NPR News: 02-15-2025 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 15, 2025, 4PM EST

Host: NPR – Nora Rahm

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German Chancellor Criticizes U.S. Vice President Over Far-Right Influence

At the annual Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivered a pointed critique of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's recent speech advocating for greater inclusion of far-right and populist parties in European politics. Scholz highlighted the historical parallels between the ideologies that once led to the Holocaust and the current resurgence of similar forces within Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Scholz remarked, "[Germany] does not accept people from outside interfering in its election and where its democracy goes is for the country to decide." [00:50] He contrasted this stance with Vance's visit to the Dachau concentration camp just a day before his speech, where Vance had stated that "the Holocaust should never happen again." Scholz emphasized that despite Vance's intentions, his remarks were seen as undermining Germany's sovereignty and the nation's efforts to combat extremism internally.

Reporter: Rob Schmitz, Munich

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Ukrainian President Advocates for a European Army; Hamas Releases Additional Hostages

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Munich Security Conference, urging European nations to establish a continental army. Zelensky articulated concerns over Europe's reliance on U.S. military support, asserting that "the continent can no longer be sure of U.S. protection." This call reflects Ukraine's ongoing struggle for security amid escalating tensions in the region.

In related news, Hamas has released three more hostages as part of a fragile ceasefire agreement initiated last month. NPR's Hadil El Shalchi reported from Tel Aviv that the newly freed hostages—Sagi Dekelchen (36, American Israeli), Alexander Trupanov (29, Russian Israeli), and Yair Horn (46, Argentinian Israeli)—were presented on stage by armed Hamas militants. Each hostage delivered a short speech in Hebrew, urging leaders to intensify efforts to secure the release of remaining captives. Notably, the physical condition of the latest release showed improvement compared to the previous group, with Yair Horn appearing less gaunt despite some weight loss. [01:32]

Reporter: Hadil El Shalchi, Tel Aviv

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Severe Flood Warnings Issued for Kentucky and Surrounding Areas

The National Weather Service has issued a life-threatening flash flood warning for parts of northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky, anticipating significant rainfall over the upcoming weekend. The heightened risk prompted Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to declare a preemptive state of emergency.

Karen Zar of WUKY reported that the flood watch spans the entire state of Kentucky. Governor Beshear activated the state's Emergency Operations Center and deployed units of the Kentucky National Guard to assist in preparedness efforts. Additionally, Beshear enforced the state's price gouging laws to prevent businesses from inflating prices on essential goods and supplies during the emergency.

Rob Schmitz added, "We hope it continues to move northward and misses most of Kentucky, but we have to prepare for significant rain." [02:41] The coordinated response aims to mitigate the potential impact of severe weather, safeguarding residents and infrastructure.

Reporter: Karen Zar, Lexington

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Conflict Escalates in Eastern Congo; President Trump Pushes to Eliminate the Penny

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the conflict intensifies as Rwanda-backed rebels have captured Bukavu, the country’s second-largest city in the eastern region. This strategic takeover follows the seizure of Goma last month, leading to thousands of residents fleeing the area. African leaders express grave concerns that the ongoing conflict could spiral into a broader regional war, destabilizing neighboring countries and exacerbating humanitarian crises.

Simultaneously, former President Donald Trump has reignited the debate over the U.S. penny, declaring his intent to eliminate the coin from circulation. Maria Espin of NPR highlighted that despite attempts by both Republicans and Democrats to retire the penny over the decades, resistance has persisted. Trump stated, "I've ordered my Treasury Secretary to stop making pennies," citing the inefficiency and cost—"it costs almost 4 cents to make each new 1 cent coin"—as primary reasons. The initiative has garnered bipartisan support, including from Philip Deal, a Democrat and former mint director, who has advocated for the penny's discontinuation since the 1990s. Espin noted, "Some other countries have already stopped producing their pennies. For example, Canada phased out its $0.01 coin more than a decade ago." [03:47]

Karen Zar concurred, stating, "All for it and long overdue." [04:19]

Reporter: Maria Espin, New York

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Rising Tensions in US-Canada Sports Relations Amid Political Strains

In sports news, hockey enthusiasts will witness a highly anticipated matchup tonight as the U.S. and Canadian teams compete in the Four Nations Face Off in Montreal. However, the event is overshadowed by underlying political tensions. Canadian sports fans have reportedly been booing the U.S. national anthem, a reaction stemming from President Trump's recent rhetoric threatening tariffs and suggesting that Canada should consider joining the United States as its 51st state.

