NPR News: 02-24-2025 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now - Episode Summary: February 24, 2025

Release Date: February 24, 2025
Host: Dale Wilman
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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Military Leadership Shake-Up

Timestamp: [00:01 - 00:28]

The episode opens with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressing his recent decision to reassign or retire several high-ranking military officials. Speaking live on Fox News, Hegseth stated:

"There were six three and four star generals that were moved into different positions or retired on Friday night. This is a reflection of the president wanting the right people around him to execute the national security approach we want to take."
— Pete Hegseth [00:11]

This significant reshuffle includes the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is perceived as part of President Trump's broader strategy to align military leadership with his national security objectives.

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Elon Musk's Approach to Federal Efficiency Under Scrutiny

Timestamp: [00:28 - 01:23]

President Trump has urged Elon Musk to intensify efforts within his Department of Government Efficiency Unit. However, Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah offers a contrasting viewpoint, advocating for a more compassionate approach toward federal workers.

In an interview with CBS News, Senator Curtis expressed concern over Musk and Doge's stringent measures:

"If I could say one thing to Elon Musk, it's like, please put a dose of compassion in this. These are real people. These are real lives."
— John Curtis [00:50]

Curtis further commented on Musk's tactics of shutting down agencies and enforcing strict reporting among federal employees:

"I don't think this is a request. It is that difficult. I would ask my employees to let me know what they're doing, but I will double down on the fact that we don't need to be so cold and hard."
— John Curtis [01:12]

Senator Curtis emphasizes the need for empathy and support for federal workers amidst efforts to streamline governmental operations.

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Tragic Hospital Shooting in York, Pennsylvania

Timestamp: [01:26 - 01:44]

A devastating shooting at a hospital in York, Pennsylvania, resulted in the death of police officer Andrew Duarte. In response, flags across York are flying at half staff.

Borough Manager Sean Mock shared the community's sorrow:

"He moved here from out west. He believed in this department, and we were very grateful to have him here. Time was too short."
— Sean Mock [01:37]

Authorities suggest that the shooter, who also lost their life in the incident, may have been distressed over the medical care a relative received at the hospital.

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International Diplomacy: Macron and Starmer Engage with Trump on Ukraine

Timestamp: [01:44 - 02:55]

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are scheduled to meet separately with President Trump in Washington, aiming to advocate for continued support of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Security expert Elie Tenenbaum of the French Institute for International Relations commented on the situation:

"America's brutal reversal of alliances has stunned Europeans."
— Elie Tenenbaum [02:08]

Eleanor Beardsley from NPR elaborates on the concerns surrounding the U.S.'s shifting stance:

"The US, which had been the prime guarantor for the security and deterrent from Russia, is now working with Russia to pressure Ukraine."
— Eleanor Beardsley [02:16]

Tenenbaum further criticized President Trump's priorities:

"President Trump is prioritizing a big business deal with Russia over Ukraine's survival and European security."
— Elie Tenenbaum [02:28]

The European leaders aim to persuade Trump to support a European military force designed to uphold any peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, countering Trump's current policies.

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Appointment of Dan Bongino as FBI Deputy Director

Timestamp: [02:55 - 03:23]

President Trump has appointed Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and bestselling author, as the new deputy director of the FBI. This appointment marks a significant addition to the FBI's leadership team, bringing Bongino's extensive experience in national security and law enforcement to the forefront.

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Pope Francis in Critical Condition

Timestamp: [02:55 - 03:43]

Pope Francis remains in critical condition at a Rome hospital, battling double pneumonia and experiencing initial mild kidney failure, according to Vatican reports.

Ruth Sherlock describes the somber atmosphere at the Lateran Basilica:

"The congregation is feeling this moment very deeply, with tears and profound sadness."
— Ruth Sherlock [03:23]

Prayers for Pope Francis's recovery are being held, reflecting the global concern and support from the Catholic community.

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Escalation in the West Bank

Timestamp: [03:23 - End]

Israeli tanks have been deployed to the occupied West Bank for the first time in decades, marking a significant escalation in the region. Palestinian authorities have condemned the move as a "dangerous escalation."

Israel's Defense Minister announced:

"Troops will remain in parts of the territory for a year, and the tens of thousands of Palestinians who have fled the region cannot return."
— Dale Wilman [03:43]

This offensive, initiated on January 21, follows a brief Gaza ceasefire and indicates heightened tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Box Office Highlights

Timestamp: [03:43 - End]

• "Captain Brave New World" retains the top spot at the box office but experienced a 68% decline, earning $28.2 million.
• "The Monkey," adapted from Stephen King's work, secures second place with $14.2 million in ticket sales.
• "Paddington in Peru" ranks third, grossing $6.5 million in North American theaters.

