NPR News: 03-16-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – March 17, 2025

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter Contributions: Luke Garrett, Paul Flav, Joe Hernandez
Release Date: March 17, 2025

---

1. U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen and Potential Targets Expansion

[00:17] Jeanine Herbst reports that President Trump has authorized airstrikes targeting Houthi-led regions in Yemen. The president has committed to using "overwhelming lethal force" to deter further attacks on shipping vessels by the Houthis.

[00:36] Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses the nature of these strikes, emphasizing, “these strikes are not retaliatory or reactionary as they were during the Biden administration.”

[00:45] National Security Adviser Mike Waltz elaborates on the strategic intent, stating, “Effort to take away their ability to control global shipping in that part of the world. That's just not going to happen anymore.”

[00:51] Rubio further warns of expanding targets, indicating that “Iranian positions in Yemen could be airstrike targets” due to their support for the Houthis: “Other things that they have put in to help the Houthis attack the global economy, those targets will be on the table, too” ([01:02]).

The airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 people. In response, the Houthi rebels have declared they will "meet escalation with escalation" ([01:10]), signaling a potential intensification of conflict.

---

2. Trump Administration's Crackdown on Migrant Assistance

[01:22] Jeanine Herbst highlights actions by the Trump administration targeting communities and organizations that support migrants. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dispatched letters to nonprofits and cities, alleging violations of human smuggling laws.

[01:37] Paul Flav from Texas Public Radio reports that Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton has demanded the names of migrants assisted by these entities. Hamilton's concerns revolve around claims that these organizations and local governments are incentivizing migrants to enter or remain in the United States.

The non-compliance letters threaten to withhold $13 million from San Antonio and revoke grant funding intended to feed and house recent arrivals. This is despite FEMA having allocated over $45 million in grants to support migrant services, primarily through the Migrant Resource Center established in collaboration with Catholic Charities.

The City of San Antonio has pledged compliance by providing the requested information, while noting that the letter did not specify any particular allegations against the Migrant Resource Center or the city itself.

---

3. Devastating Storm System Impacts Midwest and South

[02:18] A massive storm system has swept through the Midwest and Southern United States, resulting in at least 35 fatalities across multiple states. The storm has caused extensive damage and left tens of thousands without power.

In Mississippi, numerous tornadoes have led to at least six deaths and injured more than two dozen individuals. Governor Tate Reeves has declared a state of emergency, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

[02:41] Governor Reeves detailed the tornado activity, stating, “We could have as many as 12 tornadoes that came through our state over the last 48 hours” ([02:41]).

[02:50] He reported that 23 counties in Mississippi are experiencing significant damage. In response, President Trump has expressed readiness to assist state and local officials in managing the crisis.

The storm system has since moved towards the Northeast, with the National Weather Service issuing tornado watches for parts of Virginia and North Carolina. Concurrently, U.S. futures contracts are trading lower, with Dow futures down by approximately 0.4%.

---

4. Pope Francis Appears in Hospital Chapel

[03:30] Joe Hernandez from NPR reports a significant image released by the Vatican showing Pope Francis praying in a hospital chapel. This marks the first visual appearance of the pontiff since his hospitalization in Rome over a month prior.

The photograph depicts the 88-year-old Pope seated in a wheelchair within the hospital's private chapel, adorned in a white robe and purple vestment. He is seen praying shortly after completing a mass celebration on Sunday morning.

Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on February 14th due to bronchitis. His condition worsened as he developed a polymicrobial infection and pneumonia in both lungs. However, medical professionals have now confirmed that he is stable and responding well to ongoing treatments.

---

5. Astronauts on the ISS Prepare for Return Home

[04:06] Jeanine Herbst announces that the two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months are scheduled to return to Earth this week. Their return follows the arrival of a SpaceX capsule at the ISS, which delivered replacement crew members.

The four new astronauts will undergo familiarization with the station's operations under the guidance of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. After this brief training period, the original pair will embark on their journey home aboard SpaceX's capsule, deviating from their initial plan to return via the Boeing Starliner. The latter mission encountered multiple issues, leading NASA to deem it unsafe for a safe return.

