NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-23-2025 5PM EDT

Episode Date: March 23, 2025

NPR News: 03-23-2025 5PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

When you take a shower or get ready in the morning, how many products are you using? Everything from your shampoo to your lotion. In our study, we found that the average woman used about 19 products every day and the average man used about seven. These products might come at a cost. The ingredients they contain can be harmful to our health. Listen to the Life Kit podcast from NPR to learn more about the risks of personal care products. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.

The Health Ministry in Gaza says the number of Palestinians killed since the start of the war against Hamas has surpassed 50,000. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports airstrikes have killed hundreds of Palestinians since Israel resumed its attacks in the Strip. The Israeli military says it has launched an offensive near Rafah in southern Gaza. Medics report heavy fighting from Israeli ground troops. Palestinians only recently returned to live in that area during a ceasefire.

Now Israel is ordering them to leave to a zone along the coast. Hamas says among those killed in Israel's latest strikes was one of the last Hamas political leaders based in Gaza. All of this is part of Israel's return to war to pressure Hamas to release hostages under more favorable terms to Israel. Israel says its security cabinet reviewed plans for continuing an aid blockade on Gaza

and increasing the military campaign. Danielle Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Canada says it will hold a parliamentary election next month. Emma Jacobs reports the announcement was made today by the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister. Prime Minister Mark Carney replaced former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month as the head of Canada's Liberal Party. His calling a snap election dissolves parliament and launches a five-week election campaign. Carney says he wants a strong positive mandate from Canadian voters.

We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty. Carnie's party has gained in the polls in recent weeks against Canada's Conservative Party as President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state. For NPR News, I'm Emma Jacobs in Montreal. One of the biggest unions of U.S. postal workers is holding rallies around the country today to protest the Trump administration's proposals to transform the agency. NPR's Hansi Lo-Wong has more.

The National Association of Letter Carriers represents mail carriers in cities, who are demonstrating against President Trump's comments last month. It confirmed his administration is considering having the Commerce Department take control of what Congress set up to be an independent postal service. Legal experts say that would likely violate federal law. Trump has also said privatizing the country's mail service is, quote, not the worst idea he's ever heard. NALC President Brian Renfrow says he's concerned that idea could lead to cutbacks to USPS delivering mail to just about every address in the country six days a week. It is of utmost importance that it remain an independent federal agency so that it can

remain the public service that it is. Elon Musk's Doge team recently signed an agreement that allows it to find efficiencies at USPS. Hansi Lo Wang, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR News. Cheers went up as Pope Francis made his first public appearance in more than a month before being discharged from a hospital in Rome today. The 88-year-old pontiff appeared on a hospital balcony where he offered a blessing to the crowd. Good if you rejoin. I see a lady there with yellow flowers.

Very nice. Pope Francis greeting a lady in particular who has these bright yellow flowers there. Francis was admitted to a hospital five weeks ago to undergo treatment for a severe respiratory infection. Late night talk show host Conan O'Brien will receive one of the most coveted awards in comedy tonight, the Mark Twain Prize for American humor. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports O'Brien will be honored at the Kennedy Center, which is going through some tough times.

When Adam Sandler won the Mark Twain Prize, Conan O'Brien had this to say. Good God in heaven, Kennedy Center! What have you done? Now it's O'Brien's turn. The Kennedy Center isn't revealing who's on the show to keep it a surprise. President Trump recently ousted the Kennedy Center's president, the board chair, and board members who'd been appointed by Democrats. Trump's new board elected him as chair. In response, a number of artists have canceled gigs. It's anyone's guess whether comedians will address the upheaval. Either way, the nation's capital could use some laughs right now.

The Mark Twain Prize will stream on Netflix. The date hasn't yet been announced. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News. I'm Windsor Johnston and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.