NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-04-2025 12AM EST

Episode Date: March 4, 2025

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There's a lot of news happening. You want to understand it better, but let's be honest, you don't want it to be your entire life either. Well, that's sort of like our show, Here and Now Anytime. Every weekday on our podcast, we talk to people all over the country about everything from political analysis to climate resilience, video games. We even talk about dumpster diving on this show. Check out Here and Now Anytime, a daily podcast from NPR and WBUR. Shea Stevens Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. U.S. businesses and consumers are bracing for higher prices, not that President Trump's

25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico have taken effect, along with the doubling of levies on goods from China. As NPR's Kamila Domenoski reports, the new tariffs could be a major blow to the auto industry. The auto industry is particularly vulnerable to these tariffs because plants in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. send parts back and forth across borders. Companies have plans to reduce their added costs, but analysts still expect the tariffs to add some $3,000 on average to vehicle prices.

Trump called for companies to move production to the U.S. to avoid tariffs, but even plants in the U.S. are going to face higher costs for parts. And companies say that the uncertainty around how long these tariffs will last makes it hard to plan permanent changes. Camila Dominochki, NPR News. The U.S. has paused military aid to Ukraine. A senior White House official says President Trump wants a review to ensure that the aid is contributing to a solution to the war in Ukraine.

The move comes days after a failed White House meeting in which Trump had hoped to sign an economic deal with Ukraine's president as repayment for past U.S. military support for Kiev. The European Union is seeking allies to secure a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. Senate Democrats are expressing outrage over reports that the White House's Doge team plans to target Social Security, which benefits retirees, the disabled, and survivors of those who paid into the system. Oregon's Ron Wyden says the Trump administration is breaking a promise to protect earned benefits. Dozier's attack on Social Security, in my view, is a first step on the path to privatizing Social Security. Washington Democrat Patty Murray says billionaires like Elon Musk are leeching off the American taxpayer.

Musk has called the program a Ponzi scheme. President Trump is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress and the nation Tuesday night, and NPR's Luke Garrick reports that security will be high in and around the U.S. Capitol. Luke Garrick, NPR's President of the United States of America Outside the U.S. Capitol, workers are installing anti-scale fencing, an added security measure for Trump's joint address according to Capitol Police. Since returning to the White House, Trump has signed more than 75 executive orders aimed at reducing the federal government and securing the border, among other issues. Senior advisor Jason

Miller told Fox News on Sunday that the president's speech will highlight his executive actions and push lawmakers to support his agenda. That's going to be a big component, getting this one big beautiful tax bill done. The House has already made some great steps. We need more money for the border to keep it permanently secure. The president now needs Congress to approve new spending that supports his priorities by March 14th. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

US futures are higher in after hours trading. This is NPR. The Israeli government is backing what it's calling a new U.S. ceasefire plan to replace the deal that expired on Saturday. The new proposal reportedly would require Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a permanent truce. The White House has not confirmed the existence of any such proposal, which is said to be named after U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. People around the world are watching a live stream of two eagles in a nest in the mountains east of Los Angeles. Viewers are waiting to see if the eagles' eggs will hatch this year.

Madison Allman of member station KVCR has the story. Eagles Jackie and Shadow have attracted a devoted following over the years as a camera high in a pine tree overlooking Big Bear Lake has streamed their antics 24-7. In January, Jackie laid three eggs. Now two have started to pip, the process when the eaglets begin to poke through their shells.

Sandy Steers runs the live stream. She has her fingers crossed that the eaglets will emerge soon. It's definitely much higher probability once they hit, and especially the one that's so active and seeing it moving and everything. Last year ended in heartbreak for viewers when none of Jackie's three eggs hatched. Steers says the hatching process can take about three days. She says if the eaglets make it this time, local third graders will get to pick their names. For NPR News, I'm Madison Aument. NPR News Reporter, Madison Aument U.S. futures are slightly higher in after hours trading on Wall Street following Monday's

losses. On Asia Pacific, market shares are lower, down nearly 2 percent in Tokyo. This is NPR News. When she teaches her students how to write a song, musician Scarlett Keys says they need to ask themselves certain questions. What is the thing that keeps you up at night? What's the thing you can't stop thinking about? As songwriters, we are repurposing human tropes and a new viewpoint with new words, with new music.

The people and technology behind the soundtracks of our lives. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR.