NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-20-2025 2PM EST

Episode Date: February 20, 2025

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Laxmelea Sing, NPR News in Washington. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is marking his 83rd birthday with a formal announcement that he will retire next year at the end of his term. NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports on the longest-serving Senate Party leader in U.S. history. McConnell stepped down from his leadership position last year after questions about his health. His legacy includes installing conservative judges who shaped the federal judiciary. He touted the chamber's advice and consent duty.

And I've been honored to perform my role in confirming judges who understand their role. His departure comes as the Republican Party shifts from traditional conservatism to one dominated by President Trump's brand of populism and an America first stance overseas. GOP Congressman Andy Barr says he may run to replace McConnell. Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is viewed as a rising star and has shown he can win statewide in the red bluegrass state. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News. At today's White House press briefing, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was asked by a reporter who President Trump blames

more for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. His goal, Peter, is to bring this war to an end, period. And there has been ongoing fighting on both sides. It is World War I style trench warfare. Waltz then proceeded to detail Trump's frustration with Zelensky and billions in U.S. assistance to the key U.S. ally. Trump and Zelensky have been trading barbs as diplomatic relations with Russia have warmed.

A large crowd gathers in Tel Aviv at what's come to be known as Hostages Square for a memorial after Gaza's Hamas returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages today. Many people gathered along the highway leading from Gaza in a show of solidarity and tribute as vehicles carrying the hostages' remains made their way to Tel Aviv. NPR's Kat Lohenstorf has more. People waved Israeli flags and held each other in grief, watching as a procession of cars carrying the four bodies made its way along the route. The procession ended at a forensic lab in Tel Aviv where Israeli officials will confirm the identities and seek to determine

their cause of death. The four bodies are believed to be that of Shiri Bebus and her two young sons, Ariel and Kaffir, and 83-year-old Oden Lifshitz. All were captured in the Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023. Hamas says all four were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. In a video, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the country. Our hearts are broken, but our spirit is not, he said, vowing to bring back all the hostages in Gaza and, quote, destroy Hamas. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

It was the first time Hamas has released bodies of hostages in more than 15 months of war. You're listening to NPR News. In Scotland, police have made their first arrest under a new law that creates buffer zones around clinics that provide abortions. NPR's Lauren Frayer has more from London. A 74-year-old female protester was arrested for allegedly breaching a buffer zone outside a clinic in Glasgow. New laws took effect late last year across England, Scotland and Wales that prohibit

anti-abortion protesters from gathering within 200 yards of any clinic. The laws have broad support here, but they've become a focus for anti-abortion activists in the U.S. after Vice President Vance made inaccurate claims about them. In a speech in Germany last week, Vance suggested that people who live near clinics in Scotland are prohibited from praying privately in their own homes, something Scottish officials say is wrong. Nevertheless, a Texas-based group says it's planning protests in Glasgow next month. Lauren Freyer, NPR News, London.

There was a bomb threat to the Kennedy Center. A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center says the bomb threat targeted Shen Yun, a touring dance troupe that is banned in China because it's associated with a religious group, Falun Gong. The group rents a theater at the center for its performances. The building was evacuated and the Kennedy Center says security acted swiftly following existing protocols. A spokesperson with DC police confirmed to NPR the bomb threat was called in this morning. The US Park Police and DC Police are investigating. This hour US stocks are trading lower. The Dow is down nearly 600 points or 1.3 percent at 44,033.

It's NPR News.