NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-17-2025 12AM EDT

Episode Date: March 17, 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, I'm Dale Willman. The Trump administration flew hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador this weekend claiming a 1798 law gives them the power to do so. They say without proof that the immigrants are part of a violent gang in the U.S. but

a federal judge has blocked any other transfers from taking place, at least for now. NPR's Luke Garrett outlines the argument being made against the use of the old law. This alien enemies act can only be used during a time of war, but the Trump administration seems to be focusing on a clause that says a president can use the act during, quote, any invasion or predatory incursion. Trump's proclamation on Saturday said the gang, Tren de Aragua, is mounting such an invasion, even though the law specifies an invasion by a foreign government.

It's in Pierce Luke Garrett. The death toll continues to rise from widespread storms that devastated the Midwest and southern U.S. this weekend. Officials now say at least 37 people have died. Two of those deaths were in Alabama. Troy Public Radio's Kyle Gassett reports. The storms arrived after dark Saturday,

making it difficult to see the damage, but on Sunday morning over 10,000 Alabamians woke up with no electricity due to toppled trees and other storm damage across the state. At one point in the evening, officials at the National Weather Service offices in Birmingham had to take shelter and directed followers on X to follow updates from the Atlanta Bureau. In Troy, Alabama, a tornado damaged the roof of a recreation center where some 200 people had taken shelter.

Governor Kay Ivey says damage was sustained in 52 of Alabama's 67 counties as first responders work to assist in recovery efforts. For NPR News, I'm Kyle Gassett in Montgomery, Alabama. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the national average wholesale price of eggs has been steadily declining over the past few weeks. Economists say that's a positive sign, and PR's Julianna Kim has more. The drop in wholesale egg prices is thanks to the absence of major bird flu outbreaks so far in March.

That's allowed the nation's egg supply to start recovering. But economists say it'll likely take a few more days or even weeks until grocery store prices drop too. That's because eggs currently on store shelves reflect the wholesale price from a few weeks prior. Grocery chains also tend to be cautious of slashing prices too drastically and too quickly. Economists say the biggest factor will be whether the bird flu virus stays under control. If another outbreak affects a big farm, egg prices could go up again. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

The Vatican Sunday released the first photograph of Pope Francis in the hospital. The Pontiff has entered his fifth week in a hospital in Rome where he's being treated for double pneumonia. The photo shows Francis wearing purple Lenten liturgical vestments while sitting in a wheelchair. The Vatican said he was participating in a mass with other priests. You're listening to NPR News. It looks like the NASA astronauts preparing to end their one-week-turn, nine-month stay at the International Space Station could be heading home soon. A four-person replacement crew arrived at the orbiting lab this weekend, but as NPR's

Amy Held reports, there's still work left to do before the handover. Crew 10, welcome aboard the International Space Station. 260 miles above the Atlantic Ocean, just after midnight Sunday, Butch Williams and Sonny Wilmore greeted the newcomers with grins, handshakes and hugs. It was a wonderful day, great to see our friends arrive. Williams and Wilmore will impart their knowledge for at least a couple more days, contrary to claims by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Trump the astronauts deny they were ever stranded. After their Boeing capsule malfunctioned in June, the SpaceX capsule set to return them

arrived in September. But NASA cites cost and safety for the overtime. Now it's nearing closing time with plans to return the astronauts midweek at the earliest, weather permitting. Amy Held, NPR News. The PGA Players Championship in Florida is heading into a three-hole playoff on Monday. After a four-hour rain delay, Rory McIlroy and JJ Spahn finished regulation play on Sunday in a tie. McIlroy started the day four strokes down but finished the day with a 68. At stake is a $4.5 million prize.

Newcastle ended a 17-year drought for a domestic trophy on Sunday by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the English League Soccer Cup final. Dan Byrne and Alexander Isaac scored on either side of half-time in the win at Wembley. Newcastle's last major domestic trophy came in the FA Cup in 1955. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. Making time for the news is important. But when you need a break, we've got you covered I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.