NPR News: 03-14-2026 4AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – 03-14-2026 4AM EDT

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise five-minute update on major world and national events as of early March 14, 2026. Headlines include the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel, domestic security events in Michigan and Virginia, controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center’s leadership, sports highlights from the World Baseball Classic, and the passing of a renowned journalist.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Escalation and Diplomacy in Lebanon-Israel Conflict

[00:00 – 01:14]

• Lebanon Calls for Direct Talks:
  Lebanese President Joseph Ron, in a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, reiterated his willingness to negotiate with Israel but has not received a response.
  — “Lebanon’s president reiterated his call for direct talks with Israel to end the war…” — Dan Ronan, [00:00]

• Hezbollah Attacks & Displacement:
  Over 800,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced and at least 700 killed. Hezbollah launched its heaviest attack on Israel this week, firing more than 200 rockets.

• International Community and Lebanese Army:
  An anonymous regional official indicates Israel sees “positive signs” from Lebanon in efforts to restrain Hezbollah, but the war persists. Lebanon has asked the international community to strengthen its army to disarm the militant group.

• Lebanese Leadership’s Position:
  Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticizes Hezbollah’s actions:
  — “Lebanon did not choose this war.” — Nawaf Salam, quoted by Hadil Al Shalchi, [01:07]

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2. Synagogue Attack in Michigan

[01:14 – 01:55]

• Motivation and Tragic Outcome:
  Authorities report that Amman Mohammad Ghazazi, a 41-year-old Lebanese-American man, attempted an attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield, MI, after recently learning that four of his relatives died in an Israeli airstrike. He died by suicide during the incident.

• Preparedness and Prevention:
  FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyon describes the materials found:
  — “In the bed of the truck we found large quantities of commercial grade fireworks and several jugs of flammable liquid we believe to be gasoline, some of which has been consumed in the fire.” — Jennifer Runyon, [01:45]

• Law Enforcement Response:
  Quick action by security guards prevented a larger tragedy.

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3. Turmoil at the Kennedy Center

[01:55 – 02:58]

• Leadership Change Amidst Controversy:
  Richard Grenell, a known Trump loyalist and former US Ambassador, is leaving as Kennedy Center president amid artist cancellations, staff turnovers, and declining sales.
  — “Grinnell’s leadership at the Kennedy Center has been marked by controversy.” — Elizabeth Blair, [02:15]

• Notable Artist Cancellations:
  High-profile artists such as Issa Rae, Rhiannon Giddens, and the touring ‘Hamilton’ production have withdrawn.

• Institutional Changes:
  Grenell eliminated the Social Impact Division, reducing community engagement. Pending board approval, Matt Floca, the current VP of operations, is set to replace him.
  — “Trump is the first US President to chair the Kennedy Center’s board.” — Elizabeth Blair, [02:53]

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4. World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals

[02:58 – 03:59]

• U.S. Advances to Semifinals:
  The U.S. team defeats Canada 5-3 to move forward, with standout players Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt, Jr., and anticipated pitcher Paul Skeens.
  — “The Americans are heavyweights in the once every few years tournament…” — Becky Sullivan, [03:15]

• Dominican Republic and Japan as Favorites:
  The Dominican Republic beats South Korea 10-0 (mercy rule), fueled by MLB stars. Japan, with Shohei Ohtani, faces Venezuela next.
  — “Samurai Japan and the superstar Shohei Ohtani, who on the mound clinched the 2023 title for Japan.” — Becky Sullivan, [03:44]

• Other Highlights:
  Puerto Rico is set to play against underdog Italy.

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5. Domestic Crime and Notable Death

[03:59 – 04:39]

• Virginia Campus Shooting:
  Mohamed Jalal, recently released from federal prison, opened fire at Old Dominion University. The AP reports he should have been ineligible for early release due to a prior terrorism-related conviction.

