Ukraine Ceasefire Talks, Education Department Layoffs, Spending Bill

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🗓️ 12 March 2025

⏱️ 15 minutes

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Summary

The U.S. is resuming military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after negotiators agree to a 30-day ceasefire, which Russia is now reviewing. The Trump administration is cutting nearly half of the Education Department's workforce. And, the House passes a stopgap funding bill with just days until a potential government shutdown, now it's headed for a vote in the Senate.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Ukraine agrees to terms for a 30-day ceasefire and the U.S. is back to sending weapons and intelligence.
0:08.8	And that's effective immediately.
0:10.4	Russia agree to the deal and what's it mean for ending the war if they don't.
0:14.9	I'm Michelle Martin. That's A. Martinez.
0:16.7	And this is up first from NPR News.
0:21.6	The Education Department is slashing nearly half of its staff.
0:25.5	Not only are we concerned about how we will now pay our bills, but what impact this is going
0:30.1	to have to the American public, families who have students with special needs.
0:34.9	What happens when the agency meant to support quality and fairness in
0:38.2	education loses so many of its workers? And Congress has just days to avoid a government shutdown.
0:43.4	The House passed a stopgap bill, but will the Senate get on board? Stay with us. We've got all the
0:48.8	news you need to start your day. Support for NPR and the following message come from Boland Branch change your sleep with
1:01.7	Boland Branch's airy blankets cloud-like duvays and breathable sheets feel the difference with 15%
1:07.4	off your first order at bolandbranch.com with code NPR.
1:11.9	Exclusions apply.
1:13.0	See site for details.
1:18.7	After nine hours of talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian and American delegations announced an agreement on a 30-day ceasefire last night.
1:21.3	This comes less than two weeks after a string of harsh words by President Trump, directed
1:25.7	at Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky,
1:28.3	culminated in an Oval Office blow-up between the two and the impression that the new administration
1:33.0	was taking Russia's side. Now, though, the pressure is on Russia to accept the American-Ukrainian deal.
1:38.5	We go now to NPR's Eleanor Beardsley, who is in Kiev. So, Eleanor, 30 days. What does that buy Ukraine?
	...

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