NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-15-2025 10AM EST

Episode Date: February 15, 2025

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Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend on thrive. Make a recurring donation today to get special access to more than 20 NPR podcasts, perks like sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, early access, and more. So start supporting what you love today at plus.npr.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. In Tel Aviv's Hostage Square today, applause broke out when video screens showed the release of three more hostages. Another public display, Hamas, released the three, handing them over to the Red Cross

and the Gaza City of Kanyunas as part of the ceasefire deal that nearly collapsed earlier this week. In return, Israel began releasing more than 350 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The first bus was greeted by a cheering crowd of relatives and supporters in the West Bank. Some had been serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis. Most were detained by Israeli forces during the war and released today to their families. NPR's producer, Anas Baba, is in Gaza. This is the sound of a Palestinian mother that she saw her own son for the first time in 14 months after he was arrested in Gaza City while he was evacuating at one of the checkpoints. The mother that weeps from joy, once she saw him, she just started to cry. Nat. John C. Cotter, Reporting, National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is warning of the potential for life-threatening flash flooding this weekend with the greatest risk in parts of northwestern Tennessee and western Kentucky, where Karen's R reports from. Member Station WUKY. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch that covers the entire state of Kentucky, prompting Governor Andy Beshear to issue a preemptive state of emergency. We hope it continues to move northward and misses most of Kentucky, but we have to prepare for significant rain. The Kentucky Emergency Operations Center and units of the Kentucky National Guard

have been activated. Beshear has also activated the state's price gouging laws, which makes it illegal for businesses to raise prices on necessary goods and supplies during an emergency. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zahr in Lexington. Employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development are among the federal workers bracing for what could be major layoffs amid the firings of thousands, NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports. HUD's union president said three officials confirmed the

overall target for layoffs was 50 percent and some areas could lose up to 75 percent of staff. One employee who learned of the plan in a meeting said colleagues were visibly upset. The union leader said he worries about the economic ripple effect, both on those who may be let go and the people they serve. HUD declined comment, but Housing Secretary Scott Turner has announced his own task force to review spending and target waste and fraud. On Friday, Elon Musk said on X that his Doge team had recovered nearly $2 billion of HUD money he said had been misplaced.

Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington. And from Washington, you're listening to NPR News. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling on Europe to create its own united armed forces, saying Ukraine's fight against Russia proves that a foundation for it already exists and that Ukraine will never accept a peace deal with Russia made behind its back. Speaking at the annual Munich Security Conference today, Zalinski also warned of danger if President Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin before meeting with him, saying Putin wants Trump standing in Moscow's Red Square as a prop. Taylor Swift has overtaken Madonna as the female artist with the most number one albums in the UK. With this, her 13th UK chart topper, Swift is now tied with Elvis Presley for the international artists with

the most number ones in Britain and she's within touching distance of her male competition. The Rolling Stones have had 14 UK number ones, Robbie Williams and the Beatles are the joint record holders with 15. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. Team USA is playing Canada at the International Four Nations Ice Hockey Tournament in Montreal tonight. The rivalry is getting more attention as Canadian sports fans have been booing the U.S. national anthem because of President Trump's tariffs and his suggestion that Canada become the 51st state.

I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.