NPR News: 02-28-2025 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 28, 2025 – 7 AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman

---

Ukrainian President Zelensky to Meet President Trump: Resource Exchange Proposal

At the outset of the episode, Korva Coleman reports on a significant diplomatic engagement: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit the White House to meet with President Donald Trump. The primary agenda of this meeting revolves around a preliminary deal that would grant the United States access to Ukraine's abundant natural resources.

Joanna Kakis delves deeper into the details, explaining that the concept of exchanging revenue from Ukraine's natural resources for sustained U.S. support originated from Zelensky himself last year. This proposal is seen as a strategic move to facilitate the end of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Kakis elaborates, “Zelensky says the deal on the table today is a framework rather than a final agreement, and it says the US and Ukraine will jointly develop deposits of rare earth metals and critical minerals” (00:31).

---

Legal Challenges to the Trump Administration’s Federal Workforce Layoffs

Korva Coleman shifts focus to domestic affairs, highlighting a recent legal decision impacting the federal workforce. A federal judge in California has deemed the Trump administration's mass layoffs of federal employees as likely illegal. The judge has ordered a cessation of the firings within certain agencies and mandated that these layoffs be rescinded, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for the next month.

The narrative then transitions to the controversial dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Reporter Michelle Kellerman narrates the unfolding events where USAID headquarters in Washington have been closed for weeks, with employees only recently permitted to clean out their desks.

Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power provides a firsthand account of the situation: “Employees who have been fired or put on administrative leave were told to show up at the Ronald Reagan Building at an appointed time and given 15 minutes to clear their desks” (01:30). Power criticizes the administration's approach, stating, “The manner in which this is being done is the exact opposite of USAID's mission,” and “This is about trampling it at every turn” (01:44, 01:53). She accuses the Trump administration of employing an “ultimate shock and awe approach,” bypassing legal processes and disregarding support systems within USAID and Capitol Hill (01:57).

---

FBI Director Proposes Partnership with UFC to Boost Physical Fitness

In an unexpected move, FBI Director Kash Patel announced a potential partnership between the FBI and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), aiming to enhance the physical fitness of FBI agents. This development was shared during a weekly call with the bureau's 55 field office leaders.

Joanna Kakis reports that while the specifics of this partnership remain unclear, the FBI has always emphasized intensive physical training at its Quantico, Virginia academy. The UFC's head, Dana White, known for his close ties to President Trump, acknowledged his acquaintance with Patel but clarified that the company is unaware of any formal collaboration plans (02:32). This proposal has sparked interest due to the UFC's reputation in mixed martial arts and its potential influence on federal law enforcement training programs.

---

Education Department's NDEI Website Sparks Controversy Over DEI Initiatives

The Education Department has introduced a new platform named NDEI, designed for the public to file complaints regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in public schools. This initiative aligns with President Trump's stance, who has threatened federal funding cuts for educational institutions that continue to implement DEI programs.

Korva Coleman highlights that in Kentucky, college students are actively protesting against DEI-related policies. These demonstrations are a response to a proposed state law that seeks to prohibit the allocation of public funds to DEI initiatives at public colleges and universities.

Joanna Kakis provides context by explaining that Kentucky House Bill 4 specifically targets DEI programming and other policies deemed “discriminatory and differential.” Bri Yates, a junior at Morehead State University and president of Alliance, an LGBTQ student organization, emphasized the importance of visibility: “Yates says supporters want to be seen” (03:59). The protests are widespread, occurring across all eight public universities in Kentucky, reflecting significant opposition to the proposed legislation.

An accompanying voiceover underscores the community impact: “There are people in Kentucky, all around Kentucky who care very deeply about DEI and will be affected by it if there are changes and cancellations to the program” (04:19).

---

Ramadan Observance Marks Global Muslim Community

Concluding the news cycle, Korva Coleman notes the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month marked by prayer and fasting. The commencement date varies by country, contingent on the sighting of the crescent moon. Ramadan is a period of spiritual reflection and communal solidarity for Muslims worldwide.

