NPR News Now – March 17, 2025, 9 AM EDT
NPR News Now delivers the latest national and international news updates in concise five-minute segments. This episode, released on March 17, 2025, covers a range of topics from severe weather impacts in the United States to significant political developments and cultural celebrations.
Severe Storms and Tragic Losses in the Southern United States
Korva Coleman opens the broadcast with a report on the devastating storms that swept through the central and southeastern United States over the weekend, resulting in at least 39 fatalities across seven states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama.
Emily Mosher provides an in-depth look into the aftermath in Troy, Alabama, where residents, once accustomed to a serene woodland environment, are grappling with extensive destruction caused by tornadoes. In her report from Troy Public Radio, Don Wambles of the Alabama Disaster Relief Association shares the emotional toll:
"You see that the damage, the destruction to people's lives and the fact that they're just absolutely overwhelmed by the damage." (00:59)
Governor Kay Ivey has extended her condolences to those affected, highlighting the state's ongoing efforts to support the survivors.
U.S.-Russia Relations and the Ukraine Ceasefire Negotiations
In international news, President Donald Trump announced his intention to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin the following day, as the Trump administration seeks to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Charles Mainz reports on the complexities of this diplomatic endeavor:
"President Putin is on record saying he supports Trump's ceasefire proposal in principle. But the Kremlin leader also laid out a laundry list of issues that he insists require further discussions." (01:37)
Key concerns from Putin include:
- Preventing Ukraine from rearming during the ceasefire
- Establishing monitoring mechanisms for the agreement
- Defining penalties for any breaches of the ceasefire terms
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticizes Russia for allegedly stalling negotiations to bolster its battlefield position. Additionally, Moscow demands stringent security guarantees, explicitly excluding Ukraine from NATO membership and rejecting NATO-aligned European peacekeepers for monitoring the ceasefire.
Legal Controversy Over Doctor’s Deportation from Lebanon
A significant legal development unfolds in Boston, where a federal judge has scheduled a hearing to review the potential deportation of Dr. Rasha Allaway, a kidney transplant specialist from Lebanon. Tovia Smith reports on the allegations against the Trump administration:
"Officials, quote, willfully disobeyed the judge's order and sent her back anyway." (02:36)
Dr. Allaway, who held an H1B visa for highly specialized workers, was detained upon returning from a family visit in Lebanon. Despite legal efforts to halt her deportation, including an urgent call from her lawyers to the airport control tower, the Trump administration proceeded with the deportation, raising serious concerns about adherence to judicial orders.
Political and Economic Updates
Korva Coleman touches on Wall Street's pre-market trends, noting that Dow futures are down by approximately 160 points, signaling potential turbulence in the financial markets.
In a contentious political statement, President Trump alleges that former President Joe Biden's pardons are "void," attributing this determination to Biden allegedly using an automatic pen to sign them. Trump specifically criticizes pardons granted to members of the House committee investigating the January 6 attacks. However, legal experts clarify that the Constitution grants the president the authority to pardon offenses without provision for subsequent presidents to revoke these pardons.
Pope Francis’ Health Update
Joe Hernandez reports on Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized in Rome for over a month. The Vatican released a poignant image of the 88-year-old pontiff praying in a hospital chapel. Despite battling bronchitis, a polymicrobial infection, and pneumonia in both lungs, Pope Francis is now reported to be stable and responding well to treatment.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Across the United States
On this St. Patrick's Day, numerous cities nationwide are celebrating Irish heritage with parades and public events. Korva Coleman highlights that New York City is hosting its parade today, following Boston's festivities on Sunday. Originally a religious holiday, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a broader celebration, with March now recognized as Irish American Heritage Month in the United States.
This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates the pressing issues of the day, from natural disasters and international diplomacy to significant legal battles and cultural festivities, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events.