NPR News: 03-18-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 18, 2025

In the March 18, 2025 episode of NPR News Now hosted by Shea Stevens, listeners are presented with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing global and domestic issues. This summary delves into each major topic discussed, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and essential insights to provide a clear understanding for those who haven't tuned in.

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Justice Department Faces Legal Scrutiny Over Venezuelan Migrant Deportations

Shea Stevens opens the episode with a focus on the Justice Department's legal challenges concerning the recent deportation of Venezuelan migrants. Over the weekend, planes transported migrants out of the United States, prompting a federal judge to order the DOJ to submit a sworn declaration outlining its plan for these deportees by noon on Tuesday.

• Legal Dispute: The federal judge accused the DOJ of defying court orders by failing to return the planes and deportees. In response, government lawyers argue that the initial court order was given verbally and should have been documented in writing.

• Administration Changes: Stevens briefly touches upon the Trump administration's recent actions, noting that most of the board has been dismissed, though details are sparse within the transcript.

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Dramatic Takeover at the Institute of Peace by Elon Musk’s Doge Team

Attorney George Foote of the Institute of Peace details a shocking incident involving Elon Musk's Doge team forcibly seizing the organization's Washington building.

• Incident Description: [00:56] George Foote states, “We're very confident that what's happened here under the guise of a change of control is wrong and will be upheld in court. But we were having civil discussions about that, and then suddenly muscle arrives with guns and we're kicked out of the building.”

• Security Breach: Foote accuses Doge workers of deceiving the institute's security guards to gain access. Additionally, they reportedly prevented evicted employees from retrieving their personal belongings.

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U.S. Military Strikes Target Houthi Positions in Yemen

NPR's Tom Bowman reports on the United States' continued military actions in Yemen, emphasizing the strategic objectives and repercussions of these operations.

• Scope of Strikes: More than 30 Houthi targets were attacked, including radar sites, training camps, and drone storage facilities—marking a broader range of targets compared to previous years.

• Casualties and Responses: Pentagon officials report dozens of military casualties without civilian losses. However, the Houthis claim that 53 people, including five children and two women, have been killed.

• Ongoing Conflict: [01:36] Bowman mentions, “The Houthis say they'll continue targeting ships in the Red Sea until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza,” indicating potential for prolonged military engagement.

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International Aid Pledges $6.5 Billion to Support Syria’s Transition

Terry Schultz provides an in-depth look at the European Union's efforts to stabilize Syria following the ousting of President Bashar Assad.

• Aid Commitment: International donors have pledged $6.5 billion to support Syria's transition, focusing on economic recovery and reconstruction after 14 years of civil war.

• EU Conference Insights: During Monday's EU meeting in Brussels, Schultz notes the challenges posed by recent sectarian violence between Assad supporters and Sunni Islamist groups.

• Call for Inclusive Governance: [02:55] European Commissioner Haadi Labib emphasizes, “This new chapter must be fair, inclusive and representative of the people's will,” underscoring the EU's commitment to a democratic transition.

• Sanctions Strategy: The EU is cautiously lifting some sanctions to build a constructive relationship with Syria's emerging authorities, aiming to foster long-term stability.

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Market Brief: U.S. Futures Remain Steady in After-Hours Trading

In a brief market update, Stevens informs listeners that U.S. futures are flat in after-hours trading on Wall Street. This stability suggests a period of uncertainty or waiting among investors ahead of forthcoming economic data releases or corporate earnings reports.

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Intensified Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza Result in Significant Casualties

The podcast covers the escalating conflict in Gaza, where Israeli forces have launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting Hamas.

• Casualty Report: Palestinian health officials report that Tuesday's attacks have killed at least 200 people and wounded over three dozen more.

• Israeli Stance: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states, “I authorized the strikes after efforts to extend a ceasefire stalled,” [03:09] asserting that military actions will persist until Hamas releases all Israeli hostages.

• Ceasefire Efforts: The breakdown of ceasefire negotiations has led to a severe uptick in hostilities, with significant humanitarian implications for the region.

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FDA Enhances Recall Classification for Two Coffee Creamer Flavors

Giles Snyder details the FDA's updated stance on a recall affecting two flavors of International Delight coffee creamers.

• Recall Classification: The FDA has escalated the recall to a Class 2 designation, indicating a remote risk of serious health effects. This is a step up from the previous assessment where problems were deemed unlikely to cause significant issues.

• Affected Products: Approximately 75,000 bottles of "Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll" and "Hazelnut" flavored creamers, sold across 31 states with best-by dates in early July, are involved in the recall.

