NPR News: 02-17-2025 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 17, 2025

Released February 18, 2025

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on global and domestic developments in its February 17, 2025, episode. Covering critical geopolitical events, significant policy changes, economic shifts, and cultural highlights, the episode provided listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current landscape.

---

1. Ukraine and US-Russia Diplomatic Developments

Ukrainian President Zelensky’s Saudi Visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for official discussions with Saudi officials. This visit is pivotal as Ukraine anticipates observing developments that could influence the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Equal Partnership in Peace Negotiations

Zelensky emphasized the necessity of Ukraine's inclusion in any negotiations aimed at ending the war. He stated, “There cannot be negotiations without Ukraine” (00:35). Oleksandr Krayev, a political scientist in Kyiv, highlighted Zelensky’s expectations for President Trump to recognize Ukraine as an equal partner in peace talks. Krayev warned, “In any other case, negotiation will be a futile effort and Trump will be presented as a bad negotiator, weak politician and bad diplomat, basically” (00:59).

Trump’s Special Envoy Visit

The Trump administration has announced that Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia is expected to visit Ukraine later this week, signaling potential shifts in diplomatic strategies (01:09).

---

2. FAA Workforce Reductions and Public Protests

FAA Employee Firings Amid Travel Peak

The Trump administration has initiated the termination of several hundred Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers during a peak travel period coinciding with the President’s Day holiday. This move follows a tragic midair collision in Washington, D.C., involving an American Air Airlines plane and a military helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities. Reports indicate that probationary FAA employees, including those responsible for radar landing and navigational maintenance, were among those dismissed (01:18).

Protests Against Trump and Elon Musk

Across the United States, protests erupted on President’s Day, targeting President Trump and Elon Musk, who leads the administration's government efficiency team. In Eugene, Oregon, hundreds gathered outside the Wayne Morris Federal Courthouse, holding signs accusing the duo of “violating the law and turning control of the country over to billionaires” (02:06). Brian Bull reported, “Trump has defended his executive orders and sweeping cuts of the federal workforce. In a social media post over the weekend, Trump wrote, he who saves his country does not violate any law” (02:34).

---

3. Cryptocurrency Regulation Initiatives

As the cryptocurrency sector seeks to solidify its influence within the Trump administration, several legislative proposals are under consideration. These include:

• Stablecoin Regulations: Establishing regulations and reserve requirements for stablecoin issuers, aiming to bring more stability and oversight to cryptocurrencies pegged to the dollar.

• Digital Asset Rules: Defining clear regulatory frameworks for digital assets to ensure their integration into the financial system aligns with existing laws and standards (02:48).

---

4. Southwest Airlines Announces Historic Layoffs

Southwest Airlines revealed plans to cut approximately 1,750 corporate jobs, representing about 15% of its workforce. This marks the airline’s first mass layoff in its 53-year history, affecting nearly a dozen senior management positions. The layoffs are part of a broader strategy to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency amidst challenges posed by elite investment management and activist investor pressures. Southwest anticipates saving over $200 million this year and $300 million next year through these measures (02:48).

---

5. Entertainment Spotlight: Upcoming Mafia Films

NPR’s Bob Mondello highlighted the influx of mafia-themed movies set to release this spring, featuring notable actors in dual roles:

• Robert De Niro’s Dual Roles: De Niro portrays both real-life mob boss Vito Genovese and his rival, Frank Costello, in the epic “Alto Knights” (03:59). Michael B. Jordan remarks on the intense portrayals, saying, “Where do I start?... You’re not where I am” (04:04).

• Michael B. Jordan’s Double Assignment: In the thriller “Sinners,” Jordan takes on multiple characters, showcasing his versatility.

• Robert Pattinson’s Cloning Saga: Pattinson stars in “Mickey 17,” a cloning-themed movie where his character experiences multiple iterations of himself, leading to complex encounters (04:35).

These productions promise to deliver gripping narratives with intricate character dynamics, as Mondello succinctly put it, “Multiples, multiples of movie multiples coming soon to the multiplex” (04:31).

---

6. Oil Market Updates

Despite the closure of U.S. financial markets on President’s Day, global oil trading remained active. Prices saw an increase of 65 cents per barrel, closing the session at $71.39 per barrel. This uptick reflects ongoing fluctuations in the energy sector amidst geopolitical tensions and economic policies (04:45).

---

Conclusion

The February 17, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with vital updates ranging from international diplomacy and significant policy changes to economic trends and cultural events. By offering detailed insights and direct quotes from key figures, the episode ensured that audiences remained informed about the latest developments shaping the world.

