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- [00:01]
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Korva Coleman
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting his Russian counterparts today in Saudi Arabia. They're talking about improving U. S Russian ties. NPR's Charles Maine says they're also talking about establishing peace in Ukraine.
- [00:33]
Charles Maine
The US Team comes in with President Trump on record agreeing that Ukraine must give up its NATO ambitions and territory to Moscow. Those are two key Russian demands. The US Is already ceded. Now there are all sorts of questions about where borders are drawn and whether there could be a peacekeeping contingent and who that might involve. But fundamentally, the concern in Europe and certainly in Kyiv is that while they want what they call a just peace, Trump just wants peace.
- [00:59]
Korva Coleman
NPR's Charles Means reporting. This month marks the third anniversary of Russia, Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In the coming days, Israel is preparing to receive the bodies of at least four Israeli hostages who were held in Gaza. This is part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that lasts through next week. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.
- [01:22]
Daniel Estrin
An Israeli official tells NPR that on Thursday Israel expects Hamas to hand over four or five bodies of hostages. On Saturday, three living hostages are expected to be freedom. At the same time, there are negotiations to increase the number of hostages to be freed. For its part, Israel is to release Palestinian detainees and prisoners, including those convicted for deadly attacks on Israelis. Next week, there will be a final round exchanging Palestinian prisoners for three living Israeli hostages and around four dead hostages. In total, 73 hostages remain in Gaza, 36 of them confirmed dead. Hamas and Israel are meant to negotiate the next phase of a ceasefire deal, but the future of the deal is unclear. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
- [02:07]
Korva Coleman
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says she will meet today with key leaders in New York City. They will weigh the possible ouster of Democratic mayor Eric Adams. Four top aides to Adams resigned yesterday. NPR's Brian Mann reports there is a growing scandal involving corruption charges against the Democratic mayor.
- [02:27]
Brian Mann
In a statement, Hochul said she spoke with Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer, one of Adams four top aides, leaving office. According to Hochul, that conversation left her with, quote, serious questions about the long term future of this mayoral administration. Mayor Adams was charged by the Justice Department in September with bribery and corruption. Critics say the Trump administration shelved those charges only after Adams agreed to help a national crackdown on migrants. No governor in the last 235 years has used their authority to oust an elected mayor of New York City. But Hochul said the crisis in City hall is troubling and cannot be ignored. Adams has denied any wrongdoing and says he won't resign. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.
- [03:09]
Korva Coleman
On Wall street in pre market trading, Dow futures are higher. You're listening to NPR. Dallas based Southwest Airlines is laying off 15% of its corporate employees. From member station KERA, Caroline Love reports.
- [03:26]
Caroline Love
The layoffs affect more than 1,700 employees. CEO Robert Jordan said in a statement it was a difficult and monumental decision. The airline has faced challenges in recent months, months including declining profit margins and a civil lawsuit over alleged mismanagement of an employee retirement plan. Southwest also restructured its board in October as part of a settlement with an investment firm that tried to oust Jordan, but he refused to resign. The airline announced several changes last fall to boost revenue, including the end of its open seating policy next year. Eligible employees impacted by the layoffs will receive salary and benefits through late April. For NPR News, I'm Caroline Love in Dallas.
- [04:06]
Korva Coleman
A winter storm warning blankets much of Kentucky today, a few days after powerful thunderstorms raked the South. At least a dozen people died in Kentucky. One person was killed in West Virginia. Another person perished in Georgia. Flash flooding in Kentucky triggered more than 1,000 water rescues. In summary, Brazil temperatures are reaching record highs. Officials in Rio de Janeiro say it got to 107 degrees yesterday. Schools closed and cooling centers opened. Officials at the Mystic Aquarium in New Haven, Connecticut, are caring for a baby gray seal. It was discovered twice over the weekend wandering the streets in the city. Aquarium officials say the baby seal is only a few weeks old and likely got lost. They plan to eventually release him back into the ocean. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.
- [04:57]
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