NPR News: 03-14-2025 4PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 14, 2025, 4PM EDT

Hosted by NPR, providing the latest news in five minutes.

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1. President Trump Visits the Department of Justice

Timestamp: [00:17]

President Donald Trump made a notable visit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, where he addressed ongoing investigations into the DOJ and those involved in scrutinizing his administration. Trump characterized these investigations as part of a "corrupt group of hacks and radicals" within the American government.

Donald Trump [00:31]: "Unfortunately, in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations. They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people."

Trump's remarks underscore his long-standing criticism of federal investigations into his conduct during his first term and his attempts to challenge the 2020 election results, which culminated in his loss to President Joe Biden.

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2. U.S. Ceasefire Negotiations in Gaza

Timestamp: [00:51] - [01:21]

The White House has reported that Hamas is imposing unreasonable demands in its negotiations to extend the ceasefire in Gaza. The proposed extension aims to continue the current ceasefire beyond Passover and Ramadan, providing additional time to negotiate a permanent resolution and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Timestamp: [01:21]

NPR’s Tamara Keith highlighted skepticism from U.S. officials regarding Hamas's negotiation stance.

Tamara Keith [01:21]: "...Hamas is making a very bad bet. That time is on its side. It is not."

Despite Hamas's public willingness to release one American hostage and the bodies of four others held since the October 7 attack, U.S. officials, including Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, argue that Hamas's demands are impractical and unlikely to lead to a favorable outcome for the militants.

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3. Senate Confirms Steven Feinberg to Defense Department

Timestamp: [02:03]

The U.S. Senate confirmed Steven Feinberg as the second-in-command at the Department of Defense under Secretary Pete Hegseth. The vote concluded with a majority of 59 to 40, solidifying Feinberg's role in shaping defense policies and strategies moving forward.

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4. Severe Weather Threatens Millions Across the U.S.

Timestamp: [02:03] - [02:28]

A significant weather system is poised to impact approximately 100 million Americans with a range of severe conditions, including blizzards, tornadoes, and large hail across various regions.

Pat Duggans of Alabama Public Radio provided detailed coverage:

Pat Duggans [02:28]: "Forecasters have been keeping an eye on this system for close to a week, and that's considered unusual. It's the size of the approaching storm that has residents from the Great Plains to the Eastern Seaboard on guard."

Highlights include:

• Alabama: Under a weather alert for three days with Governor Kay Ivey declaring a statewide emergency.
• Northern Plains: Potential blizzards.
• Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma: Windy conditions may spark wildfires.
• East Coast: Risk of flooding and flash floods expected on Sunday.

Residents are advised to stay informed and prepared for the varying weather hazards.

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5. U.S. Stock Markets Close Higher

Timestamp: [02:59]

U.S. stock markets ended the day on a positive note:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up by 674 points (>1.5%)
• Nasdaq: Increased by 2.6%
• S&P 500: Rose by more than 2%

The upward trend reflects investor confidence and positive market dynamics at the close of trading.

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6. Venezuela to Resume Flights for Deported Citizens

Timestamp: [03:27]

Venezuela is set to resume flights for its citizens deported from the United States, marking a significant shift in bilateral relations.

Timestamp: [03:27]

NPR’s Carrie Conn reported:

Rick Grenell [03:27]: Announced the resumption of flights on social media, stating, "Venezuela agreed to resume the flights to pick up their citizens who broke U.S. immigration laws."

Jorge Rodriguez, Venezuela’s top negotiator, confirmed the agreement:

Jorge Rodriguez [03:27]: "This move would protect Venezuelans' human rights and safeguard family reunions."

Background:

• Over 7 million Venezuelans have fled the country due to economic decline and political turmoil under President Nicolás Maduro.
• Maduro had previously halted the flights citing strained relations with the U.S., particularly after Trump canceled a Chevron license in Venezuela.

The resumption of these flights is expected to facilitate the safe return or reunification of Venezuelan families affected by deportations.

