NPR News: 03-03-2025 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: March 3, 2025, 9 PM EST Summary

Release Date: March 4, 2025

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest developments both domestically and internationally. Hosted by Jack Spear and supplemented by reports from Lou Garrett, Cory Turner, and Alison Aubrey, the episode covered critical topics ranging from U.S. foreign aid policies and economic shifts to significant political appointments and groundbreaking studies on mental well-being.

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1. Trump Administration Pauses Aid to Ukraine

In a surprising move, the Trump administration announced a pause in aid to Ukraine, signaling increased pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to a White House official speaking on background at [00:17], President Trump emphasized his commitment to peace, stating:

“We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure it's contributing to a solution.” ([00:17])

This decision follows a contentious meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. While the U.S. reevaluates its support, European nations are actively working to form a coalition to continue backing Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions.

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2. President Trump's Upcoming Address to Congress

President Trump is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress and the nation, marking the first major speech of his new term. Security has been tightened around the U.S. Capitol in anticipation of the event. According to NPR’s Lou Garrett, Capitol Police have implemented additional measures, including the installation of anti-scale fencing at [00:59].

Since returning to the White House, President Trump has signed over 75 executive orders focusing on reducing federal government size and securing the border. Senior advisor Jason Miller, speaking to FOX News, highlighted that the president's speech will emphasize these executive actions and urge lawmakers to support his legislative agenda:

“That's going to be a big component getting this one big beautiful tax bill done that. The House has already made some great steps. We need more money for the border to keep it permanently secure.” ([01:23])

Additionally, the administration is seeking Congress's approval for new spending priorities by March 14 to advance these initiatives.

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3. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Announces Major U.S. Investment

In a significant boost to the U.S. semiconductor industry, TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, announced a $100 billion investment over four years. This strategic move complements the efforts of other tech giants like Apple, Intel, and Nvidia, which have collectively pledged over $65 billion to U.S. production facilities under the Biden administration's CHIPS Act. These investments aim to enhance domestic chip manufacturing capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and fostering technological advancements.

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4. Linda McMahon Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Education

The Senate has confirmed Linda McMahon, the billionaire entrepreneur and former professional wrestling executive, as the next U.S. Secretary of Education. The confirmation vote occurred along strict party lines during her hearing [01:33]. McMahon pledged to adhere to President Trump’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education, though she assured lawmakers she would not cut funding for vulnerable student groups. Instead, she expressed intentions to reallocate responsibilities to other federal agencies:

“I would not seek to cut that funding, but I would try to have responsibility for it moved to other federal agencies.” ([02:19])

However, public sentiment remains largely against abolishing the department. A recent NPR-PBS News Marist poll revealed that 63% of Americans oppose or strongly oppose the elimination of the Education Department, highlighting potential challenges ahead for McMahon's tenure.

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5. Wall Street Experiences a Major Sell-Off Amid Tariff Concerns

Wall Street opened the week on a downturn as investors reacted to the Trump administration’s tariffs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 649 points, reflecting widespread anxiety among investors and business leaders about the potential economic repercussions of ongoing trade policies [03:00].

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6. Israel Proposes New Ceasefire Plan Amid Gaza Conflict

Israel has unveiled a new ceasefire proposal aimed at compelling Hamas militants to accept peace terms by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip. This plan diverges from the previous agreement reached in January. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributes the proposal to the efforts of a U.S. president’s Mideast envoy, although the White House has not officially confirmed the involvement of President Trump. The proposed terms reportedly include demanding Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a commitment to negotiate a lasting truce [03:00].

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7. NPR Study Reveals Techniques to Enhance Positive Emotions and Reduce Anxiety

A study associated with NPR's Stressless series identified eight key skills that can significantly bolster positive emotions and mitigate anxiety. Conducted through an online course, participants engaged in practices such as positive reappraisal, recognizing positive events, and savoring moments [03:55].

One of the standout findings was the increase in participants' sense of self-efficacy—the belief in one's ability to achieve goals:

“Self-efficacy can go hand in hand with feeling more positive.” ([04:24])

Judy Moskowitz of Northwestern University, the program's developer, explained that enhanced self-efficacy leads to an "upward spiral," where initial progress fosters greater positive emotions, thereby encouraging further action toward personal goals [04:30].

