NPR News: 03-03-2025 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of March 3, 2025, 9 AM EST Episode

Ukraine and European Support

In the latest developments surrounding Ukraine, European nations have pledged their continued support in the wake of last Friday's intense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is actively working to broker a peace deal aimed at ending Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Korva Coleman (00:16), "European nations are coming to Ukraine's defense," highlighting the unified stance of Europe against Russian aggression.

U.S. GOP Division Over Zelenskyy's Leadership

The episode delves into the growing rift within the Republican Party regarding support for President Zelenskyy. Following the fraught meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, prominent Republicans have expressed skepticism about Zelenskyy's leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana voiced his concerns, stating to NBC News (00:43, 00:50):

"Either he needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to leave the country to do that."
– Mike Johnson, House Speaker of Louisiana

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina went as far as suggesting that Zelenskyy should resign or make significant changes (00:56). However, not all GOP members share this viewpoint. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma countered Graham's stance, declaring to NBC News (01:10):

"I'm not interested in calling on the resignation of other world leaders."
– Senator James Lankford, Oklahoma

Adding to the bipartisan perspective, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont staunchly defended Zelenskyy, emphasizing his role in defending democracy against Russian aggression (01:13):

"Zelensky is leading a country trying to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator, Putin, who invaded his country."
– Senator Bernie Sanders, Vermont

Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations and Aid Blockade

Turning to the Middle East, Speaker Mike Johnson also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling him as "dangerous and not to be trusted" (01:30). In the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Israel is pressuring Hamas to agree to a revised ceasefire agreement for Gaza. However, Hamas has rejected these changes, leading to Israel halting all relief supplies into the region. NPR's Cad Lansdorf reports (01:30):

"Israel has stopped the flow of much-needed aid, like food and medical supplies into the enclave. Israel controls what gets in and out of Gaza, and aid groups have warned that this blocking of aid violates international law."

The blockade has drawn condemnation from various Arab nations, raising concerns over humanitarian impacts and legal violations.

Measles Outbreak in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported over 160 cases of measles across the United States this year, predominantly stemming from a significant outbreak in West Texas. Amy Held provides detailed coverage (02:07):

"Most stem from a growing outbreak in West Texas."

The Texas Capitol confirmed its first measles case in years—a tragic incident involving an unvaccinated infant in Austin. In Lubbock, Shanae Brown expressed her anxiety for her newborn, who is too young to receive the vaccine recommended at 12 months (02:37):

"I really want her to have it."
– Shanae Brown, Lubbock Resident

Tragically, on February 26th, an unvaccinated child died in Gaines County, where the outbreak originated. The CDC emphasizes the importance of maintaining a 95% vaccination rate in kindergartens to prevent such outbreaks, noting that the current rate stands at approximately 82% (02:54).

Pope Francis' Health and Academy Awards Highlights

Pope Francis continues his recovery from a recent respiratory crisis, having spent another night in a Rome hospital. Vatican officials assure that the pontiff is stable, off mechanical ventilation, and not showing signs of a new infection (03:10).

In the realm of entertainment, the Academy Awards celebrated an unconventional romantic comedy-drama about a sex worker in New York amidst ongoing wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles. Steve Futterman reports (03:44):

"The Oscar goes to the story of an exotic dancer and sex worker who falls in love and marries the son of a Russian oligarch."

Academy Awards Winners:

• Best Picture: An unconventional romantic comedy-drama.
• Best Lead Actress: Mikey Madison for her title role.
• Best Lead Actor: Adrien Brody for his performance in The Brutalist.
• Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing: Sean Baker.
• Supporting Roles: Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin took home awards in their respective categories.

Rescue of Long-Distance Rower Arimas Machus

In sports news, Arimas Machus, a long-distance rower attempting to cross the Pacific Ocean solo from California to Australia, was rescued after encountering a severe tropical cyclone. Days away from completing his 7,500-mile journey, Machus had to abandon his quest due to the impending storm, as reported by Korva Coleman (04:34).

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant global and domestic events, from geopolitical tensions and public health crises to noteworthy achievements in entertainment and heroic rescues. With detailed reports and insightful quotes from key figures, listeners are kept well-informed on the pressing issues of the day.

