NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-19-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: February 19, 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 Lakshmi Singh. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the firings of nearly a dozen employees at the country's top intelligence agencies. The employees said they were being let go as part of President Trump's executive order to end diversity programs. Here's NPR's Greg Myrie. U.S. District Judge Anthony Tringa in Alexandria, Virginia, said he wanted further clarification

in the case. He ordered the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to keep the 11 employees on paid administrative leave for now. The lawyer for the 11 called the attempt to fire them arbitrary and capricious. The workers are identified with pseudonyms and there's no word on the positions they hold. The judge ordered another hearing for next Monday. According to reports, dozens of employees in the intelligence community face dismissal over Trump's order to end DEI programs throughout the government. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

A confirmation hearing is underway for another Trump cabinet post, Secretary of Labor. Republican former Congresswoman Lori M. Chavez-Durima drew praise on one issue from a top Senate Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Progressive Bernie Sanders. Durima, I have reviewed your record and in many respects, especially given the nature of the nominees that Mr. Trump has brought forth, it is very good. You are one of the few Republican members of Congress who co-sponsored the PRO Act

and the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act to make it easier for workers to form unions. Chavez Doremer faces some GOP pushback for her pro-union protection support, but she told the Republican-led committee that if confirmed, she will implement President Trump's policy vision. Lawyers for Brazil's former president expressed outrage and shock over charges the ex-far-right leader conspired to overthrow the government. NPR's Kary Kahn reports the country's top prosecutor has indicted the former leader

who could face decades in prison if convicted. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's defense says the allegations against him are a quote fanciful narrative and will not prevail in court. Prosecutors say Bolsonaro participated in a vast criminal conspiracy, along with 33 others, to violate the democratic rule of law and attempt to coup. It is now up to the Supreme Court to order Bolsonaro's arrest and put him on trial. One of the high court's justices has aggressively prosecuted Bolsonaro and his supporters, ordering arrests and demanding removal of social media posts he deemed anti-democratic.

President Trump's media company filed suit against the Brazilian justice in a Florida court this week. The suit alleges illegal censoring of conservative posts on social media. Kari Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro. US stocks are mixed this hour. The Dow is down 155 points. This is NPR.

Millions of people in the U.S. are under winter storm alerts. The National Weather Service says an Arctic air mass is plunging into the central and eastern U.S. this week. It's producing frigid and in some places record-breaking low temperatures. Along with the bitter cold, forecasters are projecting anywhere from six inches to nearly a foot of snow and some ice from North Carolina on up to Delaware starting today. Kelly Loeffler has been confirmed to lead the Small Business Administration. The U.S. Senate approved the former Georgia lawmaker's nomination today, 52 to 46. She co-chair President Trump's second inaugural committee, and she's also a former WNBA owner. Pope Francis has been diagnosed

with pneumonia in both lungs in a development that has raised concerns about his ability to fight off infection. And PR's Ruth Sherlock reports the Vatican says that for now, the pontiff is able to get out of bed. The Vatican says Pope Francis had a tranquil night, woke up and had breakfast. This was his fifth night in Gemelli Hospital in Rome. He was admitted with a respiratory infection. Recent tests confirm the presence of pneumonia in both lungs and asthmatic bronchitis, which requires the use of cortisone antibiotic treatment. The 88-year-old pontiff had the upper lobe of his right lung removed as a young man.

For now, Pope Francis is breathing on his own and is able to move out of bed. He's continued some work from his hospital, the Vatican says. A large rainbow appeared over the hospital this week. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome. US stocks lower this hour. Nasdaq off seven, the S&P is down slightly. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.