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Episode Date: February 25, 2025

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Here on Shortwave, we believe that science is for everyone and that every question is worth asking, no matter your age. My name is Willie and my question is, is magic real? Our podcast is for the curious at heart. Come embrace your inner child when you listen now to ShoreWave from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the White House Monday to discuss the war in Ukraine. Trump expressed hope that the conflict is nearing an end, while Macron declared

that any peace deal must not require Ukraine to surrender. As NPR's Mara Eliasson reports, there are a lot of details still to be fleshed out. Well, we certainly learned a lot about what the Western allies or erstwhile allies want to do to end the war. Emmanuel Macron kind of laid out his vision for how a peace between Ukraine and Russia would be verified and guaranteed. He said that there would have to be an American aspect of that. This is something that Trump has never talked about. But Macron really laid it out as an existential challenge to Europe. He said, we don't want

to live in a world where it's the law of the strongest, where international borders can be violated by anyone. NPR's Marlai is some reporting. Aluminum and steel are still used in packaging of a variety of everyday products. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, new tariffs on those metals take effect next month and may cause an increase in grocery prices. Soups, soda, beer, and more come in aluminum and steel cans, which could become costlier to make under the new tariffs. President Trump announced earlier this month that he would impose the 25% tax on imported aluminum and steel beginning in March. American can makers rely on

materials sourced from abroad. According to the Can Manufacturers Institute, 10% of aluminum and 70% of steel used to make cans in the U.S. come from foreign sources. Food and beverage industry experts say the increased costs of making aluminum and steel cans will likely end up being passed on to consumers. Joe Hernandez, NPR News. The Trump administration has paused some of the $4 billion set aside in the Inflation Reduction Act to keep the Colorado River flowing.

As Alex Hager of Member Station KUNC reports, the move has water users worried about the river's future. Some of the farmers, cities and tribes that use federal funding to save water and improve aging infrastructure have been left in confusion. Federal officials say their money is under review. Anne Castle worked on federal water policy under Presidents Biden and Obama. These are not woke environmental programs. These are essential to continued ability to divert water. Some of that money is used to pay farmers who volunteered to leave some of their water in the nation's largest reservoirs, which have been shrinking due to climate change and steady demand. For NPR News, I'm Alex Hager in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The federal judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Office of Personal Management from releasing personal data to Boge. But district judge Deborah Boardman refused to block the Doge from accessing similar information from Treasury Department. This is NPR. Tech giant Apple says it is investing $500 billion in U.S. operations and programs over the next four years. Some of the expenditures are to include manufacturing, research, and development. Details from NPR's Ayanna Archie.

The tech giant says it will open a 250,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Houston that will make the servers that help power Apple's artificial intelligence feature on its devices. The plant is expected to open in 2026 and create thousands of jobs. It also says it will hire about 20,000 people over the next four years, mostly in areas including research and development, artificial intelligence, and software development. Apple is also forming a manufacturing academy in Detroit, in which it will teach small and medium-sized businesses advanced manufacturing strategies. President Trump recently said Apple CEO Tim Cook promised him he would move Apple's manufacturing from Mexico to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. Ayanna Archie, NPR News. Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square late Monday to pray for Pope Francis.

The Vatican says the 88-year-old pontiff is showing signs of slight improvement during treatment for pneumonia but remains hospitalized in critical condition. Fans are mourning the loss of singer and musician Roberta Flack. The Grammy-winning solo and jazz artist died Monday at the age of 88. Flack became an overnight sensation when her rendition of the song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, became a part of the soundtrack for the 1975 film Play Misty for Me.

Other hits by Flack included Killing Me Softly and Where Is the Love? This is NPR News. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music me softly, and where is the love?" This is NPR News.