NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-22-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: March 22, 2025

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Noor Aram, NPR News in Washington. A federal judge is voicing skepticism about the White House's push to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members under an 18th century wartime law. NPR's Joel Rose reports on court arguments in front of federal judge James Boesberg. Joel Rose, NPR News in Washington. Judge Boesberg has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to quickly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. At a hearing in Washington, a lawyer for the Justice Department argued that the law gives

the Trump administration broad powers to deport people without normal due process. The White House argues that members of the Tren de Aragua gang are invading the U.S. at the direction of the Venezuelan government. Immigrant advocates dispute that and say the Trump administration is denying these men a chance to prove they're not gang members. Judge Boesberg also seemed concerned about due process, saying the president's use of the law has, quote, frightening implications.

Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington. US stock markets had another volatile week full of tariff whiplash, but they inched into positive territory by yesterday's end of trading. NPR's Maria Aspin reports the Dow closed up 1.2 percent for the week. Consumers, businesses, and investors are all facing mounting economic uncertainty. They're especially worried about the potential impact of President Trump's steep new tariffs

against the country's largest trading partners. The on-again, off-again tariffs could raise prices on a wide range of goods. This week, the Federal Reserve cut its forecast for economic growth and raised its expectations for inflation. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that tariffs are playing a role in that inflation. Clearly some of it, a good part of it is coming from tariffs. But the Fed also said that it's still on track to cut interest rates two times later this year. Meanwhile, Trump on Friday offered investors and consumers a glimmer of hope when he said there would be flexibility on his tariffs.

Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York. After a relatively quiet 42 days in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resumed air strikes there after a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Gaza expired without an agreement for an extension. NPR's Hadil El-Shalchi reports from Tel Aviv. Besides the deadly and daily air strikes that have killed hundreds, including many children, the Israeli military is also expanding a ground operation, which means ordering the evacuation of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and neighborhoods. NPR's Gaza

producer Enes Baba visited a university library in the north where people were sheltering and burning books to keep warm. NPR's Sadil El-Shelchi. Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon today after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired across the border from Lebanon. This was the heaviest exchange of fire since Israel entered into a ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hamas. Hezbollah was denied that it was responsible.

This is NPR News. In South Korea, hundreds of people have been forced from their homes by more than 20 wildfires being spread by strong winds. At least two firefighters were killed. The Korea Forest Service says hundreds of acres have burned across the nation. Former Massachusetts First Lady Kitty Dukakis has died at the age of 88. She was an outspoken advocate for people with mental illness and addiction, drawing on her own experiences. Her son John Dukakis says she died peacefully overnight

with her family at her side. Lisa Mullins of Member Station WBUR reports. People closest to Kitty Dukakis praise her for turning her experience with depression and addiction into positive change for others. Phil Johnston served under Governor Michael Dukakis. He saw the First Lady of Massachusetts use her position to raise awareness and help people who were struggling. Whether it was the Holocaust or the homeless or whether it be people who have addiction problems, she was there for them. She was as caring a human being as I've ever met. Johnston says Kitty Dukakis personally reached out to people in state government who were dealing with addiction and got them help.

For NPR News, I'm Lisa Mullins. Boxer George Foreman has died. His family said he died last night at the age of 76. No cause was given. The heavyweight began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist and became the champ by beating Joe Frazier in 1973. A year later he lost to Muhammad Ali in a match promoted as the Rumble in the Jungle. But twenty-five years after that, the forty-five-year-old foreman became the oldest man to win the championship.