursuing a diplomatic approach instead of implementing retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. in response to President Trump's recent imposition of increased tariffs on aluminum and steel.

Sheinbaum stated, "Instead of beginning a trade war by announcing retaliatory measures, I want U.S. and Mexican officials to talk" (02:02). Adri Peralta added that Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente is scheduled to speak with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Mexican government considers the tariffs unjust, particularly because Mexico maintains a trade deficit with the U.S., and is optimistic that the tariffs will not be enforced. Sheinbaum emphasized, "We're ready for coordination and collaboration, but without interference or subordination" (02:12).

4. Severe Weather and Power Outages

A weather system brought heavy wet snow and freezing rain from Washington, D.C., to Kentucky, resulting in hundreds of vehicle crashes and leaving thousands without power (02:52). Jack Speier reported that as the snow begins to melt, there is an increased risk of flooding in the affected areas. Earlier in the day, numerous power outages occurred, including about 1,000 customers losing electricity in Virginia. Efforts to restore power are ongoing, ensuring that those affected will soon be back online.

5. Near-Earth Object: Asteroid 2024 YR4

Astronomers are closely monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, which now has an estimated 1 in 47 chance of impacting Earth in 2032 (03:27). Scott Newman explained that detecting such near-Earth objects requires analyzing numerous grainy photographs for subtle movements. Larry Deneau, co-principal at Atlas from the University of Hawaii, stated, "Detecting these near Earth objects involves examining lots of grainy photographs for faint signs of movement" (03:27). The challenge lies in distinguishing these objects from background noise, as much of the image consists of indistinguishable grains that resemble faint stars (03:52).

If 2024 YR4 were to collide with a populated area, the damage could be catastrophic. Scientists continue to study its trajectory to better assess the potential threat and develop mitigation strategies (04:02).

6. Paul McCartney's Intimate Concert and Oil Prices

In a lighter segment, Jack Speier shared that Paul McCartney delivered a surprise performance at the Bowery Ballroom in New York, drawing a crowd of fewer than 600 attendees. This intimate setting contrasted sharply with his previous concert at MetLife Stadium, where he played to over 82,000 fans. McCartney announced the performance just hours before it began, leading to a rush of fans seeking tickets. He performed a selection of Beatles classics and Wings hits and is also set to appear on this weekend's Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary show (04:12).

On the economic front, crude oil futures saw a decline, dropping nearly $2 per barrel to $71.37 in New York markets (04:12). This dip followed a period of gains and reflects ongoing volatility in the energy sector.

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Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. President Donald Trump says he has spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a range of issues, including the Kremlin's war against Ukraine, and also has now talked to Ukraine's president about it. In a social media post, Trump said his call with Putin was lengthy and highly productive. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has more.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Trump said he and Putin agreed to visit each other's countries and that they agreed to, quote, start negotiations immediately on ending the war in Ukraine. Trump did not provide details on what negotiations might look like. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says it's, quote, unrealistic to expect that Ukraine could return to its pre2014 borders before Russia annexed Crimea. He added that if Ukraine wants a return to those borders, it would prolong the war. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[Jack Spear]

The White House says Trump expects to meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia. No date has been set yet. The Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence. NPR's Deidre Walsh reports on the vote, which included a no from GOP Senator Mitch McConnell.

[Deidre Walsh]

Republicans praise Gabbard's plans to reduce inefficiencies and refocus national intelligence. The number two. GOP leader, John Barrasso, stressed her vision for peace through streng Washington wants to.

[Jack Spear]

Trust our intelligence agencies again. We need to take an axe to the weaponization of these very agencies.

[Deidre Walsh]

Some Senate Republicans cited Gabbard's praise for Edward Snowden, a former contractor who leaked classified material, as an issue. But after Gabbard gave assurances she would guard against unauthorized disclosures, they voted for her. Gabbard served in the House for eight years as a Democrat, but Senate Democrats argued she didn't have the experience or judgment to lead the agency. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Jack Spear]

Mexico says it is not yet ready to slap retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. nPR's Adri Peralta reports. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is seeking a diplomatic route first.

[Adri Peralta]

Sheinbaum says instead of beginning a trade war by announcing retaliatory measures, she wants U.S. and Mexican officials to talk. Indeed, she said Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente is set to speak to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Mexican government is betting the increased tariffs on aluminum and steel announced by President Trump will never take. The government has called them unjust, in part because Mexico runs a trade deficit with the U.S. mexico is ready to talk and negotiate. We're ready for coordination and collaboration, she said, but without interference or subordination. Ada Palta, NPR News, Mexico City.

[Jack Spear]

Heavy wet snow and freezing rain that fell from Washington, D.C. to Kentucky caused hundreds of vehicle crashes, left thousands of people in the dark. Now, with all that snow melting, there will be risks of flooding. Earlier today, there were about 1 customers without power in Virginia, though efforts to get those affected back online are underway. You're listening to npr. Astronomers say the chance of an asteroid potentially as big as a football field hitting the Earth in 2032 has now ticked up slightly, but the odds of a miss are still heavily in our favor. Here's NPR.

[Scott Newman]

Scott Newman, astronomers looking closely at the asteroid called 2024 YR4 say it has about a 1 in 47 chance of hit Earth more than eight years from now. Larry Deneau is co principal at Atlas, the University of Hawaii based group that discovered the asteroid last year. He says detecting these near Earth objects involves examining lots of grainy photographs for faint signs of movement.

[Jack Spear]

And at the very faint end, those grainy parts of the image you know are indistinguishable from a faint star that's on there, right? We're looking for things that unfortunately also happen to look like noise.

[Scott Newman]

Scientists say damage from the impact of an object as big as 2024 yr could be devastating if it hit a populated area. Scott Newman, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Every once in a while, the most famous Living Beatles still plays at a small venue, and that happened last night in New York at the Bowery ballroom. While Paul McCartney previously played to 82,000 plus at MetLife Stadium, the crowd last night at the Bowery Ballroom probably numbered fewer than 600. McCartney announced the performance just hours before taking the stage, with people rushing trying to snag a ticket. But Gartney played through much of his catalog of Beatles classics and Wings hits. He's also taking part in this weekend's Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary show. Crude oil futures prices gave up some of their recent gains. Oil fell nearly $2 a barrel to $71.37 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

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