NPR News: 02-15-2025 7PM EST

Summary

Summary of NPR News Now - Episode: 02-15-2025 7PM EST

Release Date: February 16, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Source: NPR News Now

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European Union’s Call for a Continental Defense

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Advocates for a European Army

At the Annual Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to establish its own military force to safeguard the continent against Russian aggression. Speaking at [00:16], Zelensky emphasized, “We can no longer be sure of U.S. protection. A European army is necessary because the continent’s future depends only on Europeans.” He highlighted that Ukraine remains steadfast in its fight, declaring, “Ukraine won't accept any deal to end the war with Russia that's reached behind its back.” Zelensky’s remarks underscore the growing sentiment that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security amidst ongoing tensions with Russia.

NPR Analyst Highlights Shifting Alliances

An unnamed NPR analyst provided context at [00:47], stating, “The US, Ukraine’s strongest single ally, is now speaking directly to Russia, the country that invaded Ukraine and continues to attack it.” The analyst noted the potential implications of President Trump’s planned visit to Russia and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s opposition to Ukraine’s goals of joining NATO and reclaiming occupied territories. This development has unsettled many Ukrainians, with sentiments of feeling “betrayed” by the U.S., a nation they admire for its democratic values.

Massive Job Cuts in the U.S. Forest Service

Union Reports 3,400 Employees Fired Post-Deadline

A significant workforce reduction has hit the U.S. Forest Service, with approximately 3,400 employees dismissed shortly after the Federal Workers' deadline. Dennis Lapsewicz from the Forest Service Council stated at [01:33], “Many US Forest Service workers showed up to work only to be fired shortly thereafter.” These cuts affect various roles, including trail and road maintenance, logging, and fire suppression.

Firefighters Concerned Over Job Losses

An unnamed Forest Service employee expressed alarm at [01:51], “We are losing wildland firefighters right and left, and they’re not going to be here come this fire season.” The Department of Agriculture has not confirmed the exact number of layoffs or whether firefighters are specifically targeted. Responding to inquiries, a department spokesperson mentioned support for President Trump’s directive to “optimize government operations,” leaving many workers uncertain about their futures.

Stock Markets Climb Amid Economic Uncertainty

Major Indices Rise Despite Inflation and Retail Slump

Even with persistent inflation and a disappointing retail sales report, U.S. stock markets saw gains this week. Scott Horsley reported at [02:18], “All of the major indices rose by more than half a percent,” with the Dow increasing by over 0.5%, the S&P 500 by 1.5%, and the Nasdaq by more than 2.5%.

Economic Indicators Paint a Mixed Picture

The Labor Department revealed a 3% increase in consumer prices for January at [02:29], indicating stubborn inflation alongside a robust job market. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell remarked, “The Central bank does not have to be in a hurry to cut interest rates,” suggesting a cautious approach to monetary policy. Additionally, retail sales fell by 0.9% last month, while the Trump administration hinted at potential tariffs, which temporarily eased investor concerns as the import taxes have yet to take effect.

Escalating Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Rebel Group M23 Captures Second Major City

Rebels backed by Rwanda, known as M23, have seized Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, marking a significant escalation in the region’s conflict. Emmett Livingstone reported at [03:28], “Rebels from the Rwanda-backed M23 have captured Bukavu, a city of about 1 million people in eastern Congo. It’s the second major city that the group has captured in recent weeks, having seized Goma, the region’s main trading hub, in late January.” The takeover occurred with minimal resistance, leading Congo’s army to retreat. President Felix Tshisekedi reaffirmed his stance against negotiating with the M23, labeling them as a “Rwandan proxy,” and warned of potential advances toward the capital, Kinshasa.

Tragic Aviation Collision Near Washington, D.C.

NTSB Investigates Fatal Helicopter-Jet Crash

A catastrophic collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet near Reagan National Airport resulted in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft. Jeanine Herbst reported at [04:11], “Federal transportation investigators say the crew of the Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger jet near Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C. last month may have had inaccurate altitude readings.”

