NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-22-2025 5PM EDT

Episode Date: March 22, 2025

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These days, there's so much news, it can be hard to keep up with what it all means for you, your family, and your community. The Consider This podcast from NPR features our award-winning journalism. Six days a week, we bring you a deep dive on a news story and provide the context and analysis that helps you make sense of the news. We get behind the headlines. We get to the truth. Listen to the Consider This podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. In a new move to increase deportations, the Trump administration is canceling a program that allowed over 500,000 people to be in the U.S. legally. NPR's Jimena Bastillo has more.

The Department of Homeland Security said that it will revoke what was considered a parole program for half a million people who are Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. This means that people who are currently eligible to work, go to school, and be in the U.S. are set up for a potential deportation in about a month. While President Trump campaigned on increasing deportations, particularly of those without legal status, he has also taken steps to remove authorization for those already in the U.S. The administration has also paused processing asylum and visa applications for those who entered under this program. The move to revoke parole programs has already been challenged in federal court.

Jimena Bustillo, MPR News. After a policy standoff, the Venezuelan government has agreed to accept repatriation flights from the U.S. carrying its deported nationals. Flights are expected to resume tomorrow morning. The Israeli military says it struck multiple Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon after several rockets were fired toward Israel from the area. Hezbollah denies involvement in the attack. Lebanese health officials say

there were deaths and injuries. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports. Sirens rang out in northern Israel early this morning after a relatively quiet few months. The Israeli military said three rockets were launched from Lebanon and all were intercepted. Israeli officials instructed the military to take, quote, powerful action in response, saying the Lebanese government bears responsibility for any rockets launched from its territory. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that renewed military activity with Israel could, quote, drag the country into a new devastating war. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect since late November. This is the first back and

forth between the two since Israel broke the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Computer programming jobs in the US have dropped to their lowest level in 45 years. NPR's Windsor Johnston tells us AI has a lot to do with this. The numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflect a stunning reversal for a field once seen as a golden ticket to job security.

Industry experts warn that while software development isn't disappearing, it's evolving in ways that are leaving many traditional programmers behind. The integration of artificial intelligence and software development is being used by many companies and is expected to continue reshaping the industry. Experts say AI will handle more routine tasks, allowing human programmers to focus on higher-level functions. Windsor-Johnston, NPR News. This is NPR. Disney's live-action Snow White hit the theaters this week. NPR's Bob Mandela reports. She's buoyant, determined and

waiting for families to show up and they are, if not quite in the numbers Disney hoped. Including previews, Snow White made 15 million dollars its opening day which suggests it's headed for about 45 million this weekend, roughly half what numbers, Disney hoped. Including previews, Snow White made $15 million its opening day, which suggests it's headed for about $45 million this weekend, roughly half what Princess Ariel took home in The Little Mermaid two years ago. Snow White has gotten pushback in some quarters for its casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler and for a statement Zegler made to the press. You know, I really don't remember you being this opinionated.

But Zegler's also earned raves for her performance, and Disney's good at spinning wishes into gold. Its most recent live-action musical, Mufasa, opened much lower but still topped $700 million worldwide. Bob Mandelo, NPR News. The Vatican says that Pope Francis will be released from the hospital tomorrow. He was admitted to the hospital February 14th for a bout with bronchitis that it turned into double pneumonia. Dr. Sergio Alfieri with Gemelli Hospital says Pope Francis

has improved and is no longer considered critical thanks in large part to oxygen therapy and medicines. The pharmacological therapy, the administration of high flow oxygen and unassisted mechanical ventilation recorded a slow but progressive improvement bringing the Holy Father out of the most critical episodes. Doctors say the Pope remained alert throughout and he will continue to need rest and care. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington. When you take a shower or get ready in the morning, how many products are you using? I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.