NPR News: 03-04-2025 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of March 4, 2025, 7 PM EST Episode

Release Date: March 5, 2025

---

President Donald Trump to Address Congress

Timestamp: [00:19] – [01:08]

In the latest developments from Washington, President Donald Trump is set to deliver a significant address to a joint session of Congress tonight at 9 PM Eastern. Unlike a traditional State of the Union, which occurs after a president's first year in office, this joint address allows Trump to outline his administration’s agenda following his six-week tenure into his second term.

Elena Moore, NPR News Reporter, highlights that Trump's initial weeks have been action-packed, focusing on restructuring the federal government, intensifying crackdowns on illegal immigration, and redefining the United States' role on the global stage. This proactive approach has garnered strong support from his base while simultaneously provoking concern among his opponents. The address is anticipated to set the tone for Trump's presidency moving forward.

---

Trade Tensions Escalate Between the U.S. and Canada

Timestamp: [01:08] – [02:06]

Trade relations between the United States and Canada have entered a contentious phase following President Trump’s imposition of a 25% tariff on most products imported from Canada and Mexico earlier today. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has retaliated by announcing a corresponding 25% import tax on approximately $100 billion worth of U.S. goods, effective in the coming weeks.

Jackie Northam, NPR News Reporter, reports that Prime Minister Trudeau criticized Trump's tariffs, stating they would inflict "enormous pain on both sides of the border." During a press conference, Trudeau directly addressed Trump, even referring to him by his first name, highlighting the personal nature of the dispute.

When Trudeau cited a Wall Street Journal editorial, Trump dismissed his remarks, labeling Trudeau as "Governor Trudeau" and threatened the imposition of additional tariffs next month, escalating the trade war further.

---

New Secretary of Education Plans to Dismantle the Department

Timestamp: [02:06] – [02:57]

Linda McMahon, the newly appointed Secretary of Education, has sent a decisive message to her department’s staff, signaling her intention to rapidly dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

As reported by Cory Turner, NPR News, McMahon's note, available on the department's website, stated:

"The department is not working as intended. We must start thinking about our final mission at the department as an overhaul, a last chance to restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great. This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service for students." ([02:16])

This assertive approach reflects the Trump administration’s broader agenda to reduce federal involvement in education. However, public opinion, as indicated by a recent NPR PBS News Marist poll, shows that 63% of Americans oppose abolishing the Department of Education, suggesting potential backlash against McMahon's plans.

---

Severe Weather Impacts and Economic Turmoil

Timestamp: [02:57] – [03:47]

The southern and Central Plains states are grappling with severe weather conditions, including powerful storms in Texas and Oklahoma. These storms have brought high winds, heavy rain, and widespread power outages, with wind gusts reaching up to 85 miles per hour. Simultaneously, the Midwest is preparing for blizzard-like conditions, exacerbating the region's challenges.

The economic repercussions of these weather events contributed to a significant downturn in the stock market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunging by 670 points.

---

Suicide Bombing Attack on Pakistani Military Base

Timestamp: [03:47] – [04:30]

A tragic attack occurred at a military base in northwestern Pakistan, where suicide bombers breached the perimeter and stormed the compound. The assault resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and injured 30 others. Pakistani authorities have attributed the attack to a faction allied with the Taliban, marking a concerning escalation in regional instability.

---

Liu Jiakun Wins the Prestigious Pritzker Prize

Timestamp: [03:47] – [04:22]

In the world of architecture, Liu Jiakun has been honored with the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest accolade. Born in 1956, Liu is a pioneering figure who established one of China’s first private architectural firms. His diverse portfolio includes museums, university buildings, and even a unique maternity ward for pandas at a research institution in Chengdu.

During an interview, Liu recounted the aftermath of the devastating 2008 earthquake in China, where his firm innovatively created "rebirth bricks" from earthquake rubble. These bricks were utilized in rebuilding efforts, symbolizing resilience and renewal. Liu emphasized that each brick "contained a visible memory of what came before," reflecting his commitment to honoring the past while building for the future.

---

Mardi Gras Celebrations Amid Enhanced Security

Timestamp: [04:30] – [04:58]

Today marks Fat Tuesday, the grand finale of the Carnival season, famously celebrated in New Orleans. The festivities feature vibrant parades, elaborate costumes, social club gatherings, and the tossing of trinkets to revelers. However, this year's celebrations are under heightened security due to a previous attack on January 1 that resulted in 14 fatalities.

