NPR News Now: February 24, 2025, 1 PM EST
Hosted by Lakshmi Singh
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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]
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.