• Health Concerns: While the exact number of affected customers remains unclear, the FDA has received complaints regarding spoilage and associated illnesses linked to these products.

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Closure of Legal Case Involving Stolen 'Wizard of Oz' Slippers

In a surprising turn, the podcast reports on the dismissal of charges against a Minnesota man implicated in the theft of Judy Garland's iconic red sequined slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

• Case Details: Jerry Stellarman, aged 77, was accused of hiding the stolen slippers, which were stolen from a Minnesota museum in 2005. The slippers were eventually recovered in 2018 and sold at auction in December.

• Legal Resolution: Charges against Stellarman were dropped on Monday following his passing the previous day, bringing the case to a close.

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This episode of NPR News Now effectively encapsulates a wide array of topics, from international diplomacy and military actions to consumer safety and cultural heritage. Through detailed reporting and impactful quotes, listeners are equipped with a nuanced understanding of the day's significant events.

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Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. The Justice Department has until noon on Tuesday to submit a sworn declaration on its plan to return Venezuelan migrants flown out of the United States over the weekend. A federal judge issued the order after accusing DOJ of defying court orders to return the planes and the deportees. Government lawyers argue that the initial court order was issued verbally and should have been in writing. The Trump administration has fired most of the board. At the Institute of Peace. Attorney George Foote says employees of Elon Musk's Doge team forced their way into the organization's building in Washington Monday and seized it.

[George Foote]

We're very confident that what's happened here under the guise of a change of control is wrong and will be upheld in court. But we were having civil discussions about that, and then suddenly muscle arrives with guns and we're kicked out of the building.

[Shea Stevens]

Foot says the Doge workers deceived the institute's security guards to gain access to the building and did not allow evicted workers to take their belongings with them. U.S. aircraft and ships attacked more than 30 Houthi targets in Yemen over the weekend. NPR's Tom Bowman reports. Pentagon officials said the attacks will continue as long as the Houthis continue to attack U.S. warships and commercial vessels in the region.

[Tom Bowman]

The targets included radar sites, training camps, drone storage and manufacturing locations, a broader set of targets than in previous years. Officials say there were dozens of military casualties, but none among civilians. The Houthis say 53 people have been killed, including five children and two women. One U.S. official tells NPR the the strikes could continue for days, if not weeks. The Houthis say they'll continue targeting ships in the Red Sea until Israel lifts its blockade of Gaza. Tom Bowman, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

International donors are pledging $6.5 billion in aid for Syria to encourage that nation's new leaders to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power following the ousting of dictator Assad. Terry Schultz reports on Monday's European Union meeting in Brussels.

[Terry Schultz]

This ninth EU hosted Syria conference was first since the toppling of the Assad regime in December, aimed at raising additional funding to support the country's transition, economic recovery and reconstruction after 14 years of civil war. An outbreak of sectarian violence earlier this month between supporters of former President Bashar Assad and armed groups linked to the Sunni Islamist led government has raised concerns about the stability of the transition. European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Haadi Labib.

[Haadi Labib]

This new chapter must be fair, inclusive and representative of the people's will.

[Terry Schultz]

The EU has begun to lift some sanctions in a cautious approach to building a relationship with the new authorities. For NPR News, I'm Terry Scholz in Brussels.

[Shea Stevens]

US Futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr. Israeli forces have launched a new wave of airstrikes on Hamas targets across Gaza. Palestinian health officials say Tuesday's attacks have killed at least 200 people and wounded three dozens more. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he authorized the strikes after efforts to extend a ceasefire stalled. He says the attacks will continue until Hamas releases all Israeli hostages. US Regulators have updated the risk associated with the recall of two coffee creamer flavors. Details from NPR's Giles Snyder.

[Giles Snyder]

The Food and Drug Administration has now given the recall a Class 2 designation, meaning that use of the recalled products may carry a remote risk of serious health effects step up from being unlikely to cause problems. The recall was first initiated last month and involved some 75,000 bottles of International Delight coffee creamer sold across 31 states. The two flavors affected are Cinnabon Classic cinnamon roll and Hazelnut with Best Buy dates in early July. The number of customers who may have been sickened is not clear, but the FDA says there have been complaints of spoilage and illness. TRIAL Snyder, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

A federal judge has dropped charges against a Minnesota man accused of hiding a pair of stolen red sequined slippers that Judy Garland wore in the movie wizard of Oz. The charge against 77 year old Jerry Stellarman was dropped on Monday. He died on Sunday. The so called ruby slippers were stolen from a museum in Minnesota in 2005. They were recovered in 2018 and sold every at auction last December. This is NPR News.

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