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Windsor Johnston
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Pakistan will host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt for two days starting on Sunday. Betsy Joels reports. This is part of a broader diplomatic effort that Pakistan sets is aimed at de escalating tensions in the region.
Betsy Joels
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Isaac Dar says foreign ministers are meeting in Islamabad. This comes after Pakistan formally announced earlier this week that it was relaying messages between Iran and the United States in its effort to promote peace between them. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shabazz Sharif also offered to host the US And Iran for talks on a settlement and said he spoke with Iran's president for more than an hour by phone today. Egypt has also offered to host meetings to de escalate the war launched one month ago. And Turkey has said that it is also passing messages between Washington and Tehran. For NPR News, I'm Betsy Joels in Islamabad.
Windsor Johnston
Long lines are still being reported at security checkpoints at airports across the nation as Congress continues to clash over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Passengers have been standing in line for hours this morning at Baltimore Washington Airport, with some missing their flights. Traveler Darien Davis describes the scene there.
Darien Davis
I've been doing it since maybe January, and this process usually takes about maybe 15 minutes, at least on the Baltimore side. I have no idea how long this is taking at this point, to be really honest. You just kind of gotta smile and nod and hope you get through. But it's at least four times a time, and that's in Baltimore. Atlanta is just unspeakable at this point.
Windsor Johnston
President Trump last night signed an executive action that would pay TSA agents who've been working without a paid check for more than a month. The White House says the move is aimed at easing security lines. Demonstrations against President Trump are expected in cities across the country today. Organizers of the no Kings movement are expecting more than 3,000 rallies nationwide. Steve Futterman reports from Los Angeles.
Steve Futterman
Organizers expect tens of thousands to show up for an afternoon rally in front of LA City Hall. Other rallies are occurring in places like Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and along the ocean in Santa Monica. In downtown la, where previous protests have moved onto freeways, halting traffic, security barricades have been put up on some freeway on and off ramps to try to prevent that from happening again last year in June, during another no Kings protest. Large numbers did turn out in the LA area. That protest took place just days after there were violent confrontations between police and protesters over ICE enforcement activities. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.
Windsor Johnston
Protests are also taking place in Washington, D.C. new York and Philadelphia. This is NPR News. Lawmakers in California have voted to audit the state's joint intelligence centers. The move comes after claims of illegal data sharing and invasive surveillance. The ACLU and other groups say police use the centers to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to bypass local limits on facial recognition. Democrats call it transparency. Republicans call it a political witch hunt. PlayStations are getting more expensive. Sony announced on Friday that it's increasing the price for its flagship PlayStation 5 video game systems. NPR's Stephen Bisaha reports.
Stephen Bisaha
The PlayStation 5 Pro will cost $900 starting April 2nd. That's a $150 increase. Traditionally, game systems get cheaper as they get older, but the nearly six year old original PlayStation 5 is also going up 100 bucks. Sony blames the price increases on, quote, pressures in the global economic landscape. That is likely referring in part to tariffs since the systems are manufactured overseas. This is also potentially the latest sign of AI making computers more expensive to build. Data centers have gobbled up and raised the price of the memory chips that computers like video game consoles also need. Microsoft also raised prices on its Xbox line in September. Stephen Bassaha, NPR News.
Windsor Johnston
Thousands of striking workers at one of the nation's biggest meatpacking plants are extending their walkout to a third week. They're pushing for higher wages and better health care. JobsUSA says it's operating the Swift Beat plant in Greenlee, Colorado, at limited capacity right now. This is NPR News.
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Episode: NPR News: 03-28-2026 10AM EDT
Date: March 28, 2026
Host: Windsor Johnston
Podcast: NPR News Now
This concise five-minute NPR News Now episode covers the latest major global and national stories as of March 28, 2026. Topics include diplomatic efforts in Pakistan, domestic airport disruptions, actions by President Trump, widespread protests, California’s intelligence center audit, PlayStation price hikes, and a continuing meatpacking plant strike. The episode delivers up-to-the-minute updates with direct field reporting and on-the-ground perspectives.
Conclusion:
This edition of NPR News Now delivers a succinct, authoritative snapshot of major current events, pairing on-the-ground reporting with political context, industry analysis, and direct voices from those affected by unfolding events. The tone is brisk, informative, and urgent, consistent with NPR’s news reporting style.
End of Summary