NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-24-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: March 24, 2025

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On the embedded podcast. No, it's called denying a speech. It's misinformation. Like so many Americans, my dad has gotten swept up in conspiracy theories. These are not conspiracy theories. These are reality. I spent the year following him down the rabbit hole, trying to get him back. Listen to alternate realities on the embedded podcast from NPR. All episodes available now. Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Trump

administration is asking the US Supreme Court to block a ruling to rehire thousands of federal workers who were dismissed as part of President Trump's cost reduction measures across the federal government. Separately, politics, race, and Supreme Court precedent are all at issue today in another case. The nation's highest court is considering a voting rights case today involving Louisiana's congressional redistricting following the 2020 census.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports a Louisiana case is nearly identical to a 2023 case from Alabama. Louisiana's population is roughly 30% black, but after the census, the state legislature drew new congressional district lines that provided for only one majority black district in a state that has six congressional seats. So after the Supreme Court ordered Alabama

to create a second district where black voters had a realistic chance of electing the candidate of their choice, the Louisiana legislature read the handwriting on the wall. The legislature itself drew a map, this time with two predominantly black districts. That didn't end the case though because a group of self-described non-black voters went to court contending that the new redistricting amounted to racial discrimination. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington. Israel is considering a major ground invasion into Gaza.

The goals are to fully occupy the territory within a few months and establish Israeli military rule over Palestinians there. NPR's Danielle Lestrin in Tel Aviv spoke with two people who reviewed the plans. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the classified military plans. They said the plans would have major forces occupy Gaza, pushing Palestinians into a small zone designated for civilians, and that Israel is examining options for the military to take control of distributing food at a minimal caloric amount. Both people who reviewed the plans said it was unclear if or when the plans would be carried out,

or if they were a negotiation tactic to pressure Hamas to release more Israeli hostages. The military said it would not comment on future operational plans. It has announced it's mobilizing another army division for ground operations. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Film star Joard de Bardoux is on trial in Paris for allegedly sexually assaulting two women on a movie set in 2021. The 76-year-old may be best known around the world for his roles in films such as Life of Pi, The Man in the Iron Mask, and Cyrano de Bergerac, which earned him an Oscar nomination in 1991. However, today, the global awareness campaign against

sexual abuse, the MeToo movement, was in full display outside the Paris Courthouse. Heard via the Associated Press, a group of young women protesting Depardieu before he arrived for his trial. More than 20 women have publicly accused Depardieu of sexual harassment or attacks. He has denied the allegations. It's NPR News. President Trump says on Truth Social that he will place a 25 percent tariff on all imports

from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela. Trump says he also plans to impose new levies on Venezuela itself. The tariffs would take effect April 2nd. The administration recently deported alleged members of a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. They were among hundreds of migrants flown out of the US to El Salvador. Comedian Conan O'Brien received the Mark Twain Prize for American humor last night at the Kennedy Center. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports comedians who were there joked about O'Brien

and also about President Trump's recent takeover of the Kennedy Center. John Mulaney said he first became a fan of Conan O'Brien's, watching him on TV when he was 11. You showed me how a bizarre Catholic man who presents well but is deeply troubled on the inside could navigate the entertainment industry.

Other comedians who paid tribute were Nikki Glaser, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan and Will Ferrell. And a number of them made jokes about President Trump ousting Kennedy Center leaders and ending up chair of the board himself. Conan O'Brien said that accepting an award named for Mark Twain was a responsibility. Twain wrote, patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your government when it deserves it. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News, Washington.

At last check on Wall Street, the Dow was up 568 points or more than 1% at 42,553. It's NPR.