Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skiavone. As President Trump has clashed with German

leaders over the war in Iran, Germany's defense minister is downplaying the U.S. decision to

withdraw 5,000 of its troops from Germany, roughly 14 percent of its presence within the next year.

NPR's Rob Schmitz reports from Berlin.

German defense minister Boris Pistorius called the Pentagon's move an expected one, adding

that if Germany is to remain transatlantic, it must strengthen the European pillar within NATO.

A spokesperson for NATO said it was working with the U.S. to understand the details of the troop

withdrawal and that it underscored the need for Europe to invest more

in defense. The Pentagon's announcement would still leave more than 30,000 U.S. troops in Germany,

reversing a buildup that began under President Joe Biden. Germany is undergoing an historic

defense buildup and investment in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.

Rob Schmitts andPR News, Berlin.

Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines ceased operations early this morning after more than 30 years.

NPR's Joel Rose reports the company's disappearance could have far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry.

In a message posted online overnight,

Spirit Airlines told its passengers not to go to the airport. Customers who bought tickets directly

from Spirit will get an automatic refund, the airline said. While other airlines said they would

cap fares for passengers who had tickets with Spirit, Spirit Airlines faced mounting financial pressure

because of rising jet fuel prices,

but its problems had been building for years. The airline filed for bankruptcy twice since

2024, and its market share had been shrinking. But even with a small footprint, consumer

advocates say Spirit could still have an important effect on fares by providing added competition

...