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NPR News Now

NPR News: 02-07-2026 2PM EST

07 Feb 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What deadline has the U.S. set for Ukraine and Russia to end their war?

0.706 - 16.538 Noor Rahm

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm. The U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach an agreement to end their war, according to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

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16.518 - 38.282 Eleanor Beardsley

President Volodymyr Zelensky says the U.S. plans to pressure both sides to meet the timeline to end the near four-year war in less than four months. He also said the U.S. and Russia are preparing to sign an economic deal worth $12 trillion after Russia presented the U.S. with a lucrative proposal. Zelensky says the plan was uncovered by Ukrainian intelligence.

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38.603 - 54.627 Eleanor Beardsley

He says Ukraine is ready to make concessions to end the war, but it must be on acceptable terms. Ukrainians say Russia has never wavered from its maximalist demands, yet Trump treats both the victim and aggressor as equally responsible. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Izum, Ukraine.

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55.068 - 73.235 Noor Rahm

The Office of Personnel Management has issued a final rule giving President Trump the authority to reclassify some federal workers. as at-will employees, fireable for any reason. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports it's a change that Trump has pushed for since the end of his first term.

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73.335 - 92.644 Andrea Hsu

The new rule gives President Trump the power to move federal employees in, quote, policy-influencing roles into a new category of employees who can be fired for any reason. The administration says the rule will make it easier for agencies to get rid of poor performers and also those who are intentionally obstructing the president's agenda.

92.624 - 106.125 Andrea Hsu

The government previously estimated some 50,000 positions could be moved. Currently, only 4,000 political appointees can be fired at will. While agencies can recommend positions to be reclassified, Trump will make the final decision.

106.185 - 119.425 Andrea Hsu

Trump's critics say the change will take the country back to a spoil system that existed in the 1800s, one marked by corruption, incompetence, and ineffective government. Andrea Hsu and PR News.

119.405 - 133.887 Noor Rahm

The Oregon Supreme Court ruled this week that Oregonians charged with crimes who cannot get timely legal representation from the state must have their cases dismissed. Conrad Wilson from Oregon Public Broadcasting reports.

134.228 - 154.737 Conrad Wilson

In a unanimous decision, the Oregon Supreme Court said defendants' criminal charges must be dismissed if the state fails to provide a public defender within 60 or 90 days after the first court appearance, depending on the severity of the charges. Under this decision, prosecutors would still be allowed to refile a case later on so long as the state is able to provide counsel.

Chapter 2: What changes has the Office of Personnel Management made regarding federal workers?

258.622 - 269.899 Brian Mann

goes at it again tomorrow when Lindsey Vaughn and Breezy Johnson ski the downhill in Cortina. Johnson finished first and Vaughn in third place in their training runs today. Brian Mann, NPR News, Milan.

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269.879 - 280.075 Noor Rahm

There are about 2,900 athletes from 92 places around the world competing in 16 sports and 116 medal events. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News.

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