NPR News Now Episode: NPR News: 07-25-2025 3AM EDT Release Date: July 25, 2025 Host: Shea Stevens

1. Tense Interaction Between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell

00:15 – 01:07

In a significant display of political tension, President Donald Trump visited the Federal Reserve headquarters alongside Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. During the visit, Trump publicly accused the central bank of mismanaging costs related to a major renovation project. “President Trump accused the central bank of mismanaging costs for a major renovation project, prompting Powell to correct him,” reported Shea Stevens.

NPR’s Tamara Keith provided deeper insights, highlighting that this confrontation is part of an ongoing pressure campaign against Powell. Despite Trump originally selecting Powell for the Fed chairman position during his first term, their relationship has soured considerably. Keith notes, “Powell's term doesn't end until next year and Trump would have a very hard time firing him because of legal protections meant to protect the Fed from political interference.” This indicates that unless significant cause, such as fraud, is presented, Powell is likely to remain in his position.

2. Agriculture Department's Strategic Relocation

01:07 – 02:03

The U.S. Agriculture Department announced a substantial reorganization plan, relocating over half of its Washington, D.C. staff to other regions across the country. According to NPR’s Andrea Hsu, this move aims to position staff closer to the communities they serve and to reduce operational costs.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins explained in a YouTube video, “The goal was to locate staff closer to the people they serve and to lower costs.” Approximately 2,600 positions will be shifted to five new hubs, including Kansas City, Missouri; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Rollins emphasized that no large-scale layoffs are involved, with no more than 2,000 jobs remaining in D.C. Additionally, the department plans to vacate several buildings in the capital area while maintaining its headquarters and one other building on the National Mall.

However, the reorganization comes in the wake of significant workforce changes, as about 15,000 USDA employees, roughly 15% of the total workforce, have already departed through the Trump administration's deferred resignation program.

3. Decline in Brazilian Beef Exports to the United States

02:03 – 03:03

Brazilian beef exports to the United States have experienced a sharp decline, coinciding with rising prices in U.S. markets. NPR’s Cary Kahn reports that President Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Brazilian beef in April, with threats to increase it further by August 1st.

Kahn elaborates, “Beef exports were already falling since April, when Trump slapped a 10% tariff on Brazilian goods. But in recent months, as the 50% deadline nears, meat supplies to the US have plummeted.” According to Brazil's Meat Exporters Association, sales to the U.S. have dropped by nearly 80%, and prices have surged by 12%. As a result, Brazilian beef exporters are seeking negotiations, postponing shipments, and exploring new markets to mitigate the impact.

The tariffs were instigated by Trump in response to what he termed the “unfair prosecution of Brazil's ex president,” a political ally who is currently facing charges of plotting a coup to retain power following his defeat in the 2022 elections.

4. Market Updates and Global News Highlights

03:03 – 04:05

U.S. Financial Markets: U.S. futures showed an upward trend in after-hours trading on Wall Street, signaling investor optimism. Conversely, Asia Pacific markets experienced downturns, with Hong Kong shares down by 1%.

FCC Approves Paramount Global Sale: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an $8 billion acquisition of CBS parent company Paramount Global by Skydance Media. This deal follows significant changes at CBS, including a commitment “not to adopt any policies calling for diversity, equity and inclusion,” and follows the settlement of a lawsuit involving President Trump.

Thailand-Cambodia Border Tensions: Thailand has sealed its land borders and urged its citizens to evacuate from neighboring Cambodia amid escalating military tensions. Airstrikes exchanged between Thai and Cambodian forces have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals, predominantly civilians. Both nations are attributing blame to each other for the violent clashes.

5. Retraction of a Pioneering Scientific Paper

04:05 – 04:52

In a landmark decision, the esteemed journal Science is retracting a controversial paper published 15 years ago that claimed the discovery of a new form of life in a California lake. NPR’s Jeff Brumfield explains that the 2010 study by NASA scientists proposed the existence of a bacterium capable of surviving without phosphorus by utilizing arsenic—a substance notoriously toxic to most life forms.

Brumfield details, “This new bacteria species might have demonstrated a life form that could inhabit other worlds. But follow-up studies found the bacteria still needed phosphorus and was just resistant to arsenic.” Despite initial flaws, Science did not retract the paper at the time. However, in the aftermath of the divisive COVID-19 pandemic, the journal has updated its policies to retract debunked work even without evidence of misconduct. The authors of the original study have expressed their disagreement with the retraction, maintaining their stance on the findings.

Notable Quotes:

• “President Trump accused the central bank of mismanaging costs for a major renovation project, prompting Powell to correct him.” — Shea Stevens (00:15)

• “The goal was to locate staff closer to the people they serve and to lower costs.” — Brooke Rollins (01:23)

• “Beef exports were already falling since April, when Trump slapped a 10% tariff on Brazilian goods. But in recent months, as the 50% deadline nears, meat supplies to the US have plummeted.” — Cary Kahn (02:19)

• “This new bacteria species might have demonstrated a life form that could inhabit other worlds.” — Jeff Brumfield (04:19)

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, from political tensions within the Federal Reserve to significant shifts in agricultural policies and global trade dynamics. It also highlights critical developments in scientific research and media acquisitions, offering listeners a broad spectrum of current events and their implications.