NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-07-2025 2AM EST

Episode Date: March 7, 2025

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Scott Detro Following the news out of Washington, D.C. can be overwhelming. I'm Scott Detro and NPR has a podcast that can help. It's called Trump's Terms, stories about big changes the 47th president is pursuing on his own terms. Each episode is short, usually around five minutes or so. We keep it calm and factual. We help you follow what matters and we leave out what doesn't. Listen to Trump's Term terms from NPR. Dua Alisa Kaotel Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm

Dua Alisa Kaotel. The Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOJ and led by billionaire Elon Musk, says it's busy at work at both the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This as the VA reported that it had hiring software problems earlier this week, and NPR learned that at least in seven states, the VA couldn that it had hiring software problems earlier this week, and NPR learned that at least in seven states, the VA couldn't send out hire letters for doctors and nurses who are supposed to be exempt from the federal hiring freeze. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports on the latest actions by Doge. Quill Lawrence, NPR Director, NPR They fired staff from VA's Suicide Crisis Hotline,

who are not exempt from the hiring freeze, but then VA scrambled to rehire them because they are mission critical. It's a suicide hotline who are not exempt from the hiring freeze, but then the VA scrambled to rehire them because they are mission critical. It's a suicide hotline. They announced a sudden cut of 875 contracts. That was over a week ago, and then they pulled that back, and now they're floating a different list of contracts that are being cut. And staff I'm talking with say that this is not inspiring confidence for these crucial hires they need. And Piers Quill Lawrence reporting. President Trump told his cabinet on Thursday they are in charge of staff reductions, not Elon Musk. It marks one of the first times Trump appears to be reigning in the authority of Musk, as

and Piers Bobby Allen reports. Since Trump took office, Musk has been exerting wide and unusual control over federal agencies. In his capacity as a special government employee in the White House, Musk has pushed the termination of thousands of federal workers and the near total dissolution of some agencies. In his big speech to Congress this week, Trump praised Musk for doing it. But now Trump is telling his cabinet and other officials they are in charge of policy and firings, not Musk. Elon has been really teaching everybody about the numbers that you can do. But what I want is I want the numbers, but I also want to keep the good people. This follows lawmakers of both parties raising concerns about Musk's chainsaw approach. Bobbi Allen, NPR News.

China's foreign ministry lashed out at the U.S. during a news conference in Beijing on Friday, accusing the Trump administration of being two-faced. As NPR's John Ruich reports, Wang Yi also cast China as a force for stability in the world. Wang was asked how China planned to deal with the Trump administration this time around. It's put fresh tariffs on Chinese goods while President Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in having good relations with Beijing. Wang said no country should, quote, fantasize this time around. It's put fresh tariffs on Chinese goods, while President Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in having good relations with Beijing. Wang said no country should, quote,

fantasize about suppressing and containing China on one hand while developing good relations on the other. Such a two-faced approach, he said, hurts relations and fails to build trust. Wang blasted what he called external pressure and unreasonable suppression of China's tech ambitions and suggested that Trump's America First approach to foreign policy was irresponsible. The pursuit of self-interest at the expense of others, he said, is unacceptable. John Ruch, NPR News, Beijing.

Looking at Asian markets, the Nikkei and Hengsheng index are down. This is NPR News. For at least five days now, Israel has not permitted shipments of much-needed fuel, food, and other essentials to help Gaza's two million residents. The Israel blockade is seen as a tactic to pressure Hamas to a different ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's cuts to USAID means a funding freeze is in place, forcing many nonprofits to temporarily pay partner organizations that provide humanitarian assistance. Before Trump took office, USAID received more than $446 million. And for now,

it's unclear if Hamas will delay or agree to the release of three Israeli hostages this weekend. An unvaccinated adult in New Mexico who tested positive for measles has died. It happened just over the border from Texas where a measles outbreak continues to grow. And Piers Maria Godoy reports. New Mexico health officials are still investigating the individual's cause of death, but they confirm that the person tested positive for measles. Last week, Texas health officials reported the death of an unvaccinated child.

Doctors stress the best defense against measles is vaccination. Dr. Adam Ratner, an infectious disease specialist, says misinformation online suggests vitamin A can prevent measles, but that's wrong. What is circulating online now are people who are giving vitamin A at high doses over long periods of time to try to prevent children from getting measles, and that can be quite dangerous. He says vitamin A can build up in the body and can be toxic to the liver. This is NPR News. When she teaches her students how to write a song, musician Scarlett Keys says they need to ask themselves certain questions. What is the thing that keeps you up at night?

What's the thing you can't stop thinking about? As songwriters, we are repurposing human tropes and a new viewpoint with new words, with new music. The people and technology behind the soundtracks of our lives. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR.