NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-17-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: March 17, 2025

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NPR informs and connects communities around the country, providing reliable information in times of crisis. Federal funding helps us fulfill our mission to create a more informed public and ensures that public radio remains available to everyone. Learn more about safeguarding the future of public media. Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org. 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. MPR'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.

That's NPR's Luke Garrett. In one of his final acts at the White House, former President Joe Biden pardoned a number of people, including members of the House committee that investigated the January 6th riot. But in a social media post early this morning, President Trump says those pardons are not valid. He claims without evidence that the pardons were signed using an auto pen rather than Biden signing himself. So Trump says those who were pardoned are now subject to investigation. At least 40 people are dead after severe tornadoes and storms tore through several southern and midwestern states over the weekend. In Alabama, neighbors are pitching in to help storm victims as Troy Public Radio's Emily Moser reports. Christopher Allen was asleep in his mobile home in Banks, Alabama when the

tornado picked up his residence and carried it hundreds of yards away. His injuries required him to be taken to the hospital. His wounds and the loss of his home and cat have overwhelmed his daughter Lacey. I just would have never thought that I was going to wake up to something like this. It was just absolutely shocking. I think my dad is still in so much shock. He just hasn't had many words. The Allens, like many who have lost homes, are receiving help from neighbors and responders who have provided toiletries and food.

President Trump has also deployed the National Guard to assist storm victims in Arkansas. For NPR News, I'm Emily Moser in Troy, Alabama. Treasury Secretary Scott Bissette said Sunday on NBC that there are no guarantees that the U.S. will avoid a recession, but he said he's confident in the Trump administration's economic policy.

I'm not worried about the markets. Over the long term, if we put good tax policy in place, deregulation and energy security, the markets will do great. The S&P 500, meanwhile, reached correction territory last week, dropping 10 percent from its recent high. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched about a dozen drones and a missile at U.S. ships off the Yemeni coast on Sunday. U.S. officials say the drones were shot down by Navy and Air Force planes while the missile

fell into the sea far from the USS Harrius-Truman carrier strike group that had been targeted. Houthi officials meanwhile say U.S. strikes on the country this weekend killed at least 53 people. This is 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 be done 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. JJ Spahn and Rory McIlroy are headed to a three-hole playoff later today after finishing tied for the lead at the Players Golf Championship in Florida this weekend. McIlroy started the day four strokes back, but at one point he grabbed a three-shot lead. The winner will take home a $4.5 million prize.

For the first time in 70 years, the Newcastle Soccer Club has won a major domestic soccer trophy. They beat Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday in the English League Cup final. Alexander Isaac and Dan Byrne scored the winning goals for Newcastle. The team's last major domestic trophy came in 1955 when they won the FA Cup. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend won the FA Cup. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.