NPR News: 02-18-2025 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 18, 2025

Released on February 18, 2025, "NPR News Now" provides listeners with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing events. This summary captures the key topics discussed, notable quotes with timestamps, and essential insights shared during the episode.

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1. US-Russia Negotiations to End the Ukraine War

[00:16] Dave Mattingley

The episode opens with significant international developments as a delegation from Moscow, led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, meets with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials in Saudi Arabia. The primary agenda is to negotiate an end to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict that has persisted for three years since the full-scale invasion commenced this month.

Key Points:

• Delegation Composition: President Trump's National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, and the President's envoy, Steve Witkoff, accompany Rubio.
• Background: These talks follow a recent 90-minute phone conversation between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Notable Quote: Trump expressed optimism regarding the negotiations, stating, “I believe Putin wants to end the fighting in Ukraine” ([00:16]).

Additional Insight: Despite the high-level discussions, officials from Kyiv are notably absent from these talks, raising questions about Ukraine's direct involvement in peace negotiations.

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2. Protests Against President Trump’s Administration in Washington

[01:21] Chandelyse Duster

Amidst the ongoing geopolitical tensions, domestic unrest is evident as thousands gather in Washington, D.C., to protest President Trump and his administration, particularly targeting decisions influenced by billionaire Elon Musk.

Key Points:

• Organizers: The protests are spearheaded by the 50:51 movement, symbolizing "50 protests, 50 states, one movement."
• Demands: Protesters are urging lawmakers to take decisive action against mass firings within governmental agencies, a move linked to the administration's downsizing efforts.
• Conditions: Demonstrations occurred in harsh weather conditions, including frigid temperatures and 20 mph wind gusts.

Notable Quote: Suzanne, a Maryland resident and spouse of a federal employee, shared her fears: “We are worried he will be laid off” ([01:21]).

Additional Insight: Jackie Northam adds depth to Suzanne’s concerns, noting, “Currently, his paychecks are going through, but we're looking to Plan Bs and alternatives” ([01:49]), emphasizing the uncertainty faced by federal employees.

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3. Delta Airlines Plane Crash at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport

[02:08] Dave Mattingley & [02:24] Jackie Northam

A tragic incident unfolded as a Delta Airlines commuter flight from Minneapolis crashed at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, resulting in 18 injuries out of the 80 people on board.

Key Points:

• Incident Details: The plane flipped over upon landing in windy and snowy conditions, as captured in distressing social media videos.
• Response: Emergency crews swiftly addressed a resultant fire while assisting passengers and crew in evacuating the aircraft.
• Investigation: The National Transportation Safety Boards of both the U.S. and Canada are collaborating to determine the cause, considering the challenging weather with 40 mph wind gusts and an ongoing winter travel advisory.

Notable Quote: Jackie Northam reports, “Videos on social media show the Delta Air Lines commuter plane upside down on the snowy tarmac shortly after landing in Toronto” ([02:24]).

Additional Insight: Despite the severity of the crash, flights have since resumed at Pearson International, allowing for the swift resumption of travel activities.

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4. Flooding in Kentucky Raises Death Toll

[02:58] Dave Mattingley

Kentucky continues to grapple with severe flooding, which has tragically resulted in at least 12 fatalities as search and rescue operations persist across affected regions.

Key Points:

• Impact: The flooding has caused widespread devastation, displacing numerous families and disrupting communities.
• Response Efforts: Local authorities and rescue teams are actively engaged in recovering victims and providing aid to those affected.

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5. Extreme Cold Weather Sweeps Central United States

[02:58] Dave Mattingley

A wave of cold air is extending over the central United States, prompting the National Weather Service to issue extreme cold warnings across multiple states.

Key Points:

• Regions Affected: Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are among the states under warning.
• Temperature Declines: Northern areas are experiencing life-threatening Arctic cold, with temperatures plummeting to 33 degrees below zero in some regions.

Notable Quote: “The National Weather Service has extended extreme cold warnings into much of Oklahoma and Texas,” reports Dave Mattingley ([02:58]).

Additional Insight: Extreme cold poses significant risks to residents, necessitating preparedness and caution to prevent cold-related hazards.

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6. Health Update on Pope Francis

[02:58] Dave Mattingly

In Vatican news, Pope Francis remains hospitalized in Rome due to a complex respiratory infection, following his admission last week. The 88-year-old pontiff's health status continues to be monitored closely.