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Timestamp References:

• 00:16 – News Introduction by Korva Coleman
• 00:43 – Luke Garrett on Mike Johnson’s stance
• 00:50 – Steve Futterman’s quote from Johnson
• 00:56 – Luke Garrett on Lindsey Graham’s suggestion
• 01:10 – Steve Futterman’s quote from James Lankford
• 01:13 – Luke Garrett on Bernie Sanders’s defense of Zelenskyy
• 01:18 – Steve Futterman’s quote from Sanders
• 01:30 – Korva Coleman on Putin and Israel-Gaza situation
• 01:52 – Amy Held on Israel’s aid blockade
• 02:07 – Korva Coleman on CDC’s measles report
• 02:37 – Amy Held on Texas measles case
• 02:49 – Korva Coleman’s mention of Shanae Brown’s concern
• 02:51 – Steve Futterman on measles death
• 02:54 – Amy Held on measures to prevent outbreaks
• 03:10 – Korva Coleman on Pope Francis and Academy Awards
• 03:44 – Steve Futterman on Oscar-winning film
• 04:34 – Korva Coleman on Arimas Machus’s rescue

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. European nations are coming to Ukraine's defense following last Friday's fiery meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Trump. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is working to create a peace deal to end Russia's war in ukra. Meanwhile, top Republicans in the US Are questioning Zelenskyy's leadership of Ukraine following Friday's disastrous meeting. But NPR's Luke Garrett reports not all of the GOP is on the same page.

[Luke Garrett]

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana threw his support of Zelenskyy into doubt on Sunday. He told NBC News, either he needs.

[Steve Futterman]

To come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to leave the country to do that.

[Luke Garrett]

On Friday, following the tense Trump Zelensky meeting, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina suggested Zelensky should resign or change. But on Sunday, GOP Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma told NBC News he disagrees.

[Steve Futterman]

I'm not interested in calling on the resignation of other world leaders.

[Luke Garrett]

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont defended Zelensky outright on NBC News.

[Steve Futterman]

Zelensky is leading a country trying to defend democracy against an authoritarian dictator, Putin, who invaded his country.

[Luke Garrett]

Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Meanwhile, Speaker Johnson also criticized Vladimir Putin. Johnson says Putin is dangerous and not to be trusted. Israel is pressuring Hamas to agree to a new variation of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas for Gaza. Hamas has not accepted the change. NPR's Cad Lansdorf says that now Israel has halted all relief supplies into Gaza.

[Amy Held]

Israel has stopped the flow of much needed aid, like food and medical supplies into the enclave. Israel controls what gets in and out of Gaza, and aid groups have warned that this blocking of aid violates international law. Other Arab countries have condemned it.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Kat Lansdorf reporting. Israel says the change to the ceasefire calls for the release of more hostages and that it retains the right to go back to war if negotiations fail. Hamas says Israel is working to evade the original agreement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than 160 measles cases have been reported across the country this year. NPR's Amy Held reports that most stem from a growing outbreak in West Texas.

[Amy Held]

Friday, the Texas Capitol confirmed its first measles case in years, an unvaccinated infant in Austin. To the north in Lubbock, Shanae Brown worries for her newborn, too young for the vaccine, recommended at 12 months.

[Korva Coleman]

I really want her to have it.

[Steve Futterman]

Especially with the first case of someone dying. Recently.

[Amy Held]

Officials confirmed February 26th an unvaccinated child died in the outbreak in Gaines county, where it started. The kindergarten vaccination rate is around 82%. To protect against outbreaks, the CDC says it should be 95%. Amy Held, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The Vatican says that Pope Francis has spent another night in a Rome hospital with good rest. This follows a respiratory crisis last week. Vatican officials say the pontiff is stable and off mechanical ventilation. He is not showing any signs of a new infection. Amid wildfire recovery in Los Angeles, an unconventional romantic comedy drama about a sex worker in New York was the big winner at last night's Academy Awards. Steve Futterman has more.

[Steve Futterman]

On a night when there wasn't a clear favorite for best picture, there was suspense until the very end when Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal opened the final envelope. And the Oscar goes to the story of an exotic dancer and sex worker who falls in love and marries the son of a Russian oligarch, won best picture along with a slew of other awards.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

And the Oscar goes to Mikey Madison.

[Steve Futterman]

Mikey Madison, who plays the title role, won best lead actress. Sean Baker, the man behind the film, won four awards for producer, best director, best original screenplay and best film editing. Adrien Brody won best lead actor for the Brutalist. Other acting awards went to Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman. At the Academy Awards in Hollywood, a.

[Korva Coleman]

Long distance rower has been rescued off Australia. Arimas Machus was trying to row by himself across the Pacific Ocean from California. He was days away from completing his 7,500 mile journey to Australia, but he ran into a looming tropical cyclone and had to abandon his journey. This is NPR support for this podcast.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

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