NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-15-2025 11AM 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 Nora Rahm. plus dot npr dot org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. 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.

NPR's Juenica Kisses reports from Kyiv. 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 Zalensky wants the EU to be part of any talks to end the war. Joanna Kekesis, NPR News, Kiev. The Justice Department is asking a court to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This has prompted several federal prosecutors to resign. As NPR's Carrie Johnson reports, the turmoil at the Justice Department is intensifying.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagen Scottin resigned his post in Manhattan after sending a letter to say prosecutors cannot use their vast power to lean on elected officials. Scottin earned two Bronze Stars in military service and clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts. He wrote that he expected senior leaders at Justice would eventually find someone who's enough of a fool or a coward to file a motion to dismiss the case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, but it was never going to be me. Ultimately, it's up to Judge Dale Ho to formally dismiss the corruption case. The judge may decide to hold a hearing to explore the pressure

acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovi put on line prosecutors. Kari Johnson in PR News, Washington. Kari Johnson, PR News, Washington. Sweeping federal layoffs within the U.S. government in recent weeks are prompting demonstrations in cities across the nation, including in Milwaukee. Mayon Silver from member station WUWM reports on a protest yesterday.

People chanted shame on Trump and wielded signs that said, we support federal workers, as they bundled up in big coats scarves and mittens braving the frigid Wisconsin weather. Among those who gathered was Renee Medved. She works for the Milwaukee branch of the National Labor Relations Board. I do not work for Elon Musk. I work for American people. Through tears she said it's been a tough few weeks contending with confusing messaging, including the Trump administration's fork in the road memo and hearing claims that federal workers aren't productive.

She said she will continue doing her job, defending workers' rights. For NPR News, I'm Ayane Silver in Milwaukee. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Hamas released three Israeli men today who had been held hostage since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October of 2023. In exchange, Israel is releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israel. This is the sixth coordinated release of hostages and prisoners under a ceasefire agreement that went into effect last month. Rebels backed by Rwanda have captured the second largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Congo's army has retreated. Emmett Livingstone reports from Kinshasa. Rebels from the Rwanda-backed M23 have captured Bukavu, a city of about one million people in eastern Congo. It's the second major city that the group has captured in recent weeks, having seized Goma, the region's main trading hub, in late January. There was little to no fighting for Bukavu, according to the UN and other sources. Congo's army, which hasn't yet commented, appears to have retreated. It's unclear how far this conflict will go. The M23 has vowed to march on the capital Kinshasa. Congo's President Felix Chisikedi this week restated his long-standing opposition

to negotiating with the M23, which he considers a Rwandan proxy. For NPR News, I'm Emmett Livingstone in Kinshasa. Hong Kong's first locally born giant panda cubs are six months old today. A contest is underway on what to name them. They're currently identified as elder sister and little brother. The people who care for them say elder sister appears more active, exploring the enclosure and climbing the tree inside. Little brother mainly likes to wander around and play with the plants.

I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.