NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 18, 2025
On the February 18, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Korva Coleman delivers a comprehensive overview of the day’s most pressing news stories, ranging from international diplomacy and high-profile legal battles to significant domestic challenges and notable health updates.
U.S.-Russia Relations and the Ukraine Conflict
The episode opens with a focus on international diplomacy as Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels to Saudi Arabia to engage with his Russian counterparts. The primary agenda revolves around restoring relations between Moscow and Washington and addressing Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Notably absent from these talks are Ukrainian and European diplomats, a point of concern for many observers.
Joanna Kakisis reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia for an official visit with Saudi officials. Zelenskyy emphasized, “There cannot be negotiations without Ukraine” (00:36). Oleksandr Krajev, a political scientist in Kyiv, highlighted Zelenskyy's expectations: “In any other case, negotiations will be a futile effort and Trump will be presented as a bad negotiator, weak politician” (01:00). Bruce Konfeiser further added, “And bad diplomat, basically” (01:08). Additionally, Joanna Kakisis noted that Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia is expected to visit Ukraine later in the week, signaling ongoing efforts to mediate the conflict.
Elon Musk's Legal Challenges Over DOGE Entity
Shifting to domestic issues, the podcast delves into a significant legal battle involving Elon Musk's DOGE entity. Korva Coleman reports that a federal judge is unlikely to grant an immediate halt to Musk's attempts to access federal data and terminate government employees. This lawsuit, spearheaded by several Democratic state attorneys general, contends that Musk's influence within the government is illegal and should be subject to Senate confirmation.
During the hearing, Judge Tanya Chutkan expressed skepticism towards the government's assertions regarding the limited power of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency and questioned whether the states had provided sufficient evidence to justify intervening in actions across seven federal agencies. Stephen Fowler anticipates a ruling within the next 24 hours (01:20 - 01:37).
Energy Department Reverses Mass Firings of Nuclear Oversight Workers
A critical development within the Energy Department is also highlighted. The department has reversed the mass firings of numerous workers tasked with overseeing the nation’s nuclear weapons. Korva Coleman points out that the reinstatement was notably swift, with some employees being rehired just hours after their dismissal. This abrupt reversal has raised concerns among Congress members, who alarm over the potential vulnerabilities in agencies responsible for U.S. nuclear warhead oversight and nuclear terrorism prevention (02:07).
Delta Plane Overturns at Toronto Airport
In aviation news, a Delta commuter plane experienced a tragic incident upon landing at Toronto's main airport. Deborah Flint, president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, reported that 18 individuals sustained injuries, though thankfully, there were no fatalities. The plane, carrying 80 passengers, overturned, leading to a swift response from firefighters who extinguished a resulting fire as passengers evacuated the aircraft (02:07).
Extreme Cold Warnings Across Central United States
The National Weather Service has issued extreme cold warnings for nearly the entire central United States. Wind chill temperatures are expected to plunge below zero in areas extending as far south as Central Texas, with northern regions like North Dakota experiencing wind chills that feel like 40 degrees below (02:07).
Leonard Peltier's Imminent Release from Federal Prison
In a notable legal update, Indigenous activist and convicted murderer Leonard Peltier is set to be released from a federal prison in Florida. Peltier has been serving a life sentence for the 1975 killing of two FBI agents. Native American activists continue to assert his innocence, and President Joe Biden has commuted his sentence to home confinement before his departure from office, marking a significant moment for his supporters (02:07).
New York Mayor Eric Adams’ Corruption Scandal
Turning to local governance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is preparing to meet with city officials amid an alleged corruption scandal involving Mayor Eric Adams. Bruce Konfeiser reports that Governor Hochul is contemplating the unprecedented step of removing Mayor Adams from office, a power granted by the New York State constitution but never before exercised in the state's 235-year history. This consideration follows the resignation of four deputy mayors and seven federal prosecutors who declined to request the dismissal of a five-count indictment against Adams. Governor Hochul's announcement underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for drastic measures to address the corruption allegations (03:53).
Pope Francis' Health Update
Concluding the episode, Korva Coleman provides an update on Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized in Rome. The Vatican reports that the pontiff is being treated for a polymicrobial respiratory infection and must remain on absolute rest. While Pope Francis is in stable condition, Vatican officials indicate that his medical situation is complex, necessitating ongoing care (04:34).
This episode of NPR News Now offers listeners a succinct yet thorough briefing on significant global and domestic issues, providing essential insights and updates to keep audiences informed.