NPR News: 03-24-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of March 24, 2025, Episode

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

---

1. President Trump's New Tariffs on Venezuelan Oil and Gas

At the outset, Korva Coleman reports on President Donald Trump's recent announcement, wherein he imposes a 25% tariff on any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela. Trump labeled this as a "secondary tariff," alleging without substantiated evidence that Venezuela is exporting tens of thousands of criminals to the United States. He declared that these tariffs would commence on April 2nd, aligning with his broader strategy to implement widespread tariffs on multiple nations.

2. Legal Proceedings Over Migrant Deportations

The episode delves into the ongoing legal battles surrounding President Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants. Korva Coleman highlights that a federal appeals court is set to review Trump's appeal against a lower court order mandating the release of information about recent deportation flights. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg questioned the justification for deploying wartime powers in peacetime.

In response, Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, asserted:

"[01:10] I don't care what that judge thinks as far as this case. We're going to continue to arrest public safety threats and national security threats. We're going to continue to deport them from the United States."

Homan emphasized compliance with court orders while maintaining the administration's commitment to deportations.

3. Federal Judge Blocks DOGE's Access to Personal Data

Stephen Fowler reports on a significant legal decision where a coalition of labor unions successfully sued the Treasury Department, Office of Personnel Management, and the Education Department. The unions contended that these agencies improperly granted access to sensitive personal data to employees of DOGE, a cost-cutting entity. A federal judge in Maryland ruled that this access likely violated federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act, stating that DOGE affiliates had "no need to know" the information. Consequently, a preliminary injunction now halts the disclosure of union members' data involved in the lawsuit. Additionally, a separate temporary restraining order was issued last week, blocking DOGE's access to Social Security Administration data.

4. US-Russian Negotiations for Ceasefire Amid Ukraine Conflict

Charles Maynes provides insights from Moscow regarding ongoing negotiations between U.S. and Russian officials aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. The Trump administration is seeking to extend a 30-day pause on attacks targeting energy infrastructure—an agreement initially brokered with Russian and Ukrainian leaders. Despite mutual accusations of violations from Moscow and Kyiv, the White House is now advocating for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure the free flow of shipping.

However, the path to broader peace remains obstructed by Russian demands. Kremlin negotiators have stated that any comprehensive peace deal is contingent upon the West ceasing all military aid to Ukraine. This stance is met with resistance from Ukraine and its allies, who argue that demobilizing Ukrainian forces would effectively amount to surrender.

5. Potential Israeli Ground Invasion of Gaza

In a concerning development, Korva Coleman reveals that Israel is contemplating a significant ground invasion into Gaza. The objective is to establish full Israeli military control over the Palestinian enclave. Although this operation could potentially commence within a few months, details remain uncertain regarding its execution and timeline.

6. NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament: UConn Falls to Florida

Shifting to sports, Greg Eklund reports that the University of Connecticut (UConn) will not be defending its title in the NCAA men's basketball tournament this year. UConn was narrowly defeated by the top-seeded University of Florida Gators, who advanced to the Sweet 16 with a score of 77-75. Coach Dan Hurley of the Huskies remarked:

"[03:47] I'll be going through what I call rewiring in the upcoming off-season."

Eklund also notes that the Gators are one of seven SEC teams still competing, alongside the University of South Carolina—the defending champion—which progressed to the Sweet 16 after a decisive victory over Indiana University.

7. 23andMe Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Concluding the episode, Korva Coleman reports that the genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In a significant leadership change, the company's CEO has resigned. 23andMe is actively seeking to facilitate a sale of the company but assures stakeholders that operations will continue uninterrupted during the sale process.

---

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with succinct yet comprehensive updates on pressing national and international issues, ranging from economic policies and legal disputes to international conflicts and significant corporate developments.

