NPR News: 02-18-2025 6PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 18, 2025, 6 PM EST

Host: Jack Speer
Produced by: NPR

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1. U.S. and Russia Agree to Pursue Peace Efforts in Ukraine

At the forefront of today's headlines, the United States and Russia have reached a tentative agreement to initiate steps towards ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This development took place during a diplomatic meeting in Saudi Arabia, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the agreed-upon objectives.

Key Points:

• Restoration of Embassies: Both nations committed to restoring their respective embassies in each other's capitals, signaling a move towards normalized diplomatic relations.

• Formation of a High-Level Team: A dedicated team will be established to support and facilitate peace talks concerning Ukraine.

However, the absence of Ukrainian representatives in these discussions has sparked controversy and criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Notable Quote:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy [00:50]: "I hear that, you know, they're upset about not having a seat. Well, they've had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily. Just a half baked negotiator could have settled this years ago."

In response to the exclusion, President Donald Trump was questioned about Ukraine's lack of participation. Trump deflected the issue by avoiding acknowledgment of Russia's initiation of the conflict.

Additional Developments:

• Canceled Visit: Zelenskyy has canceled a planned visit to Saudi Arabia in protest over Ukraine's exclusion from the peace talks.

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2. Federal Health Worker Layoffs Under Trump Administration

The Trump administration's recent workforce reductions have significantly impacted federal health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Impact Details:

• CDC: Initially, about 13 CDC employees were slated for termination. To date, approximately half of those positions have been eliminated, with uncertainty looming over further cuts.

• FDA & NIH: Staff reductions have targeted PhD-trained scientists responsible for outbreak responses and FDA employees involved in medical device safety, among others.

Notable Quote:

Jack Speer [01:05]: "Federal health workers are taking stock of how the Trump administration's layoffs hit their agencies."

Despite attempts to reach out, affected agencies have declined to comment on the situation.

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3. Severe Flooding in Southern West Virginia Claims Lives

Southern West Virginia was devastated by severe flooding over the weekend, resulting in at least two fatalities. Governor Patrick Morrissey expressed profound gratitude toward responders and citizens who rallied to assist affected mountain communities.

Response Measures:

• Community Assistance: Local citizens provided essential supplies like water, while volunteers from across the state and even as far as Texas offered aid.

• Disaster Declarations: A major disaster declaration has been requested from President Donald Trump for 13 counties, following approval for neighboring Kentucky.

Notable Quote:

Curtis Tate [02:18]: "Local citizens were helping donating water, people from across the state were helping out, and people from as far away as Texas."

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel are already on-site, working alongside state and local efforts to manage the aftermath.

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4. Record-Breaking Arctic Cold Hits the Midwest

The nation's Midwest, particularly the eastern half, is currently grappling with an intense Arctic weather system. Bismarck, North Dakota, experienced an unprecedented temperature drop to minus 39 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the previous record set in 1910.

Economic Impact:

• Wall Street: In financial markets, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a modest increase, rising by 10 points amidst the cold snap.

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5. Scientific Breakthrough: Human-Specific Genetic Variant Alters Vocalizations in Mice

In a fascinating study exploring the genetic underpinnings of human uniqueness, researchers have identified a genetic variant exclusive to Homo sapiens that, when introduced into laboratory mice, altered their vocal behaviors.

Study Highlights:

• Ultrasonic Calls: The modified mice produced ultrasonic calls that, when translated to human-audible frequencies, resembled birdsong—exhibiting greater variety and complexity.

• Implications for Human Speech Evolution: This variant is believed to have played a role in the development of human language capabilities.

Notable Quotes:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy [03:57]: "This is a human language gene that changed and switched early in the development of Homo sapiens."

Nell Greenfield Boyce [04:07]: "Researchers say this is just one of what is likely to be many genes involved in the evolution of human speech."

The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest a significant step toward understanding the genetic factors that contribute to the sophistication of human language.

