NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-23-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: February 23, 2025

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Louise Schiavone, NPR News in Washington. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Dr. St. Pope Francis is in critical condition. The Vatican says the pot have had a peaceful night, though he will not lead the Sunday noon prayer. NPR's Sarah Ventry has details. The Vatican says the Pope slept well, but did not say whether he was up or eating breakfast. The announcement follows an update from Saturday saying Francis's condition continues to be critical after he experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis

which required oxygen and a low platelet count which required blood transfusions. This all comes as the Pope is being treated for a double pneumonia following a bout of bronchitis. Francis is 88 years old and had a portion of one lung removed after a pulmonary infection as a young man. Doctors have previously said they expect the Pope will be hospitalized for at least the entirety of the coming week. Sarah Ventry, NPR News. The Trump administration's cost-cutting office this weekend is notifying hundreds of thousands

of federal workers. They must explain what they accomplished in their work over the previous week or lose their jobs. President Trump celebrated the move at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference meeting outside Washington. NPR's Stephen Fowler has more. During a lengthy keynote

that resembled his campaign rally speeches, Trump said in one month, he's already delivered on his campaign promises, including deportations. The illegal alien criminals are being sent home. We're draining the swamp and we're restoring government by the people for the people. Trump also spoke extensively and supportably about the Doge efforts to cut government spending and shrink the size of the federal government.

The theme of this week's CPAC highlighted Trump's influence over the conservative movement at home and abroad with speeches from cabinet secretaries advisors and global leaders hyping his achievements Stephen Fowler in PR News Washington Israel has halted the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners Meant to be freed Saturday after Hamas freed six Israeli hostages Israel says that Hamas humiliated hostagesas freed six Israeli hostages. Israel says that Hamas humiliated hostages in Saturday'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. This is NPR.

Tech investors are awaiting a crucial report card on artificial intelligence this week, as NPR's Maria Aspin reports. Chip company NVIDIA will report its quarterly earnings on Wednesday. The AI arms race has made NVIDIA into one of the most valuable companies in the world. Large tech companies are investing tens of billions into AI infrastructure, including Nvidia's computing chips. But last month, a Chinese startup called DeepSeek rattled tech investors and made them question all this spending. After DeepSeek unveiled a lower-cost AI model, tech stocks plunged. Nvidia alone lost more than half a trillion dollars in market value, a record one-day

loss. The company's shares have since mostly recovered. But investors will be watching NVIDIA's earnings for reassurance that demand for its chips remains high and that the tech industry's AI spending will eventually pay off. Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York. Germans today cast their votes and closely watched national elections. Four candidates are bidding for chancellor, including incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz, far-right candidate Alice Vidal, Greens candidate Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, and front-runner opposition

leader Friedrich Merz. Merz's center-right union bloc is leading in the polls. The election comes seven months ahead of schedule following the collapse of Schulz's three-party coalition in November. The outcome of those elections in Germany could shape the relationship of the European Union with the United States and with Russia. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.