NPR News Now: February 14, 2025, 8 AM EST

Hosted by NPR

U.S. Diplomatic Efforts in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Vice President Vance to Meet President Zelenskyy at Munich Security Conference

In Washington, Vice President Vance is poised to engage in high-level diplomacy with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference. This meeting underscores the United States' intensified role in seeking an end to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war.

Deepa Shivaram reports that Vance's participation extends beyond dialogues with Ukraine. He is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks at the annual conference, where the ongoing conflict has been a central theme for nearly three years. Last year at the Munich Security Conference, Vance advocated for a strategic pivot in U.S. foreign policy, suggesting, “it was time for the US to pivot away from its focus on Europe and turned to China and East Asia as the future of US Foreign policy” (00:32).

Additionally, President Trump has been actively engaging with global leaders to de-escalate tensions. He recently held a lengthy phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, announcing a forthcoming face-to-face meeting in Saudi Arabia. Following this, Trump also communicated directly with Zelenskyy, highlighting the administration's multifaceted approach to resolving the conflict.

President Trump Announces New Reciprocal Tariffs

Tariffs Aimed at Ensuring Fair Trade Practices

President Trump unveiled a new strategy to address international trade imbalances through the implementation of reciprocal tariffs. Describing the initiative, Trump stated at 01:15, “I have decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff, meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them no more, no less.”

Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick revealed that these tariffs could be enacted as early as April. The administration plans to assess and set tariff levels on a country-by-country basis. While acknowledging potential drawbacks, such as increased prices for American consumers, Trump expressed optimism that the tariffs would stimulate job growth. He also highlighted a separate directive signed earlier in the week imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports (01:28).

Danielle Kurtzleben of NPR elaborated on the economic implications, noting that these tariffs function as taxes on imported goods, potentially impacting various sectors within the U.S. economy.

New York Governor Hochul Blocks Extradition of Abortion-Providing Doctor

Legal Clash Over Abortion Pill Prescriptions

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has made headlines by refusing to extradite a New York-based doctor to Louisiana. The doctor faces charges for allegedly prescribing abortion pills online to a resident of Louisiana, a state where such actions are now criminalized.

Governor Hochul addressed the issue on MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show," emphasizing the doctor's intent to support individuals denied autonomy over their reproductive choices. “[...] we have a doctor who's trying to help someone in another state who's denied the right of control over her own body, just doing what her oath requires her to do, and now she's treated like a criminal,” Hochul asserted at 02:16. She firmly stated, “It was not a tough decision for me, Rachel. I said no and hell no. I will never, ever send this person to harm's way to stand for 15 years of possible jail time for just being a doctor.”

This case is poised to be a landmark legal battle, testing New York State's shield law designed to protect healthcare providers who offer abortion services across state lines where abortion is outlawed.

Hamas to Release Hostages as Part of Ceasefire Agreement

Negotiated Release Includes American and Russian Citizens

In a significant development, Hamas has announced the release of three hostages slated for tomorrow, adhering to the original terms of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. Among those to be freed are an American and a Russian citizen who also hold Israeli citizenship.

This hostage release is critical in restoring the fragile ceasefire, which had been jeopardized by the ongoing dispute with Israel. The resolution of this matter is expected to stabilize the region and uphold the terms agreed upon by both parties.

TikTok Returns to U.S. App Stores Amid Legal Uncertainties

Apple and Google Re-Enable the Popular App Despite Ongoing Legal Challenges

After nearly a month of absence from the app stores, TikTok has been reinstated by Apple and Google. The removal of the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform was initially prompted by a federal law aimed at banning the app, with potential fines reaching billions of dollars for non-compliance.

Bobby Allen reports that Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a letter to the tech giants assuring them that the Trump administration would not enforce the ban, allowing TikTok’s return to app stores. This move enables the platform to deliver essential software updates addressing bugs and security vulnerabilities.

However, legal experts caution that this reinstatement is precarious. As long as China maintains control over TikTok, Apple and Google may technically be violating federal law by continuing to support the app. There are ongoing negotiations regarding the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations, but the administration could reverse its stance and impose penalties on the companies involved (03:39).

Winter Storm Forecasted to Impact Large Portions of the United States

Weather Alerts Issued from Montana to Arizona

A formidable winter storm is making its way across the country, prompting weather advisories in states ranging from Montana to Arizona. Meteorologists predict that the system could deliver up to 10 inches of snow in regions including the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and New England over the weekend.

The storm’s extensive reach poses significant challenges, particularly in areas unaccustomed to heavy snowfall, potentially disrupting daily activities and posing hazards on the roads.

Unusual Wildlife Encounter in the Strait of Magellan

Kayaker Survives Surreal Encounter with Humpback Whale

In Chile's southernmost region, kayaker Adrian Simancas experienced a startling encounter last weekend. While paddling through the Strait of Magellan, a humpback whale surfaced and briefly scooped Simancas into its mouth before submerging again. The incident was captured on video by Simancas’ father, who was accompanying him on the kayak.

Remarkably, the whale expelled Simancas shortly after, allowing him to safely return to his kayak and rush to safety with his father. This rare interaction highlights the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters in remote maritime environments (04:18).

Market and Business Updates

• Wall Street Futures Decline: Anticipating potential market downturns amidst global tensions and economic shifts, futures are showing a downward trend.

• Apple and Google Restore TikTok: As detailed earlier, the reinstatement of TikTok may have broader implications for tech companies navigating regulatory landscapes.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode aired on February 14, 2025. For detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to access the full podcast.