NPR News: 03-28-2025 5AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 28, 2025, 5 AM EDT

Host: Dave Mattingly
Reporter Contributors: Michael Sullivan, Jeff Brumfiel, Jonathan Lambert
Release Date: March 28, 2025

---

1. Devastating Earthquake Strikes Myanmar and Thailand

At approximately 12:50 PM local time, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing significant damage in both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand. Dave Mattingly opened the episode with this breaking news, followed by a report from Michael Sullivan.

Key Points:

• The earthquake's epicenter was located about 10 miles northwest of Sagang town.
• A subsequent 6.4 magnitude aftershock occurred 12 minutes later.
• Social media surfaced images showing chaos at Mandalay Airport, including fallen debris and collapsed buildings in the streets.
• The quake was felt as far as Chiang Rai in northern Thailand and Bangkok, nearly 500 miles south, where residents evacuated buildings for safety.

Notable Quote:

"The extent of casualties is unclear," stated Dave Mattingly at [00:18].

Michael Sullivan emphasized the widespread impact:

"Social media shows people cowering on the tarmac at what appears to be the airport in nearby Mandalay, with fallen debris in several parts of the airport's terminal." ([00:34])

2. Trump Administration’s Spending Cuts and Social Security

As President Trump progresses with his agenda to reduce federal government spending, significant implications for Social Security recipients have emerged. Dave Mattingly reported on these developments, highlighting comments from Elon Musk made during a recent appearance on Fox News.

Key Points:

• The administration targets spending cuts aimed at preventing national bankruptcy.
• Special Report host Bret Baier questioned Musk on the impact of these cuts on Social Security benefits.
• Elon Musk assured that the reforms would increase benefits for legitimate Social Security recipients.

Notable Quotes: Bret Baier queried at [01:40]:

"How do you reassure people that what you all are doing is not going to affect their benefits?"

Elon Musk responded confidently at [01:47]:

"No, in fact, what we're doing will help their benefits. Legitimate people, as a result of the work of doge, will receive more Social Security, not less."

Despite Musk's assurances, concerns remain about the broader impact of the spending cuts on federal programs and services.

3. Proposed Closure of the Atomic Spectroscopy Group

The Trump administration's initiative to trim federal spending includes the proposed closure of the Atomic Spectroscopy Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a move that has sparked significant opposition from the scientific community.

Key Points:

• The Atomic Spectroscopy Group consists of seven federal scientists responsible for maintaining a vital catalog of atomic spectra.
• This catalog, a legacy of over 120 years, is essential for various industries, including medical devices, microchip manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
• Elizabeth Goldschmidt, a physicist, highlighted the group's importance:

  "Having these reliable standards is what allows industries to innovate and make new products." ([02:54])

• The administration aims to close the lab within weeks, prompting over 3,000 researchers to sign a petition against the decision.

Notable Quote: Jeff Brumfiel reported at [02:05]:

"According to an email from the group's leader, the administration plans its closure in a matter of weeks."

4. Economic Implications of Trump’s Auto Tariffs

Economist Arthur Laffer has voiced strong opposition to President Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on U.S. imports of cars and auto parts, warning of substantial cost increases for consumers and potential setbacks for the U.S. auto industry.

Key Points:

• Laffer estimates that the tariffs could raise vehicle costs by up to $4,700.
• He argues that these tariffs will hinder the competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry against foreign manufacturers.
• Laffer, renowned for his role in shaping Reaganomics, underscores the long-term economic risks associated with protectionist policies.

Notable Quote: At [03:12], Dave Mattingly relayed Laffer's assessment:

"The tariffs could make it harder for the US Auto industry to compete with foreign automakers."

The tariffs are set to take effect the following week, igniting debates among policymakers and industry leaders.

5. Breakthrough Research on Horse Athleticism

Shifting to scientific advancements, Jonathan Lambert reported on new research revealing the genetic foundations of horses' exceptional athletic abilities. This study, published in the journal Science, uncovers how horses have evolved unique genetic adaptations to enhance their performance.

Key Points:

• The research focuses on a key gene pathway that regulates the balance between energy production and the cleanup of harmful byproducts in cells.
• Horses possess unusual genetic changes in this pathway, enabling them to generate more energy while efficiently managing cellular damage.
• This genetic adaptation allows horse muscles to operate at higher temperatures without incurring additional costs, contributing to their renowned endurance and speed.

Notable Quote: Jonathan Lambert explained at [04:09]:

"The genetic changes allow horses to produce significantly more energy while simultaneously ramping up damage control."

This discovery not only advances our understanding of equine biology but may also have broader implications for enhancing athletic performance in other species.

