NPR News: 03-02-2025 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – March 2, 2025, 5 PM EST

Hosted by Jeanine Herbst

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Europe at the Crossroads: UK Leads Coalition for Ukraine Peace

In a pivotal moment for European and global politics, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that "Europe is at the crossroads of history" (00:14). Speaking from London after a high-level summit that included European and Canadian leaders alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Starmer outlined a bold strategy aimed at securing peace in Ukraine.

Starmer announced that the UK, alongside France and other nations forming a "coalition of the willing," is actively working to formulate a comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. He emphasized the plan to present this agreement to the United States, bolstered by "billions in new European pledges of military aid" (00:36). This initiative underscores the UK's commitment to leading European efforts in stabilizing the region.

Vicki Barker, reporting from London, highlighted Starmer's strategic vision: "Europe must do the heavy lifting, but to support peace in our continent and to succeed, this effort must have strong US backing" (00:55). Starmer further affirmed the UK's readiness to contribute militarily, stating, "the UK is prepared to put boots on the ground to ensure peace in Ukraine is achieved and maintained" (01:06). This dual approach of diplomatic negotiation and potential military support underscores the UK's comprehensive strategy toward achieving lasting peace in Ukraine.

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Historic Meeting: Zelensky Meets King Charles

Following the summit, Ukrainian President Zelensky held a significant meeting with King Charles at Sandringham. This encounter marked their first meeting since 2023 at Buckingham Palace, symbolizing a strengthening of ties between Ukraine and the British monarchy. The meeting serves as a testament to the ongoing support and solidarity between Ukraine and the United Kingdom amidst the conflict.

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US Political Landscape: Rubio Defends Trump's Peace Efforts

In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed recent controversies surrounding President Trump's approach to ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking on ABC's "This Week," Rubio confronted criticisms of Trump's behavior towards Alinsky, the head of a federal watchdog agency, during a contentious White House meeting last week.

Rubio posed a critical question: "If there are no negotiations, what is the alternative? Another four years of war, another three years of war in which the United States and Europe continues to pour billions of dollars into a war in Ukraine?" (01:46). He stressed that President Trump remains "committed to peace in Ukraine" and asserted that "Russia needs to be involved in the process" (01:46). Rubio's statements reflect the administration's strategic stance that involving Russia in negotiations is essential to achieving a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

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Judicial Challenge: Trump Blocked from Firing Watchdog Agency Head

A significant legal battle emerged as a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled that President Trump cannot unilaterally fire Hampton Dellinger, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, without cause (01:59). NPR's Amy Held reported that Judge Amy Berman Jackson concluded Trump's attempt to dismiss Dellinger "would give the president a constitutional license to bully officials in the executive branch into doing his will" (02:28).

The Trump administration has indicated its intention to appeal the ruling, potentially escalating the case to the Supreme Court. This decision is a part of a broader series of legal challenges aimed at curtailing President Trump's efforts to dismantle or exert greater control over independent government agencies. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the balance of power within the executive branch and the autonomy of federal watchdog entities.

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97th Annual Academy Awards: A Competitive Race for Best Picture

Hollywood's marquee event, the 97th Annual Academy Awards, is set to take place tonight without a clear favorite for the Best Picture award (03:06). Steve Futterman provided an overview of the competing films, highlighting the diversity in this year's nominations.

One frontrunner tells the tale of an adult dancer who falls in love with and marries the son of a Russian oligarch, bringing a personal and dramatic narrative to the awards race. In contrast, the other top contender, "Conclave," delves into the intricate and high-stakes process of electing a pope, offering a blend of political and religious intrigue.

A memorable moment from the nominations included a humorous exchange from one of the nominated films: "I can speak Russian. I just prefer not to. But you can go ahead and speak" (03:45). The ceremony will also feature noteworthy acting nominations, with stars like Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and Zoe Saldana in the spotlight.

Additionally, the awards night will honor those who battled the Southern California fires, recognizing their bravery and resilience. A special tribute will also be paid to two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman, celebrating his illustrious career and contributions to the film industry (03:58).

