NPR News: 02-24-2025 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 24, 2025, 10AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Source: NPR
Duration: 4 minutes and 36 seconds

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1. French President Macron Meets President Trump Amidst Ukraine Conflict Anniversary

[00:00]

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Washington to engage in discussions with President Donald Trump on the significant occasion marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This meeting coincides with the United Nations' observance of the day, highlighting ongoing global concerns.

Key Points:

• UN Votes on Ukraine Conflict:
  • Michelle Kellerman reports that Ukraine aimed to demonstrate global unity against Russia through the General Assembly and upcoming UN Security Council votes.
  • Timestamp [00:29]: Instead of supporting a European resolution that demands Russia withdraw from Ukraine and return deported civilians, the Trump administration proposed an alternative text advocating merely for a "path to peace." This draft acknowledges the loss of life due to the conflict but stops short of attributing blame to Russia.

Notable Quote:

• Russia's Ambassador: Praised the US-generated resolution as "a good move," reflecting a shift in international stance influenced by the Trump administration's position.

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2. Trump Administration's Alternative UN Resolution and Global Reactions

[00:29]

The alternate resolution proposed by the Trump administration has stirred international reactions:

• China's Role: As the current rotating president of the UN Security Council, China has called for a meeting to discuss the implications of the new resolution.
  Speaker: Michelle Kellerman, NPR News
  Location: State Department

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3. Dismissal of Top Military Officials by President Trump

[01:05]

In a significant shake-up within the U.S. military hierarchy, President Trump dismissed several high-ranking officials:

• Top Officials Fired:

  • General Charles Q. Brown Jr.: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  • Admiral Lisa Franchetti: Former commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet and the first female officer to hold the top naval position.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Statement: Asserted that General Brown "is not the right man for the moment."

Notable Quote:

• Senator Jack Reed: "These people were selected based on merit. They are seasoned professionals with many commands and range of experiences, and they were dismissed, I think, for political reasons."
  Timestamp: [01:37]
  Context: Speaking as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee to NPR's Morning Edition.

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4. Market Movements: Apple’s Investment and Corporate Layoffs

[01:51]

The stock market experienced volatility as major corporations announced significant changes:

• Apple's Investment Plan:

  • Scott Horsley reports that Apple disclosed plans to invest over $500 billion in U.S. manufacturing within the next four years, creating approximately 20,000 jobs.
  • Details:
    • Establishment of a new AI server factory in Houston, slated to open next year.
    • CEO Tim Cook's Statement: Expressed optimism, stating Apple is "bullish on the future of American innovation."

• Starbucks' Corporate Restructuring:

  • Announcement of layoffs affecting 1,100 corporate employees worldwide to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Elimination of several hundred unfilled positions.
  • Assurance that frontline baristas will remain unaffected.

• Domino's Pizza:

  • Share prices declined following reports of disappointing U.S. sales figures.

Market Impact:

• Initial Trading: Dow Jones Industrial Average remained largely flat.
• Later Developments:
  • Timestamp [02:47]: Dow Jones rose by approximately 8 points, while the Nasdaq decreased by around 160 points.

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5. Appointment of Dan Bongino as Deputy Director of the FBI

[02:47]

President Trump has appointed conservative radio host Dan Bongino to the position of Deputy Director of the FBI. Bongino brings experience from his previous roles as a Secret Service agent and police officer. Notably, the appointment does not require Senate confirmation.

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6. Vivek Ramaswamy's Potential Gubernatorial Candidacy in Ohio

[02:47]

Entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to announce his candidacy for the governorship of Ohio today. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ramaswamy will seek the GOP nomination, bringing his recent experience as a co-leader of the government's DOGE cost-cutting initiative into the race.

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7. Surge in Global Internet Shutdowns Led by Asian Nations

[03:51]

A new report by the Internet watchdog group AccessNow highlights a significant increase in government-imposed Internet shutdowns worldwide, with Asian countries dominating the statistics.

