NPR News: 03-21-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 21, 2025

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Source: NPR News
Release Date: March 22, 2025

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Israeli Military Demolishes Palestinian Homes in Jenin

Timestamp: [00:14] - [01:15]

In a significant escalation of Israel's military operations in the West Bank, the Israeli military has ordered the demolition of 95 residential buildings in the Jenin refugee camp. This directive comes from Israeli commander Avi Bluth and marks a pivotal moment in the two-month-long counterterrorism campaign aimed at destabilizing terrorist activities in the region.

Key Points:

• Operational Necessity: The Israeli military has characterized the demolitions as an "operational necessity" ([00:32] Kat Laundsdorf), emphasizing the strategic importance of clearing the area to eliminate potential threats.
• Forced Evictions: Over 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to the ongoing military operations. Israeli officials have declared that displaced individuals will not be permitted to return, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
• Access to Belongings: While the Israeli military has stated that residents can "explore the possibility of getting their belongings" ([00:32] Kat Laundsdorf), Palestinian officials report that Israel has yet to facilitate the collection of personal items by the displaced families.

Kat Laundsdorf of NPR News in Tel Aviv reported that the Jenin operations have rendered the refugee camp largely empty, with the demolition of homes serving as a stark testament to the continuing conflict in the occupied West Bank.

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U.S. Deploys 500 Troops to West Texas Border

Timestamp: [01:15] - [02:17]

In a strategic move, the Trump administration has deployed 500 army troops to an isolated segment of the U.S.-Mexico border in West Texas. This deployment is part of a broader military initiative to bolster border security amid ongoing immigration challenges.

Key Points:

• Support Role: Major General Jared Stefani clarified that the troops will not be directly involved in arresting migrants. Instead, their role will focus on detection and monitoring, providing essential information to Border Patrol agents who will handle law enforcement tasks ([01:36] Travis Bubinik).
• Operational Area: The troops are stationed in the Big Bend region, a sparsely populated desert area with historically low rates of illegal border crossings. Last month, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported fewer than 200 apprehensions in this region.
• Equipment and Locations: The deployment includes the use of combat Striker vehicles, and some troops are stationed within Big Bend National Park, a unique placement that underscores the strategic significance of the area.

Travis Bubinik of Marfa Public Radio emphasized the supportive nature of this military assistance, aiming to enhance the efficacy of Border Patrol operations without engaging in direct law enforcement activities.

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Heathrow Airport Reopens After Electrical Substation Fire

Timestamp: [02:17] - [04:08]

Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, has begun to resume flights approximately 18 hours after a significant fire at a nearby electrical substation caused a widespread power failure, leading to the temporary closure of the airport.

Key Points:

• Impact on Flights: Nearly 1,400 flights were affected, creating substantial disruptions for travelers. The restoration of services is expected to continue over the next few days as airlines work diligently to return to normal operations.
• Response from Heathrow Leadership: Thomas Wilby, CEO of Heathrow Airport, described the incident as "unprecedented" and highlighted the airport's commitment to safety and operational continuity. He stated, "Unless they have severe safety concerns, contingencies" will be enacted to maintain airport functions ([02:43] Thomas Wilby).
• Investigation and Safety Assurance: Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the fire. The UK's Energy Secretary has reassured the public that there is "no suggestion of foul play" involved in the incident ([02:54] Jeanine Hurst).

Jeanine Hurst reported from Washington, noting the resilience of Heathrow Airport in managing the crisis and working towards restoring full flight operations.

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Commemorating 65 Years Since Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa

Timestamp: [02:54] - [03:26]

South Africa marks the 65th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, a tragic event that played a crucial role in the nation's fight against apartheid.

Key Points:

• Historical Significance: On March 21, 1960, apartheid-era police shot and killed 69 unarmed protesters in Sharpeville, Johannesburg. These individuals were demonstrating against the oppressive pass laws that severely restricted the movement of non-white South Africans.
• Legacy and Remembrance: The Sharpeville Massacre became a defining moment that galvanized international opposition to apartheid. Today, March 21 is celebrated as Human Rights Day in South Africa, serving as a public holiday dedicated to the memory of those who fought for freedom and equality.
• Current Observances: Political parties and communities across the country hold various commemorative events to honor the victims and reflect on the progress made since the end of apartheid.

Kate Bartlett of NPR News in Johannesburg reported on the nationwide commemorations, highlighting the enduring impact of Sharpeville on South Africa's journey towards democracy and human rights.

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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe to Make Second Close Approach to the Sun

Timestamp: [03:26] - [04:08]

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to embark on its second close encounter with the Sun, aiming to gather unprecedented data about the star's outer atmosphere and the mechanisms driving the solar wind.

Key Points:

• Mission Objectives: Scientists hope that the upcoming pass will provide deeper insights into the Sun's corona and improve understanding of solar phenomena that affect space weather and, consequently, life on Earth.
• Record-Breaking Mission: The Parker Solar Probe made a record-breaking first pass in December, approaching within 3.8 million miles of the Sun—the closest any human-made object has ever come. Launched in 2018, the probe is currently the fastest spacecraft ever built.

