NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-20-2025 7AM EST

Episode Date: February 20, 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 in Washington, I'm Korova Coleman. European leaders have expressed anger and dismay after President Trump labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a dictator.

Zelensky says Trump appears to be amplifying Russian disinformation. This comes as the U.S. and Russia held high-level negotiations this week about ending the war in Ukraine. Zelensky was not invited to the talks, nor were any European leaders. And Piers Franco-Ordonez says that European leaders are now reaching out to Trump. French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Washington next week to meet with Trump. Also, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also expected to visit. Now, like many leaders, Macron and others are concerned

about Europe not being part of these negotiations with Russia. The big worry across Europe is that even if a deal is reached, it won't be lasting and that Russia will likely invade again and possibly another European nation. NPR's Franco O'Donnyes reporting. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the U.S. military to identify $50 billion in cuts for next year. NPR's Rylan Barton reports the order comes as the Pentagon braces for layoffs. The cuts would shift funding to Trump's priorities, which include securing the country's borders, building a so-called iron dome for America missile defense system, and ending quote,

radical and wasteful government DEI programs. That's according to a statement from Pentagon spokesman Robert Solisis. The cuts amount to about 8% of the Defense Department's $850 billion budget. The move could rankle congressional Republicans who have been pushing for increases in defense spending in recent weeks. Earlier this week the Defense Department was told to submit lists of probationary employees to Elon Musk's Doge service. It's part of the wave of firings that's already affected thousands of federal workers. Rylan Barton, NPR News.

The Defense Secretary has ordered an end to all agency celebrations linked with Identity Months such as Black History Month ongoing now. The Trump administration is rooting out DEI programs. Meanwhile, President Trump himself will host a reception at the White House today honoring Black History Month. The Palestinian militant group Hamas returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages today. They include three members of the Bebas family who became a symbol across Israel. NPR's Hadil El-Shilchi reports.

A large crowd of Palestinians gathered at a ceremony in the city of Khan Younis south of Gaza to watch the four coffins transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross. NPR's Gaza producer Enes Baba was at the scene. The stage was like a theater, closed with black curtains and behind there was two missiles and four coffins. There was a picture or portrait of Netanyahu himself with blood all over his face and with his own teeth. That's like a vampire." Israeli officials confirmed they had received the coffins of the dead Israelis. They said the bodies would

undergo forensic testing to confirm the identities. Hadil Alshalchi, NPR News. It's NPR. The Senate has confirmed former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler as the new chief for the Small Business Administration. In recent years, Loeffler has founded a conservative voter registration effort and led efforts to raise money for Republican candidates. There are growing signs the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk could be preparing to cancel a NASA program. NPR's Scott Newman reports it's aimed at returning astronauts to the moon for the first

time in more than 50 years. The Artemis moon program was launched by President Trump in 2017 as a step toward a mission to Mars. And even though SpaceX has a contract to build the Lunar Lander, many now think that Musk's government efficiency team has the program's moon rocket, known as the SLS, in its sights. Todd Harrison, a space policy expert with the American Enterprise Institute, says if the SLS is canceled, It means the Artemis program, as envisioned by the first Trump administration, is effectively dead.

Earlier this month, Boeing, the main contractor for the SLS, warned employees on the project to prepare for layoffs. Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington. A historic ocean liner has departed from Pennsylvania. The SS United States is going to be towed to Mobile, Alabama for prep work. Then it will be taken to Florida and out to sea to be used to help create the world's biggest artificial reef. When it first sailed in 1952, it broke the transatlantic record for speed. Developers hope it'll become a diving attraction. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

Bella DiPaolo is glad if you're happily married, but she is perfectly happy being single. I would love to have someone who took care of my car or someone who cleaned up the dishes after dinner, but then I'd want them to leave. From yourself to your dog to your spouse are significant others. That's on the TED Radio Hour from NPR.