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NPR News Now: February 24, 2025, 9 AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Producer: NPR
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Episode Title: NPR News: 02-24-2025 9AM EST

International Affairs

Ukraine Marks Three Years of Invasion with Global Leaders in Kyiv

Korva Coleman opens the episode with a report from Kyiv, highlighting the significant gathering of a dozen world leaders in Ukraine's capital to commemorate the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Joanna Kakisis reports from Kyiv:

European Summit Initiatives: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is orchestrating a European summit aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. He emphasized the importance of having a European representative at the negotiating table alongside the United States and Ukraine.

"[Zelenskyy] is planning a European summit related to ending the war... he wants a European representative at the negotiating table along with the US and Ukraine." [00:18]
Security Guarantees Deal: Zelenskyy is negotiating a substantial deal with the U.S. to exchange hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of critical raw materials for security guarantees. He firmly rejected previous deal proposals that would impose a heavy debt burden on Ukraine.

"I am not signing something that 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to repay." [00:45]
Economic Independence: The Ukrainian leader is keen on ensuring that any agreement does not jeopardize the nation's financial stability, aiming for a sustainable resolution that benefits future generations.

European Politics

Germany's National Elections: Conservative Victory Amid Far-Right Tensions

Korva Coleman transitions to European politics, reporting on Germany's recent national elections.

Esme Nicholson provides an in-depth look from Berlin:

Election Outcomes: The mainstream conservative party, led by Friedrich Merz, secured the largest share of votes, positioning Merz to swiftly form a government. Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved the second-largest vote share.

"Merz's Christian Democrats will be able to uphold what is often referred to as the firewall against the far right Alternativa Fuerte Deutschland party, or AfD." [01:18]
Coalition Prospects: Merz is anticipated to seek a coalition with the outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats. He has emphasized the need to strengthen Europe, distancing Germany from far-right influences and Russian interventions.

"The world is not waiting for Germany and that his top priority is to unify and strengthen Europe." [01:48]
AfD Leader's Response: Alice Weidel of the AfD has called on Merz to respect the electorate's will and consider a governing partnership, highlighting ongoing tensions within Germany's political landscape.

"Merz must respect the will of the electorate and take up her offer to govern together." [01:22]

Environmental and Legal News

Energy Transfer Sues Greenpeace Over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

Korva Coleman reports on a significant legal battle unfolding in North Dakota.

Jeff Brady elaborates on the lawsuit:

Lawsuit Details: Energy Transfer has filed a $300 million lawsuit against Greenpeace, accusing the environmental activist group of conspiring to disrupt the Dakota Access Pipeline through protests led by Native Americans nearly a decade ago.

"Energy Transfer is suing Greenpeace for $300 million over environmental protests." [02:02]
Greenpeace's Defense: Greenpeace labels the lawsuit as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), arguing that it aims to silence free speech and discourage other companies from pursuing similar legal actions against activists.

"Greenpeace calls this a SLAPP suit... forcing them to spend time and money defending themselves rather than protesting." [02:33]
Implications for Activism: The outcome of this case could set a precedent affecting the balance between corporate interests and environmental activism, potentially impacting future protests and legal defenses.

Business and Technology

Apple Commits Half a Trillion Dollars to U.S. Investments

Korva Coleman updates listeners on significant developments in the tech industry.

Apple's Investment Plans: Apple has announced a monumental investment of $500 billion in the United States over the next four years. This initiative includes expanding facilities and teams across multiple states, from Michigan to Iowa and North Carolina.

"Apple will spend half a trillion dollars in the US over the next four years, expanding facilities and teams in several states." [02:53]
Focus Areas: The investment will prioritize advancements in artificial intelligence and the development of skills among students, emphasizing Apple's commitment to technological innovation and education.

"The company intends to focus on artificial intelligence and skills development for students." [02:53]
Political Endorsements: Former President Donald Trump has publicly praised Apple's announcement, signaling potential political support for the company's initiatives.

Health and Culture

Pope Francis Remains Hospitalized in Critical Condition

Korva Coleman shares updates on global health news.

Papal Health Status: Pope Francis continues to battle severe pneumonia and is currently experiencing early signs of kidney failure. The Vatican reports that while the kidney issues are being managed, the Pope remains in critical condition and is continuing his rest.

"The pope is still being treated for severe pneumonia and doctors now see signs of early kidney failure." [02:53]

Screen Actors Guild Awards Highlights

Steve Futterman reports from Los Angeles on the recent Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Major Wins: While most winners were anticipated, a notable surprise took center stage.
Timothée Chalamet's Triumph: Chalamet won the award for Best Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in Complete Unknown.

"Surprise, and the actor goes to Timothée Chalamet." [03:52]

"[Chalamet] won the award for best male actor in the leading role for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in Complete Unknown." [03:57]
Adrien Brody's Nomination: Adrien Brody, the favorite for his role in The Brutalist, did not secure the win but expressed his ambition to achieve greatness.

"I'm really in pursuit of greatness... I want to be one of the greats." [04:04]
Industry Implications: With many SAG members also being Oscar voters, these results might hint at upcoming Academy Awards contenders.

