NPR News: 03-30-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary for March 31, 2025

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant developments spanning political investigations, housing policies, international conflicts, economic shifts, and sports, providing listeners with a concise overview of current events.

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1. Political Investigation into Signal Chat Leak

00:18 – 01:06

Republican members of Capitol Hill are intensifying calls for an investigation into a leaked Signal Group chat that exposed military attack plans against the Houthis. The implicated chat included administration officials and a journalist, raising serious security concerns.

• Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma, a member of the Intelligence Committee, expressed his support for the investigation:

  "It's entirely appropriate for the inspector general to be able to look at it." ([00:45])

• Lankford further clarified his stance by deeming the calls for the resignation of Hegseth as "overkill":

  "Lankford said calls for Hegseth to resign are, quote, overkill." ([01:06])

Despite supporting an investigation, Lankford refrained from directly criticizing those involved in the Signal chat or the Defense Secretary's role in sharing specific attack plans.

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2. Termination of Emergency Housing Voucher Program

01:12 – 02:05

An emergency housing voucher initiative, initiated in 2021 to combat homelessness exacerbated by the pandemic, is set to conclude ahead of schedule due to soaring rents and budget constraints.

• Jennifer Ludden reports that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a cessation of new voucher issuances within two weeks, with existing funds expected to sustain current vouchers only until next year.

  "In a notice, HUD cites historic rent hikes, which have meant each voucher costs more than expected." ([01:23])

The program's premature termination comes amidst record-high homelessness rates and reductions in other housing programs and staffing within HUD.

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3. Ramadan Celebrations Amidst Conflict in Gaza

02:05 – 03:05

While Muslims worldwide observe the end of Ramadan, those in Gaza face the dual challenge of celebrating under the looming threat of Israeli military actions.

• Anas Bhabha provides a poignant depiction of the situation:

  "This is an Eid of hurt, troubles, pain and disaster." ([02:17])

With most mosques in Gaza destroyed by Israeli strikes and aid, including food, being blocked for over a month, Palestinian residents are enduring significant hardships. The recent escalation in conflict has resulted in over 800 Palestinian casualties, intensifying the dire circumstances during Eid celebrations.

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4. Economic Implications of Imminent Tariffs

03:05 – 04:34

Global markets, particularly in Asia, are experiencing declines in anticipation of a new 25% tariff announcement by President Trump. These tariffs are expected to target steel and aluminum, with broader implications for international trade relations.

• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded by emphasizing Europe's preparedness to collectively respond as a unified entity should the U.S. proceed with tariffs:

  "Europe isn't weak and that trade wars hurt all sides." ([03:05])

Adding to the economic tension, the Trump administration is also poised to impose tariffs on Canadian lumber products, affecting the majority of American newsprint suppliers.

• Dan Boyce highlights the potential impact on the paper industry:

  "25% tariffs on Canadian lumber products are set to go into effect on April 2nd. That includes newsprint." ([03:57])

• Brian Orr, owner of the World Journal in Colorado, expressed concern over the tariffs' effects:

  "I'm just crossing my fingers, hoping that it doesn't come to that." ([04:21])

While some groups like the U.S. Lumber Coalition support the tariffs, others warn of detrimental effects on small rural newspapers facing increased print costs.

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5. Upcoming NCAA Final Four and Market Reactions

04:34 – 04:57

The anticipation for the NCAA Men's College Basketball Final Four is building, with Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston set to compete next Saturday. Concurrently, U.S. futures markets are trending lower in response to ongoing economic uncertainties.

• Jeanine Herbst notes the current state of futures trading:

  "Nasdaq futures are down 1%. Dow futures are down just about a half percent." ([04:34])

The convergence of significant sports events and economic concerns underscores the multifaceted nature of current news affecting diverse aspects of daily life.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulated crucial updates across various sectors, offering listeners a well-rounded understanding of unfolding national and international issues.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. More Republicans on Capitol Kill are calling for an investigation into the Signal Group chat that leaked military attack plans on the Houthis. That chat included included administration officials and a journalist. NPR's Luke Garrett has more.

[Luke Garrett]

Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, sits on the Intelligence Committee. When asked about the Signal chat leak, Lankford told CNN he supports an investigation.

[Senator James Lankford]

It's entirely appropriate for the inspector general to be able to look at it.

[Luke Garrett]

Last week, chair of the Armed Services Committee Senator Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, requested an inspector general look into the security breach. But Lankford stopped short of criticizing those in the Signal chat and the sharing of specific attacks by the defense secretary.

[Senator James Lankford]

This is normal communication on it. What's not normal is having a reporter in the middle of it.

[Luke Garrett]

Lankford said calls for Hegseth to resign are, quote, overkill. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

An emergency housing voucher program started during the pandemic is winding down years ahead of schedule amid rising rents. NPR's Jennifer Ludden has more.

[Jennifer Ludden]

In 2021, Pandemic Aid funded an extra 70,000 housing vouchers specifically for people who were home or on the verge of it. The program was supposed to last until 2030, but the Department of Housing and Urban Development now says local agencies must stop issuing new emergency vouchers in two weeks and there will be no further funding. It estimates money for existing vouchers could last through next year. In a notice, HUD cites historic rent hikes, which have meant each voucher costs more than expected. The program will wind down as homelessness is at a record high and HUD is cutting other housing programs and staff. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

As many Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan today, those in Gaza are celebrating under the threat of more Israeli attacks. NPR's Anas Bhabha has more.

[Anas Bhabha]

Palestinians in Gaza City headed to perform Da'eid prayers under the sound of drones. Suddenly, an Israeli helicopter opened fire. Many Palestinians prayed. Among the ripple in Gaza City as most mosques in Gaza have been destroyed by Israeli strikes. For more than a month, Israel has blocked all aid, including food, to pressure Hamas to release more hostages. And many Palestinians here spin Eid standing in lines waiting for bread. Masjida Abu Amra says the hardest part of Eid this year is losing many of her loved ones in the war. This is an Eid of hurt, troubles, pain and disaster. Israel returned to war almost two weeks ago, killing more than 800 Palestinians. NPR News, Gaza City.

[Jeanine Herbst]

European markets or Asian markets rather, are trading lower at this hour. The Nikkei in Japan is down 3.6%. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong down about 7.10of a percent. This is NPR News, ahead of a new 25% tariff that President Trump is expected to announce this week. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said today that while Europe wants to cooperate with the U.S. the European Union is ready to respond as one if Trump leaves it choice by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum. Scholz said Europe isn't weak and that trade wars hurt all sides. Trump's additional tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Thursday. US Newspapers are watching expected Trump administration tariffs on Canadian timber products with concern. Colorado Public Radio's Dan Boyce says the majority of American Newsprint comes from Canada.

[Dan Boyce]

25% tariffs on Canadian lumber products are set to go into effect on April 2nd. That includes newsprint. Paper trade group News Media alliance predicts small rural papers will be hit hardest by higher print prices. Brian Orr owns the World Journal newspaper in tiny Walsenburg, Colorado. He says the higher prices would be devastating.

[Brian Orr]

I'm just crossing my fingers, hoping that it doesn't come to that.

[Dan Boyce]

Other groups, such as the U.S. lumber Coalition, have praised the proposed tariffs. For NPR News, I'm Dan Boyce in Colorado Springs.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Final Four in men's college basketball, NCAA play is set. Auburn, Duke, Florida and Houston will battle it out. The Final Four games take place next Saturday. U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Nasdaq futures are down 1%. Dow futures are down just about a half percent. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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