NPR News Now – February 25, 2025, 10 AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman, NPR

Federal Employee Directive Sparks Confusion

[00:12] Korva Coleman opens the episode by addressing ongoing confusion among federal employees regarding a new directive issued last weekend. The directive required staffers to email five of their accomplishments from the previous week. However, the response from various agencies has been inconsistent, with some instructing staff not to comply. The Trump administration initially appeared to retract the mandate but later issued further guidance indicating that managers should evaluate employees who fail to respond.

In a notable statement, Elon Musk, leader of DOGE (potentially a transcript error for DOT or another agency), declared, "Federal workers who fail to comply will be fired." This stance has heightened tensions and uncertainty within federal workplaces.

Trump and Macron Discuss Ukraine Amid UN Tensions

[00:27] President Trump hosted French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House, where one of the primary topics was Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting coincided with a significant development at the United Nations, where the United States and its European allies found themselves on opposing sides during Security Council votes.

The Trump administration rejected Ukraine's proposed Security Council resolution and introduced its own version, advocating for a swift end to the conflict. However, NPR's Michelle Kellerman notes that the resolution "doesn't specify that Russia launched a full-scale invasion," raising concerns about the administration's acknowledgment of Russia's role in the war.

[01:10] Kellerman further comments, "President Trump himself doesn't seem to agree to the reality that Putin started this war and is the aggressor," highlighting internal disputes over the narrative surrounding the conflict.

Judiciary Blocks Immigration Enforcement at Houses of Worship

[01:27] Shifting focus to immigration issues, Korva Coleman reports on a recent judicial decision impacting federal enforcement practices. Sarah Ventri of NPR details a lawsuit filed by several religious groups, including the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and the Sikh Temple Sacramento. These groups challenged a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive that permitted immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations like churches.

Ventri explains, "They argued that a new directive from the Department of Homeland Security, which would allow immigration enforcement action to take place at sensitive locations like churches, infringes on their religious freedom by making congregants fearful to attend services."

U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang responded by issuing a preliminary injunction, effectively preventing DHS from conducting enforcement operations at the plaintiffs' places of worship "while the lawsuit plays out."

Stock Market Reacts to Home Depot’s Performance

[02:16] In economic news, Korva Coleman reports that the stock market opened lower this morning despite Home Depot announcing an uptick in sales. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by approximately 20 points in early trading.

[02:27] Scott Horsley provides further context, stating, "Home Depot has been hammered in recent years by a slumping housing market and high interest rates. But the home improvement chain saw a modest rebound in the most recent quarter. Sales at existing stores rose for the first time in more than two years."

Horsley adds that Home Depot "expects sales to keep growing, albeit slowly, in 2025." Additionally, Apple is holding its annual meeting, where shareholders are anticipated to reject proposals to eliminate the company's diversity initiatives, following similar rejections by Costco shareholders. On the international front, Asian stocks are lower, and South Korea's central bank has cut its benchmark interest rate for the third time in four meetings.

U.S. House to Deliberate Trump-Favored Budget Bill

[03:08] Returning to domestic politics, Korva Coleman highlights that the U.S. House of Representatives is convening to discuss a budget bill strongly supported by President Trump. This bill is favored because it consolidates all of Trump's spending priorities into a single legislative package.

In contrast, the Senate has already passed a different version of the budget measure, which "splits Trump's priorities into more than one version." With Republicans holding a slim majority in the House, the passage of the bill is precarious—"if they lose just a few votes, they could also lose the bill," Coleman warns.

New Study Suggests Evidence of an Ancient Ocean on Mars

[03:53] Shifting to space exploration, a groundbreaking study from a team of California-based scientists presents compelling evidence of a possible lost ocean on Mars. Reporter Anna Guth explains that billions of years ago, Mars likely possessed a thicker atmosphere and a warmer climate, allowing water to cover much of the planet.

Guth reports, "A new study found signs of waves, sand, and shoreline on the Red Planet, suggesting that the water there was an ancient ocean." The research team, led by UC Berkeley's Michael Manga, analyzed data from a Chinese rover equipped with radar capable of probing beneath Mars's surface.

[04:16] In a significant revelation, a spokesperson (misattributed as Carvana Representative in the transcript) states, "We identified old beaches beneath the surface of Mars that record the past existence of a huge ocean."

Guth concludes, "The researchers say their new study strengthens the case for past life on Mars."

Blue Origin’s Tenth Crewed Mission Launches with Tourists Aboard

[04:32] In aerospace news, Korva Coleman announces that Blue Origin is set to launch its spacecraft today from West Texas, marking the company's tenth crewed mission. This mission is notable for carrying several tourists, including a Spanish TV host and a hedge fund partner, signaling the growing trend of commercial space tourism.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a broad spectrum of topics, from federal employment policies and international diplomacy to judicial rulings on immigration enforcement, economic updates, legislative developments, scientific discoveries about Mars, and advancements in commercial space travel. Through detailed reporting and insightful commentary, NPR provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news.

Notable Quotes:

• Elon Musk [00:12]: "Federal workers who fail to comply will be fired."
• Michelle Kellerman [01:10]: "President Trump himself doesn't seem to agree to the reality that Putin started this war and is the aggressor."
• Sarah Ventri [01:41]: "Infringes on their religious freedom by making congregants fearful to attend services."
• Scott Horsley [02:27]: "Home Depot expects sales to keep growing, albeit slowly, in 2025."
• Anna Guth [03:53]: "We identified old beaches beneath the surface of Mars that record the past existence of a huge ocean."

This summary aims to provide a detailed yet accessible overview of the latest developments discussed in the NPR News Now episode, ensuring that listeners stay informed even if they missed the broadcast.