NPR News: 02-18-2025 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on February 18, 2025

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on several critical issues ranging from international diplomacy and aviation incidents to severe weather crises and political developments in New York City. Hosted by Lakshmi Singh, the episode provided in-depth coverage, featuring insights from reporters Emily Fang, Karen Zara, Ruth Sherlock, and direct quotes from key figures.

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1. U.S.-Russia Diplomatic Engagement and Saudi Summit

Restoration of Embassy Staffing Lakshmi Singh opened the episode by highlighting the recent diplomatic thaw between the United States and Russia. Both nations have agreed to restore embassy staffing in each other's capitals, signaling a potential end to the Kremlin's nearly three-year-old military involvement in Ukraine.

Shift in U.S. Policy Under President Trump Singh noted that a high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia marked a significant shift in U.S. policy. Unlike the previous three years, where the U.S. sought to isolate Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the current administration under President Trump appears more open to dialogue. Importantly, Ukraine was notably excluded from these talks, raising concerns about its future in the conflict.

China's Response and Implications Emily Fang provided an analysis of China’s reaction to the warming relations between the U.S. and Russia. She explained that China expressed ambivalence regarding the Saudi-hosted summit, which bypassed Beijing despite China's offers to mediate peace in Ukraine. Fang emphasized that the Russia-China relationship, solidified by a "quote, unlimited partnership" in 2022, remains a cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy.

"The prospect of closer ties between two historically antagonistic countries, the U.S. and Russia, could destabilize China's foreign policy calculations," Fang remarked. [00:50]

China's significant investment in Russian oil and gas, especially after European sanctions imposed on Russia, further complicates the geopolitical landscape. Fang warned that any realignment could have far-reaching implications for global stability and China's strategic interests.

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2. Delta Air Lines Plane Incident in Toronto

Crash Landing Details Lakshmi Singh reported a concerning aviation incident involving a Delta Air Lines regional jet at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The aircraft crash-landed and caught fire on a snowy tarmac, resulting in the plane being flipped over.

Emergency Response and Investigation Canadian and U.S. investigators swiftly arrived on the scene to determine the cause of the mishap. Deborah Flynt, President and CEO of the airport, provided updates on the situation:

"We expect that the investigators will review the aircraft on the current configuration of the runway for the next 48 hours. We are committed to supporting the investigation and the removal of that aircraft off the runway, after which we can conduct inspections and return the runway to service," Flynt stated. [01:56]

Passenger Safety and Casualties All 80 passengers aboard the flight successfully evacuated the plane. While 19 individuals sustained injuries, none were life-threatening. However, Singh also reported that earlier severe weather had resulted in at least 14 fatalities in Kentucky due to flooding and freezing temperatures. Karen Zara expanded on the impact:

"Crews on Black Hawk helicopters and swiftwater rescue boats have been working around the clock since late Saturday, evacuating Kentuckians from flood waters," Zara explained. [02:34]

Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky was actively involved in the rescue operations, overseeing the evacuation of nearly 300 people from two apartment complexes.

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3. Severe Weather Impact in Kentucky

Flooding and Freezing Temperatures Kentucky experienced extreme weather over the past four days, leading to significant flooding and freezing temperatures. The National Weather Service reported at least 14 deaths attributed to these conditions.

Rescue Operations and Government Response Karen Zara detailed the extensive rescue efforts, highlighting the use of specialized equipment and the dedication of rescue teams operating in challenging environments. Governor Beshear expressed gratitude towards the National Guard from Tennessee and Indiana for their assistance.

"I was there at Lil Sandy at the airport with these families getting off, thankful that they were safe and really grateful for the National Guard of our state of Tennessee and Indiana," Governor Beshear stated. [02:52]

Despite ongoing efforts, Beshear acknowledged that several individuals remain unaccounted for, and it may take days to obtain an accurate count of those affected.

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4. Pope Francis' Health Update

Hospitalization and Medical Condition Lakshmi Singh provided an update on Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized due to a respiratory tract infection that doctors have described as a "complex clinical situation." The Vatican confirmed that the Pope is battling pneumonia.

Continued Ministry from Hospital Bed NPR's Ruth Sherlock reported that despite his condition, Pope Francis has maintained his commitments to the Catholic community. Father Gabriel Romanelli from Gaza shared insights into the Pope's resilience:

"Pope Francis, though hospitalized, called at the same time he always calls. He has maintained his near-daily contact with the Catholic Church in Gaza throughout the recent war," Romanelli said. [03:37]

Romanelli noted that during a recent call, the Pope inquired about the well-being of Father Gabriel and the refugees, offering his blessings. Despite sounding more tired than usual due to his bronchitis, the Pope's voice remained clear, and he attentively listened during conversations.

