NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-24-2025 4AM EDT

Episode Date: March 24, 2025

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Making time for the news is important, but when you need a break, we've got you covered on All Songs Considered, NPR's music podcast. Think of it like a music discovery show, a well-deserved escape with friends, and yeah, some serious music insight. I'm going to keep it real. I have no idea what this story is about. Hear new episodes of All Songs Considered every Tuesday, wherever you get podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, D.C., I'm Dale Willman.

Russia launched a drone attack on targets across Ukraine overnight Sunday. Local officials say at least seven people were killed in those attacks. The strikes took place as Ukraine began talks with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia on a possible ceasefire. Russia begins talks with the U.S. later today. Trump administration special envoy Steve Whitkoff says he's confident the talks will have positive results. I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full on shooting ceasefire.

Witkoff was speaking on Fox News Sunday. Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli forces hit the largest hospital in the territory's southern region on Sunday. At least two people were killed and several others were wounded. Israel's ministry says it was targeting a Hamas militant they say was operating in the building. Georgia's Senator Democrat, Jon Ossoff, unofficially kicked off his 2026 reelection campaign this weekend. Sam Greenglass from Ember Station WABE reports that the race is expected to be among the most contentious and expensive in the country.

Election Day 2026 is nearly two years away, but Democrats like Senator Ossoff are hoping to turn frustration over Trump's moves to abruptly slash government and punish political enemies into victories. Georgia will bow to no king. Ossoff and fellow Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock pulled off surprise wins in 2021. But last year Trump recaptured the state, and Ossoff says Democrats must respond.

Maybe right now you feel surrounded by darkness. You might be wondering if there's a way out. But Atlanta, we don't have the luxury of despair. The Republican Senate field is largely frozen as term-limited Georgia Governor Brian Kemp weighs a run. For NPR News, I'm Sam Greenglass in Atlanta. Canada says it will hold a parliamentary election next month. Emma Jacobs has our reports.

Prime Minister Mark Carney replaced former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month as the head of Canada's Liberal Party. His calling a snap election dissolves Parliament and launches a five-week election campaign. Carney says he wants a strong, positive mandate from Canadian voters. We're facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty. Carney's party has gained in the polls in recent weeks

against Canada's Conservative Party, as President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state. For NPR News, I'm Emma Jacobs in Montreal. Stocks in Asia close mostly lower on Monday. Investors are waiting for new developments on President Trump's tariffs. There are reports that he may narrow his approach

to focus on countries that run significant trade surpluses with the U.S. that includes many Asian countries. You're listening to NPR News. Four arrests have been made in connection with a Friday night shooting at an unauthorized car show in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Police say all four could face at least one murder charge. Three people were killed and 15 others injured in that incident. Police say they found between 50 and 60 shell casings scattered across the park.

Former Utah congresswoman Mia Love died from a Sunday from a highly aggressive brain cancer. Sean Hickens with member station KUER has more. Love was the first black person elected to Congress from Utah and the first African American Republican woman to serve in Congress when she was elected in 2014. The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Love was born in New York and raised in Connecticut. She moved to Utah in the late 90s. In Congress, Love was a reliable conservative vote, but did not shy away from criticizing President Trump during his first term after he used offensive language to describe Haiti

and developing countries in Africa. Love was in Congress for two terms, until she was narrowly defeated by Democrat Ben McAdams in 2018. Love is survived by her husband, three children, and one grandchild. She was 49 years old. For NPR News, I'm Sean Higgins. Conan O'Brien was awarded the Mark Twain Prize on Sunday night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He was given the award for a lifetime of achievement in comedy. He was named as the recipient of the award just weeks before President Trump upended the Kennedy Center by removing the president and board chairman, along with the board of trustees. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.