NPR News Now – March 25, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Producer: NPR
Episode Release Date: March 25, 2025

1. White House Endorsement of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz

Timestamp: 00:13

NPR’s Lakshmi Singh opens the episode with a focus on the White House's unwavering support for National Security Adviser Mike Waltz amidst growing scrutiny. The administration emphasizes President Trump's continued confidence in Waltz, despite recent controversies.

Franco Ordonez reports that the White House is minimizing the impact of a significant revelation: a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently added to a private group chat concerning U.S. military strike plans against the Houthis in Yemen.

Quote (00:32):
President Trump described the situation as, "the only glitch in two months. And it turned out not to be a serious one. He added, Michael Waltz has learned a lesson and he's a good man."

This incident has placed Waltz under increasing pressure, especially after he raised national security concerns regarding the mishandling of sensitive information.

2. Congressional Scrutiny Over Handling of Military Strike Information

Timestamp: 01:09

In a closed-door session on Capitol Hill, intelligence chiefs face intense questioning from lawmakers over the alleged mishandling of U.S. military strike data.

During NPR's "Here and Now," John Bolton, former National Security Adviser to President Trump, expressed his astonishment at the situation.

Quote (01:25):
"It's hard to grasp why any of these people at some point up to and including the vice president of the United States didn't say, by the way, why are we on Signal instead of doing a civic-secure video telecommunication system capability that most of those people, if not all of them, have on their desktops."

Bolton criticized the use of the Signal messenger app for official communications, questioning the security protocols in place. This commentary is particularly noteworthy given that Kathryn Mayer, NPR’s CEO, is the chair of the board for the Signal Foundation, which supports the app.

3. Venezuela’s Efforts to Free Deported Citizens from El Salvador

Timestamp: 01:43

Venezuela is actively seeking the release of over two Venezuelan citizens currently detained in El Salvador's maximum-security prisons following their deportation by the United States.

Carrie Conn reports that Venezuelan lawyers have filed a petition with El Salvador’s high court, representing 30 deportees, to challenge their imprisonment.

Quote (02:11):
"Lawyers are asking the Supreme Court's Constitutional Chamber to compel the Salvadoran government to justify their imprisonment."

The U.S. government maintains that the deported individuals are members of violent gangs, justifying their swift deportation under wartime laws. However, Venezuelan officials, led by President Nicolas Maduro, argue that none of the deportees possess criminal records and accuse the U.S. of kidnapping.

4. U.S. Stock Market Trends

Timestamp: 02:54

U.S. stocks are experiencing an upward trend during this reporting hour.

• Nasdaq Composite: Up 6.72 points (~0.5%) to 18,259
• S&P 500: Increased by 8 points
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Rose by 8 points

These movements suggest a positive market sentiment at the time of the report.

5. White House's Diplomatic Efforts with Russia

Timestamp: 02:54

In a significant diplomatic development, the White House has announced an agreement aimed at restoring Russia’s access to agricultural and fertilizer exports. This deal also seeks to reduce maritime security costs and enhance access to ports and payment systems for these transactions.

Franco Ordonez explains that these negotiations, conducted in Riyadh, are part of broader efforts to broker an end to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

The agreement includes provisions to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the utilization of commercial vessels for military purposes, fostering a more stable and secure maritime environment.

6. Impact of Audio Quality on Virtual Meeting Impressions

Timestamp: 04:02

NPR’s Nell Greenfield Boyce discusses a recent study from Yale University that explores how audio quality in virtual meetings influences participants' perceptions.

Researchers recorded individuals in various speaking scenarios, including a job interview setting. Participants first listened to high-quality audio recordings and later to degraded versions of the same recordings.

Quote (04:24):
"People who heard the high-quality audio were consistently more likely to have favorable impressions of the speaker, seeing them as more intelligent, attractive, and convincing."

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the significance of audio clarity in virtual communications, suggesting that investment in better audio technology can enhance personal and professional interactions.

7. Recap of Stock Market Performance

Timestamp: 04:42

The episode concludes with a quick recap of the stock market's positive performance:

• Nasdaq: Up 72 points
• S&P 500: Up 8 points
• Dow Jones: Up 6 points

Lakshmi Singh signs off, reaffirming the continued positive trend in the U.S. stock markets.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from Carvana and Insperity were omitted as per the summary guidelines.