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6. Community and Economic Updates

• Dr. Seuss Giveaway: Dr. Seuss Enterprises is offering a free copy of "The Cat in the Hat" to individuals born on March 2nd. Interested parties can register at seusspledge.com, with a total of 20,000 copies available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Crude Oil Prices: Oil futures concluded the day with a rise of $1.10 per barrel, reflecting shifts in the energy market.

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Closing Note: For ongoing updates and detailed news coverage, continue tuning into NPR News Now.

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This summary excludes promotional segments and non-informative content to focus solely on the essential news topics discussed in the episode.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Russia and the US have agreed to start working towards ending the war in Ukraine, though without input from the country where the fighting is actually taking place. During a meeting in Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two sides have agreed to pursue goals including restoring their respective embassies and creating a high level team to support Ukrainian peace talks. Questioned today about the lack of Ukrainian participation at the discussions, President Trump largely skirted the fact it was Russia's invasion that started the war.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]

I hear that, you know, they're upset about not having a seat. Well, they've had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily. Just a half baked negotiator could have settled this years ago.

[Jack Spear]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, reacted angrily, saying he has canceled a planned visit to Saudi Arabia after not being part of the discussions. Federal health workers are taking stock of how the Trump administration's layoffs hit their agencies. Hundreds of termination letters hit mailboxes of staff over the weekend at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and elsewhere. NPR's Will Stone reports.

[Will Stone]

CDC employees were told last week that about 13 workers would be cut. So far, the number of people who lost their job is about half of that, according to two current CDC staffers who spoke to npr. Both say it's not yet clear whether that's the end of the dismissals. The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health also lost workers. Among the staff who were caught up in the first wave of layoffs, PhD trained scientists tasked with helping local and state officials respond to outbreaks. There were FDA employees who ensure medical devices are safe at NIH offices involved in reviewing and administering grants to researchers outside the agency were also hit hard. The agencies affected did not respond to NPR's request for comment. Will Stone, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

At least two deaths are being attributed to severe flooding in southern West Virginia over the weekend. Curtis Tate of West Virginia Public Broadcasting has more.

[Curtis Tate]

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey thanked those who provided assistance in mountain communities hit hard by the weekend's floods. Local citizens were helping donating water, people from across the state were helping out, and people from as far away as Texas Morrisey requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump on Monday. West Virginia's congressional delegation has also sent a letter to Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting disaster assistance for 13 counties. FEMA personnel are already on the ground in West Virginia, and Trump approved a disaster declaration Sunday for neighboring Kentucky. For NPR News, I'm Curtis Tate in Charleston, West Virginia.

[Jack Spear]

Meanwhile, much of the nation's midsection in the east continues to be held in an Arctic weather system's icy grip. Bismarck, North Dakota, saw the Mercury fall to minus 39 degrees today, shattering the old record for this day set back in 1910. On Wall street, the Dow is up 10 points. You're listening to NPR. Researchers are interested in what makes humans unique, so they recently were investigating a genetic variant that's only found in homo sapien. NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports that putting this variant into lab mice altered the animals vocalizations.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

Some of the sounds made by mice are ultrasonic calls. If you bring those sounds into the range that humans can hear, it sounds like birdsong. That singing became subtly more varied and complex when researchers genetically altered mice to give them a particular gene variant that's found only in modern humans. Bob Darnell is with Rockefeller University.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]

This is a human language gene that changed and switched early in the development of Homo sapiens.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

The findings are described in the journal Nature Communications. Researchers say this is just one of what is likely to be many genes involved in the evolution of human speech. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Attention March 2nd birthday babies. If that is your special day, well, the author of the Cat in the is ready to provide your free copy. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, expanding on a giveaway last year when it provided 10,000 copies of the author's most famous work to newborns. If you have a March 2nd birthday, you can register for a free copy@seuss pledge.com or you can gift your free copy to children in underserved communities. Total of 20,000 copies are available on a first come, first served basis. Crude oil futures prices closed higher today. Oil up $1.10 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Sponsor Announcer]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Bolen Branch. Change your sleep with Bolen Branch's airy blankets, cloud like duvets and breathable sheets. Feel the difference with 15% off your first [e-mail] with code. NPR exclusions apply. See site for details.