NPR News: 02-17-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 02-17-2025 7AM EST
Release Date: February 17, 2025
Host: Korva Coleman

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1. Russia Sends Top Diplomats to Saudi Arabia Amid Ukraine Conflict

At the start of the episode, Korva Coleman reports that Russia is dispatching senior diplomats to Saudi Arabia to engage with U.S. officials regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Kremlin also intends to discuss the possibility of a meeting between former President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia, though the State Department has not disclosed the agenda or specific meetings Rubio will attend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the necessity of Ukraine's involvement in any peace negotiations, a sentiment echoed by European nations. “Ukrainian President Zelensky says his country must have a role in any peace talks,” Coleman states ([00:16]).

2. European Leaders Convene in Paris to Discuss Ukraine

Eleanor Beardsley reports on a significant gathering of leaders from eight European nations and the head of NATO in Paris, focusing on Ukraine. The primary agenda includes increasing military spending, potentially breaching long-standing EU budget deficit limits, and authorizing substantial expenditures to support Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in a recent editorial, “Britain would be ready to send troops to ensure a peace deal” ([00:55]). Sweden and France have similarly expressed their willingness to deploy troops, signaling a strong European commitment to the conflict resolution process.

3. U.S. Governors Challenge Trump Administration's Workforce Restructuring

Deepa Shivaram highlights the gathering of U.S. governors in Washington this week, set against a backdrop of legal battles. Several states have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk concerning efforts to restructure the federal government and its workforce. Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, has initiated layoffs affecting thousands of government employees, including probationary and recently hired workers. President Trump and Musk claim that Musk's "Doge" initiative has identified billions in waste and fraud, though they have not provided concrete evidence. “Fourteen states sued Trump and Musk for Musk's, quote, unchecked power over the government and its workforce,” Shivaram explains ([01:34]). The White House maintains that Musk is adhering to federal laws, intensifying the conflict between state governments and the federal administration.

4. Severe Storms and Flooding Devastate Kentucky and Georgia

Korva Coleman turns to natural disasters, reporting that powerful storms have claimed ten lives over the weekend—nine in Kentucky and one in Georgia. Shepard Snyder provides detailed coverage from Lexington, Kentucky, where the National Weather Service indicates that river levels remained dangerously high following significant precipitation last week. Meteorologist Alex Vorst commented, “We throw anywhere from 4 to 5, 6 inches of rain on top of what was already high water issues,” exacerbating the flooding situation ([02:30]). Central and western Kentucky, including densely populated areas like Hazard and Pikeville, are experiencing the brunt of the severe weather, with expectations that flooding will persist.

5. Escalating Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Korva Coleman reports a troubling development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where rebels have seized Bukavu, the country's second-largest city with a population of approximately one million. Additionally, the rebels, backed by neighboring Rwanda, have captured Goma. These factions have declared their intention to march on Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, aiming to seize control. This escalation marks a significant intensification of the conflict in the region, raising concerns about broader instability and humanitarian impacts.

6. Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets with Leading Entrepreneurs

In economic news, Au Wenzhou covers Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with top entrepreneurs at a high-profile symposium in Beijing. The event featured prominent leaders from major companies such as Huawei, Xiaomi, CATL, and BYD, all of whom were observed applauding and taking notes ([03:48]). Notably, Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma made a public appearance alongside Xi for the first time in four years, signaling a potential thaw in his strained relationship with the Chinese government. The symposium also included the founder of Deep Sikh, although details of the discussions and the complete list of attendees remain undisclosed. This meeting is seen as a positive sign that Beijing may be refocusing on the private sector amidst ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.

7. Pope Francis Hospitalized for Bronchitis

Korva Coleman provides an update from the Vatican, stating that Pope Francis spent a quiet night resting at a hospital in Rome. The Pope was admitted on Friday due to persistent bronchitis and has been prescribed absolute rest by doctors. As a result, Pope Francis canceled all weekend activities, including his traditional Sunday blessing, ensuring his recovery remains the top priority ([04:30]).

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments from the NPR News Now episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the broadcast.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Russia says it is sending top diplomats to Saudi Arabia to meet US Officials to talk about the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin says they'll also discuss today a potential meeting between President Trump and President Putin. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia, but the State Department has not publicly released an agenda or said with whom Rubio is meeting. Ukrainian President Zelensky says his country must have a role in any peace talks, and European nations are saying the same thing. So NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. Leaders of eight European nations and the head of NATO are gathering in Paris today for their own meeting on Ukraine.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

On the agenda is increasing military spending, which might mean discarding long established EU limits on budget deficits and authorizing massive spending. They will speak of how to guarantee any peace. In an editorial in a British newspaper yesterday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would be ready to send troops to ensure a peace deal. This morning, Sweden said it, too, could send troops, and France has also said it would send troops.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reporting. The nation's governors are gathering in Washington this week. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports. This comes as several states have sued the Trump administration over its efforts to reshape the federal government and workforce.

[Deepa Shivaram]

Thousands of government employees, including probationary workers or recent hires, are getting laid off as billionaire Elon Musk tries to cut government spending with his unit, the Department of Government Efficiency. Speaking alongside Musk, President Trump says Doge has found billions of dollars in waste and fraud, but didn't provide evidence for where those numbers are coming from. The website for Doge says receipts for, quote, savings are coming over the weekend but haven't been posted. Fourteen states sued Trump and Musk for Musk's, quote, unchecked power over the government and its workforce. The White House, for its part, says that Musk is complying with federal laws. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Powerful storms in The south killed 10 people over the weekend. Nine people died in Kentucky and another person perished in Georgia. Widespread flooding in Kentucky is expected to continue today. From member station weku, Shepard Snyder has more.

[Shepard Snyder]

The National Weather Service says river levels across the region were already high after a round of precipitation early last week. Meteorologist Alex Vorst says Saturday's rainfall worsened the situation. We throw anywhere from 4 to 5, 6 inches of rain on top of what was already high water issues anyways, and it just really culminated in widespread flooding. NWS report central and western Kentucky got the heaviest rainfall. Communities in the eastern Kentucky mountains have also been affected, including denser population centers like Hazard and Pikeville. For NPR News, I'm Shepard Snyder in Lexington, Kentucky.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have captured the second largest city in drc. The city is Bukavu. It's home to about a million people. The rebels are backed by neighboring Rwanda. They've captured the city of Goma as well. The Rwandan backed rebels say they plan to march on the Congolese capital and take it over. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his country's top entrepreneurs today in a closely watched symposium. NPR's Au Wenzhou reports. Investors are looking for clues about Beijing's stance on the private sector.

[Au Wenzhou]

Business leaders from Huawei Xiaomi, battery maker Catl and electric vehicle giant BYD were seen applauding and taking notes, according to state media. Notably, Alibaba co founder Jack Ma, who was sidelined by the government four years ago, appeared in public alongside Mr. Xi for the first time. Chinese media also reported that Deep Sikh's founder attended, while details of the discussions and the full attendee list remain undisclosed. This was Xi's first meeting with corporate leaders since U S. China trade tensions escalated under Trump. The event has sparked optimism that Beijing may be shifting its focus back to private enterprise. Al Wen Cao, NPR News, Beijing.

[Korva Coleman]

The Vatican says that Pope Francis spent a quiet night resting at a hospital in Rome. Francis has been there since Friday after he was admitted for the treatment of persistent bronchitis. Doctors say they prescribed absolute rest for the pontiff. He cancelled all of his weekend activities, including his regular Sunday blessing. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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