NPR News Now: February 17, 2025, 2PM EST
On today’s episode of NPR News Now, listeners are brought up to speed with the latest developments across national and international headlines. Hosted by Windsor Johnston, the episode delves into significant updates ranging from governmental shifts and international diplomacy to natural disasters and global market movements. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics covered, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for further context.
1. Department of Energy Reverses Mass Firings at Nuclear Oversight Agency
Timestamp: [00:13]
Windsor Johnston opens the news with a major update from the Department of Energy. Initially, mass terminations were announced over the weekend, affecting numerous employees responsible for overseeing the nation's nuclear weapons. However, the Department swiftly reversed these decisions within hours.
Jeff Brumfield of NPR reports that "several employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration told NPR they've been hastily rehired after being fired last Thursday" ([00:33]). The initial announcement mentioned hundreds of layoffs, but a Department spokesperson clarified by late Sunday night that "fewer than 50 employees ultimately lost their jobs," primarily in "administrative and clerical roles" ([00:33]).
Members of Congress expressed significant concern upon learning about the layoffs, emphasizing the critical nature of the agency's work in "overseeing America's nuclear warheads and combating nuclear terrorism."
2. High-Stakes US-Russian Negotiations in Saudi Arabia
Timestamp: [01:09]
In international relations, high-level delegations from the United States and Russia have convened in Saudi Arabia aimed at mending strained US-Russian relations and seeking an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. NPR’s Charles Mainz provides insights into the composition and objectives of these talks.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the US Delegation with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz also joining," Mainz reports ([01:23]). On the Russian side, "Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov heads the Russian mission," with Kremlin statements indicating that the talks will focus on "making peace, not war."
However, tensions remain as Lavrov, speaking in Moscow prior to the talks, "rejected in advance the notion of returning any land annexed by Russia to Ukraine" ([01:23]). This stance suggests that US negotiators might face significant challenges even before formal discussions commence.
3. Devastating Storms Wreak Havoc in the Southern United States
Timestamp: [01:52]
Extreme weather conditions have struck parts of the southern United States over the weekend, resulting in at least 11 fatalities. Stan Ingold from WEKU reports that "Kentucky was one of the hardest-hit states" ([02:04]).
The storms brought "falling rocks, mudslides and standing water," leading to the closure of over 300 roads and widespread power outages affecting thousands. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear highlighted the grim situation, stating, "an approaching winter storm will only complicate matters, and it means we're going to have to" ([02:04]).
In response to the escalating crisis, President Trump approved Governor Beshear's request for a federal disaster declaration, enabling the allocation of federal funds to support relief efforts. Jeff Brumfield emphasizes the administration's commitment to "make sure that we've got everyone who is displaced because of this flooding in a warm place for the days that are coming ahead" ([02:17]-[02:21]).
4. Additional News Highlights
a. Investigation into LA County Eaton Fire
At [02:36], Windsor Johnston transitions to a recent incident in LA County where the Eaton fire led to significant fatalities and property damage. NPR's investigation uncovered that "downed power lines were live and igniting new fires," with the utility company Southern California Edison at the center of the controversy. Communication breakdowns were evident as the company "failed to respond quickly to requests from firefighters to cut the power and presented confusing and sometimes incorrect information to first responders."
b. Building Collapse in Egypt
A tragic event unfolded in western Cairo as a three-story residential building collapsed, resulting in at least 10 deaths ([02:36]). Rescue teams are actively digging through the rubble in hopes of finding survivors, while officials have ordered the immediate evacuation of nearby buildings as a precautionary measure.
c. Pope Francis Hospitalized with Complex Respiratory Infection
In a significant update from the Vatican, Pope Francis remains hospitalized due to a "complex clinical situation" involving a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, which includes a combination of viruses, bacteria, and fungi ([03:49]). Jackie Northam reports that the 88-year-old pontiff, who has a history of respiratory issues, will stay in the hospital "for as long as necessary" as treatment regimens are adjusted to address the multifaceted infection.
5. Global Market Overview
Timestamp: [04:32]
Windsor Johnston concludes with a brief overview of global stock markets. Asian markets displayed mixed results today: "markets in Japan and China traded higher, while shares were lower in Hong Kong" ([04:32]). Back in the United States, Wall Street remains closed in observance of President's Day, with trading set to resume on Tuesday.
Conclusion
Today’s episode of NPR News Now offers a breadth of information spanning critical governmental decisions, international diplomacy efforts, natural disasters, and significant incidents both domestically and abroad. By highlighting these diverse topics with detailed reporting and direct quotes, NPR ensures that listeners are well-informed on the pressing issues of the day.