"Many SAG members are also Oscar members, so we may have gotten hints about who could win next week." [04:10]

Weather Update

Severe Weather Conditions in the Pacific Northwest

Korva Coleman concludes the episode with a weather briefing.

Atmospheric River Alert: The National Weather Service has issued warnings for an atmospheric river bringing substantial precipitation to the Pacific Northwest.

"An atmospheric river is pouring precipitation over the Pacific Northwest." [04:24]
Winter Storm Warnings: Central Washington State faces winter storm warnings this morning, with a significant risk of flooding anticipated.

"There is a risk of flooding." [04:24]
Public Advisory: Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the impending storms.

Notable Quotes

Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
"I am not signing something that 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to repay." [00:45]
Friedrich Merz:
"The world is not waiting for Germany and that his top priority is to unify and strengthen Europe." [01:48]
Alice Weidel:
"Merz must respect the will of the electorate and take up her offer to govern together." [01:22]
Adrien Brody:
"I'm really in pursuit of greatness... I want to be one of the greats." [04:04]

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of significant global and national events, ranging from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Germany's political shifts to major legal battles involving environmental activism, substantial corporate investments in technology, notable cultural achievements, and critical weather warnings. Through detailed reporting and engaging quotes from key figures, the episode offered valuable insights into the current state of international affairs, political dynamics, environmental issues, and societal developments.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:00]
Korva Coleman
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A dozen world leaders are in Ukraine's capital today to mark three years since Russia's full scale invasion. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports from Kyiv. Ukraine's president is seeking to unite European leaders as the Trump administration moves toward restoring U.S. ties with Russia.
[00:19]
Joanna Kakisis
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Zelenskyy said he's planning a European summit related to ending the war. Zelenskyy says he wants a European representative at the negotiating table along with the US R Ukraine. He also said he is still working on a deal with the United States that could exchange hundreds of billions of dollars of critical raw materials for security guarantees. He rejected earlier versions of the deal because the terms would leave Ukraine deeply in debt. He said, I am not signing something that 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to repay. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.
[01:02]
Korva Coleman
Germany held national elections over the weekend. The mainstream conservative party won the largest share of votes. The party's leader, Friedrich Merz, says he'll quickly form a government, but Esme Nicholson reports in Berlin. A far right German party got the second largest share of the votes.
[01:18]
Esme Nicholson
Merz's Christian Democrats will be able to uphold what is often referred to as the firewall against the far right Alternativa Fuerte Deutschland party, or AfD, by partnering with just one party, according to the provisional election result. AFD leader Alice Weidel says that Merz must respect the will of the electorate and take up her offer to govern together. Merz is expected to seek a coalition with outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats. Merz told voters on Sunday night that the world is not waiting for Germany and that his top priority is to unify and strengthen Europe, calling Vice President J.D. vance and Elon Musk's support of the AFD as outrageous as interventions from Moscow. For NPR News, I'm Esme Nicholson in Berlin.
[02:03]
Korva Coleman
Jury selection starts today in North Dakota in a lawsuit filed against environmental activist group Greenpeace. The company Energy Transfer is suing Greenpeace for $300 million. This is over environmental protests led by Native Americans nearly a decade ago against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Officials at the company claim Greenpeace and other activists conspired to hurt the company. NPR's Jeff Brady reports. Greenpeace says this lawsuit is intended block free speech.
[02:33]
Jeff Brady
Greenpeace calls this a SLAPP suit, and slap stands for strategic lawsuit against public participation. Essentially, a wealthy company takes a less wealthy critic to court, forcing them to spend time and money defending themselves rather than protesting. Greenpeace says the goal here is to win and dissuade other companies from filing cases like this.
[02:53]
Korva Coleman
NPR's Jeff Brady reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Big tech company Apple has announced it will spend half a trillion dollars in the US over the next four years. Apple says it will expand facilities and teams in several states from Michigan to Iowa to North Carolina. The company says it intends to focus on artificial intelligence and skills development for students. President Trump has already praised Apple online. Pope Francis remains hospitalized in critical condition. The Vatican says he is still being treated for severe pneumonia and and doctors now see signs of early kidney failure. They say that has been controlled. The Vatican says the pope continues to rest. Conclave won the big prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last night. That's where top performances in film and TV were honored. Steve Futterman reports from Los Angeles.
[03:48]
Steve Futterman
On an evening where most of the winners were expected, there was one big.
[03:52]
Timothee Chalamet
Surprise, and the actor goes to Timothee Chalamet.
[03:57]
Steve Futterman
Timothee Chalamet won the award for best male actor in the leading role for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in a Complete Unknown.
[04:05]
Adrien Brody
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.
[04:10]
Steve Futterman
The favorite had been Adrien Brody for the Brutalist. Many SAG members are also Oscar members, so we may have gotten hints about who could win next week. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.
[04:24]
Korva Coleman
The National Weather Service says an atmospheric river is pouring precipitation over the Pacific Northwest. There are winter storm warnings up for parts of Central Washington State this morning. There is a risk of flooding. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.