These figures reflect the current trends and audience preferences in the film industry.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, ranging from high-profile military leadership changes and political appointments to critical health updates and escalating geopolitical tensions. The inclusion of direct quotes with timestamps offers listeners a detailed and accurate account of the discussions, ensuring clarity and depth for those who seek to stay informed without tuning into the live broadcast.

Transcript

[Dale Wilman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is defending his decision to fire several key military leaders this weekend, including the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[Pete Hegseth]

There were six three and four star generals that were moved into different positions or retired on Friday night of 163 and four star generals. This is a reflection of the president wanting the right people around him to execute the national security approach we want to take.

[Dale Wilman]

Hegseth was speaking on Fox News on Sunday. President Trump said this weekend he wants Elon Musk to be more aggressive with his Department of Government Efficiency Unit. But a Republican senator is now giving Musk the opposite advice. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

GOP Senator John Curtis of Utah supports cuts to federal spending, but he tells CBS News that Musk and Doge have been too hard on federal workers.

[John Curtis]

If I could say one thing to Elon Musk, it's like, please put a dose of compassion in this. These are real people. These are real lives.

[Luke Garrett]

Doge and Musk have worked to shut down entire agencies and fire probationary employees in the federal government. And recently Musk threatened to fire any government employee that doesn't email a list of what they've accomplished in the last week. Senator John Curtis defended this request in principle.

[John Curtis]

I don't think this is a request. It is that difficult. I would ask my employees to let me know what they're doing, but I will double down on the fact of we don't need to be so cold and hard.

[Luke Garrett]

Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Wilman]

Flags in York, Pennsylvania, are at half staff tonight following Saturday's shooting in a hospital that killed police officer Andrew Duarte. Borough manager Sean Mock says Duarte was loved by the community.

[Sean Mock]

He moved here from out west. He believed in this department, and we were very grateful to have him here. Time was too short.

[Dale Wilman]

Officials say the shooter who was also killed, may have been upset over the care relative who died at the hospital had received. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are meeting separately with President Trump this week. In Washington, NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that the two European leaders are attempting to make the case for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

[Elie Tenenbaum]

America's brutal reversal of alliances has stunned Europeans, says Elie Tenenbaum, security expert with the French Institute for International Relations.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

The US which had been the prime guarantor for the security and deterrent from Russia, is now working with Russia to pressure Ukraine.

[Elie Tenenbaum]

He says. President Trump is prioritizing a big business deal with Russia over Ukraine's survival and European security.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Trump is hammering on Zelensky and Ukrainians.

[Elie Tenenbaum]

France and Britain are preparing a European military force to guarantee any Ukraine peace deal with Russia against such a force. Tenenbaum says Macron and Starmer will try to convince Trump not to oppose it. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Dale Wilman]

And you're listening to NPR News. President Trump has appointed Dan Bongino to serve as the deputy director of the FBI. Bongino as a former Secret Service agent and best selling author. Pope Francis remains in critical condition in the hospital as he battles double pneumonia. Prayers for Pope Francis recovery have been held at the Lateran Basilica of the Catholic Cathedral of Rome. And Ruth Sherlock has this reports the.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Sermon tonight is being held in prayer for Pope Francis, who's in critical condition in hospital. You can feel the sadness here among the congregation as people are praying. There are tears rolling down their cheeks. They are feeling this moment very deeply.

[Dale Wilman]

The Vatican, meanwhile, says that blood tests show the pope is suffering from initial mild kidney failure. Israeli tanks have moved into the occupied west bank for the first time in decades. Palestinian authorities are calling the troop movement a dangerous escalation. Israel's defense minister says troops will remain in parts of the territory for a year, and the tens of thousands of Palestinians who have fled the region cannot return. Israel launched an offensive in the West bank on January 21, just two days after the current Gaza ceasefire took hold after a massive debut weekend last week, Captain Brave New World remains in first place at the box office, but Its take dropped 68% to $28.2 million in ticket sales. The Stephen King adapted movie the Monkey was in second, bringing in $14.2 million. And Paddington in Peru landed in third with $6.5 million from North American theaters. I'm Dale Willman.