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7. NASA and SpaceX Launch Crew to the International Space Station

Timestamp: [04:11]

An international crew is scheduled to launch from Florida's Cape Canaveral shortly after 7 PM EDT for the International Space Station (ISS), marking the 10th crew rotation mission undertaken by NASA and SpaceX.

Key Points:

• Astronauts Replaced: Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been aboard the ISS for nine months.
• Technical Delays: Their return was postponed due to multiple technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
• NASA's Workforce Plans: Reuters reports that NASA has received a one-week extension to submit plans addressing potential mass layoffs amid numerous high-priority space missions this month.

The mission underscores ongoing collaboration between NASA and private aerospace companies to maintain and support the ISS's operational needs.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the NPR News Now episode released on March 14, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump is visiting the Department of Justice where he says investigations into the DOJ and those who investigated him will be, quote, legendary.

[Donald Trump]

Unfortunately, in recent years, a corrupt group of hacks and radicals within the ranks of the American government obliterated the trust and goodwill built up over generations. They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Trump has long railed against federal investigations into his conduct during his first term and and his bid to overturn the results of the 2020 election. He lost to Joe Biden. The White House says that Hamas is making unreasonable demands in negotiations to extend a ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel hopes will lead to the release of more hostages held by the Palestinian militant group. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. A top U.S. envoy is calling this a bad bet.

[Tamara Keith]

The White House says Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff presented a bridge proposal to extend the current ceasefire beyond Passover and Ramad to allow more time to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. Hamas has said publicly that it is willing to release the one American hostage still alive in Gaza, as well as the bodies of four others it has been holding since the October 7 attack. But a statement from Witkoff and the National Security Council says privately Hamas is making demands that are entirely impractical. The statement goes on to say that, quote, hamas is making a very bad bet. That time is on its side. It is not. Tamara Keith, NPR News, the White House.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The U.S. senate has confirmed Steven Feinberg to serve as the second in command at the Defense Department under Secretary Pete Hegseth. The vote was 59 to 40. The National Weather Service says 100 million people could be in the path of severe weather, ranging from blizzards to tornadoes to hail the size of tennis balls across parts of the US Pat Duggans of Alabama Public Radio has the latest.

[Pat Duggans]

Forecasters have been keeping an eye on this system for close to a week, and that's considered unusual. It's the size of the approaching storm that has residents from the Great Plains to the Eastern Seaboard on guard. The National Weather Service says Alabama has been under a weather alert for three days. Governor K. Ivey is declaring a statewide emergency ahead of the storm's arrival. Blizzards are possible in the northern Plains. Windy conditions in parts of Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma could cause wildfires. Flood, flash flooding could hit the east coast on Sunday. For NPR News, I'm Pat Duggans in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks end the day higher with the dow closing up 674 points, or more than 1.5%. The Nasdaq closed up 2.6%. The S&P also up more than 2%. From Washington, this is NPR News. Venezuela is expected to once again accept flights of its citizens deported from the United States as soon as today. Here's NPR's Carrie Conn. President Trump's special.

[Carrie Conn]

Envoy, Rick Grenell, announced the resumption of flights on social media. He said Venezuela agreed to resume the flights to pick up their citizens who broke U.S. immigration laws. Venezuela's top negotiator, Jorge Rodriguez, also confirmed a deal in his post on social media. Rodriguez said the move would protect Venezuelans human rights and safeguard family reunions. More than 7 million Venezuelans have fled the country as the economy deteriorated and President Nicolas Maduro consolidated power. Maduro had halted the flights earlier this month. He cited deteriorating relations with the US After Trump canceled a Chevron license to operate in Venezuela. Carrie Conn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Lakshmi Singh]

An international crew is still on schedule to blast off from Florida's Cape canaveral right after 7pm tonight for the International Space Station. NASA and SpaceX are embarking on the 10th crew rotation mission. Those to be replaced will include astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They were initially intended to spend about a week at the orbiting outpost, but they were not able to return on the Boeing Starliner due to multiple technical problems. They've been on the ISS for nine months. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that NASA says it received a one week extension to submit its plans to officials for mass layoffs given the number of high priority space missions this month. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in Washington.

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