Key Insights:

• Top Offenders (Last Year):

  • Myanmar: 85 shutdowns
  • India: 84 shutdowns
  • Pakistan: 21 shutdowns

• Historical Context:

  • India: Recorded 855 Internet shutdowns since 2016, the highest globally.
  • Pakistan: Maintains a ban on X (formerly Twitter) for over a year.

Reasons Cited for Shutdowns:
Authorities have justified these actions due to ongoing conflicts, protests, elections, and government job exam screenings.

Notable Quote:

• AccessNow Report: Described India as "one of the worst offenders," emphasizing the frequency and duration of shutdowns.

Speaker: Omkar Khandekar, NPR News
Location: Mumbai

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Conclusion:
This episode of NPR News Now delivered comprehensive coverage on pressing global and national issues, including international relations, military leadership changes, economic developments, significant political appointments, and the concerning rise in Internet censorship. Through detailed reporting and insightful commentary, listeners are kept informed of the multifaceted challenges and developments shaping the current landscape.

Transcript

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. French President Emmanuel Macron is in Washington today to meet President Trump. This comes on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The United nations is also marking the day. There are votes this morning in the General assembly and later this afternoon in the UN Security Council. Ukraine had hoped to show that the world remains united against Russia, but the Trump administration has put a wrench in that. NPR's Michelle Kellerman explains.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Instead of backing a European text that calls on Russia to pull out of Ukraine and return civilians, including children, who have been deported from Ukraine to Russia, the Trump administration put forward an alternate text. It simply calls for a path to peace. The draft resolution mourns the tragic loss of life throughout the conflict, but does not pin the blame on Russia for starting it. Russia's ambassador praised the US Calling it a good move. China is currently the rotating president of the Security Council and called for a meeting this afternoon. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Korva Coleman]

Last week, President Trump dismissed several top military officials. They included the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Brown is not the right man for the moment. Trump also fired the Navy's top officer, Admiral Lisa Franchetti. She is the former commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet and the first female officer to hold the top job. Rhode Island Senator Jack Reid is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

[Jack Reid]

These people were selected based on merit. They are seasoned professionals with many commands and range of experiences, and they were dismissed, I think, for political reasons.

[Korva Coleman]

He spoke to NPR's Morning Edition. Stocks opened lower this morning as Apple detailed plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. manufacturing. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average was about flat in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

Apple says it plans to spend more than $500 billion on domestic manufacturing over the next four years, while adding some 20,000 jobs. The investment includes a new AI server factory in Houston, which is set to open next year. CEO Tim Cook said in a statement the iPhone maker is bullish on the future of American innovation. Starbucks says it plans to lay off 1,100 corporate employees worldwide in an effort to operate more efficiently. The coffee chain is also eliminating several hundred unfilled jobs. Starbucks says frontline baristas will not be affected. And stock in Domino's pizza was sliced after the company reported disappointing U.S. sales. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, stocks have now turned mixed. The Dow Jones industrial average is up about 8 points this morning. The Nasdaq is lower by about 160 points. This is NPR. President Trump has named conservative radio host Dan Bongino as the deputy director of the FBI. Bongino has worked as a Secret Service agent and as a police officer. His new position does not require Senate confirmation. Former Republican presidential candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to declare his candidacy today for Ohio governor. Ramaswamy is from Cincinnati. He'll seek the state's GOP gubernatorial nomination. He was until recently the co leader of the DOGE government cost cutting effort. A new report by an Internet watchdog group says Myanmar, India and Pakistan accounted for nearly two thirds of the global Internet shutdowns imposed by authorities last year. NPR's Omkar Khandekar reports. The group Access now documented close to 300 instances.

[Omkar Khandekar]

The watchdog says there have been more Internet shutdowns last year than ever before. Three Asian countries topped the list. Myanmar shut down the Internet 85 times, India 84 times, and Pakistan 21 times. Researchers at the non profit group AccessNow said that the authorities cited ongoing conflict as the reason for imposing a blackout followed by protests, elections and during screening exams for government jobs. Access now described India as one of the worst offenders. It says India has shut down the Internet 855 times since 2016, more times than any other country in the world. Also, Pakistan has now banned X for more than a year. Omkar Khandekar, NPR News, Mumbai.

[Korva Coleman]

I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News story.