NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-27-2026 5AM EDT

Episode Date: March 27, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, and I'm Dave Mattingly. Congress is a step closer to funding large swaths of the Department of Homeland Security. Early this morning, the Senate voted to fund DHS except for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. The agreement would fund agencies such as TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard. Speaking on the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, blamed Democrats for dragging out the funding issue. The White House made offer after offer, putting forward a robust list of additional reforms. And Democrats just kept moving the goalposts. Democrats have refused to fully fund DHS until changes are made in how federal officers carry out immigration enforcement. The measure now heads to the House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected in France today for the G7 summit. The ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran and efforts. to reach a ceasefire or likely to dominate the talks.

Separately, a global policy forum in Paris is predicting inflation will surge worldwide because of war in the Middle East and the sharp jumps in energy prices. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports from the French Capitol. Matthias Kourman is General Director for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. He presented the group's downward revised

economic outlook for the next two years. This conflict and the related energy supply shock have now lowered a projected path for global growth this year and next. He says U.S. inflation will surge to 4.2%, more than one percentage point higher than the group's previous forecast made late last year. Rising energy prices will also sharply curb economic growth around the world. It will worsen in 2027, said Kormand, if the conflict doesn't end and the Strait of Hormuz reopen.

Eleanor Beardsley and Pernews, Paris. The nation's major airlines are reported. supporting strong quarterly earnings despite war in the Middle East, pushing up the cost of jet fuel. NPR's Windsor Johnston says it's a different story for discount carriers. Airlines are seeing strong demand, but much of that growth is being driven by higher-end travelers. Aviation analyst Bill McGee says the industry is becoming a clear example of a case-shaped economy, a lopsided recovery where those on top prosper, while others struggle. I think the airline industry right now is,

the perfect example of the K-shaped economy. The big airlines, they're saying that in their earnings calls, that they are making much of their money from those Americans who have the most money to travel. McGee says major airlines are expanding premium seating to capture that demand. Meanwhile, lower-cost carriers are struggling as more budget-conscious travelers pull back from flying.

Windsor Johnston, NPR News. This is NPR News from Washington. In the men's NCAA basketball tournament, last year's national runner-up has been eliminated from the tournament. As Greg Eklund reports, Illinois beat the Houston Cougars last night, 65 to 55. From the outside, it appeared that everything was set up for the Houston Cougars to advance to the men's final four, a number one seed, playing the second weekend of the tournament in their home city. But Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson thought it boiled down to his team. I never felt like we needed to be here to win because of how much success we've had in somebody else's gym.

But Illinois had a great year. Illinois will play in its second regional final in the last three years, and its game against Iowa guarantees that at least one team for the Big Ten conference will make the final four. For NPR News, I'm Greg Eklund. Top-seated Florida, the 2025 national champion was eliminated by, Iowa in this year's tournament. A major league baseball player is suing his parents, accusing them of defrauding him out of millions of dollars while managing his finances. The lawsuit brought by Philadelphia Phillies third baseman, Alec Bohm, accuses his parents, Daniel and Lisa Bohm,

of transferring millions of dollars from accounts they were managing for him to accounts controlled by them. Baum is a 29-year-old former All-Star. The couple denies their son's allegations and say they're deeply sadden. Wall Street futures are mostly lower this morning. Dow futures are off 14 points. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.