NPR News: 03-01-2025 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Comprehensive Summary of the March 1, 2025, Episode

Released on March 2, 2025

The March 1, 2025, episode of NPR News Now delivered a concise yet comprehensive overview of pressing global and domestic issues. Hosted by Jeanine Herbst and Terri Schultz, the episode delved into international diplomacy, U.S. border security, New York City’s political landscape, Middle Eastern ceasefire negotiations, advancements in Alzheimer's treatment, and a brief glimpse into Alaskan traditions. Below is a detailed summary structured into clear sections, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. International Politics: European Union and Ukraine

Key Points: European leaders are grappling with the fallout from a contentious meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held at the White House. In response, approximately twelve heads of state and government are scheduled to convene in London to strategize the next steps regarding Ukraine.

Notable Quotes:

• EU Foreign Policy Chief Kayakalis [00:41]: "The free world needs a new leader, and Europe should step up."
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer [00:41]: Emphasized the summit's focus on "strengthening Ukraine's position for eventual negotiations with Russia and exploring potential security guarantees from Europe for a peace deal."

Insights: The coordinated message from European Union institutions urged President Zelenskyy to remain resolute, emphasizing the EU's commitment to a "just and lasting peace." However, internal dynamics within the EU reveal a push for Europe to take a more proactive role in global leadership amidst the crisis.

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2. U.S. Border Security: Pentagon's Deployment to the Mexico Border

Key Points: The Pentagon is deploying an additional 3,000 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border under President Trump's administration to curb illegal crossings. This move supplements the existing force of 2,500 National Guard troops already stationed there since the Biden administration.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Newman, NPR Reporter [01:38]: Explained that the new troops are part of a "Stryker Brigade combat team and a general support aviation battalion," highlighting the continuation of border security efforts across administrations.
• Anonymous U.S. Official [01:38]: Mentioned that "site inspections have wrapped up at Fort Bliss, Texas, where thousands of migrants are expected to be detained."

Insights: Despite a noticeable decline in border crossings, the Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to prevent illegal immigration. The deployment underscores a bipartisan approach to border security, albeit with differing administrative strategies.

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3. New York City Mayoral Race: Andrew Cuomo Enters the Fray

Key Points: Andrew Cuomo, the former Governor of New York, has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City, aiming to challenge incumbent Democrat Eric Adams. This announcement marks Cuomo’s return to politics three years after his resignation amidst sexual harassment allegations.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Cuomo [02:26]: "Are you ready to fight to save our city? I know that I am. Let's do it. Let's do it together and let's do it now."

Insights: Cuomo's entry into the mayoral race adds complexity to an already crowded Democratic primary. His candidacy emerges against the backdrop of Mayor Adams facing federal corruption charges, currently on hold as the Trump administration's Justice Department seeks to dismiss them. The race is further heating up with several other Democratic challengers vying for the nomination ahead of the June 24 primary.

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4. Middle East Ceasefire Negotiations: Stagnation in Israel-Hamas Talks

Key Points: A senior Hamas official confirmed the lack of progress in the second phase of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, a group backed by Iran. The initial phase involved the release of 33 hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. This phase is set to expire today, raising concerns about the resumption of hostilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Senior Hamas Official [03:04]: Stated, "There's been no progress in the latest round of talks on the second phase of the ceasefire deal."

Insights: The expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire without advancement in negotiations jeopardizes the fragile pause in fighting. The second phase was anticipated to potentially bring an end to the ongoing conflict, but uncertainty looms over whether peace talks will continue or if warfare will reignite in Gaza as remaining hostages are returned to Israel.

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5. Health: Breakthroughs in Alzheimer's Treatment

Key Points: Innovative treatments for Alzheimer's disease are making headlines as thousands of patients receive new drugs that can slow disease progression by removing amyloid plaques from the brain. NPR's John Hamilton reports on the challenges faced by families in assessing the efficacy of these treatments.

Notable Quotes:

• Ken Bell [04:08]: "Leqembi may have given us more time."
• Sue Bell [04:25]: "So many of the people who are diagnosed have deteriorated a lot quicker than I think I did."
• Ken Bell [04:33]: "He's not sure, though, because Alzheimer's course varies from person to person."

Insights: While the drugs Leqembi and its counterpart offer hope by targeting amyloid plaques, they do not halt the progression of Alzheimer's. Families, such as the Bells, observe varied responses to treatment, highlighting the personalized nature of the disease and the difficulty in determining the drugs' long-term benefits. The discontinuation of Leqembi in some cases underscores the nuanced decisions families must make regarding treatment continuation.

