NPR News: 03-23-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now Episode: March 23, 2025, 8 PM EDT | Released: March 24, 2025

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Ceasefire Negotiations in Saudi Arabia

Host: Windsor Johnston

Negotiations aiming to establish a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict have commenced in Saudi Arabia today. These talks involve Ukrainian and American delegations and are set against the backdrop of upcoming discussions between the U.S. and Russia scheduled for Monday.

Quote:

"President Trump says he wants to end the war, but Moscow launched massive drone attacks on Kyiv this weekend that killed at least three people." — Ellen Governor Beardsley [00:17]

The conflict remains tense as Moscow intensifies its military efforts despite international calls for de-escalation.

Drone Attacks Devastate Kyiv

Reporter: Eleanor Beardsley

Last Saturday night, Kyiv faced a substantial drone assault, overwhelming the city's air defenses. The attack resulted in significant casualties, including the loss of at least three lives. The following day, mourners gathered at the site of an apartment block struck by the drones, highlighting the pervasive fear and grief among the city's residents.

Quote:

"It's everyday bombing and it's every day, like every night. It's a terrible sound and you're just laying in your bed and thinking, oh my God, this bomb going to my house or near." — Tatiana, Kyiv Resident [00:59]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his Sunday evening address, emphasized Russia's role in prolonging the conflict. He appealed to Ukraine's international allies to intensify pressure on Russia to bring an end to the war.

Quote:

"It should be clear to everyone that Russia is the one who is dragging this war out." — President Volodymyr Zelensky [01:11]

U.S. Support for Israel and USPS Protests

Host: Windsor Johnston

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, reaffirming American support for Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. Rubio also addressed the administration's commitment to restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Concurrently, substantial protests erupted nationwide as one of the largest unions representing U.S. Postal workers organized rallies to oppose the Trump administration's proposals to restructure the USPS. The administration has suggested bringing the independent postal agency under White House control, a move that has sparked significant backlash.

Quote:

"U.S. mail is not for sale." — Kevin Abernathy, NALC Union Steward [02:08]

Kevin Abernathy expressed deep concerns regarding the potential privatization of the postal service, warning of the adverse effects on small businesses, seniors, veterans, rural families, and the general public who rely on USPS services.

Quote:

"If they carve up and sell the postal service, we will lose small businesses, seniors, veterans, rural families and everyday customers who trust us to deliver." — Kevin Abernathy [02:35]

Legal experts have indicated that the proposed changes may violate federal law, intensifying the union's resolve to protect the independence of the postal service. The Union of Rural Letter Carriers is scheduled to hold a rally on Capitol Hill Tuesday to further their cause.

U.S. Interest in Greenland Sparks Tensions

Host: Windsor Johnston

The White House announced that Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Greenland this week to visit historical sites. This visit is part of President Trump's ongoing interest in purchasing Greenland, a proposition he has reiterated multiple times. However, the Prime Minister of Greenland has publicly criticized Trump's proposal, asserting that the island is not for sale.

Sports Highlight: Alex Ovechkin's Pursuit of Gretzky's Record

Hockey enthusiasts are closely monitoring Washington Capitals' star Alex Ovechkin, who is on the verge of surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time career goal record. Ovechkin needs only seven more goals in the Capitals' remaining 12 games this season to achieve this milestone, marking a significant moment in hockey history.

Breakthrough Research: Seals' Oxygen Perception

Reporter: Jonathan Lambert

Groundbreaking research published in the journal Science reveals that gray seals possess the ability to perceive internal oxygen levels, allowing them to avoid drowning more effectively than previously understood. Unlike virtually all other mammals, where the urge to breathe is triggered by rising carbon dioxide levels, gray seals respond directly to oxygen levels.

Quote:

"The higher the oxygen levels, the longer seals stayed under. But carbon dioxide levels had little effect, suggesting seals evolved a new way of not drowning." — Jonathan Lambert [03:45]

This discovery marks the first demonstration of such an ability in animals, offering new insights into marine biology and the evolutionary adaptations of marine mammals.