Possible Causes and Investigation Timeline

NTSB Chair Jennifer Hammondy indicated that the helicopter crew might not have received proper instructions from air traffic controllers and that the American Airlines crew may have seen the helicopter moments before the impact. “There’s evidence to suggest the American Airlines crew saw the helicopter right before impact,” Hammondy stated. The investigation is expected to take over a year to determine the full causes of the tragedy.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of critical global and domestic issues, including Ukraine’s push for European defense autonomy, significant job cuts within the U.S. Forest Service, fluctuating stock markets amidst economic challenges, escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a tragic aviation accident near Washington, D.C. Through in-depth reporting and expert analysis, the episode shed light on the complexities and implications of each headline.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling on the European Union to establish a European army to defend the continent against Russia. He told the annual Munich security Conference that the can no longer be sure of U.S. protection, that a European army is necessary because the continent's future depends only on Europeans. He also says Ukraine won't accept any deal to end the war with Russia that's reached behind its back. NPR's Joanna Kakissis has more.

[Unnamed NPR Analyst]

This is important because the US, Ukraine's strongest single ally, is now speaking directly to Russia, the country that invaded Ukraine and continues to attack it. President Trump says he plans to visit Russia. His defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has poured cold water on two of Ukraine's most important goals, joining NATO and getting back all of its territory occupied by Russia. And these developments have really unsettled Ukrainians. I've spoken to many who say they feel like the US the country they most admire for its democratic values, is betraying them.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Joanna Kakiss. A union representing U.S. forest Service employees say the agency has fired about 3,400 workers just after the so called fork in the road deadline for federal workers. Wyoming Public Radio's Caitlin Tan has more.

[Dennis Lapsewicz]

Many US Forest Service workers showed up to work only to be fired shortly thereafter, said Dennis Lapsewicz with the Forest Service Council, a national union. He says probationary employees were let go, including those in trail and road maintenance, logging and even fire suppression.

[Unnamed Forest Service Employee]

We are losing wildland firefighters right and left, and they're not going to be here come this fire season.

[Dennis Lapsewicz]

The Department of Agriculture, which runs the Forest Service, has not confirmed the number of job cuts or whether they include firefighters. A written response from the department says it supports President Trump's directive to, quote, optimize government operations. For NPR News, I'm Caitlin Tan in Laramie. Wyoming.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Stocks gained ground this week despite stubborn inflation and a lackluster report on retail spending. NPR Scott Horsley reports. All of the major indices rose by more than a half percent.

[Scott Horsley]

Stocks aren't the only things getting more expensive. The Labor Department said Wednesday that consumer prices were up 3% in January, a big bigger annual increase than the month before with sticky inflation and a solid job market. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told lawmakers this week the Central bank does not have to be in a hurry to cut interest rates. Shoppers dialed back their spending. Last month, retail sales fell by 0.9% while the Trump administration threatened higher tariffs in the not too distant future. Investors seemed relieved that most of the import taxes have not kicked in yet. For the week, the Dow gained more than half a percent. The S&P 500 index rose 1.5%, and the Nasdaq jumped more than 2.5. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Rebels backed by Rwanda have captured the second largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and Congo's army has retreated. Emmett Livingstone has more.

[Emmett Livingstone]

Rebels from The Rwanda backed M23 have captured Bukavu, a city of about 1 million people in eastern Congo. It's the second major city that the group has captured in recent weeks, having seized Goma, the region's main trading hub, in late January, There was little to no fighting for Bukavu, according to the UN and other sources. Congo's army, which hasn't yet commented, appears to have retreated. It's unclear how far this conflict will go. The M23 has vowed to march on the capital, Kinshasa. Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi this week restated his long standing opposition to negotiating with the M23, which he considers a Rwandan proxy. For NPR News, I'm Emmett Livingstone in Kinshasa.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Federal transportation investigators say the crew of the Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger jet near Reagan national airport outside Washington, D.C. last month may have had inaccurate altitude readings. The National Transportation Safety Board also says they may not have heard instructions from air traffic controllers. NTSB Chair Jennifer Hammondy says there's also evidence to suggest the American Airlines crew saw the helicopter right before impact. All 67 people on board both aircraft were killed. The NTSB says it could take more than a year to finish the investigation. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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