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7. Passing of Mexican Singer Paquita La Del Barrio

[04:06] Isabela Gomez Sarmiento

The music world mourns the loss of Paquita La Del Barrio, a beloved Mexican singer known for her powerful expressions of heartbreak and female empowerment.

Key Points:

• Career Highlights: Rising to fame in the 1980s, Paquita was celebrated for her emotive performances and candid lyrics addressing personal and societal issues.
• Legacy: Her songs, such as "Una Rata de los Patas," became anthems of feminist rage, symbolizing resilience and strength.

Notable Quote: Isabela Gomez Sarmiento shares, “Paquita said her music was inspired by her real relationships. For decades, her lyrics channeled her pain into feminist rage” ([04:06]).

Additional Insight: Mexico City's Department of Culture commemorated her unique style and unmistakable voice, highlighting her significant contribution to music and culture.

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Conclusion

This episode of "NPR News Now" encapsulates a spectrum of urgent global and domestic issues, from international diplomacy and aviation disasters to extreme weather events and cultural losses. By providing timely updates and personal stories, the podcast ensures listeners are well-informed and connected to the unfolding narratives shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Dave Mattingly]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingley. At this hour, a delegation from Moscow led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top US Officials in Saudi Arabia. They're said to be discussing negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Moscow's full scale invasion began three years ago this month. Alongside Rubio are President Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz and the president's envoy, Steve Witkoff. The Talks Follow Trump's 90 minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week. Trump Trump has since said he believes Putin wants to end the fighting in Ukraine. Officials from Kyiv are not part of the talks. In Riyadh, thousands of people across the US Marked President's Day by protesting President Trump and his Doge team, led by billionaire elon Musk. As NPR's Chandelyse Duster reports, one of the demonstrations against Trump's government downsizing efforts took place in the nation's capital amid.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Frigid temperatures and 20 mile per hour wind gusts. Large crowds gathered at the Capitol reflecting pool chanting do your job. Protesters 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.

[Jackie Northam]

Currently, his paychecks are going through, but we're looking to Plan Bs and alternatives.

[Dave Mattingly]

On how to support our family, our children.

[Chandelyse Duster]

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

[Dave Mattingly]

Delta Airlines says 18 people were injured in yesterday's plane crash at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. The plane flipped over as the commuter flight was arriving from Minneapolis in windy weather. NPR's Jackie Northam says there were 80 people aboard.

[Jackie Northam]

Videos on social media show the Delta Air Lines commuter plane upside down on the snowy tarmac shortly after landing in Toronto. Emergency crews worked to put out a fire while passengers and crew got off, according to Toronto police. Since the flight took off from Minneapolis, National Transportation safety boards in the US And Canada will work together to determine the cause of the CR. Winds were gusting about 40 miles an hour. There's been heavy snowfall in the area for the past three weeks and a winter travel advisory was in effect. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Dave Mattingly]

Flights have since resumed at Pearson International. The death toll from flooding in Kentucky has risen to at least 12 as search and rescue efforts continue in areas of the state. This is NPR News from Washington. Cold air continues to expand over more states in the central U.S. the National Weather Service has extended extreme cold warnings into much of Oklahoma and Texas. They stretch northward into Montana, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Forecasters are warning of life threatening Arctic cold in northern areas. It's currently 33 degrees below zero. In Bismarck, North Dakota, it's minus 11 in Minneapolis. The Vatican says Pope Francis remains hospitalized in Rome with what's described as a complex infection in his respiratory system. He was admitted last week. The Pope is 88 years old. Mexican singer Paquita Ladel Barrio has died at the age of 77. As NPR's Isabela Gomez Sarmiento reports, the singer was known as a voice of heartbreak and rage.

[Isabela Gomez Sarmiento]

Paquita La Del Barrio, which informally translates to Paquita from the block, became a star in Mexico in the 1980s. She was beloved for the disdain with which she sang about the men who broke her heart. Paquita said her music was inspired by her real relationships. For decades, her lyrics channeled her pain into feminist rage. In the hit Una Rata de los Patas, she famously compared an ex lover to a cursed leech and a poisonous snake. Paquita La Del Barrio's team announced her passing. No cause of death was given. Mexico City's Department of Culture issued a statement celebrating her quote, unmistakable voice and unique style. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Dave Mattingly]

I'm Dave Mattingly in Washington.

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