NPR News: 03-01-2025 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: March 1, 2025, 2PM EST

Host: Nora Ram
Producer: NPR
Release Date: March 1, 2025

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International Relations: Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Confrontation

The episode opens with a significant international development as President Donald Trump engages in a heated argument with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. This confrontation has sparked widespread reactions globally, particularly resonating in Moscow.

Charles Maines reports, "Trump is finding plenty of support in Moscow" [00:19]. According to Ryan Lucas, the Kremlin has not issued an official response to the meeting. However, prominent Russian government officials have taken to social media platforms to commend Trump for what they describe as delivering "a public beatdown" to Zelenskyy [00:31].

The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement challenging Zelenskyy's leadership, asserting that it was Kyiv—not Moscow—that obstructed a potential peace deal. The ministry accuses Zelenskyy of "using lies and manipulation to continue fighting and bilk Western military aid," a perspective that seems to align with the current sentiment in the White House [00:31].

This development marks a significant shift in U.S.-Russia relations, especially considering Zelenskyy's strong support in the Western world for his leadership during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian propagandists have historically portrayed Zelenskyy as both a fascist and corrupt, attempting to undermine his international standing.

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Federal Workforce Reductions: Elon Musk's Email Requests

Transitioning to domestic affairs, the podcast highlights a new directive sent to federal employees. Employees received an email instructing them to submit five bullet points outlining their achievements from the past week, with an expectation of weekly submissions [01:10].

Charles Maines contextualizes this as part of billionaire Elon Musk's ongoing efforts to reduce the federal workforce [01:19]. This initiative is seen as a move to streamline government operations and cut costs, although it has raised concerns about increased administrative burdens on federal employees.

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Justice Department Shake-Up: Demotion of Top Prosecutors

The Trump administration's influence extends into the Justice Department, where significant changes are underway. The acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., has demoted at least seven senior prosecutors within the U.S. attorney's office [01:25].

Rob Stein elaborates on the implications of these demotions, highlighting that some of the affected prosecutors played pivotal roles in high-profile cases:

• John Crabb, a supervisor involved in cases against Trump allies Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.
• Greg Rosen, who led the unit prosecuting January 6th Capitol riot cases.
• Attorneys involved in prosecuting key figures like Stuart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers and Enrique Tarrio, the former head of the Proud Boys [01:31].

Charles Maines adds that these actions reflect a broader strategy by the new leadership in the Trump Justice Department to target career prosecutors, potentially undermining ongoing legal efforts against extremist groups and government officials.

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Health Sector Leadership: Dr. Francis Collins Resigns from NIH

In the realm of health and science, Dr. Francis Collins, the former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has retired [02:13]. Dr. Collins, who led the NIH for twelve years, announced his resignation via a letter obtained by NPR [02:16].

Rob Stein provides insight into his tenure, noting that Collins served under three presidents from both major political parties and was known for his ability to bridge science and religion, exemplified by his belief that "science and religion could coexist" [02:20]. His departure comes at a tumultuous time for the NIH, the world's largest funder of biomedical research, which has faced internal challenges under the Trump administration.

Dr. Collins' successor faces the daunting task of navigating the NIH through ongoing political pressures and ensuring the continuity of critical research initiatives [02:26].

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Political Comeback: Andrew Cuomo Announces Mayoral Run

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has declared his candidacy for Mayor of New York City, marking a significant attempt at political redemption [03:10]. Cuomo, a Democrat, seeks to re-enter political life after resigning from the governorship in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations [03:24].

This announcement raises questions about Cuomo's ability to overcome past controversies and regain public trust. His campaign will undoubtedly be scrutinized for how he addresses previous misconduct allegations and demonstrates his leadership capabilities in the complex landscape of New York City politics [03:28].

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Entertainment Spotlight: Oscar Best Picture Contenders

Shifting to the entertainment industry, the podcast covers the ten films nominated for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards [03:10]. Mandalit del Barco provides an overview of the contenders, including:

• Honora, starring Mikey Madison as a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
• The Brutalist, featuring Adrien Brody as a Jewish Hungarian architect.
• Conclave, an ensemble piece about cardinals electing a new pope.
• I'm Still Here, a Brazilian film set during the 1970s military dictatorship.
• The Substance, a body horror film starring Demi Moore.
• A Complete Unknown, with Timothée Chalamet portraying Bob Dylan.
• Dune Part 2, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
• Nickel Boys, centered on a brutal reform school.
• Emilia Bettis, about a Mexican drug lord.
• Wicked, a musical performance featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

These nominations reflect a diverse range of genres and narratives, showcasing the Academy's recognition of both mainstream and independent filmmaking [03:35-04:04].

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Sports: Iditarod Sled Dog Race Begins Amid Weather Challenges

In sports news, the ceremonial start of the prestigious Iditarod sled dog race took place in Anchorage [04:29]. However, the actual race will begin on Monday to allow mushers and their teams sufficient time to reach Fairbanks [04:31].

Charles Maines explains that the route has been modified this year due to a lack of snow, posing additional challenges for participants [04:36]. The race is expected to conclude approximately ten days later in the Gold Rush town of Nome [04:44], with intense competition as mushers navigate the altered course.

