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

Episode Date: February 16, 2025

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JANINE HERVST Donald Trump is back in the White House and making a lot of moves very quickly. Keep track of everything going on in Washington with the NPR Politics Podcast. Every day we break down the latest news and explain why it matters to you. The NPR Politics Podcast. Listen every day. JANINE HERVST Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hervst.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told European leaders in Munich today that Russia continues to arm itself and that Europe must unite to protect the continent. And Piers Joanna Kikissis has more. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky recalled a phone call with Trump about setting up negotiations to end Russia's war on Ukraine. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot. The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.

Zelensky said Europe should focus on creating its own army and a united security policy that does not rely on the United States. He said President Trump respects allies that are strong. Ukraine is in talks to join the European Union and Zelensky wants the EU to be part of any talks to end the war. Joanna Kekesis, NPR News, Kiev. A massive storm system is hitting the south and parts of the east with heavy rainfall and freezing rain. Flash flood warnings have been issued for parts of several states, including

Kentucky, where there's widespread flooding across the state. Karen Czar with Member Station WUKY has more. The rain began to fall early Saturday morning and has refused to let up across Kentucky causing flash flooding, road closures, evacuations and landslides. Governor Andy Beshear says plans are in place for Kentuckians who had to leave their homes. We've already checked in that availability for our state parks if that's necessary for a couple of days with people who might be displaced. Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of the storms on Friday and members of the National Guard and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife have been deployed for swift water rescues. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

Amazon workers at a warehouse in North Carolina today voted against joining a union. Meanwhile, in Utah, public labor unions will soon be banned from collective bargaining. Martha Harris with member station KUER has more. The ban affects unions serving teachers, police officers, and public employees. Starting in July, unions can no longer negotiate on behalf of employees for better wages and working conditions. The bill was strongly opposed by unions and narrowly passed the state legislature. After it did, thousands of union members and advocates rallied at the Utah state Capitol, urging governor Cox to veto it. Cox wrote he was disappointed the bill didn't result in the compromise discussed

with union leaders. The state's largest teachers union says the governor ignored the voices of thousands and called this an attack on public employees. For NPR News, I'm Martha Harris in Salt Lake City. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. The 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe opened this weekend to respectable box office numbers. And Pierce Bob Mandello says a fresh star seems to have offered a fresh start in Captain America Brave New World.

That vibranium shield Captain America carries apparently protects him not just from bullets but also from lackluster reviews. You want me? Come and get me! On his opening day, including previews as the new Captain America, Anthony Mackey's fourth quell took in a snappy $40 million in North America. That's a better start than Chris Evans had in either of his first two Captain America movies, though it's off considerably from his most recent one. Captain America, Brave New World appears to be headed for close

to $100 million over the four-day combination Valentine's Day and President's Day weekend. Also pulling crowds the family film Paddington in Peru Bob Mandelo NPR News The first locally born giant panda twin cubs in Hong Kong turned six months old today And they'll make their public debut tomorrow, but they don't have names yet. Right now they're called Elder Sister and Little Brother, and a contest is underway to find them permanent names. The panda's caregivers say Elder Sister appears more active, exploring the enclosure and climbing the tree inside, while Little Brother mainly likes to wander around and play with the plants. Officials say Hong Kong now has the biggest number of pandas in captivity

outside of mainland China. I'm Janene Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Technologist Pau Garcia is using AI to create photos of people's most precious memories. How her mother was dressed, the haircut that she remembered. We generated tens of images and then she saw two images that was like, that was it. Ideas about the future of memory. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR.