NPR News Now: February 28, 2025

Hosted by NPR's Jack Spear, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest updates on global politics, humanitarian crises, economic shifts, and notable passings.

Peace Talks Between the U.S. and U.K. on Ending Russia's War in Ukraine

Timestamp: 00:17 - 00:54

NPR's Jack Spear reports from Washington, highlighting a significant meeting at the White House between U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The primary focus of their discussion was the ongoing war in Ukraine and efforts to broker a lasting peace.

Key Points:

• Optimism for Peace: Starmer expressed strong confidence in achieving a durable peace agreement.
  • "I think we're going to have a very successful peace and I think it's going to be a long lasting peace and I think it's going to happen hopefully quickly. If it doesn't happen quickly, it may not happen at all," Starmer stated at 00:41.
• U.S. Stance: Trump echoed this optimism, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to resume hostilities if a truce is established.
• Economic Implications: Trump also mentioned the possibility of lifting tariffs on British goods, aiming to bolster economic relations.

The discussions come amidst significant shifts in U.S. international aid, raising concerns about the stability and support for various humanitarian programs worldwide.

Termination of U.S. Funding Impacting Global Humanitarian Efforts

Timestamp: 00:54 - 02:05

NPR's Gabrielle Emanuel sheds light on the repercussions of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department terminating contracts valued at nearly $60 billion. This drastic move threatens numerous aid programs globally.

Personal Account:

• Michaela Hilo's Experience: A program manager at Ethiopia's Organization for Social Services Health and Development, Hilo shares the dire consequences of the funding cuts.
  • "This is just a disaster," Hilo lamented at 01:17.
  • "The termination means his program is laying off all 135 workers and the 1600 children and adolescents they work with are without their HIV medication. We don't even want to," he added at 01:30.
  • "Open our eyes to see the disaster that's coming ahead," Hilo emphasized at 01:48.

Broader Impact:

• The termination affects approximately 10,000 grants and contracts, including vital services like clean water for refugee camps and food aid for malnourished children.

Allegations of Mistreatment at Guantanamo Bay

Timestamp: 02:05 - 02:55

NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran reports on serious allegations from immigrants detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Detainees claim they endured beatings and other forms of mistreatment during their two-week detention.

Detainee Testimonies:

• Durana Arape's Struggle: Arape recounts his protest efforts and subsequent mistreatment.
  • "We were not allowed to call an attorney while at Guantanamo Bay, so they held a five day hunger strike and blocked the cameras inside their cells so they could get the guards' attention," he explained at 02:17.
  • "My friend Duran Arape says he also kicked on the cell's door as a protest. He says soldiers in riot gear would beat him up," Martinez Beltran summarizes.
  • In a harrowing admission, Arape stated, "Things got so bad, Duran Arape says he tried to die by suicide twice," at 02:30.

Government Response:

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded by stating that detainees have access to phone facilities to reach lawyers but did not substantiate Arape's claims. "The agency cannot confirm the veracity of Duran Arape's claims," DHS remarked at 02:45.

Wall Street Reacts to Diminishing AI Hype and EU Trade Tensions

Timestamp: 02:55 - 04:34

Stock Market Decline:

• Economic Shift: Wall Street experienced a sharp decline as investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) waned. Despite strong earnings reports the previous day, tech stocks took a hit.
  • "Shares of chipmaker Nvidia dropped more than today," Jack Spear reported at 02:55.
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 193 points, and the NASDAQ, heavily weighted with tech companies, dropped by 530 points.

EU-U.S. Trade Relations:

• Tariff Disputes: President Trump's assertion that the European Union (EU) was designed to undermine the U.S. was met with strong rebuttals from EU leaders.
  • The EU defended itself as "the world's largest free market and has created an economic windfall for U.S. Companies working on the continent," according to Spear at 03:10.
  • The EU also announced its intent to oppose Trump's proposal to impose a 25% tariff on EU products entering the U.S., countering the administration's trade strategies.

Appointment of Tom Schultz as Head of the U.S. Forest Service

Timestamp: 03:55 - 04:34

NPR's Kirk Sigler reports on the appointment of Tom Schultz, a former state lands manager and timber industry lobbyist, as the new head of the U.S. Forest Service. This move signals a significant policy shift toward expanding logging activities on public lands.

Background:

• Schultz's Credentials: Previously serving as the Vice President of Government Affairs for a prominent timber company in Idaho, Schultz is set to oversee nearly 200 million acres of federal timberlands.

Policy Implications:

• Logging and Wildfires: Under Schultz's leadership, the Forest Service is expected to accelerate logging on public lands as a strategy to rejuvenate timber economies and combat wildfires.
• Political Context: Republicans are advocating for faster regulatory changes to support these initiatives, aligning with broader economic and environmental strategies.

Agency Outlook:

• Outgoing Leadership's Concerns: Randy Moore, the outgoing head appointed during the Biden administration, expressed worries in his resignation letter.
  • He stated that recent job cuts "will hamper its ability to manage land and fires," highlighting the challenges the agency faces under the new administration's policies.

Passing of Chess Legend Boris Spassky

Timestamp: 04:34 - 04:57

NPR's Jack Spear announces the death of Boris Spassky, the revered Russian chess grandmaster. At 88 years old, Spassky was the oldest living former World Chess Champion.

Legacy:

• World Champion Era: Spassky held the title from 1969 until his iconic match against American Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, which symbolized the intense Cold War rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
• Cultural Impact: His match against Fischer not only captivated the chess world but also served as a significant cultural event during a period of geopolitical tension.

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