NPR News Now: March 18, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh

Judicial Imppeachment Controversy

Timestamp: 00:13

Lakshmi Singh reports that Chief Justice John Roberts has dismissed the notion of impeaching judges based on their rulings. Responding to President Trump's call to impeach a judge involved in a deportation case, Roberts emphasized the robustness of the appellate review system.

Quote:
“If there's disagreement over a judicial decision, the normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,” — Chief Justice John Roberts [00:13]

Further Details:
President Trump targeted Judge James Boasberg on his social media platform, Truth Social, asserting that judges are hindering his efforts to control illegal immigration. This comes after Judge Boasberg questioned the Justice Department regarding the adherence to the Alien and Enemies Act amidst deportation procedures, especially concerning the transfer of over 200 individuals to El Salvador.

Trump-Putin Talks on Ukraine Ceasefire

Timestamp: 01:25

President Trump engaged in phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, striving to obtain Putin's commitment to a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. This diplomatic effort underscores ongoing tensions and the international community's push for de-escalation in the region.

Gaza Conflict Escalation and UN Response

Timestamp: 01:25 - 02:48

Intense fighting resumes in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes intensify, leading to significant casualties and humanitarian concerns.

Key Points:

• The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 400 deaths and more than 500 injuries since the latest airstrikes began.

• UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher expressed grave concerns:

  Quotes:
  “Overnight our worst fears materialized. Airstrikes resumed across the entire Gaza Strip,” — Tom Fletcher [02:07]
  “Palestinians in Gaza are living in abject fear and humanitarian aid is being blocked,” — Tom Fletcher [02:17]

• The United Nations is urging Israel to permit humanitarian aid into Gaza and to return to the ceasefire that had been effective for several months.

• Israel maintains that the resumption of airstrikes is a response to Hamas's refusal to release additional hostages abducted on October 7, 2023.

Wall Street Update

Timestamp: 02:48 & 04:34

Financial markets experienced a downturn with significant losses across major indices:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down 340 points to 41,500.
• S&P 500: Declined by over 1%.
• Nasdaq: Fell by 1.5%.

These declines reflect broader economic concerns and the impact of ongoing global conflicts.

M23 Rebels Withdraw from DRC Peace Talks

Timestamp: 03:22

The M23 rebel group, supported by Rwanda, has withdrawn from scheduled peace talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing sabotage by international institutions.

Details:

• The withdrawal follows the European Union's sanctions on Rwandan army commanders and the M23 leader.
• M23 spokesperson Lawrence Canyuka accused international bodies of deliberately undermining peace efforts, making dialogue unattainable.
• Rwanda has expelled Belgian diplomats, accusing Belgium of bias in the conflict.
• Since the start of the year, M23 has seized control of two strategic cities in eastern DRC, rich in minerals, despite Rwanda's official denial of supporting the group.

Astronauts Return Home from ISS

Timestamp: 04:00 - 04:34

In a significant development, two astronauts are returning from the International Space Station (ISS) after an extended mission.

Astronauts:

• Butch Wilmore
• Suni Williams

Details:

• The original plan involved returning via a Boeing capsule; however, technical issues necessitated the use of a SpaceX capsule.
• Their splashdown is expected later today in Florida.
• Their prolonged stay was due to the Boeing capsule encountering tech problems, leading NASA to order their return on the alternate spacecraft.

Additional Wall Street Update

Timestamp: 04:34

Further emphasizing the financial market trends:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down 355 points to 41,486.
• Nasdaq: Decreased by 1.5% or 278 points.
• S&P 500: Off by more than 1%.

These fluctuations highlight the volatile economic environment amid geopolitical tensions.

Reporting by:
Lakshmi Singh, Ximena Bustillo, Kate Bartlett, and Giles Snyder for NPR News.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus on the core news topics.