NPR News: 02-18-2025 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 18, 2025, 11 AM EST

Hosted by Korva Coleman

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1. U.S.-Russia Talks Aimed at Ending the Ukraine War

Timestamp: 00:16

In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded talks with his Russian counterpart in Saudi Arabia, focusing on ending the three-year war in Ukraine following Russia's invasion. Rubio emphasized that achieving peace requires "concessions on all sides" (00:16). The Trump administration has maintained a firm stance, declaring that Ukraine cannot join NATO nor reclaim all territories seized by Russia.

European leaders have expressed dismay over the Trump administration's approach, particularly as it appears to draw Russia President Vladimir Putin closer to the U.S. Eleanor Beardsley of NPR reports there is growing fear that a peace agreement brokered by the U.S. may not deter Russia from future military actions (00:55).

Impact on Europe: Eleanor Beardsley highlights concerns in Europe about the Trump-Putin alliance. Former French NATO allied commander Jean Paul Palomeros conveyed to BFM Television that although Europe needs time to ramp up its military production, it must continue supporting Ukraine with existing resources. Palomeros warned, “If Putin wins, he said, Europe will continue to live under this threat and terror and it will slow all the progress and integration we've achieved in Europe since 1949” (00:55).

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2. Federal Judge Halts NIH Funding Cuts

Timestamp: 01:32

A federal judge has temporarily suspended the Trump administration's plan to reduce funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This decision has raised significant concerns among regions that rely heavily on health research for their economic stability. Steven Bissah from the Gulf States Newsroom explains that the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is one of the top recipients of NIH funding.

Steven Bissah Comments: “Biomedical research basically saved Birmingham's economy after the steel industry collapsed in the 70s and 80s,” Bissah stated (01:53). He warns that the proposed funding cuts could have a ripple effect across Alabama, jeopardizing critical research into diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart disease. The ongoing legal battles have led to the temporary pause of these cuts, allowing time for lawsuits to proceed (01:53).

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3. NAACP Urges Boycott of Businesses Ending DEI Commitments

Timestamp: 02:14

A prominent civil rights organization is calling on Black Americans to refrain from supporting businesses that have recently abandoned their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. NPR's Kristen Wright reports that companies like Walmart, McDonald's, and Meta have rolled back DEI initiatives, citing a shift toward "belonging for all" and addressing legal concerns.

NAACP's Position: The NAACP has issued the Black Consumer Advisory, urging the Black community to “support businesses upholding their DEI commitments as well as black-owned businesses,” emphasizing that these rollbacks “erode progress in creating an equitable society” (02:31). This move aligns with historical actions, noting that President Trump ended DEI and accessibility programs in the federal government on Inauguration Day (02:31).

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4. Severe Weather and Accidents Across the U.S.

Timestamp: 03:10

A severe winter storm has enveloped much of Kentucky, resulting in the deaths of at least a dozen individuals. Additional fatalities include one person in West Virginia and another in Georgia. In aviation news, U.S. and Canadian authorities are investigating a Delta Airlines flight that overturned and landed on its roof in Toronto. While all passengers survived, 18 were injured, with at least two in critical condition.

Migration Developments: Costa Rica has announced it will accept migrants deported from the United States, including individuals from Central Asia and India. The first group of deportees is expected to arrive the following day (03:10).

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5. Entertainment Spotlight: Upcoming Movie Releases

Timestamp: 04:04

NPR's Bob Mondello previews the spring movie slate, highlighting notable releases that feature double casting and complex character portrayals.

Robert De Niro's Dual Roles: In a new Mafia epic, Robert De Niro portrays both real-life mob boss Vito Genovese and his rival Frank Costello. De Niro delivers a gripping performance, stating, “Where do I start?” as he navigates the dangerous dynamics of mob leadership (04:04). The film, Alto Knights, showcases De Niro interacting with another version of himself, enhancing the narrative's depth.

Michael B. Jordan and Robert Pattinson's Projects: Michael B. Jordan takes on a dual role in the thriller Sinners, playing twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Similarly, Robert Pattinson stars in the cloning-themed Mickey 17, where his character faces multiple versions of himself, raising questions about identity and existence (04:24; 04:36).

