NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-03-2025 10PM EST

Episode Date: March 4, 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 Shortwave from NPR. Live from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Donald Trump is ramping up the pressure on Ukraine to reach a deal with Russia following Russia's 2022 invasion of the country.

Trump directing a pause to review U.S. military aid to the country, according to a senior White House official. NPR's Tom Bowman explains what's at stake. We're talking about tens of billions of dollars again from late in the Biden administration, the latest tranche of aid that includes defensive missiles and munitions. Now those missiles are key in preventing Russian missiles from, and drones from striking targets in Kiev and elsewhere. In this war, let's face it, has been a stalemate for some time.

Russia has been bloody, but so too has Ukraine. Neither side can win. The administration's actions following a disastrous White House meeting last week, where Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of not being sufficiently grateful to the U.S. President Trump will deliver the first joint address to Congress of his second term tomorrow night and a number of networks, including NPR,

planning to air the address with special programming. After Trump's address, Michigan Senator Alyssa Slotkin will deliver the Democratic response. Taiwan's biggest semiconductor chipmaker is investing $100 billion to build a new chip factory in Versa Research Center in Arizona. NPR's Emily Fang reports the investment chipmakers investing $100 billion to build a new chip factory and research center in Arizona. NPR's Emily Fang reports the investment comes after Trump floated the idea of putting 100%

tariffs on Taiwanese-made semiconductors. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, or TSMC, sent its chief executive, C.C. Wei, to make the announcement in the White House. With 3,000 employees, we are producing the most advanced chip made on U.S. soil. The democratic and self-governing Taiwan has a near global monopoly on producing the world's smallest and most advanced AI-enabled chips. And TSMC, Taiwan's most prominent company, already committed $65 billion to build three factories

in Arizona during the Biden administration. TSMC says this newest investment would go towards making more cutting edge chips with artificial intelligence capabilities in the U.S. Emily Fang and Peer News, Washington. A new Trump administration policy allows federal immigration agents into health care facilities. Health workers are brushing up on patient rights. Jackie Fortier with KFF Health News as more. After the federal government rescinded a policy barring immigration and customs enforcement

from arresting people in sensitive locations, including hospitals, health care centers around the country started preparing for raids. At a community clinic in LA, staff are training to teach their patients about the right to remain silent. Before ICE arrests, the one rule is silence is golden.

Let's say that together. Silence is golden. Staff are also learning to read and verify the warrants ICE agents need to arrest people. Some patients are already skipping their appointments out of fear of being detained. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. The Senate has voted to confirm former professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation's next education chief. Putting her in charge of a department, President Trump has said he wants to dismantle.

As secretary, McMahon will be tasked with winding down the Department of Education. Trump has signed sweeping executive orders to rid America's schools of diversity programs and accommodations for transgender students. Bear responsibility for your actions. That's what police in England are telling two suspects charged with stealing a Paddington Bear statue from his creator's hometown. And there's Lauren Freire reports from London.

Paddington Bear was created in the 1950s by children's author Michael Bond. He died in 2017, and a statue of Paddington was unveiled in Bond's hometown of Newbury, England. But over the weekend, someone sliced it in half and stole Paddington, leaving behind his signature blue coat on a bench, which mourners have turned into a shrine piled with jars of marmalade, Paddington's favorite treat. After a man or rather bear hunt, police say they have recovered Paddington and charged two 22-year-old men with criminal damage. Police say the beloved

bear is now, quote, heading to Newbury police station for a much-needed marmalade sandwich. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, London. Normally tight-lipped CIA is heading to South by Southwest this year, a somewhat unusual venue for the nation's premier spy agency. This year's appearance comes as the agency looks to expand and recruit more people. The CIA intends to send people to the upcoming weekend at the event, joining artists and tech experts. You're listening to NPR. At this year's Oscars, Anorah took home the award for Best Picture, Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin also picked up wins,

and Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo delivered a show-stopping opening number. -♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah