NPR News Now: March 16, 2025, 9PM EDT Summary

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant national and international events, economic developments, and cultural milestones. Hosted by Jeanine Herbst and featuring reports from NPR correspondents Luke Garrett, Eleanor Beardsley, and Elizabeth Blair, the episode covered a wide array of topics crucial to understanding the current global landscape.

U.S. Immigration Policy and Legal Challenges

President Trump's Use of the Alien Enemies Act

The episode opened with Jeanine Herbst reporting from Washington on a controversial move by President Donald Trump. Invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime statute, Trump sought expansive deportation powers aimed at removing individuals alleged to be members of a Venezuelan prison gang. This unprecedented use of a century-old law has sparked significant legal battles.

Judicial Intervention and Deportation Proceedings

Luke Garrett provided further insight into the legal challenges facing the administration's actions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently awaiting a response from the government regarding the timing of this weekend's deportations, with another court hearing scheduled for March 21. Despite federal obstacles, a plane arrived in El Salvador carrying hundreds of deportees who will be confined at a notorious prison for at least a year. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador stated, "U.S. courts just don't have jurisdiction in other countries, meaning their fates are up to Bukele" (00:53).

Conflict in Ukraine: Kursk Region Stalemate

Ukraine's Struggle in Russia's Kursk Region

Shifting focus to Eastern Europe, NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reported on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine's Kursk region. Ukrainian forces currently control only a small portion of this strategic area following intense clashes with Russian troops intent on reclaiming the territory.

Strategic Implications and Political Statements

Beardsley detailed Ukraine's initial strategy to leverage the Kursk conquest in ceasefire negotiations, highlighting that the conflict in this region is nearing a critical point. "Ukraine's campaign to seize and occupy the Russian region seems to be nearing an end," Beardsley noted (01:32). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the ongoing conflict, criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin for delaying a ceasefire proposal. Zelensky stated, "Putin had ignored the U.S.-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal to, quote, steal another week of war. We will do everything to intensify diplomacy, but we must also protect our independence, our state and our people" (01:32).

Economic Insights: Wall Street Volatility and Federal Reserve Decisions

Market Turbulence Amid Tariff Concerns

Jeanine Herbst turned attention to the economic sphere, highlighting the volatility on Wall Street amid concerns over President Trump's erratic tariff policies and their potential impact on the economy. Despite three major stock indices closing higher on Friday, the Dow experienced its worst weekly performance since 2023.

Treasury Secretary Bessant's Optimism

Treasury Secretary Bessant defended Trump's tariff strategies during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press. Addressing market anxieties, Bessant expressed confidence in the long-term economic outlook: "Not worried about the markets over the long term. If we put good tax policy in place, deregulation, and energy security, the markets will do great" (02:35).

Federal Reserve's Upcoming Decision

The episode also touched on the Federal Reserve's anticipated two-day meeting. After implementing three interest rate cuts last year, expectations are high that the Fed will maintain current rates to assess economic stability. Concurrently, Asian markets showed resilience, with Japan's Nikkei up by 1.2%, as reported by Herbst (02:46).

Tragedy Strikes North Macedonia: Overcrowded Nightclub Fire

Devastating Nightclub Fire Claims Lives

A tragic event unfolded in North Macedonia as a fire engulfed an overcrowded nightclub during a concert, resulting in at least 59 fatalities and over 150 injuries. Authorities reported that the victims suffered from burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries caused by a panicked crowd surge. The fire was ignited by pyrotechnics, leading to chaotic conditions and hindered evacuation efforts.

Official Response and Global Condolences

Officials detained at least 15 individuals for exceeding capacity and operating without a proper license. International leaders, including Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed their condolences. Neighboring countries provided medical assistance, and the Macedonian government declared seven days of national mourning (03:30).

Cultural Milestone: Lincoln Center Receives Historic Donation

$50 Million Gift to Support Contemporary Dance

In a significant development for the arts, Elizabeth Blair reported that Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts received a $50 million donation from philanthropists Lynn and Richard Pascalano. This generous contribution marks the largest gift in the institution's history and is dedicated to transforming contemporary dance programming.

Enhancing Global Dance and Nurturing Talent

The funds will facilitate contemporary dance performances from around the world and support the next generation of dance artists. Mariko Silver, Lincoln Center's President and CEO, emphasized the importance of this initiative during challenging times for the dance community: "These are challenging times for the contemporary dance community as we continue recovering from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic" (04:08). The donation underscores Lincoln Center's commitment to nurturing artistic excellence and innovation (04:48).

Market Updates

As the episode concluded, Jeanine Herbst provided a brief update on the stock market, noting that U.S. futures contracts were trading lower by approximately 0.3%. "I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News," she concluded, signaling the ongoing fluctuations in the financial markets (04:48).

NPR News Now continues to deliver timely and in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues worldwide, ensuring listeners stay informed with accurate and engaging reporting.