Conan O'Brien to Receive Mark Twain Prize

Host: Windsor Johnston

Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien is set to receive the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center tonight. O'Brien was announced as the recipient in January, shortly before President Trump intervened in the leadership of the traditionally nonpartisan organization by removing the longtime president and appointing board members aligned with his administration. Subsequently, the board named Trump as the chairman, a move that has stirred controversy regarding the organization's independence.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the NPR News Now episode from March 23, 2025. For detailed coverage and updates, tuning into the full episode is recommended.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Cease fire Negotiations got underway in Saudi Arabia today between Ukrainian and American delegations ahead of talks on Monday between the U.S. and Russia. NPR's Ellen Governor Beardsley reports. President Trump says he wants to end the war, but Moscow launched massive drone attacks on Kyiv this weekend that killed at least three people.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Air defenses battled a massive drone attack Saturday night in Kyiv. On Sunday, the city mourned. People gathered at an apartment block that was struck and where people died. 19 year old Tatiana, who doesn't want to give her last name, says it could happen to any of us last three months.

[Tatiana]

It's everyday bombing and it's every day, like every night. It's a terrible sound and you're just laying in your bed and thinking, oh my God, this bomb going to my house or near.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

In his nightly speech Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it should be clear to everyone that Russia is the one who is dragging this war out. He called on Ukraine's allies to put more pressure on Russia to end the war. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Windsor Johnston]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. The State Department says Rubio reiterated US Support for Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. Rubio also said the administration remains committed to restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. One of the largest unions of US Postal workers is holding rallies across the country today to protest the Trump administration's proposals transform the USPS. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports Trump officials have floated the idea of bringing the independent mail agency under White House control.

[Kevin Abernathy]

U.S. mail is not for sale.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

Members of the national association of Letter Carriers in cities including Silver Spring, Maryland, demonstrated against comments last month by President Trump. He cited trouble finances at USPS and said his administration is considering having the Commerce Department take control of what Congress set up to be an independent postal service. Legal experts say that would likely violate federal law. And NALC union steward Kevin Abernathy says he's also concerned about talk of privatizing the country's mail service.

[Kevin Abernathy]

If they carve up and sell the postal service, we will lose small businesses, seniors, veterans, rural families and everyday customers who trust us to deliver.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

The Union of Rural Letter Carriers is set to rally Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Han Zi Lo Wang, NPR News, Silver Spring, Maryland.

[Windsor Johnston]

The White House says second lady Usha Vance will travel to Greenland this week to visit historical sites. President Trump has repeatedly said he wants wants the US to buy the island. The prime minister of Greenland has sharply criticized Trump for his proposal, noting that the island is not for sale. This is NPR News. Hockey fans are watching the Washington Capitals closely, specifically its star, Alex Ovechkin. He needs only seven more goals in the capital's final 12 games this season to pass Wayne Gretzky in scoring the most goals in a career. New research shows that seals can perceive internal oxygen levels to keep themselves from drowning. NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports. It's the first time that such an ability has been demonstrated in animals.

[Jonathan Lambert]

When humans hold their breath, the urge to breathe is driven by a buildup of carbon dioxide in our blood, not oxygen. That's the case for virtually all other mammals, but not for gray seals. According to a study published in the journal Science, researchers varied the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide captive grey seals could breathe and then watched how long they stayed underwater to find food. The higher the oxygen levels, the longer seals stayed under. But carbon dioxide levels had little effect, suggesting seals evolved a new way of not drowning. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Late night talk show host Conan O'Brien will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy center tonight. He was named the latest recipient of the honor in January, about three weeks before President Trump ousted the longtime president and replaced board members who'd been appointed by Democrats. The board then named Trump chairman of the traditionally nonpartisan organization. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Pemco Mutual Insurance]

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