NPR News: 02-24-2025 11AM EST - NPR News Now

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NPR News Now: February 24, 2025, 11 AM EST Summary

NPR News Now delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. In this episode released on February 24, 2025, host Korva Coleman covers a range of significant global and national stories, including international diplomacy, Middle Eastern tensions, U.S. government affairs, financial markets, notable deaths, public health concerns, and remarkable sports achievements. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for context.

1. International Diplomacy: Macron in Washington and Zelenskyy's Peace Efforts

French Leadership in U.S. Talks

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Washington to engage in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. European leaders are increasingly concerned about President Trump's apparent growing closeness to Russia, viewing it as a potential threat not only to Ukraine but to the broader European region.

Ukrainian President's Push for Peace and Alliances

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized his desire for a "fair and just peace for Ukraine" while stressing the necessity of international alliances for the country's protection. At [00:17], Joanna Kakisis reports:

“President Zelenskyy says he wants a fair and just peace for Ukraine, but Ukraine cannot protect itself without allies.”

Zelenskyy is actively collaborating with the Trump administration on a significant deal that would provide the U.S. with hundreds of billions of dollars in critical raw materials in exchange for security guarantees. This diplomatic effort is underscored by the presence of a dozen world leaders in Washington to commemorate three years since Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

2. Middle Eastern Tensions: Israel's Deployment in the West Bank

Israeli Military Movements in Jenin

Israel has initiated the deployment of tanks in the occupied West Bank's northern city of Jenin for the first time in over two decades. This military action coincides with Defense Minister Israel Katz's announcement that tens of thousands of Palestinians who fled the region will not be permitted to return. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports from Jenin at [00:48]:

“More than 40,000 Palestinians have fled the violence in the west bank as Israel has intensified what it calls a counterterrorism operation.”

Palestinian Displacement and Fears of Annexation

Sanaa Eshream, a resident of the Jenin refugee camp, shared her personal plight at [01:06]:

“I'm so stressed, I miss my home. I keep asking, when can we go back?”

The ongoing Israeli operations have led to significant displacement, with over 40,000 Palestinians forced to leave their homes. Palestinian leaders express concerns that these actions could pave the way for Israel to annex portions of the West Bank, escalating tensions further.

3. U.S. Government Affairs: Federal Employees and Spending Cuts

Controversial Email Requests to Federal Workers

The U.S. government recently circulated an email to federal employees demanding accountability for their work activities over the past week. This initiative is part of an effort to reduce federal spending, allegedly influenced by Elon Musk and his DOGE unit. Workers receiving the email were threatened with job losses if they did not comply. NPR's Emma Bowman elaborates at [01:52]:

“Workers were asked to provide five bullet points that outlined their accomplishments the previous week and to CC their managers.”

Legal and Managerial Confusion

This directive, sent by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), has sparked confusion and frustration among federal workers. Suzanne Summerlin, a federal sector labor attorney, stated at [02:12]:

“That office has no authority to manage employees of federal agencies other than its own.”

Kat Lonsdorf adds at [02:35]:

“This is a violation of collective bargaining.”

Marianne Navarro emphasizes the legal concerns:

“Unfair labor practice laws,” she noted at [02:38].

Due to mixed messages from supervisors—some advising delays in responding and others deeming the request valid—employees are increasingly frustrated, unsure of how to proceed.

4. Financial Markets and Notable Deaths

Wall Street Update

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an increase of 30 points, reflecting investor confidence amid ongoing global uncertainties. This positive movement was briefly noted by Korva Coleman at [02:54].

Passing of Roberta Flack

The music world mourns the loss of Roberta Flack, who passed away at the age of 88. A representative confirmed her death, though no cause was disclosed. Flack, diagnosed with ALS in 2022, was renowned for her iconic hits from the 1970s, including "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly with His Song." Her legacy in the music industry remains profound.

5. Public Health: Measles Outbreak in Texas

Outbreak Details and Public Safety Concerns

Texas is currently grappling with its largest measles outbreak in 30 years, with at least 90 confirmed cases primarily in West Texas. Health officials in Central Texas have issued warnings about potential exposures in areas visited by an infected individual from Gaines County. Marianne Navarro reports from San Antonio at [03:36]:

“A person with measles from Gaines county in West Texas traveled to San Antonio, San Marcos, and New Braunfels earlier this month.”

The affected individual visited significant public locations, including two major universities, restaurants, a large travel center, and the San Antonio Riverwalk, one of the nation's busiest tourist attractions. While there have been no confirmed cases in Central Texas, officials urge anyone potentially exposed to monitor for symptoms. The outbreak is largely concentrated among unvaccinated individuals, with additional cases reported in neighboring New Mexico.

