NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-22-2025 8AM EDT

Episode Date: March 22, 2025

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Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend on thrive. Make a recurring donation today to get special access to more than 20 NPR podcasts, perks like sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, early access, and more. So start supporting what you love today at plus.npr.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Joel Snyder. The Israeli military says it struck multiple Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon after several rockets were fired toward Israel from the area. Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for that attack, but NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports from Tel Aviv that Israel has said it will respond powerfully.

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. Federal judge 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. 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 Boasberg also seemed concerned about due process, saying the president's use of the law has, quote, frightening implications. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington. The Trump administration is revoking legal status for hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans in the United States, setting up more than half a million Cubans, Haitians,

Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans for potential deportation. They were given two-year permits to live and work in the US under former President Biden. Protests over the Trump administration's cuts to the federal workforce are ongoing around the country. In Tennessee, demonstrators upset with layoffs at the Social Security Administration gathered in front of Republican Congressman John Rose's office in Gallatin one day after he announced a run for governor. Henry DeGroot was among them. These people are citizens and they're rightly afraid of losing their benefits. And we're tired of the lies that we're being told.

Advocates say the layoffs and proposed changes will hamstring an agency already having trouble keeping up with the workload. In a statement, a Social Security spokesperson says the changes will bring a renewed focus on mission-critical work. And you're listening to NPR News. Police in Las Cruces, New Mexico are investigating a mass shooting. The shooting happened late last night. Details remain sketchy, but local media say there are multiple victims. Police are asking the public for help in identifying potential suspects. Social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate are back in Romania. The brothers

arrived there on a private flight today and are required to check in with police on Monday They face human trafficking and other charges in Romania They flew to Florida last month after prosecutors lifted a two-year travel ban boxing legend George Foreman who became the oldest man ever to win the heavyweight championship Title has died in Houston. He was 76. Steve Futterman looks back on Foreman's winding and multifaceted career. George Foreman was a 24 year old boxer with a powerful punch when he won the heavyweight championship in 1973 over Joe Frazier. But just one year later, Foreman, a huge favorite, lost against an aging Muhammad Ali and Ali's famous rope-a-dope defense.

After a second loss, Foreman, psychologically devastated, retired. He found religion and became a preacher. Ten years later, he made an unexpected comeback. Foreman, overweight, but with a new, affable personality returned to the ring. In 1994, at the age of 45, he regained the championship. For non-sports fans, he was known for marketing a namesake portable plug-in grill. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles. And this is NPR News. A lot happens in Washington every day, from the White House to Capitol Hill and everywhere Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.