Jeanine Hurst highlighted the significance of the Parker Solar Probe's mission, emphasizing its role in advancing solar science and contributing to our knowledge of the fundamental processes governing our star.

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Wall Street Closes Higher

Timestamp: [04:08] - [04:52]

The U.S. stock markets saw positive gains at the closing bell on March 21, 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 32 points, the NASDAQ increased by 92 points, and the S&P 500 gained 4 points.

Key Points:

• Market Performance: The upward movement in major indices reflects investor confidence and positive economic indicators influencing market trends.
• Economic Implications: While specific drivers of the day's market performance were not detailed, the gains suggest stability and optimism within the financial sector.

Jeanine Hurst reported from Washington, providing a concise update on the day's economic activity and signaling ongoing positive momentum in the stock markets.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections, such as messages from Fred Hutch Cancer Center and Warby Parker, have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the newsworthy content.

Transcript

[Fred Hutch Cancer Center]

This message comes from Fred Hutch Cancer center, whose discovery of bone marrow transplants has saved over a million lives worldwide. Learn how this and other breakthroughs impact the [e-mail] LookBeyond Live from NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. The Israeli military has ordered the demolition of dozens of Palestinian homes in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. NPR's Kat Laundsdorf reports. It's been a focal point of Israel's extended military operations in the territory.

[Kat Lansdorf]

In an order obtained by NPR, Israeli commander Avi Bluth instructed troops to demolish 95 residential buildings in the neighborhood beginning this week. This is part of a two month long operation that Israel says is for counterterrorism. The military has already emptied the camp of residents. The Israeli military told NPR the demolitions are a, quote, operational necessity and that residents can contact authorities to, quote, explore the possibility of getting their belongings. Palestinian officials in Jenin tell NPR that Israel has yet to allow residents to collect personal Items. More than 40,000 Palestinians in the west bank have been displaced by Israel's military operation there. Israeli officials have said that those who have fled will not be allowed to return. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jeanine Hurst]

In West Texas, 500 army troops are being deployed to an isolated stretch of the border as part of the Trump administration's military push. Officials say the deployment will involve the use of combat Striker vehicles and troops deployed inside a national park. From Marfa Public Radio, Travis Bubinik has more.

[Travis Bubinik]

The army says the troops will be supporting Border Patrol agents in the Big Bend region, a sparsely populated part of the West Texas desert that's historically had among the lowest numbers of illegal border crossings in the Southwest. CBP reported apprehending fewer than 200 people in the region last month. Major General Jared Stefani says the troops will not be directly involved in arresting people. We will not be actively on patrols. We'll be at detection and monitoring sites to provide that information to Border Patrol to then go out and do their law enforcement function. The army says some of the troops will be stationed inside Big Bend national park, located on the southern border. For NPR News, I'm Travis Bubinik in Marfa.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Flights at Britain's Heathrow Airport are slowly resuming. About 18 hours after a fire, an electrical substation nearby led to a power failure, closing Europe's busiest airport. Nearly 1400 flights in and out of the airport were affected today. Heathrow Airport CEO Thomas Wilby says this was an unprecedented situation and that they don't shut down the airport. Unless they have severe safety concerns, contingencies.

[Thomas Wilby]

Of certain sizes, we cannot guard ourselves against 100%. And this is one of them. This has been a major incident. I mean, short of anybody getting hurt, this is as big as it gets.

[Jeanine Hurst]

The disruptions are expected to last for several days as airlines work to get planes back in place. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze, but the UK's energy secretary says there's no suggestion of foul play. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. South Africans are marking the 65th anniversary of an apartheid era massacre that it became a defining moment in the country's struggle for freedom. From Johannesburg, Kate Bartlett has more.

[Kate Bartlett]

On March 21, 1960, apartheid police shot dead 69 unarmed protesters in Johannesburg who were among thousands of black people demonstrating against the hated pass laws. This was the system by which non white South Africans had to carry specific identity documents wherever they went that restricted their movements in certain areas under racial segregation laws. The event became known as the Sharpeville Massacre after the township where it took place. It helped galvanize the international movement against apartheid. Since democracy, the date has been a public holiday known as Human Rights Day. Political parties are holding commemorations across the country. For NPR News, I'm Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg.

[Jeanine Hurst]

A NASA spacecraft is set to make its second close brush with the sun tomorrow. Scientists say they hope the data from the Parker solar probe will help them better understand the sun's outer atmosphere and what drives the solar wind. The Parker probe made its record breaking first pass in December within 3.8 million miles of the sun, flying closer than any object sent before it was launched in 2018 to get a close up look at the sun and is the fastest spacecraft built. Wall street was higher by the closing bell. The Dow up 32 points, the NASDAQ up 92s and P500 up 4. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Fred Hutch Cancer Center]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.