NPR News: 02-17-2025 1AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 17, 2025

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: February 17, 2025

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1. International Diplomacy: European Leaders Convene in Paris on Ukraine Peace Plan

Dale Willman opens the episode by reporting on an upcoming meeting of several European leaders in Paris aimed at crafting a response to the U.S.-led negotiations for a peace plan concerning Ukraine. The Ukrainian envoy, General Keith Kellogg, has communicated to the Europeans that they should not anticipate being part of the negotiations.

Christine Brezina, representing the German Marshall Fund, provides further insights into the dynamics of the meeting:

"French President Emmanuel Macron has invited leaders from Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the UK, NATO, and European Union institutions to brainstorm about their approach to the U.S.-led peace process for Ukraine. There's a lot to assess." [00:37]

An Unnamed Analyst expresses discontent over Europe's exclusion from the negotiations:

"For Washington to sideline Europe in this process is a deep insult." [01:07]

Brezina adds that the U.S. expects European governments to monitor any potential ceasefire, highlighting Europe's frustration with being left out:

"The US says European governments will be expected to monitor any potential ceasefire. So Brezina says they have reason to be displeased about being excluded." [00:59]

Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced his desire for European involvement in the negotiations, underscoring the tension between the U.S. and European stakeholders in the peace process.

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2. US Government Efficiency Department Under Scrutiny

In a shift to U.S. domestic affairs, Dale Willman discusses the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to significantly reduce government spending. A focal point of criticism is Elon Musk's involvement in the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Concerns primarily revolve around the transparency and documentation of Doge's initiatives.

Deepa Shivram reports on the lack of clarity surrounding Doge's operations:

"There has been pretty much little to no transparency about how Elon Musk is going about doing any of this. I went to the Doge government website and under the tab that says savings, it says receipts coming over the weekend. There haven't been any receipts posted at this point." [01:34]

Furthermore, Shivram highlights the legal challenges faced by Doge:

"In the meantime, there have been a lot of blocks from federal judges and courts. This week, 14 states have sued Elon Musk and Doge and the president saying that these cuts to government spending on..." [01:34]

The absence of clear documentation and the mounting legal pressures have intensified scrutiny of Musk's role within Doge, raising questions about the effectiveness and accountability of the department.

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3. Legal Proceedings: Luigi Mangione Case

Dale Willman reports on the upcoming court appearance of Luigi Mangione, who is accused of the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. Eva Pukach provides a comprehensive overview of the case:

"A legal fundraiser for Luigi Mangione has so far raised more than $400,000 on a website set up by his attorneys to provide updates on the case." [02:02]

Mangione has released a statement expressing gratitude for the support:

"I am overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support." [02:22]

However, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and other lawmakers oppose treating Mangione as a folk hero. Mangione maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty to 11 charges in New York, including first-degree murder. He also faces additional charges in federal court and Pennsylvania. While New York has abolished the death penalty, federal prosecutors retain the authority to pursue it in their case.

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4. Sports: William Bryan Clinches Second Daytona 500 Victory

In the realm of sports, Dale Willman announces that William Bryan has secured his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory, marking a significant achievement as he becomes the first driver to win back-to-back races since Denny Hamlin five years prior. Bryan showcased remarkable skill by advancing from the ninth position with just one lap remaining to claim the win.

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5. World Records: Jacob Kiplomo's Historic Half Marathon Performance

Dale Willman transitions to an inspiring sports achievement, highlighting a new world record in the half marathon. Jacob Kiplomo from Uganda completed the race in under 57 minutes on Sunday in Barcelona, setting a groundbreaking performance in a record-eligible race.

Juliana Kim elaborates on Kiplomo's accomplishment:

"This isn't the first time Jacob Kiplimo claimed the world record for a half marathon. He earned the title back in 2021, but it was taken from him last year by a runner from Kenya who beat his record by just one second. On Sunday, Kiplomo ran with a vengeance and finished under 57 minutes. He beat the previous record by 48 seconds. World Athletics called it the greatest single improvement on the men's world half marathon record." [03:34]

Kiplomo's exceptional performance, averaging approximately 4 minutes and 20 seconds per mile, surpassed previous benchmarks significantly. Celebrating the perfect weather conditions on race day, Kiplomo has set his sights on his full marathon debut in London this April.

