NPR News: 03-25-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – March 25, 2025, 9 AM EDT

Hosted by Korva Coleman

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1. White House Officials’ Use of Commercial Messaging Apps for Military Communications

In a significant security oversight, the White House National Security Council is scrutinizing the use of a commercial messaging application by top Trump administration officials to discuss imminent U.S. military strikes in Yemen. This breach was highlighted when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to the chat, mistaking it for a hoax before realizing it contained real-time military information.

Greg Myre of NPR emphasized the severity of the lapse:
"These airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen began on a Saturday afternoon, so officials may not have been near a scif. But it doesn't mean they should be discussing the launch of a major US Military operation in real time on their phones on a commercial messaging app."
[00:48]

The administration officials involved reportedly included high-profile figures such as the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and CIA Director, John Ratcliffe. Both were scheduled to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee later that day. The incident underscores the critical need for secure communication channels in handling sensitive military operations.

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2. U.S. and Ukrainian Officials Resume Ceasefire Talks with Russia

Ukrainian officials are set to engage in further discussions with U.S. counterparts regarding a potential ceasefire with Russia. This follows a previous meeting where the focus was on negotiating a halt to hostilities in the strategically vital Black Sea region.

Eleanor Beardsley of NPR reported:
"At the top of Russia's agenda with the US Was a ceasefire in the Black Sea. That's because it's one of the places where Ukraine has caused real pain for the Kremlin chasing Russia's Black Sea fleet from its base in Crimea."
[01:32]

Despite these efforts, the Kremlin has so far declined to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire and continues its assaults on Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, attributed the prolongation of the war solely to Russian actions, calling for increased global pressure through sanctions and continued support for Ukraine.

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3. President Trump Nominates New Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Following the withdrawal of his initial candidate, President Trump has nominated Susan Menarez to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Menarez has been serving as the CDC's acting director since January and has maintained agency operations amidst significant policy shifts.

Ping Huang of NPR detailed:
"In a post on Truth Social, announcing Menars as his choice to lead CDC on a permanent basis. Trump said she would work closely with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. To address the chronic disease epidemic."
[02:22]

Menarez brings relevant experience from her previous leadership role at the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. Her nomination replaces Dr. Dave Weldon, whose candidacy was derailed by opposition within Republican circles due to his anti-vaccine stance. Menarez is now slated to undergo a Senate confirmation hearing.

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4. U.S. Postmaster General Resignation and Potential Commerce Department Takeover

The U.S. Postmaster General has announced his resignation, prompting discussions about the future governance of the Postal Service. Last month, Louis DeJoy had signaled his intent to step down, leading to President Trump contemplating the Commerce Department assuming control of postal operations.

However, legal experts warn that such a move could conflict with federal law, as the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish post offices. The transition remains contentious, with debates over the legality and practicality of shifting postal oversight to a different department.

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5. Attack on Documentary Filmmaker by Israeli Settlers in the West Bank

A disturbing incident occurred in the West Bank, where Hamdan Bilal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," was violently attacked by Israeli settlers. The documentary highlights the ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes in Israeli-occupied territories.

Mandalit Del Barco of NPR reported:
"The group reports the assault was carried out by a group of Israeli settlers, some masked, some carrying batons, knives and an assault rifle. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to NPR's request for information, but police told Channel 12 news in Israel that the clash began with Palest throwing stones at a Jewish miner."
[03:52]

The attack resulted in the arrest of three Palestinians, including Bilal, and a Jewish minor. This incident underscores the persistent tensions and violence in the region, particularly against those advocating for Palestinian rights and documenting their plight.

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6. Weather Forecast: Extreme Heat Expected in Western and Central U.S.

The National Weather Service has issued a forecast warning for extreme heat across the western and central United States this week. Some areas may experience record-breaking high temperatures, posing risks to public health and infrastructure.

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For comprehensive updates and more detailed reporting, tune into NPR News Now for the latest developments.

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This summary excludes advertisements, introductory segments, and concluding remarks to focus on delivering the core news content discussed in the episode.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The White House National Security Council says it's reviewing top Trump administration officials use of a commercial messaging app to talk about upcoming US Military strikes in Yemen. Journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to that chat. He left the chat after realizing what he thought was a hoax was real time military information. It was being discussed in highly insecure channels. NPR's Greg Myre says the administration officials should have been using a special room for these conversations, known as a scif.

[Greg Myre]

These airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen began on a Saturday afternoon, so officials may not have been near a scif. But it doesn't mean they should be discussing the launch of a major US Military operation in real time on their phones on a commercial messaging app.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Greg Myhrey reporting. Some of the people on that text chain reportedly included the director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Both are supposed to appear today at a prescheduled hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Ukrainian officials say they will meet again today with U.S. officials to discuss talks about a ceasefire with Russia. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. The U.S. delegation met yesterday with Russian officials.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

At the top of Russia's agenda with the US Was a ceasefire in the Black Sea. That's because it's one of the places where Ukraine has caused real pain for the Kremlin chasing Russia's Black Sea fleet from its base in Crimea. So far, the Kremlin has refused a comprehensive ceasefire and continues to attack Ukraine's cities. In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia remains the only actor dragging out the war to push Russia toward peace, he said the world needs to apply pressure on Russia, which means sanctions, and give support to Ukraine. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump has a new nominee to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His initial choice was withdrawn from consideration. NPR's Ping Huang reports. The new nominee has recent CDC experience.

[Ping Huang]

Susan Menarez has served as the CDC's acting director since January. She's kept the agency running while also overseeing the implementation of executive orders that led to public data sets being pulled from the agency's website and a round of firings targeting temporary and probationary employees in a post on Truth Social, announcing Menars as his choice to lead CDC on a permanent basis. Trump said she would work closely with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. To address the chronic disease epidemic. Minar has previously worked in leadership at the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. She'll now face a Senate confirmation hearing. The White House withdrew The previous nominee, Dr. Dave Weldon, after some Republican lawmakers balked at his anti vaccine views. Ping Huang, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, in pre market trading, Dow futures are higher. This is NPR. The U.S. postmaster General is stepping down. Last month, Louis DeJoy had asked the Postal Service Governing board to seek his replacement. Since then, President Trump has said he's thinking about having the Commerce Department take over the postal. Legal experts suggest that would likely violate federal law. The U.S. constitution explicitly gives Congress the power to create post offices. A co director of the Oscar winning film no Other Land reportedly was attacked by Israeli settlers in the west bank and arrested by Israeli forces. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports he was seen being beaten in the west bank last night.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

Weeks ago, Hamdan Bilal was on stage at the Academy Awards holding an Oscar for the Palestinian Israeli co production no Other Land. The documentary chronicled ongoing bulldozing of Palestinian homes in the Israeli occupied West Bank. It was in one of those villages that Bilal was attacked with other Palestinians and Jewish activists, According to the center for Jewish Nonviolence. The group reports the assault was carried out by a group of Israeli settlers, some masked, some carrying batons, knives and an assault rifle. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to NPR's request for information, but police told Channel 12 news in Israel that the clash began with Palest throwing stones at a Jewish miner. They report three Palestinians, including Bilal, were arrested along with a Jewish minor. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

It will be hot in the western and central US this week. The National Weather Service says that some record highs are possible. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.

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