NPR News Now: March 7, 2025, 5 PM EST

Host: Jack Spear
Producer: NPR
Release Date: March 7, 2025

International Relations: President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Maneuvers

President Trump's NATO and Russia Policies

In today’s episode, Jack Spear opens with a focus on President Trump's stance on NATO and Russia. The President has recently expressed skepticism about the U.S. role in defending NATO allies and is actively seeking ways to pressure Russia to cease its military actions in Ukraine. This shift in policy has significant implications for international relations and global security.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's Diplomatic Visit to Saudi Arabia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia next week. According to Joanna Kakissis (00:33), Zelenskyy plans to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Monday. Following this, his delegation will engage with Trump administration officials later in the week to discuss a framework aimed at ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.

This visit marks the first meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian officials since a public disagreement in the Oval Office on February 28, where President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance criticized Zelenskyy. Despite this tension, Zelenskyy’s popularity in Ukraine has surged, with a recent public opinion poll indicating that 68% of Ukrainians now trust him as a leader, up by more than 11 percentage points since the Oval Office incident. Joanna Kakissis reports from Kyiv on these developments.

Notable Quote:

"This is the first meeting between the U.S. and Ukraine since President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly berated Zelensky in the Oval Office on Feb. 28." – Joanna Kakissis (00:33)

Social Security in Maine: Policy Reversal and Apology

Social Security Number Registration Confusion

A significant local story today involves the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its recent directive to parents in Maine regarding the registration of newborns for Social Security numbers. Initially, parents were instructed not to register their newborns at hospitals, leading to potential delays and the necessity to visit SSA offices in person.

Reversal of Policy and Official Apology

The SSA has since reversed this decision and issued an apology. In a statement on the SSA website, Acting Commissioner Leigh Dudek acknowledged the mistake:

"As a leader, I will admit my mistakes and make them right." – Acting Commissioner Leigh Dudek (01:29)

Maine Public Radio’s Patty White reports that the sudden suspension of the Enumeration at Birth program, which has been in place nationwide since the 1980s, caused significant concern. Dr. Joe Anderson of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics criticized the abrupt termination:

"We just got an email saying effective immediately, we're not doing this anymore. And that just doesn't seem like an efficient way for our government to operate ever." – Dr. Joe Anderson (01:29)

Patty White highlights the potential hardships parents would have faced if the original policy had remained in place, including the need to travel to Social Security offices to obtain necessary documentation for their newborns.

Economic Insights: Wall Street and Tariff Impacts

Market Volatility Amid Tariff Uncertainty

The economic segment covers the turbulent week Wall Street experienced due to President Trump's inconsistent implementation of tariffs. Maria Aspen reports that American businesses and investors are grappling with the uncertainty created by Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs targeting Canada, Mexico, and China.

Business and Consumer Reactions

The sudden imposition and subsequent delays of tariffs have led to significant market fluctuations. Major stock indices saw sharp declines when tariffs were first enacted, followed by a brief rally when Trump offered partial relief. However, the markets remained down for the week overall.

NYU Professor Anna Tavis explains, "Business owners don't like this news onslaught any more than consumers." (02:46, Amy Held)

Businesses, particularly automakers, retailers, and consumer-facing companies, fear that tariffs may become permanent. Best Buy CEO has issued a warning about the likelihood of price increases for American consumers as a direct consequence of these tariffs:

"Price increases for American consumers are, highly likely." – Best Buy CEO (02:46)

Notable Quote:

"Businesses don't like uncertainty." – Amy Held (02:46)

Maria Aspen concludes that the ongoing tariff uncertainty continues to create a challenging environment for both businesses and consumers, with potential long-term impacts on the economy.

Celebrity News: The Tragic Deaths of Gene Hackman and His Wife

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths

In a somber update, authorities in Santa Fe, New Mexico, have released new information regarding the deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, last month. NPR’s Jack Spear reports that both deaths have been ruled as natural causes, with no foul play suspected.

Details from the Medical Examiner

The state’s medical examiner provided the following details:

• Betsy Arakawa (65): Died from hantavirus, a rare but potentially fatal disease contracted from rodent droppings.
• Gene Hackman (95): Passed away due to heart disease and advanced Alzheimer's. He was found near the entryway of their home and is believed to have died a few days after his wife.

These findings bring closure to the tragic event, confirming that both deaths were due to natural causes. The incident has sparked discussions about hantavirus awareness and the importance of health monitoring in the elderly.

Environmental Spotlight: New Eaglets in Big Bear

Eagle Cam Captures New Life

Shifting to lighter news, NPR’s Amy Held shares an update on the eagle cam in Big Bear, California. A live camera positioned 145 feet up in a pine tree within the San Bernardino Mountains has documented the hatching of two eaglets this week, exciting eagle enthusiasts and wildlife watchers alike.

Nurturing the Next Generation

The eagle cam, maintained by the nonprofit Friends of the Big Bear Valley for over a decade, has become a beloved feature for hundreds of thousands of online followers. Today’s footage showcases the delicate process of fledglings being fed and kept warm by their parents, Shadow and Jackie.

Amy Held describes the anticipation building within the eagle family:

"It's been a big week for parents Shadow and Jackie as one then another eaglet hatched. ... These fuzzy hungry eaglets are keep parents on their talons with feeding and warming duties as a snowstorm blankets the nest and anticipation builds for a family of five." – Amy Held (03:57)

The live updates not only highlight the challenges faced by the young eaglets in harsh weather but also the dedication of their parents in ensuring their survival and growth.

Energy Markets: Crude Oil Prices on the Rise

Crude Oil Futures Gain Momentum

In the energy sector, crude oil futures saw a modest increase today, rising by 68 cents per barrel. However, prices slightly retreated from their session highs. Jack Spear reports that despite the gains, the overall trend indicates a stable but cautious market.

Market Implications

The rise in crude oil prices may reflect ongoing global economic activities and demand fluctuations. Investors remain attentive to geopolitical events and their potential impact on energy supplies and prices.

Conclusion

Today's NPR News Now episode provided a comprehensive overview of critical international developments, local policy changes, economic fluctuations, notable celebrity news, environmental milestones, and energy market movements. From President Trump’s shifting stance on NATO and Ukraine to the heartwarming new eaglets in Big Bear, listeners were kept informed on a wide array of pressing and engaging topics.

Notable Timestamps:

• 00:33: Joanna Kakissis on Zelenskyy's Saudi visit
• 01:29: SSA apology and policy reversal in Maine
• 02:46: Amy Held on business uncertainty due to tariffs
• 02:46: Best Buy CEO on potential price increases
• 03:57: Amy Held on new eaglets in Big Bear

For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to visit NPR News Now.