NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-23-2025 3PM EST

Episode Date: February 23, 2025

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Nour Ram. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nour Ram. President Trump said this weekend he wants Elon Musk to be more aggressive with his Department of Government Efficiency Unit. But a Republican senator is giving Musk the opposite advice. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. GOP Senator John Curtis of Utah supports cuts to federal spending. But he tells CBS News that Musk and Doge have been too hard on federal

workers. If I could say one thing to Elon Musk, it's like, please put a dose of compassion in this. These are real people. These are real lives. Doge and Musk have worked to shut down entire agencies and fire probationary employees in the federal government. And recently, Musk threatened to fire any government employee that doesn't email a list of what they've accomplished in the last week. Senator John Curtis defended this request in principle. I don't think this is a request. It is that difficult. I would ask my employees to let me know what they're doing. But I will double down on the fact of we don't need to be so

cold and hard. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. Israel has halted the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners meant to be freed yesterday after Hamas freed six Israeli hostages. Israel says Hamas humiliated hostages in yesterday's release ceremonies in Gaza. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv. A masked Hamas videographer spoke to one hostage and then filmed him kissing the heads of masked militants.

Hamas also drove a pair of Israeli hostages to a release ceremony and filmed them begging Israel to be released. Israel was about to release around 600 Palestinians from jail, but says it's delaying that to ensure no more quote humiliating ceremonies and to ensure the next release of hostages. Hamas says it's a ceasefire violation. An official not authorized to speak publicly tells NPR this is Israel's attempt to extend this phase of the ceasefire before it expires in a week and to free more hostages. The Israeli Prime Minister's office had no comment.

Hamas is meant to return the remains of four hostages later this week. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Pope Francis remains hospitalized in critical condition as he battles double pneumonia. Prayers for his recovery were held at the Catholic Cathedral of Rome. NPR's Ruth Sherlock has this report. The sermon tonight is being held in prayer for Pope Francis, who's in critical condition in hospital. You can feel the sadness here among the congregation as people are praying, there are tears rolling

down their cheeks. They are feeling this moment very deeply. As the 88-year-old pontiff fights double pneumonia, the Vatican says that blood tests now show a, quote, initial mild kidney failure. The Vatican says Pope Francis remains conscious and took part in Holy Mass along with those in the hospital. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. New data from the CDC show Puerto Rico reported a huge increase in cases of dengue fever last year. The island had nearly 6,300 cases of the mosquito-borne illness. NPR's Marigatoy has more. There were nearly five times as many cases of dengue in Puerto Rico last year compared to the year before.

So many that by late March, the island issued a public health emergency. The CDC says about half of the people who came down with dengue were hospitalized, and a little over 4% experienced severe illness. 11 people died. Dengue continues to spread in Puerto Rico. Symptoms of mild dengue include fever, rash, and muscle aches. Local health authorities have extended an outbreak declaration to the end of March of this year. The CDC says people who live in or visit Puerto Rico should take steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants and using insect

repellent. Maria Gadoy, NPR News. In Germany's parliamentary election today, early projections show the center-right Christian Democrats won 29% of the vote. It will have to combine with at least one other party to form a government. The far-right Alternative for Germany party came in second, gaining the strongest support for a far-right party in Germany since World War II. Japan's Emperor Naruhito marked his 65th birthday today with a plea that citizens keep telling

the tragedy of World War II to younger generations that it's important that tragic experiences are passed on. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.