NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-23-2025 1PM EDT

Episode Date: March 23, 2025

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Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force, showing up in your everyday life, powering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket. Science is approachable because it's already part of your life. Come explore these connections on the Shortwave podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Congress returns to Capitol Hill this week. The Senate is to hold a hearing on whether it should confirm Frank Vizignano as commissioner of Social Security.

There's concern the Trump administration wants to make changes. NPR's Deepa Sivaram has more. This is a program that's been around since the 1930s that supports millions of retired people, disabled people, and making any changes to it is politically risky. Democrats have been responding to the comments from Secretary Lutnick. They've also been quick to center any comments on Social Security from Elon Musk, for example, who has made comments inflating how much fraud takes place with Social security benefits and who recently called the benefit a Ponzi scheme. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had commented that if his mother didn't receive her social

security check, she wouldn't call and complain that it's the fraudster who always makes the loudest noise yelling and complaining. The head of China's government urged countries to open their markets amid rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Beijing that China has invited foreign executives to a forum to boost foreign investment in China. Premier Li Chang's speech to the China Development Forum tried to instill confidence in the government's plan to jumpstart growth by boosting consumer spending and proactive economic policies.

A lot of his remarks appeared aimed at the U.S. Lee said that China is not against competition itself, it's just against competition aimed at holding others back. Leaders of American corporations including Apple, FedEx, Boeing, Qualcomm, and Pfizer were at the two-day forum. Lee also met with Montana Senator Steve Daines, the first U.S. member of Congress to visit China since President Trump took office. Lee told Daines that the U.S. and China should choose dialogue over confrontation. Anthony Kuhn in PR News, Beijing.

Pope Francis has been discharged from the hospital after a 38-day stay battling pneumonia. Before returning to the Vatican today, he made his first public appearance in more than a month from a balcony of Rome's Gemelli Hospital. NPR's Ruth Sherlock was there. Pope Francis waved at the crowds from the balcony and then he stopped and smiled in pleasant surprise and pointed, taking the microphone he spoke. I see this woman with the yellow flowers he said, pointing to a lady holding a bright bouquet. Well done. His hospital discharge is a stunning improvement for the 88 year old Pontiff whose illness at times placed his life in danger. Doctors say he must now convalesce

with rest and rehabilitation for the next two months. He struggles to speak clearly due to the damage to his lungs, but as doctors say, with time, his voice will return. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The governor of North Carolina has declared a state of emergency because of wildfires burning in the state in an area still recovering from Hurricane Helene. A mandatory evacuation order was issued last night for parts of Polk County in western North Carolina, about 80 miles west of Charlotte. The State Department of Public Safety warned residents that if they didn't leave, roads could be blocked and they could be trapped, injured or killed. Conan O'Brien

will be receiving one of the most coveted awards in comedy tonight, the Mark Twain Prize for American humor. He'll be treated to a star-studded event at the Kennedy Center, which is going through some tough times, as NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports. When Adam Sandler won the Mark Twain Prize, Conan O'Brien had this to say. Good God in heaven, Kennedy Center! What have you done? Now it's O'Brien's turn. The Kennedy Center isn't revealing who's on the show to keep it a surprise. President Trump recently ousted the Kennedy Center's president, the board chair and board members who'd been appointed by Democrats. Trump's new board elected him as chair. In response, a number

of artists have canceled gigs. It's anyone's guess whether comedians will address the upheaval. Either way, the nation's capital could use some laughs right now. The Mark Twain Prize will stream on Netflix. The date hasn't yet been announced. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News. It was 250 years ago today that Patrick Henry delivered his give me liberty or give me death speech. He spoke at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia. The church is holding reenactments today, which have all sold out. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.

Singapore is one of the busiest cities in the world, but biologist Philip Johns is fascinated NPR News in Washington.