NPR News Now: March 18, 2025, 6 PM EDT

NPR News Now delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. In today’s episode, NPR covers a range of significant global and national stories, from the return of NASA astronauts to pivotal political developments and historic passings.

Astronauts Return Home After Nine-Month Mission

[00:13] Jack Spear opened the episode with the heartwarming news of two NASA astronauts safely returning to Earth. After spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams splashed down off the coast of Florida in their SpaceX capsule. This successful mission marks another milestone in long-duration spaceflight, showcasing the advancements in space technology and international cooperation.

Trump and Putin Reach Partial Ceasefire Agreement in Ukraine

The episode delves into the high-stakes diplomatic engagement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Charles Maynes reports on the significant yet limited outcomes of their recent talks.

[00:45] Charles Maynes explained that the two leaders engaged in a two-and-a-half-hour discussion focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and broader U.S.-Russian relations. A key achievement was Putin’s agreement to a 30-day halt on strikes against all energy infrastructure in Ukraine. However, the negotiations stalled when Trump's proposal for a comprehensive ceasefire encompassing all land, sea, and air attacks was not fully accepted.

“The most significant outcome, Putin agreed to a 30-day halt on strikes on all energy infrastructure in Ukraine,” Maynes stated [00:45].

While this partial ceasefire offers a temporary reprieve, the Kremlin maintained that any broader resolution would depend on the cessation of all Western military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine, a condition deemed unlikely by U.S. allies, as Kyiv continues to receive substantial backing from the U.S. and European nations.

Court Rules Against Elon Musk’s DOGE in USAID Shutdown

Shifting focus to domestic affairs, Jack Spear introduced a significant legal decision involving tech magnate Elon Musk and his government-cutting entity, DOGE.

[01:24] Fatma Tanis provided details on the case, revealing that a group of two dozen current and former USAID employees filed a lawsuit challenging the abrupt shutdown of the agency by DOGE. In a comprehensive 68-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, mandating that DOGE reinstate email access for current USAID employees and prohibit any actions related to the agency without approval from an officially appointed USAID officer.

“The judge said the actions to shut USAID and permanently close its headquarters... deprived Congress of their constitutional authority over an agency created by Congress,” Tanis reported [01:37].

This ruling underscores the judiciary's stance on preserving congressional authority and ensuring continuity within government agencies, despite executive-level cost-cutting measures.

Democratic Leaders Face Backlash Over GOP Spending Bill

Jack Spear also highlighted the growing frustration among Democratic congressional leaders following their inability to block a Republican-led spending bill aimed at funding the government.

[02:19] Domenico Montanaro analyzed the internal struggles within the Democratic Party, emphasizing the challenges they face in regaining momentum and mounting effective opposition to President Trump.

“Democrats are really struggling to find their way out of the political wilderness and how to oppose President Trump,” Montanaro noted [02:29].

Looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, Montanaro stressed the necessity for party unity to mobilize the base effectively, as these elections typically experience lower voter turnout compared to presidential races. Additionally, with the impending 2028 presidential election, the Democratic Party must navigate a diverse field of candidates, ranging from far-left to moderate progressives, to present a cohesive vision that aligns with Democratic values.

Nvidia Signals AI Growth and Partnership with General Motors

In the business sector, Nvidia’s founder, Jensen Huang, shared optimistic projections about the artificial intelligence (AI) industry's trajectory at a developers conference.

[03:07] Jack Spear reported that Huang described AI as being at an “inflection point,” driven by surging demand for Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) from the top four cloud service providers. Huang forecasted that Nvidia's infrastructure revenue could reach the trillion-dollar mark by 2028. Additionally, he announced a strategic partnership with General Motors (GM) to integrate Nvidia’s technology into GM’s upcoming fleet of self-driving vehicles, highlighting the expanding role of AI in the automotive sector.

Rwanda and DRC Leaders Convene to Address Eastern Conflict

The episode also covered the recent diplomatic efforts to resolve ongoing tensions in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Emmanuel Akinwotu reported that the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC engaged in unannounced face-to-face talks in Doha, Qatar.

“The meeting... helped build confidence in a shared commitment to a secure and stable future,” stated the Qatari Foreign Ministry [03:56].

Since January, the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group has made significant territorial gains in the eastern DRC, exacerbating regional instability. The conflict, rooted partly in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, continues to strain relations between the two nations. The United Nations and several countries, including the United States, have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels and exploiting DRC's resources, making the recent talks a critical step towards peace, albeit amid skepticism about Rwanda’s true intentions.

Passing of Last Battle of Britain Pilot Marks End of an Era

Concluding the episode, Jack Spear shared the somber news of the passing of John Patty Hemingway, the last surviving pilot from the Battle of Britain.

[04:35] At 105 years old, Hemingway represented a living connection to one of history’s pivotal air battles. In 1940, at just 20 years old, he bravely took to the skies alongside his comrades to fend off the German Luftwaffe’s assaults. His death marks the end of an era, commemorating the sacrifices and heroism of those who fought to defend the United Kingdom during World War II.

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