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Weekend Box Office: Mixed Reviews for Top Films

The weekend box office saw "Captain Brave New World" retain its leading position with an estimated $15 million in ticket sales, bringing its total gross to $163 million since its release (04:19). Despite its commercial success, the film has faced criticism from both critics and audiences for not delivering the anticipated Marvel-level reset of its franchise, leaving some fans disappointed with the sequel's direction.

In second place was "The Last Breath," which earned $7 million over the weekend. This film, based on a true story, follows a routine deep-diving mission that spirals into disaster, offering a gripping adventure narrative. While it performed solidly at the box office, reactions highlight a diverse range of audience preferences, reflecting the competitive nature of the current film landscape (04:19).

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Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Europe is at the crossroads of history. He made the comment after a summit he hosted in London today with European and Canadian leaders, along with Ukrainian President Zelensky on ways to help Ukraine. Vicki Barker has more from London.

[Keir Starmer]

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that in the coming days, the UK France and other nations in what he called a coalition of the willing, will put together a peace deal for and with Ukraine to present to the United States a deal that would come with billions in new European pledges of military aid.

[Vicki Barker]

Europe must do the heavy listing, but to support peace in our continent and to succeed, this effort must have strong US Backing.

[Keir Starmer]

Starmer making it clear that the UK At Least, is prepared to put boots on the ground to ensure peace in Ukraine is achieved and maintained. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And after the summit, Zelensky met with King Charles in Sandringham. The two heads of state first met in 2023 and Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio today defended President Trump's behavior towards Alinsky in a contentious meeting at the White House last week. And he says Trump is still committed to peace in Ukraine and that Russia needs to be involved in the process.

[Marco Rubio]

If there are no negotiations, what is the alternative? Another four years of war, another three years of war in which the United States and Europe and continues to pour billions of dollars into a war in Ukraine? Is that the alternative?

[Jeanine Herbst]

Rubio Speaking there on ABC's this Week, Rubio claims Trump's only goal is to get Russia to the table to find a way to end the war. A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has ruled that President Trump can't fire without cause the head of a federal watchdog agency. The Trump administration says it will appeal, likely sending the case to the Supreme Court. NPR's Amy Held reports. It's one of many cases pushing against Trump's efforts to dismantle the government.

[Amy Held]

Judge Amy Berman, Jackson blocked Trump from firing Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency charged with protecting the rights of federal workers. On February 7, Dellinger was fired without explanation, allowing that, Jackson ruled, would give the president, quote, a constitutional license to bully officials in the executive branch into doing his will. The Trump administration has argued reinstating Dellinger would interfere with the president's power to determine who runs executive agencies, Trump has been steadily expanding his control over entities designed to be independent of the White House.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Amy Held reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Tonight, Hollywood's biggest prize will be handed out. It's the 97th annual Academy Awards. And this year, well, there's no clear favorite for the top prize, best picture. Steve Futterman has more.

[Steve Futterman]

Last year, Oppenheimer was the clear favorite and it won. But this year, two very different films appear to be battling for the top award. The story of an adult dancer who falls in love and marries the son of a Russian oligarch.

[Unknown]

I can speak Russian. I just prefer not to. But you can go ahead and speak.

[Steve Futterman]

The other top contender is Conclave. It depicts the election of a pope.

[Vicki Barker]

Let us pray that God will grant us a pope who doubts.

[Steve Futterman]

Among those in contention for acting awards, Adrien Brody, Timothee Chalamet, Demi Moore and Zoe Saldana. There will be a special tribute to those who fought the Southern California fires. And two time Oscar winner Gene Hackman will also be remembered. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And at the weekend box office, Captain Brave New World took the top spot once again with an estimated $15 million in ticket sales. The Anthony Mackie led film has made $163 million since its release, but it has been slammed by many critics and audiences for failing to bring the marvel reset that some had hoped for. In second place, the Last Breath with just $7 million. The film based on a true story adventure, is about a routine deep diving mission that goes wrong. I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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