---

Note: Timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript segments for reference.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Rosetta Stone, an expert in language learning for 30 years. Right now, NPR listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership to 25 different languages for 50% off. Learn more at Rosetta Stone.com NPR LIVE.

[Jack Spear]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Ukraine will be watching developments in Saudi Arabia tomorrow, when top diplomats from the US And Russia are expected to meet for the first time since Russia invasion of Ukraine. NPR's Joanna Kakis reports.

[Joanna Kakissis]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, but he said only for an official visit with Saudi officials. Zelenskyy said there cannot be negotiations without Ukraine. Oleksandr Krayev, a political scientist in Kyiv, says Zelensky expects President Trump to make Ukraine an equal partner in talks to end the war.

[Oleksandr Krayev]

In any other case, negotiation will be a futile effort and Trump will be presented as a bad negotiator, weak politician and bad diplomat, basically.

[Joanna Kakissis]

Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia is expected to visit Ukraine later this week. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Jack Spear]

The Trump administration says it's begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration workers, something that is upending staff during a busy air travel weekend with the President's Day holiday. And just weeks after a fatal midair collision in Washington, D.C. involving an American Air Airlines plane in a military helicopter that claimed the lives of 67 people, some FAA probationary employees were reportedly notified Friday they were being let go, including reportedly workers hired for FAA radar landing and navigational maintenance. Across the US on this President's Day holiday, protests were staged denouncing President Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the leader of the administration's government efficiency team. Ryan Bull of member station KLCC reports from one of the protests. In Eugene, Oregon.

[Brian Bull]

Hundreds of people flooded an intersection outside the Wayne Morris Federal Courthouse holding signs that accused Trump and Musk of violating the law and turning control of the country over to billionaires. In the rain, Rajin Manus held an umbrella with anti Trump and anti Musk messages.

[Joanna Kakissis]

The Republicans, led by Donald Trump have said staged a coup on our government. Elon Musk is at the helm. All the other billionaires are right next to them.

[Brian Bull]

Trump has defended his executive orders and sweeping cuts of the federal workforce. In a social media post over the weekend, Trump wrote, he who saves his country does not violate any law. For NPR News, I'm Brian Bull in Eugene, Oregon.

[Jack Spear]

As the cryptocurrency industry seeks to reinforce its newfound influence with the Trump administration, a couple of proposals from crypto friendly lawmakers are being floated. One set regulations and reserve requirements for issuers of what are known as stablecoins, a cryptocurrency that is basically pegged to the dollar. Another would set clear rules on how digital assets should be regulated. US Financial markets are closed today for the President's Day holiday. You're listening to NPR. Southwest Airlines is announcing today it's cutting about 15% of corporate jobs at the carrier, or roughly 1,750 jobs as the airline looks to cut costs and streamline oper. It marks the first mass layoff in the Dallas based airline's 53 year history and includes nearly a dozen senior management positions. Layoffs come as Southwest has been in a battle with elite investment management and activist investor firm. Southwest estimates cuts will save more than $200 million this year and $300 million next year. This spring, movie audiences may think they are seeing double or even more than double. NPR's Bob Mondello explains.

[Bob Mondello]

In a new Mafia epic, Robert De Niro plays real life mob boss Vito Genovese.

[Michael B. Jordan]

Where do I start?

[Bob Mondello]

And also plays rival mob boss Frank Costello.

[Michael B. Jordan]

You're going down a very dangerous road, and we ain't been down dangerous roads before, I tell you. But you're not where I am.

[Bob Mondello]

De Niro meets De Niro in the Alto Knights. Michael B. Jordan has a similar double assignment in the thriller Sinners.

[Joanna Kakissis]

You twins?

[Jack Spear]

Nah.

[NPR Sponsor]

We cousins?

[Bob Mondello]

Nope. Twin brothers named Smoke and Stack. And if double casting seems tricky, it's child's play next to what Robert Pattinson signed on for in the cloning movie Mickey 17.

[Oleksandr Krayev]

Every time I died, they just printed me out again.

[Bob Mondello]

There are so many of him that one day he meets himself. Multiples, multiples of movie multiples coming soon to the multiplex. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

While U.S. stock markets are closed today, oil was trading globally, up 65 cents a barrel to end the session at 71,39 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.

[Boll and Branch]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Boll and Branch. Change your sleep with the softness of Bole Branch's 100% organic cotton sheets. Feel the difference with 15% off your first set of [e-mail] with code NPR exclusions apply. See site for details.