NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 19, 2025

Host: Shea Stevens
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. Donald Trump Criticizes Ukraine’s NATO Prospects and Blames Ukraine for the Conflict

At [00:18], President Donald Trump addressed his views on Ukraine and its relationship with NATO during a speech at his Palm Beach, Florida resort. Trump asserted that Ukraine should not be permitted to join NATO, positioning himself as someone capable of ending the ongoing war.

Donald Trump [00:35]: “And I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it's going very well. But today I heard, oh, well, we weren't invited. Well, you've been there for three years. You should have ended it. Three years. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal. I could have made a deal for Ukraine.”

Trump also placed responsibility for the war squarely on Ukraine, suggesting that the conflict could have been resolved earlier had Ukraine capitulated or entered negotiations under his terms.

2. International Diplomatic Efforts to Resolve the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Following Trump's remarks, Shea Stevens reported on the broader international efforts to address the war in Ukraine. U.S. and Russian officials convened in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential resolutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine would not accept any peace agreement negotiated without its participation.

French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the European allies' exclusion from the Russia-U.S. negotiations and announced a second round of talks involving countries such as Romania, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic nations, and Canada.

Eleanor Beardsley [01:22]: “The meeting will take place by video. Conference participants are looking for a way to weigh in on the negotiations to end the war.”

Macron expressed skepticism about President Trump’s stance, emphasizing the severity of Russian aggression beyond territorial invasion, including cyber attacks and election interference.

Eleanor Beardsley [01:56]: “Macron cited cyber attacks, election interference and disinformation campaigns as a few of the ways. Russia has already attacked Europe and don't think even worse things cannot happen, he said.”

3. Hamas to Release Additional Israeli Hostages Amid Ceasefire

At [02:02], Shea Stevens reported that Hamas announced the release of six more Israeli hostages over the upcoming weekend, pursuant to a ceasefire agreement reached weeks prior. Additionally, the group committed to returning the remains of four Israelis on Thursday, with a possible further four the following week.

4. Measles Outbreak Escalates in West Texas

A concerning health update was provided by Samantha Larned from Lubbock at [02:31], detailing a significant increase in measles cases in West Texas. Confirmed cases have more than doubled in the past week, with 58 cases identified across five counties.

Dr. Ron Cook, the public health authority for Lubbock, noted that the outbreak originated in rural Gaines County along the Texas-New Mexico border and highlighted that four of the recent cases occurred in vaccinated individuals.

Dr. Ron Cook [02:48]: “Right now, it's based on exposure and or not knowing that you've had measles or ever been vaccinated. If this thing were to really get carried away, then we would offer booster doses for many different people.”

Texas officials are focusing on containing the outbreak, with vaccine reserves available should the situation worsen. Dr. Cook anticipates a rise in cases as testing increases.

5. Federal Judge Denies Injunction Against Elon Musk and Doge Access to Federal Systems

Shea Stevens reported at [03:14] that a federal judge rejected a request by 14 Democratic attorneys general seeking an emergency injunction to prevent billionaire Elon Musk and his entity, Doge, from accessing federal data systems. The plaintiffs contended that Musk's government role violated the constitutional requirement for Senate approval of presidential appointees.

U.S. District Court Judge Tonya Chutkan dismissed the case, stating that the plaintiffs did not demonstrate sufficient legal harm to warrant a temporary restraining order. Judge Chutkan also expressed unease with the administration’s commentary regarding Musk and his authority within Doge.

6. Release of Leonard Peltier from Federal Prison

In a significant criminal justice development, Native American activist Leonard Peltier was released from a federal prison in Florida on [04:16]. Peltier, who had served nearly five decades for the alleged murder of two FBI agents on a South Dakota reservation—a charge he has consistently denied—had his life sentence commuted to indefinite house arrest in the final days of President Joe Biden’s administration.

During the release ceremony, Peltier’s attorney, Chase Iron Eyes, conveyed the community’s high regard for Peltier:

Chase Iron Eyes [04:32]: “He's going to be welcomed as a hero in his homeland. We are going to celebrate Leonard Peltier in the same way that we celebrate Nelson Mandela.”

Peltier maintains his innocence, claiming that he acted in self-defense by firing at the agents without intending to kill them.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of critical international and national issues, including geopolitical tensions involving Ukraine and NATO, escalating health concerns with a measles outbreak, significant legal battles surrounding high-profile figures like Elon Musk, and notable developments in the U.S. criminal justice system with the release of Leonard Peltier. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from involved parties, the episode offered listeners valuable insights into these multifaceted stories.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on newsworthy material.