6. Sports Highlight: Mikayla Shifrin's Milestone Achievement

Historic Victory in Ski Racing

American skier Mikayla Shifrin reached a remarkable milestone by winning her 100th World Cup race yesterday. This achievement ties her with an all-time World Cup record shared by both women and men. Shifrin's consistency is evident, having finished in the top three positions in 155 races throughout her career. This latest victory is particularly inspiring as it follows a major injury she sustained in a ski racing crash last November. Host Korva Coleman celebrates her resilience and success at [04:13]:

“Yesterday's win comes after Shifrin suffered a major injury in a ski racing crash last November.”

Shifrin's accomplishments have cemented her status as one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport.

NPR News Now continues to provide concise and comprehensive coverage of the most pressing news stories, ensuring listeners are well-informed on national and global events.

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[00:01]
Korva Coleman
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Washington for talks with President Trump. European leaders are alarmed at Trump's growing closeness to Russia. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he wants to work with all partners toward peace.
[00:17]
Joanna Kakisis
President Zelenskyy says he wants a fair and just peace for Ukraine, but Ukraine cannot protect itself without allies. Zelenskyy continues to work with the Trump administration on a deal that would give the US Hundreds of billions of dollars of critical raw materials in exchange for security guarantees. Today, he's welcoming a dozen world leaders to the capital to mark three years of Russia's full scale war. And among them are European Union leaders who see Russia as a threat not only to Ukraine but to all of Europe.
[00:48]
Korva Coleman
NPR's Joanna Kakisis reporting. Israel has deployed tanks in the occupied west bank for the first time in more than 20 years. They're in the northern city of Jenin. This comes as Israel's defense minister announced tens of thousands of Palestinians who fled won't be allowed to. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports from outside Jenin.
[01:07]
Kat Lonsdorf
Sanaa Eshream fled her home in the Jenin refugee camp with her family and one month old granddaughter weeks ago when Israeli troops entered her neighborhood. They left in a hurry with barely any belongings. Now they're living in a school outside the city. I'm so stressed, she says. I miss my home. I keep asking, when can we go back? More than 40,000 Palestinians have fled the violence in the west bank as Israel has intensified what it calls a counterterrorism operation. Israel' Defense Minister Israel Katz announced over the weekend that troops will remain in several areas for the coming year and continue to, quote, clear refugee camps. Palestinian leaders worry this could lead to Israel annexing parts of the West Bank. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Janine Federal employees.
[01:53]
Korva Coleman
Across the US Government got an email over the weekend asking them to account for their work activity last week. It's part of the push to slash federal spending by Elon Musk and his DOGE unit. Musk suggested that workers who don't respond will lose their jobs. As NPR's Emma Bowman reports, some employees are being told not to reply.
[02:13]
Emma Bowman
Workers were asked to provide five bullet points that outlined their accomplishments the previous week and to CC their managers. The Saturday notice was sent by the Office of Personnel Management. Suzanne Summerlin, a federal sector labor attorney in Washington, D.C. says that office has no authority to manage employees of federal agencies other than its own.
[02:35]
Kat Lonsdorf
This is a violation of collective bargaining.
[02:39]
Marianne Navarro
Laws, unfair labor practice laws.
[02:41]
Emma Bowman
Some supervisors told workers to wait to answer the email until they hear more. Others said the OPM email is a valid request. These kinds of mixed messages have added to workers frustration. Emma Bowman, NPR News.
[02:55]
Korva Coleman
On Wall street, the dow is up 30 points. This is n Singer Roberta Flack has died, according to a representative. No cause of death was given, but in 2022, Flack announced she was diagnosed with ALS. She broke into stardom in the 70s with hits such as the First Time Ever I Saw your Face and Killing Me Softly with his Song. Roberta Flack was 88 years old. A measles outbreak has grown to at least 90 cases in West Texas. Now health officials in Central Texas are warning of possible exposures there. Texas Public Radio's Marianne Navarro reports. It's the largest measles outbreak in Texas in 30 years.
[03:37]
Marianne Navarro
A person with measles from Gaines county in West Texas traveled to San Antonio, San Marcos and New Braunfels earlier this month. Health officials say the individual visited two major universities, restaurants, a large travel center and the San Antonio Riverwalk, one of the nation's busiest tourist attractions. There have been no confirmed cases in Central Texas so far, but health officials say anyone who may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease should monitor for symptoms. Nearly all of the infections are in unvaccinated people. Measles cases have also been confirmed in neighboring New Mexico. I'm Mariana Navarro in San Antonio.
[04:14]
Korva Coleman
American skier Mikayla Shifrin won her 100th World cup race yesterday. She has also tied an all time World cup record for women and men. Shifrin has now finished in one of the top three places in 155 races in which she has competed. Yesterday's win comes after Shifrin suffered a major injury in a ski racing crash last November. I'm Korva Kuhlman, NPR News.