NPR News Now – August 22, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: August 22, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This episode presents the latest developments in US politics, the economy, humanitarian crises, and public health in under five minutes. Key stories include the FBI’s search of former Ambassador John Bolton’s home, sharp market reactions to economic signals from the Federal Reserve, major cuts to the federal workforce, confirmed famine in Gaza, developments in a high-profile deportation case, and a surge in MPOX (monkeypox) in Kenya.

Key Segments & Insights

1. FBI Searches John Bolton’s Home

[00:26]

• Story: Federal agents searched the home of John Bolton, former national security adviser and prominent critic of President Trump.
• Details:
  • The purpose and details of the search are not disclosed.
  • FBI Director Cash Patel tweeted, without directly referencing Bolton:

    “No one is above the law. FBI agents on mission.” — Cash Patel via Twitter (as read by Ryan Lucas) [00:46]

  • Raises concerns about possible political retribution by the Justice Department against Trump’s critics.
• Reporter: Ryan Lucas

2. Stock Market Soars on Fed Rate Cut Signals

[01:14]

• Story: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hints at potential interest rate cuts.
• Powell’s Key Points:
  • No firm commitment to rate reductions at the September meeting, but “lower interest rates may be warranted.”
  • Investors react positively, driving markets up.
  • Addresses Trump-administration policies:
    • Tariffs are contributing to some price increases but “hard to know how big or long lasting those increases will be.”
    • Trump’s crackdown on immigration is “limiting growth in the workforce.”
• Memorable Quote:

  “Given current economic conditions, lower interest rates may be warranted.” — Jerome Powell, as reported by Scott Horsley [01:36]

• Reporter: Scott Horsley
• Market Update: The Dow Jones is up 919 points. [03:18]

3. Massive Federal Workforce Cuts

[02:17]

• Story: The Trump administration announces a 12% reduction in federal employees (about 300,000 jobs) by year’s end.
• Details:
  • The Department of Government Efficiency began the process immediately upon Trump’s return to office.
  • Cuts achieved via incentivized departures (“deferred resignation program”), firings, and layoffs.
  • No further reductions are currently planned.
• OPM Spokesperson: McLaurin Pinover (quotes recounted by Andrea Hsu).
• Reporter: Andrea Hsu

4. Famine in Northern Gaza

[03:18]

• Story: The IPC (United Nations-backed) confirms famine for the first time in the Middle East, in northern Gaza.
• Details:
  • Over half a million people at risk of dying from starvation; a million more face critical food shortages.
  • Crisis is worsening and spreading to other regions.

5. Deportation Case: Kilmar Abrego Garcia

[03:18]

• Story: Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be released from custody in Tennessee, following mistaken deportation to El Salvador.
• Details:
  • He is fighting to return to life in Maryland and awaiting trial on human smuggling charges.
  • Supported by allies in a high-profile legal and humanitarian dispute.

6. Surge in MPOX (Monkeypox) in Kenya

[04:25]

• Story: Kenya sees a sharp uptick in MPOX cases, especially in the capital.
• Details:
  • 90 suspected cases this week, a 50% jump from the previous week.
  • Virus’s migration to urban centers raises concern, citing rapid spread in other African capitals.
  • Kenya’s death rate (~2%) is higher than elsewhere (<1%).
  • Vaccination campaign to start in early September.
• Memorable Quote:

  “Part of what is worrying them is that the virus has moved into Kenya's capital city.” — Gabrielle Emmanuel [04:25]

• Reporter: Gabrielle Emmanuel

Notable Quotes

• Ryan Lucas (on FBI’s approach):

  “But certainly a search like this at the home and office of a prominent critic of the president adds to concerns about whether the Justice Department and the FBI are pursuing a campaign of retribution against the president's perceived enemies.” [00:46]

• Scott Horsley (on Fed policy):

  “Powell also said President Trump’s tariffs are causing some price hikes, but he added, it’s hard to know how big or long lasting those increases will be.” [01:36]

• Gabrielle Emmanuel (about Kenya's MPOX situation):

  “Africa's CDC says it's also concerned because about 2% of MPOX patients in Kenya have died. Elsewhere, it's well under 1%.” [04:25]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• FBI Searches Bolton’s Home: [00:26–01:14]
• Federal Reserve News/Stock Market: [01:14–02:17]
• Federal Workforce Cuts: [02:17–03:18]
• Famine in Gaza/Deportation Case: [03:18–04:25]
• Kenya MPOX Outbreak: [04:25–04:58]

End of news summary.