Nora Rahm highlighted that these sentiments reflect broader frustrations and strained diplomatic relations between the two nations, influenced by economic and political maneuvers from the U.S. administration. The sports arena, traditionally a venue for friendly competition, now mirrors the complexities of international politics.

Reporter: Nora Rahm, Washington

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Transcript

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[Nora Rahm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. At the annual Munich Security conference today, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz likened Vice President J.D. vance's speech yesterday to interfering with Germany's upcoming election. NPR's Rob Schmitz reports from Munich.

[Rob Schmitz]

A day after Vice President Vance lectured European leaders on allowing far right and populist parties more space in the political sphere, Chancellor Scholz sharply criticized Vance. He pointed out that a day before Vance made that speech, he had visited the Dachau concentration camp and said the Holocaust should never happen again. Yet, said Schultz, the very political forces and ideas that created the Holocaust are now again present in Germany's far right Alternative for Germany party, whose members have trivialized the horrors of Nazi Germany's role in World War II. Scholz says Germany does not accept people from outside interfering in its election and where its democracy goes is for the country to decide. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Munich.

[Nora Rahm]

Also at the conference today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the creation of a European army. He said the continent can no longer be sure of U.S. protection. Hamas freed three more hostages today as part of the fragile ceasefire which began last month. NPR's Hadil El Shalchi has more from Tel Aviv.

[Hadil El Shalchi]

The three men are 36 year old Sagi Dekelchen, who's an American Israeli, 29 year old Russian Israeli Alexander Trupanov and 46 year old Argentinian Israeli Yair Horn. Like in the previous releases, the hostages were led onto a stage flanked by massed armed Hamas militants. Each hostage gave a short speech in Hebrew calling on leaders to work harder to release the rest of the hostages held captive. So Horne looked like he had lost a lot of weight, but overall the men looked much better physically compared to the last group of men released last week. Those men were very gaunt.

[Nora Rahm]

NPR's Hadil El Shelchi. As part of the agreement, Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The National Weather Service is warning of the potential for life threatening flash flooding this weekend. The greatest risk is in parts of northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky. Karen Zar from member station WUKY has more in the story.

[Karen Zar]

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch that covers the entire state of Kentucky, prompting Governor Andy Beshear to issue a preemptive state of emergency.

[Rob Schmitz]

We hope it continues to move northward and misses most of Kentucky, but We have to prepare for significant rain.

[Karen Zar]

The Kentucky Emergency Operations center and units of the Kentucky National Guard have been activated. Beshear has also activated the state's price gouging laws, which makes it illegal for businesses to raise prices on necessary goods and supplies during an emergency. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[Nora Rahm]

This is NPR News. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, rebels backed by Rwanda have captured Bukavu, the second largest city in eastern Congo. Thousands of residents are fleeing the city. The rebels had seized the largest city, Goma, last month. African leaders fear the conflict could escalate into a wider regional war. President Trump this week became the latest US President to say he wants to kill the penny. As NPR's Maria Espin reports, both Republicans and Democrats have tried and failed for decades to get rid of the $0.01 coin.

[Maria Espin]

There are some 240 billion pennies in circulation, but most of them are just sitting around not being used. That means the US Mint keeps on making more of them and losing tens of millions. It costs almost 4 cents to make each new 1 cent coin. President Trump says he's ordered his treasury secretary to stop making pennies. And unlike most of Trump's recent executive actions, this one is getting bipartisan support. Philip Deal is a Democrat who ran the mint in the 90s. He's been calling for the end of the penny since then.

[Karen Zar]

All for it and long overdue.

[Maria Espin]

Some other countries have already stopped producing their pennies. For example, Canada phased out its $0.01 coin more than a decade ago. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Nora Rahm]

Hockey players from the US And Canada are to compete tonight in the Four Nations Face Off. The game takes place in Montreal. Canadian sports fans have been booing the US national anthem since President Trump threatened tariffs and suggested that Canada should become the 51st state. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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