NPR News: 03-10-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 10, 2025 – Comprehensive Summary

1. U.S. Diplomatic Efforts Toward Resolving the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Host: Dale Willman and Tamara Keith

The episode opens with President Donald Trump announcing significant diplomatic activities in Saudi Arabia aimed at addressing the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. U.S. diplomats are set to engage with Ukrainian officials to explore potential pathways to peace.

Key Developments:

• U.S. Delegation Leadership: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is spearheading the U.S. delegation in these crucial talks.
• Trump's Optimism: Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed confidence in achieving substantial progress within the week. At [00:48], he stated, “I think everybody wants to see it get done. We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe this week.”
• Blaming Ukraine: In a contentious stance, Trump has recently attributed responsibility for the war to Ukraine, engaging in public spats with Ukraine's president. At [01:04], he remarked, “You know, I say they don't have the cards. Nobody really has the cards. Russia doesn't have the cards. They don't have. What you have to do is you have to make a deal and you have to stop the killing.”
• European Support: Despite internal U.S. debates, European leaders continue to support Ukraine robustly.

Context: Russia escalated its military actions in Ukraine following the Trump administration's decision to halt weapons shipments and intelligence support. This pause has been a point of contention, contributing to the recent uptick in Russian aggression.

2. Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations Intensify

Reporter: Hadil Al Shalti

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched a delegation to Doha, Qatar, to advance ceasefire negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent resolution to the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Highlights:

• Phase One Ceasefire: The initial phase of the ceasefire, which concluded last month, is fragile. The upcoming talks seek to transition to phase two, which would establish a lasting peace and complete Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.
• Hamas's Position: Hamas has expressed a desire to commence second-phase discussions, emphasizing the need for an enduring end to hostilities and the release of half of the hostages currently held in Gaza.
• U.S. Involvement: The White House has confirmed direct talks with Hamas to facilitate this ceasefire arrangement.

At [01:14], Rubio notes the broader international context, while later, Hadil Al Shalti provides detailed insights into the negotiation dynamics and the strategic pressures exerted by both Israel and Hamas.

3. Political Shifts in North America

Coverage by: Dale Willman and Tamara Keith

Canada: Mark Carney has been elected as Canada's new Prime Minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau, who resigned in January. Carney, a 59-year-old economist, previously served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada for five years and was notably the first non-British individual to lead the Bank of England.

United States: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries commemorated the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, highlighting the enduring struggle for civil rights and voting equality.

Notable Quote: At [02:48], Jeffries remarked, “We stand on the shoulders of those giants right now, still having to carry a heavy burden to perfect our country and perfect our democracy.”

This event coincided with the reintroduction of the Voting Rights Advancement Act, named in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis, a key figure in the civil rights movement.

4. Tribute to South African Playwright Ethel Fugart

Reporter: Jeff London

The South African arts community mourns the passing of Ethel Fugart, a renowned playwright, actor, and director, who died at 92 in Stellenbosch following a cardiac event. Fugart's illustrious career spanned six decades, during which he authored nearly three dozen plays that poignantly depicted life under apartheid and its aftermath.

Legacy: Fugart's works, including notable titles like "Master Harold... and the Boys," explored the deep-seated divisions and the human stories within the oppressive political landscape of South Africa. Despite initial thoughts that his role had diminished post-apartheid and Nelson Mandela's presidency, Fugart continued to find inspiration, stating, “But South Africa caught me by surprise again and just said, no, you gotta keep writing, man. There are still stories to tell” ([04:02]).

His final play, "The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek," delved into the life of an aging artist navigating the societal changes during and after apartheid.

5. Box Office Highlights

Hosts: Tamara Keith and Dale Willman

The weekend box office showcased a mix of successes and underperformers:

• Top Grossing Film: Mickey 17 emerged at the number one spot in North America, grossing $19.1 million. However, its worldwide total of $53.3 million falls short of its $118 million production budget.

• Second Place: Brave New World secured the second position with $8.5 million in ticket sales during its fourth weekend.

• Additional Films: Other notable entries included Last Breath, Monkey, and Paddington in Peru, rounding out the top five.

This segment underscores the fluctuating dynamics of the film industry, highlighting both audience preferences and the financial challenges faced by major productions.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the NPR News Now episode released on March 10, 2025, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of international relations, political developments, cultural tributes, and entertainment news.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

I'm Dale Willman.