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5. Political Tensions in New York City

Mayor Eric Adams Under Scrutiny Lakshmi Singh turned to domestic politics, focusing on New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who faces potential removal amid corruption allegations. Governor Kathy Hochul indicated plans to convene with Manhattan leaders, hinting at the use of her authority to oust Adams if necessary.

Allegations and Denials Adams has vehemently denied the bribery charges and the claims that he colluded with the Trump administration's migrant crackdown in exchange for the Justice Department dropping its case against him. The developing situation has stirred significant concern within the Democratic party and the city's governance.

Economic Update In a brief economic note, Singh mentioned that the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed marginally higher, reflecting a steadiness in the stock market amidst the unfolding political drama.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the February 18, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news stories.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The U.S. and Russia say they are restoring embassy staffing in each other's capitals and working toward ending the Kremlin's nearly three year old war in Ukraine. Today's high level meeting in Saudi Arabia underscored President Trump's shift away from the last three years of US policy that sought to isolate Russia over its 2022 invasion of its neighbor. The stakes are high for Ukraine, but it was not invited to today's talks. Meanwhile, NPR's Emily Fang is monitoring China's reaction to warming relations between the US And Russia, one of Beijing's main international partners.

[Emily Fang]

China, expressed ambivalence about the meeting between the US And Russia. The summit is happening in Saudi Arabia, bypassing Beijing, which has repeatedly offered to host such a meeting to broker peace in Ukraine. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it welcomed the US Russia talks. But Russia, which China signed a quote, unlimited partnership with in 2022 on the eve of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, is deeply important to Chinese foreign policy. China has bought up a lot of Russia's oil and gas after European sanctions hit and it's facilitated trade and machinery and electronic components that Russia needs and and the prospect of closer ties between two historically antagonistic countries, the US And Russia, could destabilize China's foreign policy calculations. Emily Fang, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A Delta Air Lines plane remains flipped over on a snowy tarmac in Canada. Canadian and U.S. investigators are on site to investigate what caused the plane to crash land and catch fire at Toronto Pearson International Airport yesterday afternoon. The president's CEO, Deborah Flynt says the airport's operating, but with delays.

[Deborah Flynt]

We do expect that the investigators site will be reviewing the aircraft on its current configuration on the Runway for the next 48 hours and we are looking to get to support that investigation and the removal of that aircraft off the Runway, at which point we can do our inspections and then return that Runway into service.

[Lakshmi Singh]

All 80 people on the Delta regional jet got out of the plane. Officials say 19 sustained injuries, but nothing life threatening. At least 14 people are dead from flooding and freezing temperatures over the last four days in Kentucky. Karen Zara members HNW UKY has more.

[Karen Zara]

Crews on Black Hawk helicopters and swiftwater rescue boats have been working around the clock since late Saturday evacuating Kentuckians from flood water. Governor Andy Beshear was on the ground in eastern Kentucky Monday, where nearly 300 people were rescued from two apartment complexes.

[Governor Andy Beshear]

I was there at Lil Sandy at the airport with these families getting off, thankful that they were safe and really grateful for the National Guard of our state of Tennessee of Indiana.

[Karen Zara]

Beshear said there are still people unaccounted for and it could be days before there is an accurate count.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr. Pope Francis is still in the hospital with a respiratory tract infection doctors are now describing as a, quote, complex clinical situation. Today the Vatican said that the Pope has pneumonia. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports. A priest in Gaza says the pontiff has nonetheless kept in touch with the parish in Gaza from his hospital bed.

[Father Gabriel Romanelli]

Father Gabriel Romanelli says in an interview posted on Vatican News that Pope Francis, though hospitalized, called at the same time he always calls. The pope has maintained his near daily contact with the Catholic Church in Gaza throughout the recent war. Romanelli says in his recent call from hospital, Pope Francis asked how he and the refugees gathered around him were and sent them his blessing. The 88 year old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and has been hospitalized for several days. Father Romanelli says the pope sounded a little more tired than usual and that the pontiff acknowledged his bronchitis. But Romanelli says his voice was clear and he listened well. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome.

[Lakshmi Singh]

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is at risk of being ousted as he he fights corruption allegations. New York Governor Kathy Hochul was slated to meet with Manhattan leaders today after signaling she might use her authority to remove her fellow Democrat from office. Adams continues to deny bribery charges, as well as claims that he agreed to collaborate with the Trump administration's crackdown on migrants in exchange for the Justice Department's decision to drop its case against him. The Dow is closed up slightly. This is NPR News.

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