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8. Crude Oil Prices Drop as OPEC+ Announces Output Increase

Crude oil futures declined by 2% to a 12-week low amid fears of escalating tariffs. This downturn coincided with an announcement from OPEC+ (including Russia) regarding a planned increase in oil production set for April. The combined effect of reduced demand expectations and increased supply contributed to the downward pressure on oil prices [04:39].

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For more detailed updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR News Now or visit NPR's official website.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Trump administration, in an apparent further effort to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, says it is pausing aid Ukraine. That's according to a White House official speaking on background who said the president has been clear he's focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure it's contributing to a solution. It comes just days after a disastrous meeting between President Trump and Zelenskyy. Europe, meanwhile, is working to forge a coalition to support Ukraine. President Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress and the nation tomorrow night in the first major address of his new term. NPR's Lou Garrett says security will be high.

[NPR Announcer]

Outside the U.S. capitol, workers are installing anti scale fencing, an added security measure for Trump's joint address, according to Capitol Police. Since returning to the White House, Trump has signed more than 75 executive orders aimed at reducing the federal government and securing the border, among other issues. Senior advisor Jason Miller told FOX News on Sunday that the president's speech will highlight his executive actions and push lawmakers to support his agenda.

[Jack Spear]

That's going to be a big component getting this one big beautiful tax bill done that. The House has already made some great steps. We need more money for the border to keep it permanently secure.

[NPR Announcer]

The president now needs Congress to approve new spending that supports his priorities by March 14. LUKE GARRETT, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

A major investment by giant chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has been announced today by President Trump. The $100 billion investment in the US promised over a four year period. TSMC is the world's largest semiconductor maker and produces chips. Apple, intel and Nvidia companies already announced plans to invest more than $65 billion in the U.S. including in three plants in Arizona, after receiving money under the Biden administration's CHIPS act, which is designed to encourage domestic production of semiconductors. Linda McMahon, the billionaire and former professional wrestling exec has been confirmed by the Senate to be the next U.S. secretary of Education. And Bureau's Cory Turner has more.

[Cory Turner]

McMahon's confirmation vote broke along party lines at her confirmation hearing. She told lawmakers she would faithfully execute President Trump's plan to dismantle the US Department of Education. The department notably provides funding to help schools serve two vulnerable student groups, those living in low income neighborhoods and children with disabilities. McMahon told lawmakers she would not seek to cut that funding, but she would try to have responsibility for it moved to other federal agencies. In a recent NPR PBS News Marist poll, 63% of Americans polled said they opposed or or strongly opposed getting rid of the Education Department. Cory Turner, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Major sell off to start the week on Wall street as investors and business leaders worry about the ramifications of Trump administration tariffs. The Dow fell 649 points today. You're listening to NPR News. Israel is out with what it's calling a new ceasefire plan and is seeking to force Hamas militants to accept it by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip. The plan is different from one the two sides agreed to in January. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the new proposal comes from US President Trump's Mideast envoy, though the White House has yet to confirm that the new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Preliminary results of a study tied to NPR's Stressless series shows a set of eight skills can help to improve positive emotions and reduce anxiety. NPR's Alison Arbery reports.

[Alison Aubrey]

The thousands of people who signed up were offered the chance to practice a series of skills through an online course, including positive reappraisal, noticing positive events and savoring them. One of the most striking findings is that participants sense of self efficacy increased, which means they started to believe more in their own ability to set a goal and accomplish it. Judy Moskowitz of Northwestern University, who developed the program and ran the study, says self efficacy can go hand in hand with feeling more positive.

[NPR Announcer]

It's an upward spiral where you maybe take the first step, you feel some.

[Alison Aubrey]

Progress towards your goal, and this can increase positive emotion, which can then help people take the next step. Alison Aubrey, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Crude oil futures prices fell 2% today to a 12 week low on tariff worries. Coupled with an announcement by OPEC Russia, the group intends to proceed with a planned oil output increase in April. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Announcer]

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