Transcript

[Carvana Representative]

This message comes from Carvana. Finance your next car the convenient way with customizable, transparent terms all online. Make your budget work for you and swap hassle for convenience with Carvana.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump says that any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela will now have to pay a 25% tariff to the United States. Writing online, Trump called this a secondary tariff on Venezuela. He alleged without evidence Venezuela is sending tens of thousands of criminals to the U.S. trump says the tariff will happen April 2nd. That's the day he is vowing to impose widespread tariffs on all other nations. This afternoon, a federal appeals court will take up President Trump's appeal to block a lower court judge's orders to release information about recent deportation flights. U.S. district Judge James Boasberg wants to know why Trump used a wartime power to deport hundreds of migrants when the US Is not at war. The power is known as the Alien Enemies Act. President Trump's border czar Tom Homan, says the administration won't defy the judge's order but will continue to deport migrants.

[Tom Homan]

I don't care what that judges think as far as this case. We're going to continue to arrest public safety threats and national security threats. We're going to continue to deport them from the United States. I understand this case is in litigation through the Alien Enemies act and will abide by the court order as litigated.

[Korva Coleman]

He spoke to ABC News this week. A federal judge has blocked members of the cost cutting entity DOGE from getting access to some personal data at three federal agencies. NPR's Stephen Fowler has more.

[Stephen Fowler]

A coalition of labor unions sued the Treasury Department, the Office of Personnel Management and the Education Department over sweeping access to sensitive data given to DOGE employees. A federal judge in Maryland ruled Monday that the three agencies likely violated a federal privacy law and the Administrative Procedure Procedure act by giving the DOGE affiliates access to personal information that they, quote, had no need to know. This preliminary injunction prevents the disclosure of data of the union members in the lawsuit. A different judge last week issued a temporary restraining order blocking all DOGE related access to Social Security Administration data. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.

[Korva Coleman]

U.S. negotiators are holding another round of talks with Russian officials today in Saudi Arabia. The meetings come as the Trump administration continues to pursue a ceasefire, as NPR's Charles Maynes reports from Moscow.

[Charles Maynes]

In effect, the US hopes to expand on a 30 day pause on attacks on energy infrastructure that President Trump negotiated with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. In phone calls last week, even as Moscow and Kyiv have accused one another of violating that agreement. The White House says it now seeks a similar maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea to allow free flow of shipping. Meanwhile, President Trump's stated goal of a full ceasefire continues to bump up against Russian demands. Going into the talks, the Kremlin's chief negotiators said any wider peace hinged on the west, ending all military aid to Ukraine and Kyiv. Demobilizing its forces moves Ukraine and its allies say is akin to surrender. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News. NPR has learned that Israel is considering a major ground invasion into Gaza. The intent is to fully occupy the Palestinian enclave and establish Israeli military rule. The effort could possibly begin in a few months. However, NPR has learned it is not clear if the plan would ever be carried out or when it might start. The University of Connecticut will not be repeating as champions of the NCAA men's basketball tournament this year. As Greg Eklund reports, UConn lost to top seed in Florida yesterday as the Gators moved on to the tournament's Sweet 16.

[Greg Eklund]

To reach the Sweet 16, UConn would have to knock off a number one seed, the University of Florida. But the Gators prevailed 77 to 75, and UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley says he'll be going through what he calls rewiring in the upcoming off season.

[Carvana Representative]

Just get caught up in this tidal wave of success that we've had and and, you know, you just you lose perspective.

[Greg Eklund]

With Florida moving on to the Sweet 16, the Gators are one of seven SEC teams still al the women's defending champion is the University of South Carolina, which advanced to the Sweet 16 after a 6453 win over Indiana University. For NPR News, I'm Greg Ecklen.

[Korva Coleman]

The genetic testing firm 23andMe says it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The CEO has stepped down. The company is trying to bring about a sale as well. 23andMe says that it will continue to operate during a sale process. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.

[Carvana Representative]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now. Plus@ +npr.org. that's +npr.org.