NPR News Now: March 11, 2025, 11 AM EDT

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive roundup of the latest developments across economic markets, government operations, international relations, and human interest stories. Here's a detailed summary of the key topics discussed in the March 11, 2025 episode.

1. Economic Turmoil and Trade Tensions

Stock Market Declines:
The episode opened with alarming news from Washington as Korva Coleman reported significant downturns in the stock markets. Specifically, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 600 points in the last hour, signaling investor anxiety and potential volatility ahead.

Trade Disputes Between the U.S. and Canada:
Amidst the economic downturn, President Donald Trump announced he has doubled tariffs on imports of Canadian aluminum and steel. This aggressive move is a direct response to Ontario's leader imposing a 25% fee on the province's energy exports to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. The escalation in tariffs underscores the mounting tensions between the two neighboring giants and their impact on international trade dynamics.

House Republicans’ Confidence in Passing Government Spending Bill:
In a related political development, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed strong confidence that Republicans would successfully pass the government spending bill. Despite acknowledging the precariousness of their majority, Johnson asserted, “We'll have the votes. We're going to pass the [CR]. We can do it on our own. But what I'm saying is Democrats ought to do the responsible thing, follow their own advice in every previous scenario and keep the government open” ([00:56]). This statement highlights the bipartisan urgency to avert a potential government shutdown.

2. Government Spending Crisis and VA Job Cuts

Impending Government Shutdown:
The episode shed light on the critical deadline facing Congress, which has until late Friday night to pass a spending bill. Failure to do so would result in a partial government shutdown, leading to significant operational disruptions across various federal departments.

VA Employment Reductions:
A major consequence of the potential shutdown involves the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which has already cut several thousand jobs and plans to eliminate an additional 80,000 positions. NPR's Katia Riddle reported that VA officials are reassessing millions of dollars earmarked for agency research. Rashi Romanoff, representing the National Association of Veterans Research and Education Foundations, emphasized the gravity of these cuts: “Millions of dollars of research into things like mental health care and suicide prevention are at stake” ([01:43]). Despite these proposed reductions, the VA maintains that it will "not eliminate positions that are, quote, mission critical” ([01:53]), aiming to preserve essential services for veterans.

3. Foreign Aid Legal Rulings and Middle East Ceasefire Efforts

Judicial Rulings on Foreign Aid:
In a significant legal development, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot refuse to spend money designated by Congress for foreign aid. However, the judge stopped short of mandating the restoration of thousands of canceled foreign aid contracts, maintaining a nuanced stance on executive spending powers.

Ceasefire Negotiations in Gaza:
The episode also covered high-stakes diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Gaza. Steve Witkoff, President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, is slated to arrive in Qatar to engage in ceasefire talks aimed at halting the ongoing war. Hadil Al Shalchi provided insights into these negotiations, detailing that Israel dispatched a delegation to Doha to negotiate with mediators, including Witkoff. Israel is pushing for Hamas to accept an extension of the initial ceasefire phase, which would lead to the release of half the hostages held in Gaza. Conversely, Hamas demands that negotiations move to a second phase that seeks a permanent end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. To exert pressure, Israel has cut off all aid, including essential food and medical supplies, into the Gaza Strip ([02:34]).

4. U.S. Foreign Policy Initiatives on Ukraine

Marco Rubio’s Diplomatic Engagements:
In the realm of international affairs, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is actively engaging with top Ukrainian leaders in Saudi Arabia to explore avenues to conclude Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The discussions involve complex negotiations where President Trump is reportedly pressuring Ukraine to agree to a trade deal that would see a substantial portion of Ukraine's rare minerals exported to the U.S. However, Trump has yet to provide solid security guarantees in exchange for this economic concession. Rubio stated his intent to "listen to Ukrainian leaders to see how far they are willing to go to arrange a peace deal" ([03:09]), emphasizing that the U.S. will evaluate these proposals against Russian demands to seek a balanced resolution.

5. Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy

A Celebration of Inclusion and Acceptance:
Shifting to a more uplifting narrative, the Special Olympics World Winter Games have commenced in Turin, Italy, featuring over 1,500 athletes from more than 100 delegations. Kristen Wright highlighted that the event spans eight different sports, including figure skating, floorball, alpine skiing, and snowshoeing. These games, which prioritize inclusion and acceptance, mark the first time the event has been held since 2017. The games were previously postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and were canceled in 2023 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The opening ceremony featured the lighting of the flame of hope, symbolizing the enduring spirit of the athletes, with the festivities set to conclude with the closing ceremony on Saturday ([03:58]).

6. Pope Francis’ Health Update

Papal Health Stabilization:
In religious news, the Vatican provided updates on Pope Francis’s health. After spending another quiet night in a Rome hospital, Vatican officials confirmed that the Pope is "no longer in imminent danger of dying from pneumonia" ([04:38]). However, it was also noted that he will remain hospitalized for several more days to ensure a full recovery.

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a broad spectrum of current events, providing listeners with concise yet comprehensive insights into pressing economic issues, governmental challenges, international diplomacy, inspiring sporting events, and significant health updates.