NPR News Now: March 10, 2025, 3 PM EDT – Detailed Summary

On the March 10, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, host Lakshmi Singh delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international news. The episode covered significant movements in the financial markets, escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, federal government employee buyout offers, notable legal developments, a maritime rescue operation, and groundbreaking advancements in medical technology. Below is a detailed summary of each key topic discussed.

1. Stock Market Plunge Amid Trump’s Trade Policies

Timestamp: 00:14

Lakshmi Singh opened the episode with a stark report on the severe downturn in U.S. stock markets. She detailed a sharp decline across major indices, emphasizing the gravity of the situation:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Fell over 1,000 points (2.4%)
• S&P 500: Decreased by more than 3%
• Nasdaq: Dropped 4.6%

Singh attributed this downturn to President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding the economy and potential recession. Addressing reporters on Air Force One, Trump acknowledged the possibility of a recession, describing the current economic state as a “period of transition.” However, he remained optimistic, stating, “In the long run, the economy will be better for it.”

Additionally, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to imposing reciprocal tariffs next month, suggesting that this action might be "just the beginning" of his trade policies aimed at addressing economic imbalances.

2. Ontario’s Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Electricity

Timestamp: 01:08

The episode transitioned to international trade tensions, focusing on Canada’s Ontario province. Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario would start charging 25% higher rates for electricity to three U.S. states: Michigan, New York, and Minnesota. This decision was a direct response to Trump’s imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods earlier in the week, which were briefly suspended for a month.

Jackie Northam of NPR expanded on the implications, highlighting that Ontario’s tariffs would impact approximately 1.5 million homes and businesses. Premier Ford warned of further escalation, stating, “We could turn off the electricity completely if President Trump escalates his tariff war.” In addition to the electricity tariffs, Ford has ordered all American alcohol off store shelves and banned U.S. companies from bidding on Ontario government contracts. He emphasized that these retaliatory measures would remain in effect until the U.S. abandons the trade war entirely.

3. Federal Health Agencies Offering Buyouts to Employees

Timestamp: 01:48

Singh reported on a significant development within the federal government’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Employees at HHS were presented with an offer of up to $25,000 as a lump sum to voluntarily leave their positions. This initiative aims to reduce the workforce through voluntary buyouts.

Selena Simmons Duffin provided further details, revealing that the offer was communicated via an unsigned email with the subject line, “please read immediately,” setting a deadline of March 14th for employees to decide. The buyout offer includes stipulations such that if employees accept and subsequently work for the federal government again within five years, they must repay the full amount.

This offer aligns with similar initiatives by other federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration and the Department of Education, which have issued comparable buyout propositions to their employees. Despite inquiries, the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to NPR’s request for additional details about the program.

4. Legal Developments and Maritime Rescue Operations

A. Resentencing of the Menendez Brothers

Timestamp: 02:45

In legal news, Lakshmi Singh reported that the Los Angeles District Attorney, Nathan Hockman, will not support the resentencing of Lyle and Eric Menendez, who were convicted in 1993 for murdering their parents in 1989. Hockman criticized the Menendez brothers for what he described as repeated lies about their motives, despite the brothers maintaining that they acted in self-defense. Hockman stated, “The evidence doesn’t add up,” reaffirming the DA’s stance against revisiting the case.

B. North Sea Maritime Collision and Rescue Efforts

Shortly after, Singh shifted focus to an international incident involving a maritime collision in the North Sea. The British Coast Guard successfully rescued 37 individuals from the wreckage resulting from the collision between a chemical tanker and a container ship. Fortunately, all survivors are reported to be in good condition, with only one person hospitalized.

Lauren Frayer provided additional insights, explaining that the collision involved a U.S.-flagged tanker transporting jet fuel for the U.S. Military, which is now leaking into the sea. The incident has raised ecological concerns, especially given the busy North Sea shipping lanes that serve routes between England, the Netherlands, and Germany. Frayer noted the presence of thick black smoke, firefighting helicopters, and lifeboats in the area, highlighting the severity of the situation.

5. Breakthrough in Restoring Touch and Movement to Paralyzed Individuals

Timestamp: 03:53

Concluding the news roundup, Singh shared exciting advancements in medical technology. Scientists at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research on Long Island have developed a system that restores both touch and movement to individuals living with paralysis. NPR’s John Hamilton reported on this innovative project, which leverages a brain-computer interface (BCI) coupled with artificial intelligence (AI).

Key Features of the System:

• Bypassing Damaged Spinal Regions: The system circumvents the impaired sections of the spine, enabling direct communication between the brain’s motor areas and the muscles in a person’s hand.
• Sensory Feedback: Sensors attached to the hand send signals back to the brain, allowing users to feel sensations through the restored neural pathways.

John Hamilton included a poignant testimonial from Keith Thomas, a patient paralyzed from the chest down due to a diving accident. Thomas recounted his first experience with the system: “They hooked me up to the machine and like, first time I felt my index finger and I was like, whoa.” Hamilton added that the system not only facilitates movement but also stimulates the spinal cord, thereby reinforcing the natural connections between the brain and body, even when the computer interface is not actively in use.

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a concise yet thorough overview of critical events shaping the economic, political, legal, and scientific landscapes both in the United States and internationally. From volatile stock markets and escalating trade disputes to innovative medical breakthroughs, the program ensured that important developments were communicated clearly and effectively.