NPR News: 03-10-2025 4AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – March 10, 2025

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest developments impacting the United States and the wider world. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed in the March 10, 2025, episode, highlighting economic policies, international conflicts, civil rights anniversaries, notable health updates, and entertainment news.

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1. Economic Policies and Tariffs Under President Trump

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: 00:18 – 00:48

President Donald Trump addressed growing concerns among businesses regarding his administration's tariff policies. Speaking from Air Force One, Trump dismissed fears that the tariffs were introducing economic uncertainty. He emphasized the long-term financial benefits, stating,

"Oh, I think the tariffs are going to be the greatest thing we've ever done as a country. It's going to make our country rich again"
— Donald Trump (00:33)

Trump highlighted that several American auto companies are expanding their operations domestically, with four to five new plants announced and more anticipated. Despite his assurances, Trump acknowledged the possibility of a recession influenced by the tariffs, reflecting a nuanced stance on the economic ramifications.

Market Response: The announcement created mixed reactions in global markets. Asian stocks exhibited volatility, with the Hang Seng index in China falling over 2%. Additionally, U.S. futures declined, and oil prices experienced a downturn, signaling investor apprehension about the potential economic impacts of the tariff policies.

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2. Escalation in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Reporter: Joanna Kakisis
Timestamp: 01:26 – 03:02

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia took a critical turn as Ukrainian forces occupied approximately 200 square miles of Russia's Kursk region last summer—the first foreign military incursion into Russian territory since World War II. This bold move sought to leverage territorial control in future peace negotiations but resulted in significant tensions.

With the aid of thousands of North Korean troops, Russia has largely reclaimed the occupied areas. Recently, Ukrainian military sources confirmed attempts by Russian special forces to encircle Ukrainian positions near a strategic gas pipeline this past weekend.

"The situation remains, quote, 'difficult but under control of our command.'"
— Ukraine's Military Grouping in Kursk (01:26)

Despite these aggressive maneuvers, Ukrainian officials assert that they maintain control, though the circumstances remain precarious. The involvement of North Korean forces adds a complex layer to the geopolitical dynamics, raising concerns about broader regional stability.

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3. Commemorating 60 Years Since the Selma Voting Rights March

Reporter: Debbie Elliott
Timestamp: 02:11 – 03:02

Selma, Alabama, marked the 60th anniversary of the historic voting rights march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, infamously known for the violent clashes on "Bloody Sunday." Thousands gathered to symbolically retrace the steps of the original demonstrators, underscoring the enduring struggle for civil rights.

Participant Perspective: Sheila Bonds of the Indianapolis Coalition of 100 Black Women highlighted the significance of the march's legacy for future generations:

"This is really important for us to remember for our youth to take a stand and to make sure as the US Government is making huge changes, that we are included in the change."
— Sheila Bonds (02:48)

Participants expressed concerns about potential setbacks to the voting rights achievements secured since 1965. The event served as both a remembrance of past sacrifices and a call to action to preserve and advance electoral freedoms in the present day.

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4. Pope Francis’ Health Update

Reporter: Joe Hernandez
Timestamp: 03:11 – 04:14

The Vatican provided an update on Pope Francis, indicating mild improvements in his health. After being hospitalized in Rome nearly a month prior due to bronchitis, the Pope also battled polymicrobial infections and pneumonia affecting both lungs.

Despite responding positively to treatment, his prognosis remains guarded, leaving the outcome of his condition uncertain. In an Angelus prayer released by the Vatican, Pope Francis expressed gratitude towards healthcare workers worldwide, including his medical team:

"During my prolonged hospitalization here, I too, experienced the thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care in particular from the doctors and healthcare workers whom I thank from the bottom of my heart."
— Pope Francis (03:31)

His absence from public appearances has been felt globally, with many closely monitoring his health status and hopeful for a full recovery.

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5. Missing U.S. University Student in the Dominican Republic

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: 04:14 – 04:35

A search operation is ongoing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for Sue Dick Konaki, a 20-year-old American university student last seen on March 6th. Konaki was vacationing with friends in this popular tourist destination. Authorities are actively investigating her disappearance, urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in her safe return.