6. Market Update: Wall Street Futures Dip

Wrapping up the episode, Dave Mattingly provided a brief update on the financial markets, noting that Wall Street futures are trending downward as of the morning of March 28, 2025.

Key Points:

• Investors appear cautious amidst ongoing economic policy changes and international developments.
• The downward trend in futures suggests potential volatility in the trading day ahead.

Mattingly concluded:

"Wall street futures are on the downside this morning." ([04:49])

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the March 28, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a condensed overview of the day's most significant news stories.

Transcript

[Intuit TurboTax]

This message comes from Intuit. TurboTax now taxes is matching with an expert backed by tech to get you the most money [e-mail] experts only available with TurboTax Live. See guarantee [e-mail] guarantees.

[Dave Mattingly]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. There are reports of damage in Myanmar and neighboring Thailand today after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar. As as Michael Sullivan reports, the extent of casualties is unclear.

[Michael Sullivan]

The U.S. geological Survey says the 7.7 magnitude quake struck around 12:50pm local time, about 10 miles northwest of the town of Sagang. A magnitude 6.4 aftershock followed about 12 minutes later. Social media shows people cowering on the tarmac at what appears to be the airport in nearby Mandalay, with fallen debris in several parts of the airport's terminal. Additional social media posts from Mandalay show collapsed buildings and debris in the streets. NPR's not confirmed the accuracy of the posts. The quake could be felt here in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, and as far away as the capital Bangkok, nearly 500 miles to the south, where there people ran from buildings into the street. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan in Chiang Rai.

[Dave Mattingly]

As President Trump continues to downsize the federal government, the man overseeing his Department of Government Efficiency says Social Security recipients are among those who will benefit from the spending cuts. Elon Musk appeared on Fox News last night with Special Report host Bret Baier.

[Bret Baier]

How do you reassure people that what you all are doing is not going to affect their benefits?

[Elon Musk]

No, in fact, what we're doing will help their benefits. Legitimate people, as a result of the work of doge, will receive more Social Security, not less. I want to emphasize that as a result of the work of doge, legitimate recipients of Social Security will receive more money, not less money.

[Dave Mattingly]

Musk said the cuts in spending are necessary to prevent the country from going bankrupt. Scientists say the Trump administration administration's proposed closure of a little known government research group could have far reaching consequences. As NPR's Jeff Brumfiel reports, the lab maintains a catalog of atomic properties.

[Jeff Brumfiel]

The Atomic Spectroscopy Group is made up of just seven federal scientists at the National Institute of Standards and technology. For 120 years, it's had a really important job maintaining a catalog of atomic spectra, the unique colors emitted by different elements in the periodic table. These atomic fingerprints are used throughout science and industry for things like GPs, medical devices and microchip manufacturing. Elizabeth Goldschmidt is a physicist at the University of Illinois, Champaign, Urbana.

[Elizabeth Goldschmidt]

Having these reliable standards is what allows industries to innovate and make new products.

[Jeff Brumfiel]

According to an email from the group's leader, the administration plans its closure in a matter of weeks. More than 3,000 researchers have signed a petition to try and save it. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News.

[Dave Mattingly]

This is NPR News from Washington. Economist Arthur Laffer warns President Trump's decision to place 25% tariffs on U.S. imports of cars and auto parts will raise the cost of vehicles by thousands of dollars. Laffer estimates the additional Cost could top $4,700, based on his analysis. He says the tariffs could make it harder for the US Auto industry to compete with foreign automakers. Laffer was the first chief economist of the White House Office of Management and budget back in 1970. He was later known for his influence on President Reagan's economic policies in the 1980s, known as Reaganomics. Trump's auto tariffs take effect next week. New research on horses shows their athleticism may stem from unusual genetic changes over time. NPR's Jonathan Lambert has more.

[Jonathan Lambert]

To run far and fast, cells need to burn a lot of oxygen to produce energy. This process creates harmful byproducts, which cells clean up using antioxidants. The balance between energy production and byproduct cleanup is regulated by a key gene pathway. New research in the journal Science suggests horses have evolved unusual changes in this pathway. The genetic changes allow horses to produce significantly more energy while simultaneously ramping up damage control. This allows horse muscles to basically run hotter than other animals without incurring extra costs. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[Dave Mattingly]

Wall street futures are on the downside this morning. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.

[Intuit TurboTax]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Bolland Branch. Change your sleep with airy blankets, cloud like duvets and buttery soft Sheets. Save 20% during the annual spring event at bolandbranch.com with code NPR limited time only exclusion supply seaside. For details.