NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-15-2025 3PM EST

Episode Date: February 15, 2025

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NPR covers the stories that shape our world. Whether you're here for news or culture or good conversation, we're proud to be here for you. Federal funding helps keep the public radio network strong and available to all for about a dollar and sixty cents per person each year. Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to learn more about safeguarding public media's future. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today called on the European Union to establish a European army to defend the continent against Russia.

He told the annual Munich Security Conference that the continent can no longer be sure of US protection, that a European army is necessary because the continent's future longer be sure of U.S. protection, that a European army is necessary because the continent's future depends only on Europeans. Solensky also said Ukraine will not accept any deal to end the war with Russia. That's a reach behind its back. NPR's Joanna Kikissis has more. This is important because the U.S., Ukraine's strongest single ally, is now speaking directly to Russia, the country that invaded Ukraine and continues

to attack it. President Trump says he plans to visit Russia. His defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has poured cold water on two of Ukraine's most important goals, joining NATO and getting back all of its territory occupied by Russia. And these developments have really unsettled Ukrainians. I've spoken to many who say they feel like the US, the country they most admire for its democratic values, is betraying them. NPR's Joannica Kisses. Israel and Hamas today completed the sixth exchange of hostages and

prisoners in the initial phase of the ceasefire in Gaza that nearly collapsed this week. Hamas released three men who had been held hostage for more than 15 months. NPR producer Anas Baba was in the Gaza city of Honunis when they were freed. They were holding and carrying three gifts from Hamas here. The first one was a Palestinian map. The second was a certificate of their own release. And the third thing which was a sand clock that says that time is ticking here. NPR producer Anas Baba. Later Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. 36 of them were serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is losing about 10 percent of its workforce

as the Trump administration moves ahead with plans to shrink the federal workforce. Jess Maydora of Member Station WABE has more. The Atlanta-based CDC is losing nearly 1,300 people with jobs classified as probationary. That includes newer hires and longtime staffers who've recently moved to new positions internally at the CDC. Affected workers are slated to get four weeks of paid administrative leave, according to an employee requesting anonymity because they're not authorized to speak for the agency. The layoffs are fueling fear across the public health community and among Democrats in Congress who say the cuts at CDC will leave the U.S. more vulnerable to disease outbreaks. For NPR News, I'm Jess Madore in Atlanta. A union representing employees at the U.S.

Forest Service says that agency has fired about 3,400 workers and the cuts could affect access to public lands. This is NPR News in Washington. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board says the crew of the Army helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger jet near Washington last month may have had inaccurate altitude readings and may not have heard instructions from air traffic controllers. All 67 people on board the two aircraft were killed. Taylor Swift has broken another record, this one overseas. Vicki Barker reports from London. With the re-release of her 2023 live album Lover, Taylor Swift has overtaken Madonna as the female artist with the most number one albums in the UK. I've been the art star,

it's been the prey. 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. Hong Kong's first locally born giant panda cubs are six months old today. They'll make their public debut tomorrow. 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.