NPR News: 02-24-2025 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 24, 2025, 1 PM EST

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh

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1. Russia-Ukraine Conflict: European Leaders Convene in Kyiv

Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by highlighting the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale offensive against Ukraine. Approximately a dozen European leaders have gathered in Kyiv amidst escalating concerns that the Trump administration might reduce U.S. support for Ukraine.

Eleanor Beardsley provides insights from Paris, focusing on French President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to the White House. Macron aims to persuade President Trump that Russia poses an existential threat to U.S. allies in Europe.

“Macron will attempt to convince Trump that Russia poses an existential threat to the U.S. and its allies in Europe.”
— Eleanor Beardsley [00:48]

Macron, identified as one of the closest European allies to Trump aside from Hungary’s Viktor Orban, plans to appeal to Trump’s ego and his knack for deal-making. He also intends to highlight the implications of Vladimir Putin’s actions, including aiding Iran in developing nuclear capabilities.

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2. Controversial Appointment: Dan Bongino Named Deputy Director of the FBI

President Trump has announced the appointment of right-wing podcaster Dan Bongino as the deputy director of the FBI, sparking controversy.

Ryan Lucas delves into Bongino's background, noting his experience as a former New York police officer and Secret Service agent. After leaving law enforcement, Bongino ventured into politics and media, becoming a prominent right-wing pundit and podcast host. His tenure in media has been marked by criticism of liberals and the spread of COVID-19 disinformation, leading to his ban from YouTube.

“Trump has tapped him for the number two job at the FBI as deputy to Kash Patel, putting two Trump loyalists in charge of the nation's most powerful law enforcement agency.”
— Ryan Lucas [01:20]

This appointment raises concerns about the potential misuse of the FBI's extensive powers to target perceived political adversaries of Trump.

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3. New York City's Refugee Center to Close Amid Declining Asylum Claims

Brian Mann reports on Mayor Eric Adams' decision to close the Roosevelt Hotel refugee center in New York City. The closure comes after a significant 90% drop in asylum seekers entering the U.S., attributed to effective local strategies and border policies advocated by the city.

“Mayor Adams now says the Roosevelt will close after the number of asylum seekers dropped nearly 90% thanks to the successful strategies we put in place here in New York City and because of policies we advocated for at the border.”
— Brian Mann [02:17]

However, Mayor Adams faces backlash from fellow Democrats who criticize his cooperation with the Trump administration, alleging that it compromises efforts to address corruption by prioritizing the crackdown on migrants without legal status.

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4. Corporate Developments: Starbucks Layoffs and Apple's U.S. Investment

Lakshmi Singh covers significant corporate news impacting major American companies:

• Starbucks has announced plans to eliminate 1,100 corporate positions worldwide. In a letter to employees, the company stated that layoffs would take effect by midday the following day, alongside the removal of several hundred vacant positions to streamline operations.

• Apple has declared an investment exceeding half a trillion dollars in the United States over the next four years. This investment includes hiring 20,000 people and constructing a new server facility in Texas. Following President Trump's previous announcement, Apple CEO Tim Cook has pledged to relocate Apple manufacturing from Mexico to the U.S.

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5. Entertainment Spotlight: Timothée Chalamet Wins SAG Award

Rising star Timothée Chalamet made headlines by becoming the youngest actor to win the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Best Lead Actor. His portrayal of Bob Dylan in the biopic earned him critical acclaim.

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento shares details of Chalamet's journey and his acceptance speech:

“His win for outstanding male lead actor at the SAG Awards seemed to come as a surprise to many, including Chalamet himself.”
— Isabella Gomez Sarmiento [03:59]

During his speech, Chalamet expressed his ambition, stating, “I want to be one of the greats,” signaling his commitment to a distinguished acting career. He is also nominated for Best Actor at the upcoming Oscar ceremony. Other notable nominees included Daniel Craig, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, and Adrian Brody, who has dominated the award season with his role in "The Brutalist."

