NPR News: 03-19-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on March 19, 2025

Host: Korva Coleman
Publisher: NPR
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Episode Title: NPR News: 03-19-2025 11AM EDT

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U.S.-Russia-Ukraine Relations: Termination of the Ukraine Conflict Observatory

Timestamp: [00:12] - [00:32]

President Donald Trump engaged in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, likely addressing Trump's recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This discussion coincides with the Trump administration's unexpected cancellation of a U.S.-funded initiative aimed at collecting evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Michelle Kelemen reports that the State Department has officially terminated the contract supporting the Ukraine Conflict Observatory. The department has not provided reasons for this decision nor responded to allegations from Democratic Congressman Greg Lanzman. Lanzman expressed concerns that data from the program, which included critical evidence of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, may have been permanently deleted. This evidence, gathered by researchers at Yale University, was intended for use in future war crimes trials.

“This vital resource cannot be lost,” — Greg Lanzman, Ohio Democrat ([00:32])

Israeli Protests Amid Renewed Conflict with Hamas

Timestamp: [01:14] - [01:32]

Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in protest as the Israeli government renews its military operations against Hamas in Gaza. The resurgence of conflict has resulted in airstrikes that have killed at least 400 Palestinians this week.

Kat Lansdorf reports from Tel Aviv that demonstrations in the city's center featured protesters carrying posters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The chants from these groups emphasized a demand for immediate negotiations to secure the release of all hostages. Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Israelis oppose ending the current ceasefire, advocating instead for renewed talks to recover the remaining 59 hostages. Many citizens believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prioritizing military action over hostage welfare, influenced by far-right members within his government who are pushing for the defeat of Hamas.

“If there's no deal, we will burn the country down,” — Protesters, Tel Aviv ([01:32])

President Trump's Legal Struggles: Appeals and Court Orders

Timestamp: [02:12] - [03:05]

President Trump announced that his administration is appealing recent court decisions that have either halted or reversed his executive actions. Despite his aggressive stance against federal judges, Trump asserted that his administration will comply with court orders.

Tamara Keith elaborates that Trump has been openly critical of federal judges, accusing them of overstepping their authority and attempting to undermine presidential powers. He has even floated the idea of impeachment as a response, a notion that was sharply criticized by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. During an interview with Laura Ingraham of Fox News, Trump stated his commitment to adhering to court rulings.

“I never did defy a court order. And you wouldn't in the future?” — Donald Trump, President of the United States ([02:44]-[02:45])

“No, you can't do that. However, we have bad judges. We have very bad judges, and these are judges that shouldn't be allowed. I think at a certain point, you have to start looking at what do you do when you have a rogue judge,” — Donald Trump ([02:46])

Trump remains confident that the Supreme Court will eventually uphold his positions, despite the ongoing legal challenges.

Trump Administration's Policy Changes on Federal Contracts and Anti-Discrimination Laws

Timestamp: [03:05] - [04:27]

The Trump administration has initiated measures that may significantly impact federal contracts, particularly concerning non-discrimination policies. A recent memorandum from the General Services Administration (GSA) indicates that segregated facilities such as restaurants, waiting rooms, and drinking fountains will no longer be explicitly banned in future federal contracts. However, businesses are still required to adhere to existing anti-discrimination laws.

Selena Simmons Duffin reports that this policy shift stems from President Trump's executive orders focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity. The memo lists nine clauses to be excluded from future contracts, including a provision that previously prohibited segregated facilities. Melissa Murray, a law professor at NYU, clarifies that despite these changes, businesses must continue to comply with civil rights laws that have prohibited segregation since the 1960s.

“She notes these civil rights protections from the federal government have been on the books since the 1960s,” — Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News Washington ([04:27])

Legal experts view this policy adjustment as significant, symbolizing a shift in the administration's approach to federal contracting and discrimination regulations.

Weather Update: Blizzard Warnings Across the Central Plains

Timestamp: [04:36]

NPR provides a weather update indicating that blizzard warnings are in effect from eastern Colorado to eastern Minnesota. Forecasts predict heavy snowfall and powerful winds spreading over the Central Plains throughout the day.

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Transcript

[Sponsor Voice]

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump is speaking now on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They're likely discussing Trump's call yesterday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes as Trump has canceled a U S. Funded project to to gather evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine. NPR's Michelle Keleman reports.

[Michelle Kelemen]

The State Department confirms that it terminated a contract that supports the Ukraine Conflict Observatory. It did not explain why or respond to an allegation by a Democratic congressman who says he has reason to believe that some of the data from the program was permanently deleted. The Ohio Democrat, Greg Lanzman is sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning this vital resource cannot be lost. As part of the contract, researchers at Yale University have been collecting evidence about tens of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, evidence that's supposed to be used in war crimes trials. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Korva Coleman]

Thousands of people in Israel have been protesting as the Israeli government restarted the war with Hamas in Gaza. Airstrikes have killed at least 400 Palestinians this week. NPR's Kat Lansdorf reports. Many Israelis want negotiations to proceed.

[Kat Lansdorf]

In central Tel Aviv, protesters flooded the streets carrying posters with the faces of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza and calling for a deal to have them all released immediately. If there's no deal, we will burn the country down, one group chanted, banging drums and marching. Polls show a majority of Israelis are against the end of the ceasefire and want talks to resume to get the remaining 59 hostages back. Many feel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is forsaking the hostages in Gaza by returning to war and instead yielding to far right members of his government who have been pushing to defeat Hamas. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump says his administration is appealing recent court decisions that have halted or reversed his executive actions. But as NPR's Tamara Keith reports, the president says he will follow court orders.

[Tamara Keith]

President Trump has been highly critical of federal judges who he says are trying to usurp his presidential powers. He's even suggested impeachment, drawing a rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. But when pressed by Laura Ingraham of Fox News, Trump said his administration would follow the orders.

[Donald Trump]

I never did defy a court order.

[Kat Lansdorf]

And you wouldn't in the future?

[Donald Trump]

No, you can't do that. However, we have bad judges. We have very bad judges, and the these are judges that shouldn't be allowed. I think at a certain point, you have to start looking at what do you do when you have a rogue judge.

[Tamara Keith]

Trump said he is confident the Supreme Court will ultimately side with him. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, the Dow is up more than 200 points. The Nasdaq is up more than 100. This is NPR. The Trump administration is threatening to pull federal funding from New York's transit authority. The government is demanding information about crime on the city subways. At the same time, the Trump administration is trying to stop New York's new congestion fee on motorists who drive into the city. A recent memo by the Trump administration has told federal agencies that segregated facilities such as restaurants, waiting rooms and drinking fountains are no longer explicitly banned in contracts. Businesses must still follow anti discrimination laws. But NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports. Legal experts say this move is significant.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

The change came in a public memo issued last month by the General Services Administration, which was prompted by President Trump's executive orders on diversity, equity and inclusion and the one about gender identity. It includes a list of nine clauses to exclude in future contracts. One of them explicitly prohibits contractors from having segregated facilities like restaurants and housing and drinking fountains. Melissa Murray is a law professor at nyu. She says businesses still have to comply with laws that ban segregation and discrimination.

[Sponsor Voice]

So it's symbolic, but it's incredibly meaningful in its symbolism.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

She notes these civil rights protections from the federal government have been on the books since the 1960s. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

There are blizzard warnings up from eastern Colorado to eastern Minnesota this morning. Forecasters say heavy snow will spread over the Central Plains today. So will powerful winds. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[Sponsor Voice]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.