NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-23-2025 6AM EDT

Episode Date: March 23, 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 in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. In Turkey, a judge today ordered the mayor of Istanbul to remain jailed until trial on corruption charges.

His detention last week sparked large protests. Duri Biscari reports that Ikram Ememalou has emerged as a prominent rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After hours of interrogation, Imamolu and dozens of other defendants were transferred to a criminal court around 3 a.m. local time, early Sunday morning. Based largely on the testimony of secret witnesses, prosecutors accused Imamolu of heading up an elaborate conspiracy involving bribery, corruption, and fraud, and linked him to a terror group. In his testimony, Imimolu denied all of the charges.

Referring to pro-democracy protests that have swept the country in recent days, he said, quote, I feel the power of the nation behind me. I cannot even describe my courage. Imimolu's opposition party, the CHP, goes to the polls today for a primary to nominate him for a bid for president. For NPR News, I'm Darii Baskarin, Istanbul. Turkey's government says more than 300 people have been detained during the protests. Yesterday, police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse thousands who had gathered

outside Istanbul's municipal building and the main courthouse. Following Israel's decision to resume air and ground operations in Gaza, the father of the last living American being held in captivity by Hamas says he wants to know what Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to do next. What is the plan to get the last hostage out without ending the war and without the, without committing to the second phase of the third phase of the deal So what's exactly the plan? Adi Alexander speaking from his home in New Jersey his son

He done is a 21 year old Israeli American serving in the Israeli army Hamas is refusing to honor its obligations until Israel follows through on the original ceasefire agreement mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar. Police have arrested two people in connection with Friday night's mass shooting in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Three people were killed, at least 15 injured. Both suspects charged with murder. Johnny Coker, member station KRWG Public Media, reports on what happened. Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Storey says some 200 people were gathered at Los Cruces'

Young Park for an unsanctioned car show when an altercation between two groups led to an exchange of gunfire. Story said his department has been struggling with efforts to address public safety concerns at Young Park, a popular music and events venue. In a perfect world where I had 220 police officers like I'm supposed to, they probably would have been different last night, but I had no units available for most of the night prior to the shooting. venue. The Las Cruces Police Department said they're being assisted by state and local agencies, as well as the FBI and the ATF in their investigation.

For NPR News, I'm Johnny Coker. This is NPR. Ukrainian officials say a Russian drone attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least three people, including a five-year-old child. The drone strikes are reported to have sparked fires in high-rise apartment buildings and elsewhere in the capital. The attack came ahead of ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia tomorrow aimed at cementing a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure. However, both sides have continued to launch strikes.

The Russian defense ministry says it shot down nearly 60 Ukrainian drones overnight, most of them over the Rostov region. The Canadian government has launched an advertising campaign in the U.S. against President Trump's tariffs. Dan Carpinchuk reports the aim is to win the hearts and minds of Americans. Ottawa is paying for a series of huge billboards along highways in the US. They will appear in a dozen Republican voting states including Florida, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolie says Canada needs to send a message to the American people

so they understand what's at stake. She calls them the first victims of Trump's tariff war. She also says Canada wants hardworking Americans to pressure their government over the tariffs. The two countries are in a trade war, with Trump promising more tariffs to come on April 2. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpanchuk in Toronto. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney widely expected to announce plans for a snap election today. Carney replaced Justin Trudeau earlier this month and he has said that Canada's ruling Liberal Party needs a clear mandate amid President Trump's trade war and his calls for Canada to become the

51st state. I'm Giles Snyder, NPR News.