NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-26-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: March 26, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. The Trump administration is downplaying the leak of sensitive information about a recent U.S. military attack in Yemen. The information was shared with a journalist who was invited to join a group chat with intelligence officials discussing the matter over the messaging app Signal. The president is defending his national security adviser, as NPR's Tom Bowman reports. President Trump said he wants national security advisor Mike Walz to look into Signal, whether it can be used.

But just last week, the Pentagon said Signal should not be used for classified information. And going back to October 2023, Pentagon officials said at that time, it should not be used for any kind of classified information. Danielle Pletka Tom Bowman reporting. The Pentagon recently warned staffers that the Signal app was being targeted by hackers. NPR CEO Catherine Maher chairs the board of the Signal Foundation, which supports the Signal app. A federal appeals court says the Trump administration may temporarily freeze a refugee program for people displaced by armed conflict, natural disasters or persecution. As NPR's

Jasmine Garst reports, the administration argued that the program places an undue burden on U.S. cities and states. After taking office, President Trump immediately paused refugee resettlement, saying that the US lacks the ability to absorb large numbers, that taxpayers' money should not be spent on this program, and that there need to be assurances that refugees can assimilate into the country. In late February, a federal judge temporarily blocked that freeze, saying that while a president does have the power to suspend refugee admissions, that power is not limitless. Refugees who were approved before President Trump took office on January 20th will still be processed, but no new applications as the case makes its way through

the courts. Jasmine Garz, NPR News, New York. U.S. consumer confidence fell in March for the fourth month in a row. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, expectations for future economic conditions dropped to their lowest level in 12 years. Consumer confidence has been hovering in a fairly narrow range for more than two years, but it dipped below that level this month while survey respondents still feel good about the current job market, their assessment of current business conditions, and their outlook for the future worsened. The confidence index is compiled by the Conference Board, a non-profit think tank.

People who answered the survey say inflation is still a big concern, and many expect prices to climb even faster as a result of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. More people say they're planning to buy big ticket items such as appliances and electronics, but rather than a vote of confidence in the economic outlook, that's seen as a largely defensive move to try to beat the looming import taxes. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. You're listening to NPR. Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt a tax on each other's ships in the Black Sea.

The deal was negotiated by the United States, which is still seeking a permanent ceasefire in Ukraine. In Brazil, the Supreme Court continues hearings today on whether former President Jair Bolsonaro will stand trial. The far-right leader is charged with five counts of conspiring to overturn his 2022 reelection loss. More from NPR's Carrie Kahn. Five justices are overseeing the proceedings and spent the first day outlining the charges in the case against Bolsonaro. Prosecutors say Bolsonaro and seven others formed a criminal

conspiracy to upend democracy. The indictment also alleges that Bolsonaro plotted to poison the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and kill the Supreme Court justice, who's now overseeing the proceedings. Bolsonaro attended the first day and denies any wrongdoing. His lawyer told the justices that Bolsonaro is the most investigated president in Brazilian history and pointed out the former president wasn't even in the country when his supporters ransacked government buildings on January 8, 2023. Carrie Khan in PR News, Rio de Janeiro. At least 18 deaths are being blamed on wind-driven wildfires that are burning in South Korea.

The blazes have forced more than 27,000 people to evacuate and destroyed over 200 structures, including homes and an ancient Buddhist temple. They have consumed more than 43,000 acres in the country's southern regions. U.S. futures are flat and after-hours trading on Wall Street. This is NPR News.