• Loss of a Journalism Legend:
  James Burns, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and seasoned New York Times correspondent, dies at 81.
  — “Described as the consummate foreign desk fireman reporting from numerous overseas locations.” — Dan Ronan, [04:27]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Lebanon did not choose this war.” – Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam (quoted by Hadil Al Shalchi), [01:07]
• “In the bed of the truck we found large quantities of commercial grade fireworks and several jugs of flammable liquid we believe to be gasoline, some of which has been consumed in the fire.” – Jennifer Runyon, [01:45]
• “Trump is the first US President to chair the Kennedy Center’s board.” – Elizabeth Blair, [02:53]

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Conclusion

This episode concisely covers significant global tensions, domestic security challenges, cultural news, and sports milestones, offering a snapshot of critical stories shaping March 14, 2026.

Transcript

[Dan Ronan]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Lebanon's president reiterated his call for direct talks with Israel to end the war at a meeting with the UN Secretary General Friday. Lebanese officials say more than 800,000 people have been displaced and at least 700 killed. Israel says the Iranian backed militant group Hezbollah launched its heaviest attack on Israel this week, firing more than 200 rockets. NPR's Hadil Ashashi reports from Beir.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

In a meeting with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Lebanese President Joseph Ron said he had expressed his willingness to negotiate but had not received a response from Israel. An official in the region not authorized to speak publicly and speaking on condition of anonymity, told NPR that Israel sees positive signs from the Lebanese government to crack down on the Iran backed group Hezbollah, but that the war will continue on has asked the international community for help in bolstering the Lebanese army to help it disarm the militant group. After the meeting, Lebane Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized Hezbollah for launching rockets into Israel and said, quote, lebanon did not choose this war. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Beirut.

[Dan Ronan]

Authorities in West Bloomfield, Michigan say the 41 year old man from Lebanon who tried to attack a synagogue in that city Thursday had recently learned that four relatives died in Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. The man, Amman Mohammad Ghazazi, took his own life during the attack. He had become a naturalized US citizen, 10 years FBI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyon told reporters Friday the man had no previous criminal record, but he did have explosives in his vehicle.

[Jennifer Runyon]

In the bed of the truck we found large quantities of commercial grade fireworks and several jugs of flammable liquid we believe to be gasoline, some of which has been consumed in the fire.

[Dan Ronan]

Officials say quick thinking from security guards prevented a larger tragedy. Richard Grenell will soon be departing his position as president of the Kennedy Center. Under his leadership, the center has seen seen numerous artists cancel their performances, staff departures and falling ticket sales. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has more.

[Jennifer Runyon]

Richard Grinnell has long had a reputation as a brash loyalist to President Trump. He served as the US Ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term. Grinnell's leadership at the Kennedy center has been marked by controversy. Among the artists who canceled were actor Issa Rae, musician Rhiannon Giddens and a touring production of Hamilton. Grinnell eliminated the center's Social impact Division, which built connections communities in Washington, D.C. trump announced on social media that pending approval of the center's board of directors, Grinnell will be replaced by Matt Floca, currently the center's vice president for operations. Trump is the first US President to chair the Kennedy Center's board. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

It's NPR. The U.S. is headed to the semifinals of the World Baseball classic with a 53 win over Canada and the Dominican Republic beat South Korea by the mercy rule. The finals score 10 nothing. NPR's Becky Sullivan reports.

[Becky Sullivan]

The U.S. worked five runs out of eight hits in Friday's quarterfinal matchup against Canada. The Americans are heavyweights in the once every few years tournament. This year they've got some of the best players in baseball on the roster like Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt, Jr. And Paul Skeens, who's expected to pitch Sunday's semifinal against the Dominican Republic. But the doctor might be the favorites of the whole tournament with MLB All Stars like Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Fernando Tatis Jr. On the other side of the bracket are Samurai Japan and the superstar Shohei Ohtani, who on the mound clinched the 2023 title for Japan. In the late game, Japan faces Venezuela, who aren't pushovers. Earlier, Puerto Rico will take on the fan favorite underdog Italy. Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

The man who authorities say opened fire Thursday at a classroom at Virginia's Old Dominion University, killing one person, had been released from a federal prison in 2024 after finishing a drug program. But according to the AP, Mohamed Jalal should have been disqualified from early release because he had been convicted on a terrorism related charge. Journalist James Burns, a two time Pulitzer Prize winning reporter with the New York Times, has died at the age of 81 during his 40 years. At the time, he was described as the consummate foreign desk fireman reporting from numerous overseas locations. This is NPR News. I'm Dan ronan.

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