NPR News Now – March 18, 2025, 10 AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Producer: NPR
Release Date: March 18, 2025

Justice Department Criticized for Migrant Deportation Flights

Timestamp: 00:16 – 01:07

NPR correspondent Sergio Martinez Beltran reports from Washington on a significant legal clash between a federal judge and the Justice Department. A federal judge has sharply criticized the Justice Department for ignoring multiple court orders to halt U.S. deportation flights that were scheduled last Saturday. These flights were tasked with transporting hundreds of migrants, whom the Trump administration labels as "Venezuelan criminals."

Key Points:

• Legal Disobedience: The Trump administration utilized the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants to El Salvador, despite oral and written court orders to stop these actions.
• Designation of Terror Groups: The administration justifies its actions by citing suspected members of Trend Aragua, a group recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.
• Judicial Response: Judge James Boasberg criticized the Justice Department's stance, remarking, "That’s a heck of a stretch" when the department argued that an oral ruling was insufficient to halt the flights (00:36).

Escalation of Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

Timestamp: 01:07 – 02:10

Reporter Hadil Al Shalchi provides an update from Tel Aviv on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel continues its extensive airstrikes in Gaza, marking the first significant round of attacks since the initial phase of a ceasefire expired earlier this month.

Key Points:

• Casualties: Health authorities in Gaza report that at least 400 Palestinians have been killed, including young children, with hundreds more wounded.
• Israeli Objectives: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "I ordered the strikes because Hamas has repeatedly refused to release all the hostages" (01:35). The Israeli government aims to pressure Hamas into releasing more Israeli hostages.
• Ceasefire Breakdown: The fragile ceasefire had previously facilitated the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas and approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. However, Hamas has declined to release additional hostages under a new ceasefire arrangement advocated by Israel and the U.S.
• U.S. Involvement: A White House spokesperson confirmed that the administration was consulted prior to the initiation of the airstrikes (01:35).

U.S. Stock Market Responds to Home Building Data

Timestamp: 02:10 – 03:05

NPR’s Scott Horsley analyzes the fluctuating U.S. stock market influenced by recent economic indicators. The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened lower, sliding by approximately 230 points in early trading, amidst reports from the Commerce Department.

Key Points:

• Home Building Activity: There was an 11% increase in new home constructions last month, rebounding from a slow January dominated by cold and snowy weather.
• Building Permits Decline: Despite the rise in constructions, building permits decreased in February, signaling a potential slowdown in the housing market.
• Construction Costs Concerns: Builders express anxiety over rising costs of construction materials, a situation possibly worsened by President Trump’s tariffs.
• Industrial Production: There was a modest 0.4% increase in factory output excluding the automotive sector, while utility production fell due to warmer weather reducing the need for heating (02:23).

Defense Department Deploys Navy Destroyer to Southern Border

Timestamp: 03:05 – 04:37

Korva Coleman reports on the Defense Department's strategic move to enhance border security. The department has dispatched the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Gravely to the Gulf of Mexico as part of President Trump's initiative to tighten border controls and combat immigration-related issues.

Key Points:

• Border Security: The USS Gravely's deployment aims to support President Trump's objectives of sealing the border and intensifying drug trafficking prevention efforts.
• Renaming of the Gulf: President Trump announced the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America as part of symbolic moves to reinforce his administration’s policies.
• International Relations: The presence of a naval destroyer underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing both immigration and illegal drug trafficking at a maritime level (03:05).

Breakthrough in Electric Vehicle Technology by China’s BYD

Timestamp: 03:05 – 04:37

Anthony Kuhn reports from Beijing on a significant advancement in electric vehicle (EV) technology by China’s leading EV manufacturer, BYD. The company's latest development promises to revolutionize the EV charging landscape.

Key Points:

• Innovative Battery Technology: BYD unveiled a new battery and charger system capable of powering a vehicle for nearly 250 miles with just a five-minute charge. This technology is claimed to be twice as fast as current Tesla charging solutions (03:55).
• Market Impact: The announcement led to a substantial jump in BYD’s stock prices, reflecting investor confidence in the company's technological edge.
• Global Reach: While BYD continues to sell buses in the U.S., it has yet to enter the passenger car market domestically, partly due to tariffs and regulatory challenges. However, the company is expanding its EV sales in Europe and South America.
• Competitive Edge: China’s EV and hybrid vehicle sales surged by 40% last year, with Chinese manufacturers like BYD increasingly outperforming their international competitors (03:55).

Airline Industry Reacts to FAA Nomination

Timestamp: 04:37 – 04:54

President Trump has nominated Brian Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The nomination has received praise from airline industry leaders who view Bedford as a strong candidate to guide aviation policies.

Key Points:

• Nominee Background: Brian Bedford brings extensive experience from the airline industry, promising to leverage his expertise to enhance FAA operations.
• Industry Support: Leaders from various airlines have publicly lauded Bedford’s nomination, anticipating positive changes under his leadership (04:37).

Note: Advertisements from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company and Insperity have been excluded from this summary.

Timestamps Reference

• 00:36 – Discussion on Justice Department and migrant deportation flights
• 01:07 – Introduction to Israel-Gaza airstrikes
• 01:35 – Detailed report on Israeli strikes and ceasefire
• 02:23 – Analysis of U.S. home building and industrial production
• 03:05 – Defense Department’s deployment and BYD’s EV advancements
• 03:55 – BYD’s new battery technology and market impact
• 04:37 – FAA nomination of Brian Bedford

This summary was prepared based on the transcript of NPR News Now broadcasted on March 18, 2025.