This year's Iditarod underscores the impact of changing weather patterns on traditional sporting events, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the teams involved [04:29-04:44].

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Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a brief promotional message from Carvana, encouraging listeners to subscribe to NPR News Now on various platforms [04:53].

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the March 1, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of international tensions, domestic political shifts, significant changes in the health sector, entertainment accolades, and noteworthy sporting events.

Transcript

[Carvana]

This message comes from Carvana. Finance your next car the convenient way, with customizable, transparent terms, all online. Make your budget work for you and swap hassle for convenience with Carvana.

[Nora Ram]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. Reactions continue to pour in from around.

[Charles Maines]

The globe over yesterday's argument between President.

[Nora Ram]

Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodyrz Zelensky in the oval office.

[Charles Maines]

As NPR's Charles Maines reports, Trump is.

[Nora Ram]

Finding plenty of support in Moscow.

[Ryan Lucas]

The Kremlin has yet to weigh in directly on the White House meeting, but prominent government officials took to social media to praise Trump for giving Zelenskyy what one called a public beatdown. While Zelenskyy has been largely lauded in the west for his leadership amid the Russian invasion, propagandists in Moscow have long depicted him as both fascist and corrupt. Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement seemingly designed to appeal to Trump's argument. It was Kyiv rather than Moscow up a potential peace deal. The ministry claimed that Zelensky had, quote, used lies and manipulation to continue fighting and bilk Western military aid, a view the current White House appears to share. Charles Manes, NPR News.

[Charles Maines]

Federal employees received another email last night.

[Nora Ram]

Directing them to provide five bullet points on their accomplishments last week and to.

[Charles Maines]

Expect a similar request every week. It's part of billionaire Elon Musk's effort to cut the federal workforce.

[Nora Ram]

The new leadership in the Trump Justice.

[Charles Maines]

Department continues to take action against career prosecutors.

[Nora Ram]

The acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. has demoted at least seven top prosecutors in the U.S. attorney's office. NPR's Ryan Lucas has more.

[Rob Stein]

One of them is John Crabb. He was a supervisor in the office. He was involved in the cases against Trump allies Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. Greg Rosen, he led the capital siege unit that prosecuted January 6th cases. Two of the other attorneys worked on two of the most high profile cases to come out of the Capitol riot investigation, the prosecution against Stuart Rhodes. He's the leader of the far right Oath Keepers extremist group. Rhodes was convicted at trial of seditious conspiracy. One of the other attorneys helped spearhead the case against Enrique Tarrio, the former head of the Proud boys extremist group.

[Charles Maines]

NPR's Ryan Lucas, NPR, has learned that.

[Nora Ram]

A longtime former director of the National.

[Charles Maines]

Institutes of Health has retired.

[Nora Ram]

It comes as the world's largest funder of biomedical research is in turmoil under the Trump administration.

[Charles Maines]

NPR's Rob Stein reports.

[Dr. Francis Collins]

Dr. Francis Collins, who led the NIH for 12 years, is leaving the agency. Collins stepped down as the nih director in 2021, after heading the NIH under three presidents of both parties, and returned to his lab at the agency. Collins, a guitar playing geneticist, was a rare figure in the scientific world. An evangelical Christian, Collins espoused that science and religion could coexist. But COLLINS and the NIH's Dr. Anthony Fauci, bitterly criticized by some during and after the pandemic, he stepped down on Friday, according to his resignation letter obtained by npr. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

This is NPR News. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today he's running for mayor of New York City. The Democrat is attempting a political comeback after resigning from the governor's office in.

[Charles Maines]

2021 because of sexual harassment allegations.

[Nora Ram]

Ten films are vying for best picture at tomorrow night's Academy Awards. NPR's Mandelita Barco reports.

[Mandalit del Barco]

Among the contenders is Honora, starring Mikey Madison as a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.

[Annie]

Hi, I'm Annie.

[Mandalit del Barco]

Honora's up against the Brutalist, with Adrien Brody as a Jewish Hungarian architect. Also, Conclave, with an ensemble cast of cardinals electing a new pope. The Brazilian film I'm Still Here, set during the 1970s military dictatorship, is a contender. So is the body horror film the Substance, with Demi Moore.

[Timothee Chalamet]

How does it feel?

[Mandalit del Barco]

Timothee Chalamet plays Bob Dylan in a Complete Unknown. Another filming competition. Denis Villeneuve's Dune Part 2 is on the list. So is Nickel Boys, about a brutal reform school, and Emilia Bettis, about a Mexican drug lord. Then there's Wicked, who stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are performing at the Oscars. Mandalit del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[Nora Ram]

The ceremonial start to the Iditarod sled.

[Charles Maines]

Dog race is being held today in Anchorage. The actual start will be Monday to.

[Nora Ram]

Give the mushers and their dogs time to get to Fairbanks. The route has been changed this year.

[Charles Maines]

Because of a lack of snow.

[Nora Ram]

The winning team is expected to reach.

[Charles Maines]

The finish line in the Gold Rush town of Nome about 10 days later. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

[Carvana]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.