NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-02-2025 7PM EST

Episode Date: March 3, 2025

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This message comes from Wondery. Scam Factory, the explosive new podcast series, exposes a multi-billion dollar criminal empire where thousands are being forced to scam others under the threat of death. Follow Scam Factory wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. An emergency summit of EU and Canadian leaders and Ukraine's President Zelensky wrapped up in London today with its British host expressing optimism about the chances of a peace deal for Ukraine that President Trump can live with. Vicki Barker has more from London. In describing the stakes, Prime Minister Keir Starmer seemed to be evoking the last time European soil was invaded and Europeans stood alone. We are at a crossroads in history today. This is not a moment for more talk. It's time to act.

U.S. support is vital, Starmor said, but Europe must now do the heavy lifting in Ukraine, announcing billions in new military spending and commitments by several countries to send troops if needed. Starmor said he briefed President Trump Saturday evening and hopes for a receptive audience when he and French President Macron present their proposals to Trump, possibly within days. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. Israel says it's stopping the entry of all food and supplies into Gaza. This after phase one of a fragile ceasefire deal ended yesterday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Hamas refuses to accept a proposal to extend phase one through Ramadan and Passover.

Hamas wants to negotiate the second phase instead and says Israel is trying to blackmail the group into agreeing. And Piers Hadil al-Shalchi has more from Tel Aviv. Hamas also issued a statement today. The militant group rebuffed Israel's extension proposal. It said that Israel is trying to sabotage, evade the ceasefire agreement. Hamas also described Netanyahu's decision to stop humanitarian aid as, quote, cheap blackmail and a war crime.

But while Hamas sounded defiant, the group stopped short of outright rejecting an extension. And Pierce Hadilah Al-Shalchi reporting. A group of U.S. citizens and immigrants is suing to challenge a Trump administration effort to end humanitarian parole programs that allow people from certain war-torn or unstable countries to temporarily work and stay in the U.S. For Member Station KJZZ, Elisa Resnick has more. Elisa Resnick Humanitarian Parole was the basis of a Biden-era program for Afghans escaping their country after the U.S. withdrawal. Two other declarations

allowed Ukrainian, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Cuban, and Venezuelan migrants to apply to come to the U.S. with a sponsor. Attorney Karen Tumlin, with the Justice Action Center, says the Trump administration's revocation of the program is unfounded. The only reason that was stated in the day one executive order and the memo to follow was that, was the belief of the Trump administration that the catacombs for use of parole is always unlawful. The lawsuit argues humanitarian parole programs are legal

and have been used for more than 70 years by both Republican and Democratic presidents. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The Vatican says Pope Francis remains hospitalized in stable condition and no longer needs the mechanical ventilation. Officials say the 88-year-old's breathing function overall is improving as he recovers from double pneumonia. France has participated in mass and met with his senior staff today

and thanked well-wishers for their support and prayers. He's been hospitalized for more than two weeks, and he hasn't been seen since then, his longest absence from view since his election in 2013. Hollywood has rolled out the red carpet for the 97th Academy Awards this evening. As MPR's Mondalee Del Barco reports, viewers can watch the celebration on ABC and Hulu. The show's producers say the ceremony will honor the city of Los Angeles, parts of which were devastated by wildfires recently. The show will raise money for relief efforts.

Comedian Conan O'Brien will host the Oscar ceremony for the first time. I'm gonna host it and host it and host it. I'm gonna host all night long. In a promotional video, O'Brien says he's up for anything. I'm someone who hopes that things sometimes go a little off the rails because that's where the real memorable moments happen, in late night television and on the Oscars.

Danielle Pletka producers say there will be some surprises. The ceremony will pay tribute to the late musician Quincy Jones and will include a performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, whose hit film, Wicked, is nominated for 10 Academy Awards. Mandelit Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles. Mandelit Del Barco U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. Dow futures up nearly one-tenth of a percent. Nasdaq futures up about two-tenths of a percent. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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.