U.S. and world news for March 25

By Jade Walker, CNN

Judge refused access to deportation files

A federal judge attempting to discern if the Trump administration violated a pair of temporary restraining orders he issued to halt the deportation of hundreds of migrants was told that the information was no longer accessible to him. Top Justice Department officials wrote in a filing that the administration is invoking the state secrets privilege, and claims any further disclosure about the deportation flights from the US to El Salvador would pose a danger to national security. “The Court has all of the facts it needs to address the compliance issues before it,” the officials wrote to US District Judge James Boasberg. The administration had previously invoked wartime power to justify deporting the migrants it accused of being members of a Venezuelan gang.

In light of FEMA cuts, 2024 was one of worst disaster years

As President Trump plans deep staff cuts at FEMA and works to eliminate the agency, new data shows that 2024 was one of the worst years for natural disasters. According to a new analysis from the International Institute for Environment and Development, there were 90 declarations of “major disasters” in the US last year — or one every four days. August was the worst month, with 10 major weather-related disasters active at the same time, including Hurricane Debby in Florida, severe storms in Kansas and flooding in Vermont. “We’re seeing hurricane season last longer, we’re seeing spring severe weather season get more significant and we’re seeing the fire season go year-round now,” former FEMA chief Deanne Criswell told CNN.

DeJoy resigns US postmaster post

US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned on Monday. During his nearly five-year tenure, the former businessman and Republican donor consolidated deliveries, raised the price of a First-Class domestic postage stamp from 55 cents to 73 cents and launched a reorganization plan that has cut 30,000 workers from the employee rolls and aims to eliminate another 10,000 through voluntary early retirement. President Trump said he wants to see even more changes and suggested giving Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick oversight of the independent government agency — a move that could be the first step toward privatization.

Palestinian Oscar-award winner attacked, released

The Palestinian director who won an Oscar for the documentary “No Other Land” was allegedly attacked in the occupied West Bank on Monday by a group of Israeli settlers. He was later released by Israeli troops. Hamdan Ballal reportedly called the film’s co-director, Basel Adra, in distress. But when Adra arrived at Ballal’s home in the village of Susya, he saw Ballal and another person being taken away. Israeli Yuval Abraham, another co-director of the film, said Ballal suffered injuries to his head and abdomen and had not been heard from since being detained. Five American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence also claimed they were assaulted by the Israeli settlers at the scene.

Canadians to Maine: No, thanks!
In response to tariffs and President Trump’s comments about making Canada the “51st state,” many Canadians are canceling planned vacations to the U.S.