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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.
Chapter 2: What are the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations?
Ukrainian envoys have arrived in Geneva for the latest round of negotiations to end Russia's war on Ukraine. Representatives from the United States and Russia will also take part in the talks, though hurdles to a peace deal remain. NPR's Joanna Kikisis reports from Kiev.
In his address at the Munich security conference this weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the U.S. has told Ukraine that fighting can end quickly, but only with concessions. And too often those concessions are discussed in the context only of Ukraine. not Russia.
Chapter 3: How is the U.S. influencing Ukraine's military strategy?
The U.S. is pressing Ukraine to withdraw from the eastern region of Donbass, which Russia has been trying to occupy for more than 10 years. Zelensky added that his negotiating team will also bring up the idea of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure. Russia has attacked Ukraine's energy grid for months, leaving cities without heating and power during the coldest winter in recent years.
Joanna Kekisis, NPR News.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is wrapping up a trip to Europe, including stops in Slovakia and Hungary today.
Chapter 4: What role does the Trump administration play in Central Europe's energy policies?
NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports both countries are close allies of President Trump and have maintained ties to Russia, including reliance on Russian energy.
After addressing European leaders at the annual Munich Security Conference, Secretary Rubio made a short stop in Slovakia to discuss energy and security cooperation with Prime Minister Robert Fico, who met with Trump and Rubio in Florida last month.
Under President Trump, this administration is going to make not just Slovakia, but Central Europe a key component of how we engage the continent and the world.
Here in Budapest, his last stop, Rubio is meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is a darling of Trump's MAGA movement for his anti-immigrant and Christian nationalist views. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Budapest.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright made a recent trip to Caracas as the Trump administration continues to assert a new role in Venezuela's energy sector and ease oil sanctions.
Chevron's on the ground right now. They are growing their production this month and next month. So it's happening right now. New American companies will be entering Venezuela in the next few months this year.
Wright's trip follows the U.S. military capture of ousted President Nicolas Maduro in early January, part of an operation that brought Maduro and his wife to the United States on federal charges.
Since then, Washington has worked with interim President Delcy Rodriguez to open Venezuela's oil industry to foreign investment and boost production under what officials call a historic U.S.-Venezuela energy deal. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The movie Train Dreams and the limited series Adolescence were the big winners at this year's Film Independent Spirit Awards.
NPR's Mandelita Barco reports.
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Chapter 5: What were the highlights of the Film Independent Spirit Awards?
Spirit Awards also went to the documentary The Perfect Neighbor, to actor Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, and to the Brazilian film The Secret Agent. Mandali Del Barco, NPR News.
A powerful storm system that brought tornado watches and damage across parts of the southeast over the weekend as warmer air pushed into the region. The National Weather Service reported some of the worst damage near Lake Charles, Louisiana, where high winds knocked down power poles and damaged structures.
Meanwhile, parts of northern California are bracing for a storm that's expected to bring thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy mountain snow. Stocks across Asia traded mixed today. Markets in Japan and China closed lower, while shares in Hong Kong posted gains.
Chapter 6: How is severe weather impacting the southeastern U.S.?
Wall Street is closed today for the President's Day holiday. Trading on the stock exchange resumes on Tuesday. This is NPR.