As a precaution, certain Mardi Gras parades were postponed to ensure public safety. Despite these measures, the spirit of the festival remains strong, with participants donning bejeweled outfits and feathered dresses, continuing the age-old traditions that make Mardi Gras a cherished cultural event.

---

Note: Advertisements and sponsor messages have been omitted from this summary to focus on the episode's core news content.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Rosetta Stone, an expert in language learning for 30 years. Right now, NPR listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership to 25 different languages for 50% off. Learn more at rosetta stone.com NPR LIVE.

[Jack Spear]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Donald Trump will deliver an address to a joint session of Congress tonight. He has been in office for six weeks and has launched a of action since returning to the White House for his second term. NPR's Elena Moore reports.

[Elena Moore]

Though similar, this won't be a State of the Union address. Those happen after a president's first year in office. This joint address lets a newly sworn in president lay out their agenda. And Trump's first few weeks have been busy. His administration has taken steps to dramatically reshape the federal government, crack down on illegal immigration and redefine the US Role abroad. He his supporters are thrilled, his detractors dismayed. Trump's remarks are set to kick off at 9pm Eastern. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lashed out at President Trump, accusing him of starting a trade war. It came after Trump earlier today imposed 25% tariffs on most products from Canada and Mexico. Here's NPR's Jackie Northam.

[Jackie Northam]

Prime Minister Trudeau quickly responded to Trump's tariffs, saying Canada would impose its own 25% import tax on about $100 billion of US good goods that'll be rolled out over the next couple of weeks. He says Trump's tariffs will cause enormous pain on both sides of the border. At a press conference, Trudeau addressed Trump directly. He looked straight into the camera and called him by his first name, as he referred to a recent editorial in the Wall Street Journal.

[Donald Trump]

Donald, they point out that even though you're a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do.

[Jackie Northam]

Trump responded dismissively, calling him Governor Trudeau and threatening more tariffs likely next month. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

New Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent a note to staff making it clear she will work quickly to dismantle the department. NPR's Cory Turner reports.

[Donald Trump]

The new secretary's note, which is posted on the Education Department's website, says the department is not working as intended. We must start thinking about our final mission at the department as an overhaul, she writes, a last chance to restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great. And she closes speaking directly to Education Department staff, telling them this is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service for students, according to a new NPR PBS News Marist poll, 63% of Americans do not support getting rid of the U.S. department of Education. Cory Turner, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Swaths of the south and Central Plains states continue to deal with bad weather. Storms hit Texas and Oklahoma today, brought high winds and rain along with power outages. There were wind gusts of up to 85 miles an hour. Meanwhile, in the Central Plains in the Midwest, they're bracing for blizzard like conditions. The Dow fell 670 points. This is NPR. An attack by suicide bombers against a military base in Pakistan has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 12 people and left 30 others. INJ officials say the two suicide bombers apparently breached a wall at the base in northwestern Pakistan today, while others stormed the compound. A group affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. An architect from China has won architecture's most prestigious award, the Pritzker Prize. NPR's Neta Oubli has more.

[Neta Ulippi]

Liu Jiakun was born in 1956. He was one of the first architects to start a private firm in China. He's mostly worked there throughout his career, designing museums, university buildings, even a maternity ward for pandas at a research institution in Chengdu. Liu told NPR through his translator, his 24 year old son Martin, that after a deadly earthquake in 2008, his firm made bricks from the rubble. They became known as rebirth bricks because of what they were used for, like.

[Donald Trump]

Reconstructions of some buildings in villages and also some public buildings in the city.

[Neta Ulippi]

Each brick, he said, contained a visible memory of what came before. Netta Ulippi, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Today is the day known as Fat Tuesday, when revelers fill the streets wearing colorful costumes. In New Orleans and elsewhere, the culmination of the weeks long carnival season features traditions including social clubs, tossing trinkets and bejeweled outfits and feathered dresses. Enhanced security is in effect in New Orleans that follows an attack on January 1 that killed 14 people. Some Mardi Gras parades were postponed. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message comes from Viking committed to exploring the world in comfort. Journey through the heart of Europe on an elegant Viking longship with thoughtful service, destination focused dining and cultural enrichment on board and on shore. And every Viking voyage is all inclusive with no children and no casinos. Discover [e-mail].