NPR News Now – March 7, 2025, 3 PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Producer: NPR
Release Date: March 7, 2025

1. U.S.-Russia Tensions and Ukraine Ceasefire Prospects

Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by addressing the escalating tensions between the United States and Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Following President Trump's recent threats of sanctions and tariffs against Russia, Singh reports on his latest remarks:

"I believe him. I believe him. I think we're doing very well with Russia, but right now they're bombing the hell out of Ukraine and Ukraine, I'm finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine."
— Donald Trump [00:30]

This statement reflects Trump's cautious optimism that Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks an end to the war, despite current aggressive actions. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains skeptical, insisting that Putin has previously broken peace commitments and may do so again. During a Q&A session in the Oval Office, Trump defended his fluctuating stance on tariffs, emphasizing the need for flexibility:

"There will always be changes and adjustments."
— Donald Trump [00:42]

The discussion also touched upon potential reciprocal tariffs targeting Canada's dairy and lumber sectors, which may be implemented imminently following a temporary pause on certain import tariffs.

2. U.S. Job Market Shows Resilience

Transitioning to domestic affairs, Scott Horsley provides an in-depth analysis of the latest U.S. job market statistics:

"U.S. employers added 151,000 jobs in February, slightly more than the month before."
— Scott Horsley [01:25]

Key highlights include significant job gains in the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors. Conversely, bars, restaurants, and the federal government saw reductions in their workforce. The unemployment rate experienced a marginal increase to 4.1%, amidst a slight contraction in the overall workforce. Notably, average wages rose by 4% compared to the previous year, outpacing inflation and enhancing workers' real purchasing power. Horsley emphasizes that this wage growth supports consumer spending, which remains the primary driver of the U.S. economy.

"Wages have been climbing faster than prices for nearly two years now. That boosts workers' real buying power and helps to support consumer spending."
— Scott Horsley [01:25]

3. Poland Implements Mandatory Military Training Amid Security Concerns

Esme Nicholson reports on a significant development in Poland's defense strategy. In response to heightened security threats from Russia and perceived inadequate U.S. support for Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to introduce compulsory military training for all adult males:

"Our government aims to introduce military training for all adult men by the end of this year to create a reserve force that can stand up to possible threats."
— Donald Tusk [02:21]

Located on NATO's eastern flank, Poland already allocates a higher percentage of its GDP to defense compared to other NATO members, including the United States. With Russian ambitions appearing more aggressive, Warsaw is contemplating embedding a minimum defense expenditure of 4% of GDP into the national constitution. This move underscores Poland's commitment to bolstering its military readiness in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges.

"As concerns grow about Russian ambitions to move further westwards, Warsaw is considering enshrining defence spending of at least 4% of GDP into the constitution."
— Esme Nicholson [02:21]

4. International Highlights: Market Movements, Historic Bomb Defused, and Ramadan Prayers in Jerusalem

Lakshmi Singh provides a brief overview of current international events:

• U.S. Stock Market: U.S. stocks are on an upward trend, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 167 points to 42,746.

• Unexploded WWII Bomb in France: French authorities successfully neutralized a half-ton British-made unexploded World War II bomb discovered near Paris train tracks. The bomb's disposal involved moving it into a containment hole and destroying its fuse, averting potential major damage. The incident led to temporary shutdowns of transportation systems, affecting hundreds of thousands of commuters.

• Ramadan Prayers in Jerusalem: Despite stringent restrictions imposed by Israel on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, nearly 100,000 worshippers congregated at the Al Aqsa Mosque for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan. Restrictions allowed only Muslim men over 55, women over 50, and children under 12 to attend, requiring special permits and security screenings. Cat Lonsdorf provides further details:

  "The restrictions, which Israel says are for security and were similar to last year's during Ramadan, caused long waits in traffic at the main Israeli checkpoints for Palestinians. Still, according to Palestinian authorities, nearly 100,000 people attended Friday prayers at Al Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in Islam."
  — Cat Lonsdorf [04:01]

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the selective access measures, emphasizing the deployment of thousands of police officers in Jerusalem to ensure the safety of worshippers. Fortunately, there were no serious incidents reported during the prayers.

Conclusion

NPR News Now encapsulates a range of critical updates from international conflicts and defense strategies to domestic economic indicators and significant global events. The episode underscores the dynamic nature of global politics, economic resilience, and the ongoing challenges in maintaining security and stability across different regions.

This summary is intended for informational purposes and captures the key discussions and insights presented in the March 7, 2025, episode of NPR News Now.