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6. Market Update: Dow Jones Industrial Average Rises

Concluding the episode, Lakshmi Singh provides a brief market update:

“The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 189 points at 43,617.”
— Lakshmi Singh [04:44]

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on February 24, 2025. From geopolitical tensions and controversial political appointments to significant corporate moves and milestones in the entertainment industry, the episode offers a broad overview of current events shaping the global landscape.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. On this third anniversary of Russia's full scale offensive against Ukraine, about a dozen European leaders are now gathered in Kyiv. Since President Trump took office, fears have escalated that the new administration will pull back U.S. support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has just arrived at the White House. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports from Paris that Macron will attempt to convince Trump that Russia poses an existential threat to the U.S. s allies in Europe.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Macron is probably the closest to Trump of all the European leaders with with the exception of Hungary's Viktor Orban. And he's going to appeal to Trump's ego and inner dealmaker. Macron said he would also emphasize that Trump cannot help someone that is Vladimir Putin, who's actually helping Iran develop the nuclear bomb.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reporting. President Trump has named right wing podcaster Dan Bongino as the deputy director of the FBI. Trump announced the controversial pick in a post on his social media platform. Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas.

[Ryan Lucas]

DAN Bongino is a former New York police officer and ex Secret Service agent. After leaving law enforcement, he unsuccessfully ran for public office and became a right wing pundit and host of a popular podcast. In his media appearances, he has repeatedly denigrated liberals and was banned from YouTube for pushing COVID 19 disinformation. Now Trump has tapped him for the number two job at the FBI as deputy to Kash Patel, putting two Trump loyalists in charge of the nation's most powerful law enforcement agency. The move adds to concerns that the FBI and its vast powers could be used to go after Trump's perceived political enemies. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

New York City's mayor says a refugee center that became a flashpoint during the migrant crisis last year will close its doors as the number of asylum seekers entering the US plummets. NPR's Brian Mann reports. This comes as Mayor Eric Adams faces growing criticism for cooperating with the Trump administration.

[Brian Mann]

The Roosevelt Hotel opened to migrants in 2023, when New York City was seeing 4,000 refugees a week. Mayor Adams now says the Roosevelt will close after the number of asylum seekers dropped nearly 90% thanks to the successful strategies we put in place here in New York City and because of policies we advocated for at the border Adams faces blood blowback from fellow Democrats after reaching a deal with the Trump administration that critics say trades leniency on corruption charges for help cracking down on migrants without legal status. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.

[Lakshmi Singh]

New layoffs are coming to Starbucks. The global coffee products chain announced today a plan to eliminate 1100 corporate positions worldwide. A letter to employees released today says the layoffs will take effect by midday tomorrow. C CEO Brian Nichols says Starbucks is also cutting several hundred vacant positions as the company attempts to streamline its operations. It's NPR News. Apple says it will invest more than half a trillion dollars in the United States over the next four years. The tech giant says its plans rather include hiring 20,000 people and building a new server facility in Texas. President Trump previously announced that Apple CEO Tim Cook pledged to move Apple Manufacturing from Mexico to the United States. Timothee Chalamet became the youngest actor to win the Screen Actors Guild award for lead actor last night. The 29 year old won for the lead role in the Bob Dylan biopic A complete unknown. NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento has more.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Timothee Chalamet spent five and a half years immersed into the role of legendary folk singer Bob Dylan.

[Ryan Lucas]

Once upon a time, you're just so fine.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

His win for outstanding male lead actor at the SAG Awards seemed to come as a surprise to many, including Chalamet himself. During his acceptance speech, he said this is one step towards the career he hopes to have. I'm really in pursuit of greatness. I know people don't usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. Other nominees in the category were Daniel Craig, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes and Adrian Brody, who has been sweeping this award season for his role in the period drama the Brutalist. Chalamet is also nominated for best actor at next week's Oscar ceremony. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Dow Jones industrial Average is up 189points at 43,617. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

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