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6. Box Office Performance Over the Weekend

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: 04:35 – 04:55

The North American movie theaters experienced a relatively quiet weekend with the following highlights:

• "Mickey 17" led the charts with a debut weekend gross of $19.1 million, captivating science fiction enthusiasts.
• "Captain America" continued its strong performance, adding $8.5 million in its fourth week.
• Other notable films contributing to the top five included "Last Breath," "Monkey," and "Paddington in Peru."

These releases indicate a steady interest in franchise and genre-specific films despite the overall subdued box office activity.

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NPR News Now continues to deliver timely and essential news across various domains, providing listeners with a clear and informed perspective on current events.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

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[Dale Willman]

I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump is dismissing concerns by businesses that his threats over tariffs on a wide range of American trading partners are causing uncertainty for the economy. Speaking to reporters Sunday on Air Force One, he said tariffs will take back money the US has been giving away for decades.

[Donald Trump]

Oh, I think the tariffs are going to be the greatest thing we've ever done as a country. It's going to make our country rich again. We have many companies, as you know, auto companies are opening up plants now. We've had four or five announced already, but many more are coming.

[Dale Willman]

Trump also did not rule out the possibility of a recession this year caused in part by those tariffs. Asian stocks, meanwhile, had a mixed start on Monday as uncertainty over what Trump's tariffs will do. US Futures were lower and oil prices also fell. Shares in China led losses in Asia with the Hang Seng index down more than 2%. Ukraine's military says Russian and North Korean troops are trying to surround Ukrainian soldiers who have occupied part of a western Russian region since last year, as NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports from Kyiv. Ukraine had occupied part of the region to use as leverage in any upcoming.

[Joanna Kakisis]

Peace talks when Ukrainian soldiers occupied about 200 square miles of Russia's Kursk last summer. It was the first time a foreign army had crossed into Russian territory since World War II. The surprise attack embarrassed the Kremlin. Russia has since managed to take back most of that territory with the help of thousands of North Korean soldiers. And now Ukraine's military confirmed to NPR that Russian special forces crept through miles of a gas pipeline to storm Ukrainian positions this weekend. In a statement, Ukraine's military grouping in Kursk said the situation remains, quote, difficult but under control of our command. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Cave, Selma, Alabama.

[Dale Willman]

Is marking 60 years since a historic voting rights march there. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports that thousands of people turned out on Sunday to symbolically cross Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge, where law enforcement officers attacked peaceful demonstrators in what became known as Bloody Sunday, a far.

[Debbie Elliott]

Cry from the violence back then. The crowd had police protection as they retraced the footsteps of who braved Edmund Pettus Bridge 60 years ago.

[Sheila Bonds]

Turning around, ain't gonna let nobody.

[Debbie Elliott]

Sheila Bonds made the pilgrimage with the Indianapolis Coalition of 100 Black Women.

[Sheila Bonds]

This is really important for us to remember for our youth to take a stand and to make sure as the US Government is making huge changes, that we are included in the change.

[Debbie Elliott]

Bonds and others say they fear a rollback of gains achieved by voting rights activists 1965. Debbie Elliott, NPR News, Selma.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. The Vatican says Pope Francis is showing signs of mild improvement as he continues to receive treatment at a Rome hospital. Francis released a prayer over the weekend thanking hospital staff. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, Francis hasn't appeared publicly for weeks.

[Joe Hernandez]

Francis was admitted to the hospital nearly a month ago for a case of bronchitis. Since then, the 88 year old has also suffered a polymicrob infection as well as pneumonia in both lungs, according to the Holy See Press office. Doctors say he's responded well to his treatment, but his prognosis is guarded, which means the outcome of his illness is still uncertain. In the text of his Sunday Angelus prayer released by the Vatican, Francis thanked healthcare workers across the globe, including his own care team. He said, quote, during my prolonged hospitalization here, I too, experienced the thoughtfulness of service and the tenderness of care in particular from the doctors and healthcare workers whom I thank from the bottom of my heart. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

A search is underway in the Dominican Republic for a 20 year old university student from the U.S. authorities say Sue Dick Konaki was last seen on March 6th in the popular tourist town of Punta Cana. She was there on vacation and was staying with several friends. It was a relatively quiet weekend at North American box offices. The science fiction flick Mickey 17 landed in first on its debut weekend, bringing in $19.1 million. The latest in the Captain America franchise, meanwhile, added $8.5 million to its take during its fourth week in theaters. And Last Breath, Monkey and Paddington in Peru rounded out the top five. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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