NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-28-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: February 28, 2025

NPR News: 02-28-2025 1PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. In a stunning display from the Oval Office moments ago, President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance engaged in a war of words with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, raising serious concerns about the prospects of the U.S.' ability to negotiate an end to three years of war between Russia and Ukraine. Tensions rose when Vance spoke out about a path to peace. He later accused Zelensky of never thanking President Trump, which Zelensky refuted. Zelensky

proceeded to argue that his country had repeatedly tried to reach what was unable to secure a diplomatic solution with Russia's Vladimir Putin. We signed him with gas contract, gas contract. Yes. But after after that he broken this ceasefire. He killed our people and he didn't exchange prisoners. We signed the exchange of prisoners, but he didn't do it. What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about? Trump and Zelensky were due to talk about a deal that grants the U.S. access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals as a way to recoup some of the money the U.S. invested in Ukraine's defenses against Russia. In recent weeks Trump has

moved toward closer relations with Putin while his feud with Zelensky has escalated. Employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development continue clearing out their offices in Washington DC. NPR's Frank Langford reports. Adam Thomas had cleaned out his desk Thursday. He'd worked at the agency for two decades. My first wife passed away. She's worked at the agency for two decades. My first wife passed away. She's honored on the memorial wall. She was a Foreign Service officer herself. Antoinette Tomasek died from injuries in a car accident while delivering medical supplies in Haiti.

Adam tried to take a photo of her name. McCart said no. I explained my story to him. And he said, no, we have instructions. You are not allowed. No photos, no videos. So you weren't able to get a photograph of your wife on the memorial wall. I was not how did this all make you feel? Got it awful Empty president Trump has said much of what USAID does is antithetical to American values Franklin fit MPR news Washington

Administration officials are confirming 29 alleged members of Mexican drug cartels, including senior gang Kingpins, are now in U.S. custody. NPR's Brian Mann with the latest. U.S. Justice Department officials say that 29 individuals face charges ranging from drug trafficking to murder and money laundering. They allegedly come from some of the top cartels, including Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generacion. In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, we will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law.

The Drug Enforcement Administration released a statement celebrating the capture of Rafael Caro Quintero. He's considered a drug kingpin, and the DEA alleges he murdered a U.S. agent in 1985. Mexico transferred these individuals into U.S. custody as President Trump announced a new 25 percent tariff on Mexican goods that he linked to the country's role in street drug smuggling. Brian Mann, NPR News.

The Dow is down 12 points. You're listening to NPR. The first phase of the Israel Hamas ceasefire expires tomorrow. Today mourners are bearing the remains of one of the last hostages released by Hamas so far in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners including some children held by Israel. Israeli officials say Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, half of whom are believed to be dead. As Pope Francis continues to recover in a Rome hospital battling with pneumonia, the Vatican is preparing to have a cardinal fill in for the pontiff over Ash Wednesday services next week. Around the world, people of Christian faith will observe a 40-day period of spiritual reflection leading to Easter. A bill in Wyoming that repeals gun-free zones in state-run buildings, universities, and

public meeting spaces across the state paths in a law yesterday. Wyoming public media's Chris Clements details. Republican Governor Mark Gordon let the bill become law without his signature, writing an escaping letter to lawmakers that the legislature was grabbing power through the policy. It comes after around 25 protesters staged a die-in outside the governor's office this week, urging him not to let it become law. Aidan McGuire is a student at the University of Wyoming who says he has personal experience with gun violence.

It makes me reconsider if I really want to continue my education here or if I want to encourage my siblings to continue my education here or if I want to encourage my siblings to continue their education. Supporters of the bill say it will keep Wyomingites safe by helping prevent mass shootings. For NPR News, I'm Chris Clements in Cheyenne. The Nasdaq is down 38 points, the Dow is off 20. It's NPR News.