NPR News: 02-18-2025 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 18, 2025

Released on February 18, 2025

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Diplomatic Efforts to End the War in Ukraine

In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently in Saudi Arabia engaging in high-level talks with Russian officials aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to Giles Snyder ([00:01]), these critical discussions are scheduled to commence imminently. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly stated that he was unaware of these negotiations and clarified that Ukraine is not a party to them.

Speaking via video link from Abu Dhabi, Zelensky emphasized the necessity of Ukraine's involvement in any peace talks. He remarked, “Ukraine feels any negotiations that do not involve Ukraine will have no results and that Ukrainians cannot recognize those agreements” ([00:28]). Zelensky also advocated for European nations to be included at the negotiating table, a suggestion that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dismissed. Despite these tensions, Zelensky plans to visit Saudi Arabia later in the week to further discuss Ukraine's role in the peace process.

Protests Against Government Actions in the United States

On President’s Day, thousands across the United States mobilized to protest against recent actions taken by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. NPR’s Chantaly Stuster reported from Washington D.C., where demonstrators braved frigid temperatures and strong winds, gathering at the Capitol Reflecting Pool. The protestors vocally demanded that lawmakers address the issue of mass firings within governmental agencies, chanting “do your job” ([01:25]).

One poignant testimony came from a Maryland resident, Suzanne, who spoke anonymously due to fear of retaliation against her family. She expressed deep concern for her husband, a federal employee in a financial regulatory agency, stating, “Currently, his paychecks are going through, but we're looking to Plan Bs and alternatives on how to support our family, our children” ([01:54]). These protests are part of the 50:51 movement, symbolizing “50 protests, 50 states, one movement,” aiming to unify citizens across the nation in their demand for governmental accountability ([02:02]).

Devastating Flooding in Kentucky and West Virginia

Kentucky is grappling with severe flooding, resulting in a rising death toll. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that at least 12 individuals have lost their lives due to the heavy rainfall over the weekend ([02:12]). Justin Hick from Kentucky Public Radio highlighted that western Kentucky received an unprecedented seven inches of rain in just one day, leading to catastrophic flash flooding. Suzanne explained, “Western Kentucky got the most rain, so it's a little bit flatter, but it got 7 inches of rain in just a day, which is just a ton of rain. The most lasting damage is actually in the mountains of eastern Kentucky… Flash flooding happens when the water races down mountains” ([02:26]).

In neighboring West Virginia, one death has been confirmed, and several people remain missing. Governor Patrick Morrissey has formally requested that President Trump issue a disaster declaration to facilitate emergency response and aid ([02:48]). The rapid influx of water, exacerbated by the region's topography, has made rescue and recovery efforts particularly challenging.

Ongoing Tensions Between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel has announced its decision to retain a limited number of troops in southern Lebanon beyond the deadline stipulated by a recent ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. The Israeli military has clarified that the forces will remain in five strategic locations adjacent to northern Israeli communities, describing this as a temporary measure approved by the U.S.-led body overseeing the truce ([02:48]).

Lebanon’s government has expressed significant frustration with Israel’s continued military presence, and Hezbollah's leader has strongly condemned the move, asserting that Israel lacks legitimate grounds for maintaining its troops in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is urging the Lebanese state to compel Israel to withdraw, escalating regional tensions. Additionally, discussions pertaining to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire remain stalled, with no talks initiated as of this report ([02:48]).

Global Crisis: 60% of the World Lacks Access to High-Quality Medical Oxygen

A groundbreaking report reveals a dire shortage of medical oxygen affecting approximately 5 billion people worldwide—about 60% of the global population. NPR’s Gabrielle Emanuel reports that this scarcity impairs the treatment of various medical conditions, including premature births, heart failure, asthma, and pneumonia. The deficit is most pronounced in low and middle-income countries, leading to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year and significantly diminishing the quality of life for millions more ([03:55]).

