NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 24, 2025

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now covers the latest developments in federal workforce directives, international diplomacy at the UN, public health updates, significant corporate announcements, mental health research, and an important update on Pope Francis’s health.

1. Federal Agencies Resist Trump Administration’s Reporting Directive

Key Points: Federal agencies are collectively pushing back against a directive from the Trump administration requiring federal employees to submit reports detailing their weekly activities.

Details:

• Directive Overview: Over the weekend, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent an email instructing federal employees to provide approximately five bullet points summarizing their accomplishments from the previous week, including their managers in the correspondence. (00:37)

• Administration Response: On Saturday, Elon Musk, an advisor to President Trump, implied on social media platform X that non-compliance could result in job losses. (00:37)

• Agency Pushback: In response, leaders from various departments—including the FBI, Energy Department, and Department of Defense—have advised their employees not to comply with the directive. These agencies emphasized that performance reviews are handled internally and that any necessary responses would be coordinated appropriately. (00:37)

Notable Quote: Andrea Hsu, NPR News, stated, “Departments are responsible for reviewing the performance of their personnel and will coordinate any response when and if required.” (00:37)

2. U.S. and European Allies Clash Over UN Resolution on Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Key Points: A significant rift emerged between the United States and its European allies regarding United Nations votes on Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Details:

• Trump Administration’s Resolution: The U.S. introduced its own resolution urging a swift end to the conflict and lasting peace but notably avoided labeling Russia as the aggressor or calling for a peace based on the UN Charter. (01:33)

• International Response: The U.K. and France attempted to modify the resolution but ultimately abstained from the vote. Conversely, Russia and China supported the U.S. resolution, which passed with a 100-vote majority in the General Assembly. (01:33)

• Ukrainian Resolution: In contrast, 93 countries backed a resolution from Ukraine and Europe commemorating three years since Russia's aggression, which the U.S., Russia, and Belarus opposed. (01:33)

Notable Quote: Michelle Kellerman, NPR News from the State Department, explained, “The Trump administration says its resolution had a simple message. It implores a swift end to the conflict and urges lasting peace without calling Russia the aggressor or even calling for a just peace based on the UN Charter.” (01:33)

3. Signs of Relief in the Flu Season, But Caution Remains

Key Points: Preliminary data suggests that the current flu season may be declining, though it remains severe with ongoing health concerns.

Details:

• CDC Data: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a decrease in the rate of flu-related doctor visits and hospitalizations after a significant rise over recent weeks. (02:28)

• Severity of Season: Despite signs of improvement, the flu season is still the worst in seven years, with heightened cases, particularly among children who are developing more neurological complications than usual. (02:28)

• Public Health Advice: Health experts encourage the continued administration of flu shots, emphasizing that it is not too late to protect against the virus. (02:28)

Notable Quote: Rob Stein, NPR News, noted, “But lots of people are still getting hit by the flu in the worst flu season in seven years. In fact, doctors around the country are reporting that kids may be developing neurological complications from the flu, more than usual this year.” (02:28)

4. Elizabeth Holmes Loses Appeal; Apple Announces Massive U.S. Investment

Key Points: Significant legal and corporate developments include Elizabeth Holmes’s failed appeal and Apple’s substantial investment plans in the United States.

Details:

• Elizabeth Holmes: The founder of Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes, has lost her appeal to overturn her conviction on fraud charges. She is currently serving an 11-year sentence in a Texas women's prison. (03:01)

• Stock Market Update: The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 33 points, reflecting positive movement in the stock market. (03:01)

• Apple’s Investment Plans: Apple announced a plan to invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. This includes hiring 20,000 additional employees and constructing a new 250,000-square-foot server factory in Texas. Notably, the Houston-based plant is set to open next year, indicating much of the initiative is already underway. (03:01)

5. Reducing Smartphone Usage Benefits Mental Health

Key Points: A new study highlights the positive effects of limiting smartphone use on mental well-being and suggests practical steps for individuals to achieve digital balance.

Details:

• Study Overview: Conducted by Adrian Ward, a psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin, the study involved 467 participants who blocked internet access on their smartphones for two weeks to assess the impact on their mental health. (03:53)

• Findings: Participants experienced enhanced mental health and subjective well-being, along with improved sustained attention. (04:12)

• Practical Recommendations: Given the difficulty of a full two-week detox for most, researchers suggest smaller adjustments such as taking 30-minute breaks from devices, powering down phones after dinner, or designating one day a week as a digital detox day. (04:19)

Notable Quote: Adrian Ward stated, “What we found was that people had better mental health, better subjective well being.” (04:12)

6. Pope Francis’s Health Remains Critical but Showing Improvement

Key Points: Updates on Pope Francis’s health reveal he remains in critical condition yet shows signs of slight improvement and has resumed some work activities.

Details:

• Health Status: The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis is battling pneumonia affecting both lungs. While his condition is still critical, there have been slight improvements in his lab tests. (04:35)

• Activities: Despite his health challenges, the Pope has been able to resume certain work-related activities, indicating a potential stabilization of his condition. (04:35)

• Crisis Status: Vatican officials assured that there have not been any major respiratory crises recently, providing some reassurance amidst ongoing health concerns. (04:35)

Notable Quote: Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington, reported, “Vatican says while the pope continues to suffer from pneumonia in both lungs, they have not experienced any major respiratory crises.” (04:35)

This summary encapsulates the major stories covered in the February 24, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day’s most pressing news.