Bob Mondello remarks, “There are so many of him that one day he meets himself,” highlighting the trend of multiple characters portrayed by single actors in upcoming films (04:36).

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Conclusion

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update covering international diplomacy, domestic policy challenges, civil rights advocacy, severe weather impacts, and the latest in the entertainment industry. These stories reflect ongoing global tensions, economic concerns related to scientific research funding, efforts to maintain societal equity, immediate safety issues, and evolving cinematic narratives.

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Timestamps Reference:

• 00:16
• 00:55
• 01:32
• 01:53
• 02:14
• 02:31
• 03:10
• 04:04
• 04:24
• 04:36

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This summary is based on the February 18, 2025 episode of NPR News Now. For more detailed information, please visit NPR's official website.

Transcript

[Pemco Mutual Insurance Company]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart have concluded talks in Saudi Arabia. These focused on ending the war in Ukraine three years after Russia invaded Russia. Rubio says that ending the war will require concessions on all sides. Trump administration officials have already said Ukraine cannot join NATO and it cannot get back all its territory that Russia forcibly took. European leaders are dismayed as the Trump administration draws closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports there is fear a U S brokered peace in Ukraine won't prevent Russia from continuing its war it in the future.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Europe facing the Trump Putin Axis, read the headline of newspaper Le Monde as talks between US And Russian officials got underway in Saudi Arabia without the Europeans. Former French NATO allied commander Jean Paul Palomeros told BFM Television it will take a while for Europe to rev up its military production, but in the meantime, it must support Ukraine with what it has. If Putin wins, he said, Europe will continue to live under this threat and terror and it will slow all the progress and integration we've achieved in Europe since 1949. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Korva Coleman]

A federal judge has temporarily paused the Trump administration's plan to slash funding from the National Institutes of Health. Areas that depend on health research for their economies are very concerned. Steven Bissah of the Gulf States Newsroom says one of the top recipients of NIH funding is the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

[Steven Bissah]

Biomedical research basically saved Birmingham's economy after the steel industry collapsed in the 70s and 80s. Economists warn that losing that funding could ripple across Alabama. UAB says life saving research into things like cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease are in jeopardy. A federal judge has temporarily paused those cuts while lawsuits work their way through the courts.

[Korva Coleman]

Stephen Bisaha reporting. A key civil rights organization is urging black Americans to choose not to support businesses that are ending commitments to diverse, diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces and opportunities. NPR's Kristen Wright has more.

[Kristen Wright]

In recent months, a wave of big corporations like Walmart, McDonald's and Meta decided to end DEI policies, citing a shift toward belonging for all and legal concerns. The NAACP is requesting black Americans not to spend money at those businesses. The civil rights group issued the Black Consumer Advisory, saying the rollbacks erode progress in creating an equitable Society. It's calling on black American to support businesses upholding their DEI commitments as well as black owned businesses. President Trump ended DEI and accessibility programs in the federal government on Inauguration Day. Kristen Wright, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A winter storm warning blankets much of Kentucky today, a few days after powerful storms raked the South. At least a dozen people died in Kentucky. At least one person was killed in West Virginia and another in Georgia. U.S. and Canadian officials are investigating why a Delta plane overturned and landed on its roof yesterday in Toronto. Authorities say everyone aboard escaped and 18 people were hurt, at least two of them critically. Costa Rica's government says it will accept migrants deported from the United States. That includes migrants from other nations. Costa Rican officials say these migrants are from Central Asia and India. The first group of deportees is expected to arrive tomorrow. This spring, movie audiences may think they're seeing double or even more than double. NPR's Bob Mondello has details.

[Bob Mondello]

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

[Robert De Niro]

Where do I start?

[Bob Mondello]

And also plays rival mob boss Frank Costello.

[Robert De Niro]

You're going down a very dangerous road, and we ain't been down dangerous roads before, I take it. 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.

[Robert De Niro]

You twins?

[Korva Coleman]

Nah. We cousins?

[Bob Mondello]

Nope. Twin brothers named Smoke and 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.

[Korva Coleman]

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.

[Korva Coleman]

And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

[Pemco Mutual Insurance Company]

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