[Tamara Keith]

President Trump is predicting some very big things will happen this week in Saudi Arabia.

[Dale Willman]

That's where US Diplomats will meet with Ukrainian officials.

[Tamara Keith]

They'll discuss a possible end to the war with Russia. Russia, meanwhile, ramped up attacks on Ukraine after the Trump administration paused weapons shipments and intelligence assistance. NPR's Tamara Keith has more.

[Marco Rubio]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the US Delegation. Trump, speaking on Air Force One, said he's looking for signs that Ukraine is ready for peace.

[Donald Trump]

I think everybody wants to see it get done. We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe this week.

[Marco Rubio]

Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. But in recent weeks, Trump has blamed Ukraine for the war and feuded with the country's president in the Oval with cameras rolling.

[Donald Trump]

You know, I say they don't have the cards. Nobody really has the cards. Russia doesn't have the cards. They don't have. What you have to do is you have to make a deal and you have to stop the killing.

[Marco Rubio]

European leaders have rallied around Ukraine. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Tamara Keith]

Israel says it will send a delegation.

[Dale Willman]

To Qatar on Monday for Gaza ceasefire talks.

[Tamara Keith]

Phase one of a fragile ceasefire deal ended last month and and talks for the next phase were supposed to begin weeks ago.

[Dale Willman]

The second phase is expected to bring.

[Tamara Keith]

A permanent end to the war. NPR's Hadil Al Shalti reports.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said its delegation is going to Doha to, try to quote, advance ceasefire negotiations. Israel has been pressuring Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase of a ceasefire deal that would retain its right to go back to war and see half the hostages held in Gaza freedom. Hamas says it wants to begin second phase talks that would see a permanent end to the war and a total withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The militant group said it had ended a round of ceasefire talks with Egypt this week. This all comes after the White House confirmed it had held direct talks with Hamas about the ceasefire deal. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Jerusalem.

[Tamara Keith]

Mark Carney is about to become Canada's newest Prime Minister.

[Dale Willman]

The 59 year old won a Liberal.

[Tamara Keith]

Party leadership race on Sunday. A a trained economist, he ran the.

[Dale Willman]

Bank of Canada for five years and.

[Tamara Keith]

Was the only non Brit to ever run the bank of England. He replaced Justin Trudeau who announced his.

[Dale Willman]

Resignation back in January.

[Tamara Keith]

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries was in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday to honor those who participated in what is known as Bloody Sunday. He was 60 years ago when police beat protesters during the historic Selma to Montgomery march for civil rights.

[Hakeem Jeffries]

We stand on the shoulders of those giants right now, still having to carry a heavy burden to perfect our country and perfect our democracy.

[Dale Willman]

Among those beaten were the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis.

[Tamara Keith]

Sunday's events took place just days after House Democrats reintroduced the John R. Lewis.

[Dale Willman]

Voting Rights Advancement Act. You're listening to NPR News.

[Tamara Keith]

South African playwright, actor and director Ethel Fugart has died at his home in.

[Dale Willman]

Stellenbosch, South Africa, following a cardiac event. That's according to his agent. Fugard was 92 years old. As Jeff London reports, Fugard chronicled life.

[Tamara Keith]

Both during and after apartheid in celebrated.

[Dale Willman]

Plays, including Master Herald and the Boys for six decades.

[Jeff London]

In close to three dozen plays, Fugard told stories about the corrosive effects of a political system which oppressed the black majority, as well as stories of the white minority. For much of his career, Fugard wrote in exile and some of his black collaborators ended up in. Once apartheid ended and Nelson Mandela was elected president, the playwright thought his time had passed.

[Ethel Fugard]

But South Africa caught me by surprise again and just said, no, you gotta keep writing, man. There are still stories to tell.

[Jeff London]

His final play, the Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek, told the story of an aging artist and his life during and after apartheid. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Tamara Keith]

The science fiction movie Mickey 17 took.

[Dale Willman]

First place this weekend across North American box offices. It brought in $19.1 million in ticket sales.

[Tamara Keith]

Its worldwide total for the weekend was.

[Dale Willman]

53.3 million, which is well off its production cost of $118 million.

[Tamara Keith]

Brave New World, meanwhile, landed in second place in its fourth weekend on the.

[Dale Willman]

Big screen with $8.5 million in sales. Last Breath, Monkey and Paddington in Peru rounded out the top five. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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