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Korva Coleman
In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump's envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has arrived in Kyiv for talks.
Keith Kellogg
It's good to be back in Kyiv again. Some wonderful talks with President Zelensky and staff and military commanders. You know, it's kind of nice him here just a few days before the third anniversary of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Korva Coleman
His comments come as President Trump said he blamed Ukraine for starting the war three years ago. That is not true. It was Russia that launched this surprise full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and it has continued to bomb that country ever since. Kellogg's visit to Ukraine comes a day after Ukraine was excluded from talks between US And Russian diplomats over ending the war. UK European officials were not allowed to attend either. More than 10,000 federal employees have been fired in the new Trump administration. Most of them were on probationary status. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports on the efforts to file class action lawsuits challenging the dismissals.
Andrea Hsu
Federal employees typically have to get through one or two years of probation before they have full civil service job protections. Still, attorneys say even without those protections, they may still have a case. Many of the workers fired were told that their performance failed to demonstrate that their employment was in the public interest. David Branch is a longtime employment attorney in Washington, D.C. if you can prove.
David Branch
That this statement is false, you probably have a claim for infringement upon your good name and reputation under the Fifth Amendment.
Andrea Hsu
The Trump administration says the terminations are about cutting waste and making government more efficient. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.
Korva Coleman
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering whether to remove New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams from office. The governor held meetings with top civic and political leaders from The City yesterday. NPR's Brian Mann reports. The mayor is in the midst of an alleged corruption scandal.
Brian Mann
Mayor Adams was charged last year with federal bribery and corruption charges. Last week, the Trump administration's DOJ agreed to suspend that criminal case. It it was a move so controversial, seven DOJ attorneys resigned rather than go along with it. Critics say Adams leveraged the favor from Trump's team after agreeing to collaborate with the White House's crackdown on illegal immigration. After four of Adams own top aides resigned this week, Governor Hochul began talks with officials about whether to use her authority to remove Adams from office it's unclear when she'll decide. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.
Korva Coleman
Separately, a federal judge has called a hearing today about Mayor Adams case. The judge has asked the US Justice Department to be prepared to explain why it's trying to drop charges against the mayor. An Arctic blast is parked across much of the central U.S. this morning when chill temperatures are 40 degrees below zero in North Dakota. You're listening to NPR. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Has told agency staffers he will review the childhood vaccination schedule for dangerous diseases. He did not directly call for changes to the schedule when he was under oath. During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy had assured skeptical senators he would not alter the vaccine schedule. The typical life expectancy for an American man is almost 76 years, compared to 81 years for an American woman. Some researchers say that more men would live longer if more attention were paid to their health. Ashley milne, Tite has the longevity gap.
Ashley Milne-Tight
Between men and women has grown in the past couple of decades. That worries Professor Derek Griffith. He teaches health Equity and Population Health at the University of Pennsylvania. He says his research shows men generally don't focus on staying healthy. And he says society hasn't worked out how to successfully engage men with messages about their health.
Professor Derek Griffith
I mean, we're not talking about a sporting event because if you try to, you know, hey, let's talk to you about your prostate at a football game, this is not going to go well.
Ashley Milne-Tight
He says deaths from canc, heart disease, accidents and suicide are all higher among men than women. He'd like to see the US do more research on the many factors that affect men's physical and mental health. For NPR News, I'm Ashley Milntight.
Korva Coleman
Authorities in Australia say a pod of beached false killer whales is unlikely to survive. Scores of the whales have been stranded on a beach for days in the island of Tasmania. Officials say it is not possible to save them. You're listening to npr.
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Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.
Korva Coleman opens the episode with significant developments in US-Ukraine relations:
Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, has arrived in Kyiv for high-level discussions.
This visit coincides with President Trump’s controversial statement, falsely blaming Ukraine for initiating the war three years prior.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, has persisted with ongoing bombings.
Notably, Ukraine was excluded from recent US-Russian diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war, along with UK and European officials.
Transitioning to domestic issues, Korva Coleman highlights a significant personnel shift within the federal workforce:
Andrea Hsu reports on the legal ramifications:
Federal employees typically undergo one to two years of probation before gaining full civil service protections.
Legal experts argue that even without these protections, fired employees may have grounds for class action lawsuits.
The Trump administration asserts that the terminations aim to reduce waste and enhance government efficiency.
Korva Coleman brings attention to the political turmoil surrounding New York City’s mayor:
Brian Mann provides an in-depth analysis:
Mayor Adams was previously charged with federal bribery and corruption. Last week, the DOJ agreed to suspend these criminal charges, a decision that led to the resignation of seven DOJ attorneys.
Following the resignation of four of Adams' top aides, Governor Hochul has initiated discussions with officials regarding her authority to remove the mayor.
A federal judge has scheduled a hearing to review the DOJ’s decision to drop charges against Adams, requesting explanations from the department.
Shifting to public health, Korva Coleman introduces a report on the disparity in life expectancy between genders:
Ashley Milne-Tite delves into the longevity gap:
Professor Derek Griffith of the University of Pennsylvania comments at [04:14], “We’re not talking about a sporting event because if you try to, you know, hey, let’s talk to you about your prostate at a football game, this is not going to go well.”
In an environmental update, Korva Coleman reports on a tragic event in Australia:
Keith Kellogg on his visit to Kyiv: “[00:22] It’s good to be back in Kyiv again. Some wonderful talks with President Zelensky and staff and military commanders. You know, it’s kind of nice him here just a few days before the third anniversary of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.”
David Branch on legal claims for federal employees: “[01:42] If you can prove this statement is false, you probably have a claim for infringement upon your good name and reputation under the Fifth Amendment.”
Professor Derek Griffith on engaging men in health discussions: “We’re not talking about a sporting event because if you try to, you know, hey, let’s talk to you about your prostate at a football game, this is not going to go well.”
Stay informed with the latest updates every hour on NPR News Now.