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6. Conflicts: Congo and Lebanon Tensions Escalate

Dale Willman reports on escalating conflicts in two regions:

Congo:

Rebels backed by Rwandan troops have taken full control of the Congolese city of Bukavu. The M23 group, a prominent faction in the fight for control over the eastern region of the country, is vying for dominance over an area rich in mineral wealth estimated in the trillions of dollars. The struggle for Bukavu underscores the ongoing instability and the significant economic stakes involved.

Lebanon:

In Lebanon, Israeli troops fired upon residents attempting to return to the village of Hula in the southern part of the country. The attack resulted in the death of at least one woman and injuries to several others. This incident occurred just two days before the deadline to implement a ceasefire agreement intended to end the latest round of conflict between Israel and Lebanon, raising concerns about the fragile peace in the region.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on February 17, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the original broadcast.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Several European leaders will meet in Paris on Monday to try to come up with a response to U. S led negotiations on a peace plan for Ukraine. Terry Schultz reports that Ukraine envoy General Keith Kellogg has told Europeans not to expect to be a party to the negotiations.

[Christine Brezina]

French President Emmanuel Macron has invited leaders from Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, the UK NATO and European Union institutions to brainstorm about their approach to the U S led peace process for Ukraine. Christine Brezina with the German Marshall Fund says there's a lot to assess.

[Unnamed Analyst]

What is a spending plan and a capability plan that they can do for themselves? What is their recommendation to Ukraine?

[Christine Brezina]

The US Says European governments will be expected to monitor any potential ceasefire. So Brzina says they have reason to be displeased about being excluded.

[Unnamed Analyst]

For Washington to sideline Europe in this process is a deep insult.

[Christine Brezina]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also wants Europe involved in negotiations. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.

[Dale Willman]

As the Trump administration effort to drastically cut back government continues, criticism is growing over the role of Elon Musk in the Department of Government Efficiency, an entity known as doge. One concern comes from the lack of documentation of its work. As NPR's Deepa Shivram tells us, there.

[Deepa Shivram]

Has been pretty much little to no transparency about how Elon Musk is going about doing any of this. I went to the Doge government website and under the tab that says savings, it says receipts coming over the weekend. There haven't been any receipts posted at this point. And in the meantime, there have been a lot of blocks from federal judges and courts. This week, 14 states have sued Elon Musk and Doge and the president saying that these cuts to government spending on.

[Dale Willman]

That's Deepa Shivran reporting. The man accused in the December fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson is expected back in court this week for state charges in New York. And as NPR's Eva Pukec reports, a legal fundraiser for Luigi Mangione has so far raised more than $400,000 on a.

[Eva Pukach]

Website set up by his attorneys to provide updates on the case. A statement from Mangione reads, quote, I am overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support. Pennsylvania's governor, Democrat Josh Shapiro, and other lawmakers have said that Mangione should not be treated like a folk hero. Mangione pleaded not guilty to 11 charges in New York, including first degree murder. He also faces charges in federal court as well as in Pennsylvania. While New York has abolished the death penalty, prosecutors could pursue it in the federal case. Eva Pukach, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

William Bryan won his second straight Daytona 500 victory tonight. He's become the first back to back winner since Denny Hamlin five years ago. He came from a ninth position with one lap remaining for the win. You're listening to NPR News. A new world record has been set in the half marathon. Jacob Kiplomo from uganda finished under 57 minutes Sunday in Barcelona and became the first person to do so in a record eligible race. NPR's Juliana Kim has more on that story.

[Unnamed Analyst]

This isn't the first time Jacob Kiplimo claimed the world record for a half marathon. He earned the title back in 2021, but it was taken from him last year by a runner from Kenya who beat his record by just one second. On Sunday, Kiplamo ran with a vengeance and finished under 57 minutes. He beat the previous record by 48 seconds. World Athletics called it the greatest single improvement on the men's world half marathon record. To achieve such a feat. Kiplamo averaged about 4 minutes and 20 seconds per mile on Instagram. He said the day was perfect. Now he'll be training for his full marathon debut, which will be in London this April. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Rebels backed by Rwandan troops are now fully in control of the Congo city of Bukavu. The M23 is the most prominent group fighting for control of the country's eastern region, which holds trillions of dollars in mineral wealth. News reports from Lebanon say Israeli troops opened fire Sunday on a group of residents who were attempting to return home to the village of Hula in the southern part of that country. At least one woman was killed and several other people were injured in the incident. That incident comes just two days before the deadline to implement a ceasefire agreement that ended the latest war between Israel and Lebanon. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.

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