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6. Sports: Iditarod Dog Sled Race in Alaska

Key Points: The ceremonial start of the annual Iditarod dog sled race commenced in Alaska, with the official race scheduled to take place on Monday. This event is a significant cultural tradition, celebrating resilience and the bond between mushers and their sled dogs.

Insights: The Iditarod serves as both a sporting challenge and a tribute to Alaska’s history, attracting participants and spectators worldwide. The ceremonial start symbolizes the enduring spirit of competition and the deep-rooted connection to the Alaskan wilderness.

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Conclusion

The episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a broad spectrum of current events, from geopolitical tensions and electoral politics to advancements in medical science and cultural festivities. Through insightful reporting and firsthand accounts, NPR continues to deliver essential news in an accessible and engaging manner, ensuring that audiences are well-informed on the issues shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. European leaders are still reeling from the contentious meeting at the White House yesterday between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelen. Terry Schultz reports about a dozen heads of state and government will gather tomorrow.

[Terri Schultz]

In London where they will brainstorm about.

[Jeanine Herbst]

What to do next.

[Kayakalis]

European leaders came out strong for Ukraine after the demise of the White House meeting. A coordinated message between the presidents of the European Union institutions urged Zelenskyy to be strong, be brave, be fearless, saying the EU will keep working with him for a just and lasting peace. EU foreign policy chief Kayakalis had a more provocative message, saying the free world needs a new leader and that Europe should step up. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the Sunday summit to focus on how to strengthen Ukraine's position for eventual negotiations with Russia and what security guarantees Europe may be able to offer for a peace deal. But the new crisis between Ukraine and the US Is overshadowing all else. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz in Brussels.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Pentagon is deploying as many as 3,000 additional troops to the U. S. Mexico border as part of President Trump's efforts to prevent illegal crossings. NPR Scott Newman has more.

[Scott Newman]

The Pentagon says the active duty troops being sent are part of a Stryker Brigade combat team and a general support aviation battalion. They will join others sent shortly after Trump took office in January and some 2,500 National Guard troops already there since the Biden administration. The latest deployment comes despite a sharp drop in border crossings. Meanwhile, a US Official who spoke to NPR in condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to talk about troop movements said site inspections have wrapped up at Fort Bliss, Texas, where thousands of migrants are expected to be detained. Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.

[Terri Schultz]

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Officially declared he's running for mayor of New York City to unseat fellow Democrat Eric Adams.

[Andrew Cuomo]

Are you ready to fight to save our city? I know that I am. Let's do it. Let's do it together and let's do it now.

Now.

[Terri Schultz]

That's Cuomo from his YouTube video announcement.

[Jeanine Herbst]

That he released on his website. He's jumping back into politics just three years after he resigned the governorship following multiple sexual harassment allegations. This comes as Mayor Adams has been.

[Terri Schultz]

Embroiled in scandal for months following a.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Federal indictment on corruption charges. But the case against Adams is on hold as the Trump administration's Justice Department seeks to dismiss the charges.

[Terri Schultz]

Adams denies all of the charges, but.

[Jeanine Herbst]

It'S already a crowded race.

[Terri Schultz]

A handful of other Democratic candidates are.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Also running ahead of the June 24 primary, challenging Adams path to a second term. This is npr. A senior Hamas official says there's been no progress in the latest round of talks on the second phase of the.

[Terri Schultz]

Ceasefire deal between Israel and the Iranian.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Backed militant group Hamas. It's not clear whether the talks will resume. 33 hostages were released, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in the ceasefire's first phase, which expires today. But under the terms of the deal, fighting isn't supposed to resume while negotiations are underway on the second phase, which could see an end to the war.

[Terri Schultz]

In Gaza and the remaining living hostages returned to Israel.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Thousands of Alzheimer patients are being treated with a pair of new drugs that can sometimes slow down the disease. But as NPR's John Hamilton reports, it's.

[Terri Schultz]

Often hard for family members to know whether the drugs are working.

[Ken Bell]

Sue Bell started taking the drug Leqembi in 2020 as part of a clinical trial. It's one of two drugs approved since 2023 that can remove sticky amyloid plaques from the brain. Neither drug can stop the disease, but Sue's husband, Ken Bell, thinks leqembi may have given them more time.

[Sue Bell]

So many of the people who are diagnosed have deteriorated a lot quicker than I think sue did.

[Ken Bell]

He's not sure, though, because Alzheimer's course varies from person to person. Sue Bell stopped taking Leqembi in 2024 when cognitive tests indicated it was no longer likely to help her. John Hamilton, NPR News.

[Terri Schultz]

In Alaska, a ceremonial start to the Iditarod dog sled race got in underway today. The takes place on Monday. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News.

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