NPR News Now: February 20, 2025, 9 AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman

1. U.S.-Russia Diplomatic Engagements

Korva Coleman opens the episode by highlighting significant developments in U.S.-Russia relations. "Russian President Vladimir Putin is weighing in on this week's talks between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia," Coleman reports (00:16). These negotiations mark the first high-level communications between Washington and Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

NPR's Charles Maines provides deeper insights into Putin's stance. During a tour of a drone factory in St. Petersburg, Putin lauded the U.S.-Russia meeting as a preliminary step toward restoring bilateral relations. He emphasized the seriousness of the talks, stating, "the leaders weren't meeting just to drink tea, but find solutions acceptable to both sides over Ukraine and other issues" (00:34). This emerging detente represents a significant shift from the previous administration's efforts to isolate Moscow, raising concerns among Ukraine and traditional American allies in Europe about their roles in shaping future negotiations.

2. Legal Proceedings Involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams

The episode shifts focus to domestic politics with Korva Coleman reporting on a critical legal development: "A federal judge held a hearing yesterday to review the Justice Department's request to drop federal corruption charges against New York City Democratic Mayor Eric Adams" (01:15). The case has seen turmoil, with several federal prosecutors resigning amid allegations of political interference.

During the hearing, Judge Dale Ho acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation. "This is a very complicated situation, at least from where I sit," Ho remarked (01:43). Unlike typical DOJ requests, the judge expressed reservations, indicating that a swift ruling was unlikely and promising to deliberate further before issuing a decision. Both Mayor Adams and Trump officials deny any wrongdoing, suggesting the case's resolution may hinge on intricate legal and political maneuvering.

3. Senate Panel Interrogates Labor Secretary Nominee Laurie Chavez Daremer

Korva Coleman continues with political news, detailing a Senate panel's examination of Laurie Chavez Daremer, the nominee for Labor Secretary. NPR's Joe Hernandez elaborates on the contentious proceedings (02:06).

Chavez Daremer, a former Republican congresswoman from Oregon, defended her legislative record, notably co-sponsoring the PRO Act, aimed at simplifying unionization for workers. When pressed by Republican senators, she acknowledged the legislation's imperfections and expressed support for state-level "right to work" laws that restrict union activities. Addressing questions from Democrats, she conceded that the federal minimum wage hasn't been raised in over 15 years but maintained that wage standards might need to vary across different jurisdictions (02:20). Her responses reflect a balance between pro-union initiatives and conservative labor policies, positioning her as a nuanced candidate amid shifting political landscapes.

4. President Trump's Tariff Announcements and Civil Rights Litigation

The discussion shifts to economic policy and civil rights. Korva Coleman reports on President Trump's latest tariff plans: "This week President Trump said he is moving to impose tariffs of 25% or higher on more foreign imports... he wants to put tariffs on imported lumber, too," with implementation potentially starting in early April (02:57).

Concurrently, civil rights organizations are mounting legal challenges against the Trump administration's executive orders. NPR's Sandhya Dirks details the lawsuit filed by the Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal on behalf of three nonprofits (03:28). These organizations, which support black, queer, and trans communities through housing, work programs, and medical care, argue that the administration's bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives infringe upon free speech and due process rights. Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings underscores the gravity of these actions: "If people cannot get preventative care, if people cannot get care once they have HIV, people will die," highlighting the real-world implications of the administration's policies (03:57).

5. Legal Actions by Religious Organizations and Update on Pope Francis

Finally, Korva Coleman addresses legal and religious news. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is suing the Trump administration, alleging the unlawful cessation of funding for refugee resettlement programs. They assert that these actions violate the Constitution's provision granting Congress the power of the purse (04:10).

In related religious news, updates on Pope Francis's health are provided. Vatican officials confirm that if the Pope remains hospitalized, he is being treated for severe pneumonia. Recent developments include the Pope getting out of bed and showing slight improvement in his condition. Additionally, Pope Francis was visited by Italian Premier Giorgio Meloni, who found him alert and humorous, signaling a positive turn in his recovery (04:10).

NPR News Now provides concise updates on the latest national and international news. For more detailed reporting, visit NPR.org.