NPR News Now: February 17, 2025

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: February 17, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.