NPR News Now Episode: NPR News: 02-12-2025 9PM EST Release Date: February 13, 2025

Belarus Releases Three Prisoners

Host: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [00:19]

Belarus has recently freed three prisoners, including an unnamed American, a human rights activist, and a journalist associated with a U.S.-funded station. Michelle Kellerman of NPR reports on the emotional release of journalist Andrei Kuzneczik.

Key Highlights:

• Andrei Kuzneczik, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFERL), reunited with his wife and two young children in Lithuania after spending years in Belarusian custody.
• Stephen Kappas, President of Radio for Europe, emphasized the unjust nature of Kuzneczik's imprisonment, stating, “Now we've been designated as an extremist organization and Andre is one of the first people to pay the price” (00:39).
• The release was part of a deal negotiated by the Trump administration, though Kappas clarified that the U.S. did not exchange prisoners. Instead, officials aim to secure the release of additional political detainees, including RFERL reporter Ihar Losic (01:10).

Congressional Oversight Committee Hearings on Fraud and Musk’s DOGE Initiative

Host: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [01:25]

The newly formed Oversight Committee, established to complement Elon Musk’s entity known as DOGE, held its inaugural hearing focusing on fraudulent payments involving major federal programs.

Key Highlights:

• Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican chair of the DOGE subcommittee, highlighted concerns over “hundreds of billions in fraud, waste and abuse” across federal programs each year (01:35).
• The committee scrutinized improper payments through programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Earned Income Tax Credit, pandemic unemployment insurance, and the Paycheck Protection Program (01:46).
• Partisan tensions surfaced as debates arose over Musk's influence on attempts to reduce government agency roles and federal spending. Spear notes that the hearings featured significant “partisan fireworks” due to these conflicting viewpoints (02:00).

Lawsuit Filed Over Venezuelan Immigrants’ Detention at Guantanamo Bay

Host: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [02:12]

Family members of three Venezuelan immigrants detained at Guantanamo Bay have initiated a legal challenge against the Trump administration, seeking greater access to legal counsel for detainees.

Key Highlights:

• The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., alleging that the Trump administration is preventing immigrants from accessing attorneys and maintaining incommunicado detention conditions (02:26).
• The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing the families and four immigrant rights groups, aims to ensure that detainees can meet with lawyers and maintain communication with their families.
• The Trump administration contends that only individuals with severe criminal records are being sent to Guantanamo, although reports indicate that some detainees may lack criminal backgrounds (02:26).

Wall Street Closes Mixed Amid Market Uncertainty

Host: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [03:08]

Wall Street experienced a volatile trading session with mixed results across major indices.

Key Highlights:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 225 points.
• Nasdaq Composite saw a slight increase of 6 points.
• S&P 500 dropped by 16 points.
• Market fluctuations were influenced by concerns over possible resolutions to hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, impacting crude oil futures. Oil prices decreased by nearly $2 a barrel, settling at $71.37 (03:08).

President Trump to Chair the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Host: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [03:08]

In a surprising move, President Trump announced his decision to chair the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a prestigious cultural institution in Washington, D.C.

Key Highlights:

• Neda Ulleby reports that Trump declared his chairmanship via the social platform Truth Social, asserting he was elected by the board.
• The President recently overhauled the board by removing all 18 Democratic members, altering the board’s previously balanced partisan composition (03:31).
• The Kennedy Center responded by stating that there were no restrictions preventing such actions. Trump's dissatisfaction appears linked to the center's inclusion of diverse performances, including drag shows, which he criticized (03:31).
• Notably, Trump has not attended Kennedy Center events during his tenure, opting instead to skip honors for entertainers who have opposed his policies (03:31).

Rising Inflation Hits Everyday Consumers

Host: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [04:10]

Recent inflation data reveals significant price increases affecting consumers, particularly in the food and energy sectors.

Key Highlights:

• The average price for a dozen eggs in the U.S. has surged to nearly $5, surpassing previous records. In certain areas, prices have skyrocketed to as much as $10 per dozen, with organic and cage-free options being even pricier (04:10).
• Crude oil futures saw a slight decline as markets attempt to gauge the impact of potential peace between Russia and Ukraine on energy prices. Oil prices are currently at $71.37 per barrel after a drop of nearly $2 (04:10).

Overall, this episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive update on international prisoner releases, congressional oversight on federal fraud, legal challenges faced by immigrants, fluctuating financial markets, political appointments affecting cultural institutions, and the pressing issue of rising consumer inflation.

For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode or visit NPR’s website.