The successful preparation marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX. Meanwhile, Asian markets are experiencing gains, with the Nikkei in Japan up by 1.1% and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong rising by 1%.

---

This episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of significant global and national events, including international military actions, domestic policy enforcement, natural disasters, religious leadership updates, and advancements in space exploration. Through timely reporting and insightful analysis, listeners are kept informed on developments shaping the world.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump ordered airstrikes on the Houthi led regions in Yemen this weekend, promising to use overwhelming lethal force as long as the Houthis keep attacking shipping vessels. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. Now a cabinet member is saying Iranian targets could be next.

[Marco Rubio]

Secretary of State Marco Rubiot says these strikes are not retaliatory or reactionary as they were during the Biden administration. Rubio tells CBS News this is an.

[Mike Waltz]

Effort to take away their ability to control global shipping in that part of the world. That's just not going to happen anymore.

[Marco Rubio]

And Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz criticized Iran's support for the Houthis. He also took one step further, telling ABC News that Iranian positions in Yemen could be airstrike targets.

[Mike Waltz]

Other things that they have put in to help the Houthis attack the global economy, those those targets will be on the table, too.

[Marco Rubio]

Around 50 people have been killed during these airstrikes. And the Houthi rebels vowed to, quote, meet escalation with escalation, according to the Associated Press. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Trump administration continues to push back against communities that help migrants. The Department of Homeland Security sent letters to nonprofits and cities suggesting they'd violated human smuggling law. Texas Public Radio's Paul Flav has more.

[Cameron Hamilton]

Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton has asked for the names of migrants helped and raised concerns these organizations and local governments had induced migrants to come enter or reside in the United States. The non compliance letter said it was withholding $13 million from San Antonio and grant funding to feed and house recent arrivals, largely through the Migrant Resource center, which it set up with Catholic Charities. FEMA has allocated more than $45 million in grants to the region, according to its website, explicitly to house and serve migrants. The city of San Antonio has said it will provide the information requested and noted. The letter cited no specific allegations against the Migrant Resource center or the city. I'm Paul Flav in San Antonio.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A massive storm system that hit the Midwest and South this weekend has left at least 35 people dead across several states. It's also caused lots of damage and left tens of thousands without power. In Mississippi, multiple tornado left at least six people dead, more than two dozen injured. The state's Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency and says the National Weather Service is tallying up the number.

[Marco Rubio]

Of tornadoes and we could have as many as 12 tornadoes that came through our state over the last 48 hours.

[Jeanine Herbst]

He says 23 counties in his state are reporting damage. Meanwhile, President Trump says his administration is ready to assist state and local officials. The storm system has moved to the Northeast, and the National Weather Service has issued tornado watches for parts of Virginia and North Carolina. U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Dow futures are down about 0.4%. You're listening to NPR News. Pope Francis was seen praying in a hospital chapel in a photo released by the Vatican today. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, it's the first time the pontiff has been seen since he was hospitalized in Rome more than a month ago.

[Joe Hernandez]

The image published online by the Holy See Press Office, shows Francis sitting in a wheelchair inside the hospital's private chapel. The Vatican says Francis, who was wearing a white robe and purple vestment, was praying after having just finished con celebrating Mass Sunday morning. The 88 year old Pope entered the hospital on February 14th for a case of bronchitis. While there, he developed several other medical issues, including a polymicrobial infection and pneumonia in both lungs. But doctors now say Francis is stable and responded well to his ongoing treatments. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The two astronauts stuck on the International Space Station for nine months are finally set to come home this week. This after a SpaceX capsule arrived at the station this morning delivering their replacements. The four newcomers will spend the next few days learning the station's ins and outs from Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Then they get to head home. They were supposed to be gone a week only in June when they took the Boeing Starliner capsule up there, but they had. But that craft had so many problems, NASA thought it wasn't safe enough to bring them home. They will come back via SpaceX. Asian markets are trading higher at this hour. The Nikkei in Japan, up 1.1% the Hang Seng in Hong Kong, up 1%. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.