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the February 28, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a detailed overview of international diplomacy, domestic legal battles, federal agency reforms, educational policy debates, and cultural observances.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

This message comes from Progressive Insurance and the name your price tool. It helps you find car insurance options in your budget. Try it [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law, not available in all states.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Korva Coleman. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky goes to the White House today to meet with President Trump. They're supposed to sign a preliminary deal that gives the U.S. access to Ukraine's natural resources. Here's NPR's Joanna Kakizes.

[Joanna Kakis]

The idea of swapping revenue from Ukraine's natural resources for continued US Support came from Zelensky himself last year as part of his proposal to end the war. Zelensky says the deal on the table today is a framework rather than a final agreement, and it says the US And Ukraine will jointly develop deposits of rare earth metals and Critical Minerals.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Joanna Kakis reporting. A federal judge in California has ruled against the Trump administration's mass layoffs of many federal workers. The the judge says it's likely illegal. He has ordered a halt to the firings at some agencies and says these should be rescinded. The judge has set another hearing on the case for next month. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been dismantling the U.S. agency for International Development. The headquarters in Washington for USAID has been closed for weeks. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports that yesterday some workers were finally able to go in and clean out their desks.

[Samantha Power]

Employees who have been fired or put on administrative leave were told to show up at the Ronald Reagan Building at an appointed time and given 15 minutes to clear their desks. Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power was greeting them in the lobby.

[Advertiser]

The manner in which this is being done is the exact opposite of USAID's mission. USAID's mission is about elevating human dignity.

[Joanna Kakis]

And this is about trampling it at every turn.

[Samantha Power]

She says the Trump administration has been moving fast in what she calls the ultimate shock and awe approach, not letting the courts and supporters of USAID on Capitol Hill to get their bearings. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Korva Coleman]

FBI Director Kaj Patel is suggesting the bureau will form a partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or ufc. It's an apparent effort to enhance physical Fitness at the FBI. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports. UFC is a popular mixed martial arts fighting league, and it's run by a close supporter of President Trump.

[Kash Patel]

FBI Director Kash Patel made the statement during a weekly call with the leaders of the bureau's 55 field offices. A person familiar with the matter told NPR that Patel said the FBI will partner with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The director did not provide any details on what any partnership between UFC and the FBI would entail. FBI agents are trained at the academy in Quantico, Virginia, a course that includes intensive training in physical fitness and defensive tactics. The head of UFC is Dana White, who has close ties to President Trump. A UFC spokesperson says White knows Patel, too, but that the company is unaware of any information regarding UFC and FBI training. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR. The U.S. education Department has launched a new website called NDEI. The public can file complaints there about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public schools. The agency says it will use this tool to find areas for investigation. President Trump has already warned of cuts in federal funding for schools and universities if they continue with DEI programs. Meanwhile, college students in Kentucky are taking part in demonstrations today for dei. It's in response to a proposed state law that blocks spending any public money on DEI issues at post secondary institutions, that's such as public colleges. From member station WMKY, Samantha Morrill reports.

[Joanna Kakis]

Kentucky House Bill 4 targets DEI programming and other, quote, discriminatory and differential policies some students are pushing back. Bri Yates is a junior at Morehead State University and president of alliance, an LGBTQ student student organization that helped organize the demonstration. Yates says supporters want to be seen.

[Advertiser]

There are people in Kentucky, all around Kentucky who care very deeply about DEI and will be affected by it if there are changes and cancellations to the program.

[Joanna Kakis]

Kentucky's Day of DEI demonstrations are taking place at all eight public universities in the state. For NPR News, I'm Samantha Morrill in Moorhead, Kentucky.

[Korva Coleman]

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is beginning with the sighting of the crescent moon. The start date can vary by country, but Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims worldwide with prayer and fasting. This is npr.

[Advertiser]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.