NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-17-2025 3AM EST

Episode Date: February 17, 2025

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Whatever your job is, wherever you're from, NPR is a resource for all Americans. Our mission is to create a more informed public. We do that by providing free access to independent, rigorous journalism that's accountable to the public. You, federal funding for public media, provides critical support of this work. Learn more about how to safeguard it at ProtectMyPublicMedia.org. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Kentucky's Democratic governor is nothing but praise for Republican President Donald Trump for his quick response to the state's appeal for federal assistance.

The state asked for help because of disastrous flooding over the weekend. Karen Zahr with Member Station WUKY reports. Governor Andy Beshear put in a request for an emergency disaster declaration and within hours it was approved, which makes federal funding available to Kentuckians affected by this disaster. We've only seen a positive response from the federal administration, from the Trump administration during this disaster. I only have positive things to say how quickly the

declaration came through. Bashir said all 120 counties in the state have been hit and FEMA officials were on the ground as of Sunday. He also announced the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund to raise money to help victims of this disaster. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Hazard, Kentucky. The Trump administration's border czar is responding to widespread criticism over federal immigration raids across the country since Trump took office in January,

but Tom Holman says those concerns are unwarranted. We're not raiding schools, we're not raiding churches, we're not raiding college campuses. But if we have a significant public safety threat or national security, let's say for instance, an MS-13 member who's a senior in a high school who's wanted for drug distribution or strong arm rotaries, we will go to that school and arrest that MS-13 member with the help of the local authorities. It's not about raiding schools, it's about arresting one bad guy where we know he is

and not letting him escape back into the community. Homan was speaking Sunday on CNN. The family of an Israeli American taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th is thanking both the Trump administration and the Israeli government for securing his release this weekend. NPR's Sarah McKammon has more on that story. Segey Dekelkhen, who has dual citizenship in the US and Israel, was taken by Hamas

from his kibbutz on October 7th, 2023. He was among three hostages released this weekend as part of a fragile ceasefire deal, which included the release of 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. In a statement, his family said Deq al-Kin was being reunited with his wife and three daughters, including one who was born while he was in captivity. They called for the release of the remaining hostages. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement noting that Hamas is holding 73 hostages, including one American, Edan Alexander, and warned Hamas that they are, quote, playing

with fire by continuing to keep them captive. Sarah McKammon, NPR News, Washington. Officials in Austria say the man accused in the stabbing of six people there on Saturday continuing to keep them captive. Sarah McKammon, NPR News, Washington. Officials in Austria say the man accused in the stabbing of six people there on Saturday had possible connections to the Islamic State group, and they say he radicalized himself by using online information. The 23-year-old from Syria was arrested after the attack that killed a 14-year-old boy. You're listening to NPR News.

A South African man considered the world's first openly gay imam has been killed in a suspected hit. The imam ran a mosque that acted as a safe haven for the LGBTQ Muslim community. Kate Bartlett reports. Musine Hendricks was shot multiple times in his car on Saturday in the eastern Cape city of Kwebukha, South African police said. Officials say two masked men who opened fire fled the scene. Hendricks, who had received international press coverage and been the focus of a documentary, had previously alluded to threats against him.

The website of his mask said that it provides, quote, a safe space in which queer Muslims and marginalized women can practice Islam. For NPR News, I'm Kate Butler in Johannesburg. The fight for control over the eastern portion of the African nation of Congo continues. M23 rebels, backed by thousands of troops from Rwanda, have now taken control of a second major city in the area. They entered the Bukavu after a march from Goma, which was seized last month. The region holds trillions of dollars worth of minerals which are important to the world's technology.

The Brutalist and the Conclave each won four BAFTA Awards on Sunday night at the British Academy Film Awards. The Conclave won for Best Picture, while Brutalist director Brady Corbett won for Best Director. Brutalist star Adrienne Brody won best actor, and Mikey Madison won best actress for her work in Anora. Kieran Culkin meanwhile was named best supporting actor for A Real Pain, and Zoe Saldana won best supporting actress for her role in Emilia Perez. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.