NPR News: 03-10-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 10, 2025, 6AM EDT

On the morning of March 10, 2025, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. Hosted by Korva Coleman, the episode covered pivotal geopolitical events, economic fluctuations, political shifts, and significant local incidents. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and precise timestamps for reference.

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1. U.S.-Saudi Arabia Diplomatic Endeavors and the Ukraine Conflict

Host Introduction: Korva Coleman opened the segment by highlighting President Donald Trump's anticipation of significant developments in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. diplomats are set to engage with Ukrainian officials to explore potential resolutions to the ongoing war with Russia.

Key Details:

• Diplomatic Mission: The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to facilitate discussions that could pave the way for peace between Ukraine and Russia.

• Trump's Optimism: Speaking aboard Air Force One, President Trump expressed confidence in achieving substantial progress within the week.

  Donald Trump, [00:40]: "I think everybody wants to see it get done. We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe this week."

• Trump's Stance on the Conflict: Despite Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, recent weeks have seen Trump attributing significant responsibility to Ukraine and publicly clashing with the Ukrainian president.

  Donald Trump, [00:56]: "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: Tamara Keith reported that European leaders continue to back Ukraine, reinforcing the international stance against Russian aggression.

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2. Political Shifts in Canada and U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions

New Canadian Leadership: Korva Coleman informed listeners about Canada's impending leadership change. Mark Carney has emerged victorious in the Liberal Party race, set to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Carney anticipates national elections soon and has already voiced concerns regarding U.S.-Canada trade relations.

Mark Carney, [01:35]: "Donald Trump, as we know, has put, as the prime minister just said, unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell, on how we make a living. He's attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses, and we cannot let him succeed."

U.S. Tariff Movements:

• Recent Actions: President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods last week, followed by a brief reprieve for U.S. automakers the next day. Subsequently, most tariffs on Canada and Mexico were suspended, except for a maintained 20% tariff on Chinese imports.
• Chinese Retaliation: In response, China has announced new tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on U.S. agricultural products, escalating trade tensions further.

Economic Impact: Rafael Nam highlighted the turmoil these tariff changes have caused in the stock markets, emphasizing investor unease due to the fluctuating trade policies and their implications on inflation.

Rafael Nam, [02:30]: "March has so far proven to be an incredibly volatile month for stock markets. A large reason for that has been President Trump's confusing approach to tariffs, especially when it comes to Canada and Mexico."

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3. Federal Government Funding and Historical Civil Rights Commemoration

Government Shutdown Threat: Korva Coleman reported that House Republicans have introduced a stopgap federal spending bill to prevent a partial government shutdown looming this Friday night. However, uncertainties remain regarding the bill's passage in both the House and the Senate.

Selma's 60th Anniversary: Mark Carney and Johanse MacBella participated in a rally commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama—a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement where peaceful protesters were violently confronted by law enforcement.

Mark Carney, [04:00]: "For over 60 years, the world has stood on the backs of Selma. And instead of just being held up, Selma has been pushed down further and further and further and further."

Despite adverse weather conditions, thousands marched to honor the enduring struggle for voting rights. Notably, former President Trump and Vice President Pence were absent from this year's event.

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4. Aviation Incidents in Pennsylvania

Plane Crash in Lancaster County: Authorities reported a small aircraft crash yesterday in Lancaster County, southern Pennsylvania. The incident involved five individuals onboard who were hospitalized. Fortunately, no casualties were reported on the ground.

Recent Aviation Safety Concerns: This crash adds to a series of recent plane accidents, including a fatal crash of a medical flight near Philadelphia in late January. The spate of incidents has raised concerns over aviation safety protocols and regulatory oversight.

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Conclusion

The March 10, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet thorough overview of pressing issues ranging from international diplomacy and trade disputes to political changes and historical commemorations. The inclusion of direct quotes and specific timestamps offers an accurate and engaging recount of the day's most significant news stories.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments were intentionally omitted to focus on the substantive news coverage presented in the episode.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump is predicting some very big things this week in Saudi Arabia. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. That's where U.S. diplomats will meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss a possible end to the war with Russia.

[Tamara Keith]

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.

[Tamara Keith]

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 Office 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.

[Tamara Keith]

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

[Korva Coleman]

Canada will soon swear in a new prime minister. Mark Carney won the race to lead Canada's governing Liberal Party yesterday. Under Canada's parliamentary system, Carney will take over from outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, also a Liberal. But Carney is expected to soon national elections. In a speech to fellow party members, he identified a threat to Canada's prosperity.

[Mark Carney]

Donald Trump, as we know, has put, as the prime minister just said, unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell, on how we make a living. He's attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses, and we cannot let him succeed.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico last week. Then he gave US Automakers a one month reprieve the following day. He then suspended most of the tariffs on Canada and Mexico. He kept tariffs of 20% in place on China. The Chinese government hit back today with 10 to 15% tariffs on imports of U.S. agricultural goods. The concerns about tariffs are upsetting Wall street investors. NPR's Rafael Nam reports. They will pay close attention to data released later this week on inflation.

[Rafael Nam]

March has so far proven to be an incredibly volatile month for stock markets. A large reason for that has been President Trump's confusing approach to tariffs, especially when it comes to Canada and Mexico. Investors don't like tariffs and they don't like it when there's so much uncertainty when one of the biggest fears is that tariffs will make imports much more expensive for everybody. Inflation has come down significantly over the past two years or so, but is still stubbornly high. We'll get the latest data on consumer prices for February on Wednesday. And the fear is that inflation could get even worse this year. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to npr. House Republicans have unveiled a stopgap federal spending bill. Congress only has till Friday night to avert a partial federal government shutdown. It's unclear if House Republicans have enough votes to pass the measure. Even if it does, the bill must also pass the Senate, where chances could be more difficult. It's been 60 years since the events of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. Law enforcement officers violently attacked peaceful protesters at that time who were marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. From Troy Public Radio, Jack Anderson reports. This past weekend, speakers gathered at a rally honoring the civil rights protesters.

[Johanse MacBella]

Bridge Crossing Director Johanse MacBella spoke at the historic Brown Chapel AME Church where the original march began.

[Mark Carney]

For over 60 years, the world has stood on the backs of Selma. And instead of just being held up, Selma has been pushed down further and further and further and further.

[Johanse MacBella]

The rain didn't stop thousands of participants from marching across the bridge with signs and banners supporting voting rights sitting. Presidents and vice presidents have been among the special guests in the past, but neither President Trump nor Vice President Vance were at this year's commemoration. For NPR News, I'm Jack Anderson in Selma, Alabama.

[Korva Coleman]

Authorities in southern Pennsylvania say a small plane crashed in Lancaster county yesterday. The five people aboard were hospitalized. No one on the ground was hurt. There have been a string of plane accidents in past weeks that includes the deadly crash of a small plane on a medical flight outside Philadelphia at the end of January. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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