The report underscores that addressing the medical oxygen shortfall would require an investment of nearly $7 billion annually. Despite the hefty price tag, experts argue that the investment is highly cost-effective, comparable to the costs of childhood vaccinations, and essential for pandemic preparedness. Implementing robust medical oxygen infrastructure is crucial not only for saving lives but also for enhancing global health resilience against future health crises ([03:55]).

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on February 18, 2025. It provides a detailed overview of international diplomatic efforts, domestic protests, natural disasters, Middle Eastern tensions, and a critical global health issue, complete with notable quotes and proper attributions to facilitate a clear understanding for those who have not listened to the episode.

Transcript

[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia for a series of high level talks with Russian officials about ending the war in Ukraine. The talks are expected to get underway this hour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he did not know about the discussions and says Ukraine is not taking part in them. NPR's Joanna Kakissis reports from Kyiv.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

Speaking to Ukrainian reporters via video link from Abu Dhabi, Zelenskyy said his visit to the region was planned before the U S. Russia talks materialized. This is an official visit, Zelenskyy said, and it has nothing to do with what's happening in Saudi Arabia with the representatives of the US And Russia. He said Ukraine feels any negotiations that do not involve Ukraine will have no results and that Ukrainians cannot recognize those agreements. He also said he wants Europeans at the negotiating table, something Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected. Zelenskyy is planning to travel to Saudi Arabia later this week. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Giles Snyder]

Back in the U.S. thousands of people across the country protested against actions by President Trump and Elon Musk on the President's Day holiday. NPR's Chantaly Stuster was at a protest in the nation's capital and has more.

[Chantaly Stuster]

Amid frigid temperatures and 20 mile per hour wind gusts, large crowds gathered at the Capitol reflecting pool chanting do your job. Protestors demanded lawmakers take action against mass firings at governmental agencies. Suzanne, a resident of Maryland who requested that her last name be withheld because she fears retaliation against her family, says she and her husband, who is a federal employee with a financial regulatory agency, are worried he will be laid off.

[Suzanne]

Currently, his paychecks are going through, but we're looking to Plan Bs and alternatives on how to support our family, our children.

[Chantaly Stuster]

The protests were organized by the 50:51 movement, which means 50 protests, 50 states, one movement. Chandelyse Duster, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

The death toll from widespread flooding in Kentucky is rising. Governor Andy Beshear says at least 12 people were killed in his state following heavy rain over the weekend. Justin Hick with Kentucky Public Radio.

[Suzanne]

Western Kentucky got the most rain, so it's a little bit flatter, but it got 7 inches of rain in just a day, which is just a ton of rain. The most lasting damage is actually in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, who got several inches less rain, but that's just because of the topography. Flash flooding happens when the water races down mountains. That's where it's really been more significant.

[Giles Snyder]

In West Virginia, one death has been confirmed, but officials say several people remain missing. Governor Patrick Morrissey has asked President Trump to issue a disaster declaration. This is NPR News. Israel says it will keep some of its troops in southern Lebanon despite Tuesday's deadline to withdraw under a cease fire deal with the Hezbollah militant group. The Israeli military says its forces will remain in five strategic locations across the border from communities in northern Israel. A military spokesman says it's a temporary measure that was approved by the U S led body monitoring the truce. The Lebanon's government has expressed frustration and Hezbollah's leader has said Israel has no pretext to maintain troops in southern Lebanon and is calling on the Lebanese state to force Israel to leave. Separately, talks on the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza have yet to start. A new report finds about 5 billion people, or 60% of the world's population, does not have access to high quality medical oxygen. NPR's Gabrielle Emanuel reports.

[Gabrielle Emanuel]

Medical oxygen is used for a whole host of reasons, from babies born prematurely to patients with heart failure, asthma or pneumonia. The shortage of safe, high quality and affordable oxygen is most acute in low and middle income countries. The report, which is the first of its kind, found that the lack of medical oxygen is contributing to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year, and it's reducing the quality of life for millions more. The report found that fixing the shortfall will cost almost $7 billion a year, but the authors say it's as cost effective as childhood vaccinations, plus it helps with pandemic preparedness. Gabriella Emmanuel, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News.