NPR News: 03-29-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 29, 2025, 8AM EDT

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of the latest global and national news. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.

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Myanmar Earthquake Devastates Region

At the outset, Giles Snyder reports on a catastrophic earthquake that struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, resulting in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.

• Earthquake Impact: The military-led government of Myanmar has permitted hundreds of foreign rescuers into the affected areas following the powerful tremor. The earthquake not only devastated local buildings but also had far-reaching effects, including the collapse of a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, Thailand, located over 600 miles away.

• Casualties: The Myanmar government has confirmed that the death toll has surpassed 1,000 individuals, with numerous buildings reduced to rubble.

Timestamp [00:16]

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Top FDA Vaccine Expert Resigns Amidst Criticism

A significant development within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) involves the resignation of its leading vaccine expert, Dr. Peter Marks, who has publicly criticized Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

• Resignation Details: In his resignation letter, Dr. Marks expressed profound discontent with the current administration’s approach to transparency and truth. He stated, “it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies” (00:51).

• HHS Response: The HHS responded by asserting that Dr. Marks lacks a place at the FDA under Secretary Kennedy's leadership if he does not support the agency’s commitment to restoring scientific standards and promoting transparency.

Reported by Rob Stein at 00:51.

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Judicial Blockade on Executive Order Targeting Jenner and Block

Carrie Johnson covers a legal challenge against a Trump administration executive order aimed at the Jenner and Block law firm, citing concerns of retaliation.

• Court Ruling: Federal Judge John Bates issued a temporary injunction preventing the enforcement of the executive order, which was perceived as an attempt to punish Jenner and Block for its pro bono activities.

• Trump’s Actions: The executive order led to the revocation of security clearances for Jenner’s lawyers and threats to withdraw government contracts for its clients. Additionally, a former Jenner partner involved in investigating Trump’s campaign was specifically targeted.

• Legal Grounds: Jenner and Block argued that the order infringed upon their rights to free speech and due process, prompting Judge Bates to find merit in these claims (01:28).

Reported by Carrie Johnson at 01:38.

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Abolishment of USAID Under Secretary Rubio's Directive

Michelle Kellerman reports on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to dissolve the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), integrating its functions into the State Department.

• Rationale: Secretary Rubio criticized USAID for deviating from its core mission, labeling the move as an end to a "misguided and fiscally irresponsible era." This restructuring results in the layoff of hundreds of USAID employees.

• Impact on Operations: Rubio emphasized the commitment to maintaining the safety of USAID personnel and ensuring that ongoing humanitarian aid programs remain operational despite the administrative changes. However, specifics regarding the costs of repatriating employees or the fate of local embassy staff remain undisclosed (02:15).

Reported by Michelle Kellerman and Scott Horsley at 02:28 and 02:48.

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US-Canada Relations: Tensions and Future Negotiations

Giles Snyder discusses the first phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, marking a pivotal moment in US-Canada relations.

• Positive Tone: Both leaders praised the call as "extremely productive" and "constructive," signaling potential progress in bilateral negotiations (03:11).

• Underlying Tensions: Despite the cordial remarks, Trump has previously suggested that Canada should consider becoming the 51st US state, and he announced impending tariffs on Canadian vehicle imports set to take effect the following week.

• Canada's Stance: Prime Minister Carney acknowledged Trump’s respect for Canada’s sovereignty but asserted that “Canada’s old economic and military ties with the US are over.” He indicated that talks on redefining the relationship would resume following Canadian elections in late April (03:11).

Reported by Giles Snyder at 03:11.

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Economic Concerns Trigger Stock Market Downturn

Scott Horsley provides an analysis of the US stock market’s decline, attributing it to economic pessimism among consumers and escalating tariffs.

• Market Performance: All major stock indexes closed the week in the red, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling nearly 1%, the S&P 500 dropping 1.5%, and the Nasdaq experiencing a significant decline of nearly 2.6% (04:09).

• Contributing Factors: Initial optimism was dampened by President Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on imported cars and car parts, which investors feared would substantially increase vehicle prices. Additionally, the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey indicated a third consecutive month of decline, compounded by persistent inflation and weak consumer spending data.

Reported by Scott Horsley at 04:09.

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This summary encapsulates the critical news segments from the March 29, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode through NPR’s platforms.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Myanmar's military led government is letting in hundreds of foreign rescuers following yesterday's powerful earthquake. The quake was centered near Mandalay. Scores of buildings have been reduced to rubble, and the quake led to the cloud of a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, more than 600 miles away. The Myanmar government says the death toll has topped 1,000. The top vaccine expert at the Food and Drug Administration is resigning with sharp criticism of his boss, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Here's NPR's Rob Stein.

[Rob Stein]

In his resignation letter to the agency's acting commissioner, Dr. Peter Marks writes that, quote, it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies. The HHS released a statement that if Marx does not want to get behind restoring science to its golden standard and promoting radical transparency, then he has no place at FDA under the strong leadership of Secretary Kennedy. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

A federal judge in Washington is temporarily blocking an executive order that attempts to punish the Jenner and Block law firm, as NPR's Carrie Johnson reports.

[Carrie Johnson]

Judge John Bates said the idea the Trump administration may have tried to retaliate against the big law firm because of its pro bono work is troubling. Bates issued a temporary pause on Trump's executive order against Jenner and Block after the firm argued the order violated its rights to free speech and due process. Trump yanked the security clearances of Jenner's lawyers and threatened the government contracts of its clients. He also called out a former Jenner partner who investigated him personally over Russian interference in the 2016 campaign. Kerry Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is notifying Congress that he's bringing what's left of the U.S. agency for International Development under the State Department, formally abolishing the agency. As NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports, Secretary Rubio.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Says he believes the country's lead aid agency strayed from its mission. And he says in his words, this misguided and fiscally irresponsible era is now over. Hundreds of USAID employees are being laid off. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says with every big change, there will be disruptions from Secretary.

[Scott Horsley]

Rubio down, We are committed to ensuring that USAID personnel remain safe and that the agency's ongoing life saving aid programs remain both intact operational.

[Michelle Kellerman]

She would not say how much it will cost to repatriate USAID employees now serving around the world or say whether local staff at embassies would be fired. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Giles Snyder]

And this is NPR News. Both President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offering good reviews of yesterday's phone conversation, their first since Carney took over as Canada's leader. Trump says the call was extremely productive. In speaking at the Port of Montreal, Carney said it was constructive. We've made progress. It's the beginning of negotiations. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st state and its tariffs on vehicle imports are state are set to take effect next week. Carney says Trump respected Canada's sovereignty, but he also said Canada's old economic and military ties with the US Are over. He says talks on a new relationship will begin after Canadian elections at the end of April. Americans are feeling gloomy about the economy, and that's spilling over into the stock market. NPR's Scott Horsley reports that all of the major stock indexes ended the week in the red.

[Scott Horsley]

Stocks rallied early in the week after hints that President Trump's plan for what he calls reciprocal tariffs might be less punishing than investors had feared. But the goodwill on Wall street quickly evaporated. On Wednesday, Trump ordered a 25% tariff on all imported cars and car parts that could add thousands of dollars to the price of a. On Friday, the University of Michigan released its latest survey of consumer sentiment, which was down for the third month in a row. Sticky inflation and lackluster spending data also weighed on the stock market for the week. The Dow fell nearly 1%, the S&P 500 index dropped 1.5%, and the Nasdaq tumbled nearly 2.6%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

And I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

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