NPR News Now Summary – March 23, 2025

Host: Luis Schiavone
Release Date: March 23, 2025
Episode: NPR News: 03-22-2025 8PM EDT
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

U.S. Immigration Policy Overhaul

Speakers: Luis Schiavone, Ximena Bustillo
Key Points:

• Cancellation of Parole Program: The Trump administration has revoked a parole program that previously allowed over 500,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to reside legally in the United States. This decision threatens the legal status of these individuals, making them susceptible to deportation within approximately a month.

• Impact on Legal Status: The revocation means that those eligible to work and attend school under this program may lose their authorization, aligning with President Trump's campaign promises to increase deportations, especially of individuals without legal status.

• Pause on Asylum and Visa Processing: Additionally, the administration has halted the processing of asylum and visa applications for those who entered under the now-canceled parole program, exacerbating the uncertainty for affected individuals.

• Legal Challenges: The move to terminate the parole program has already faced legal opposition, with challenges filed in federal court aiming to halt the administration's actions.

Notable Quote:

"While President Trump campaigned on increasing deportations, particularly of those without legal status, he has also taken steps to remove authorization for those already in the U.S."
— Luis Schiavone at [00:17]

Escalation of Tensions: Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon

Speakers: Luis Schiavone, Jawad Rizkala
Key Points:

• Airstrikes and Casualties: Lebanese officials report that seven people, including at least one child, were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting Lebanon on Saturday. These strikes hit more than a dozen towns and villages, including a city on the Mediterranean coast.

• Local Impact: According to NPR's Jawad Rizkala, residents are panicking and evacuating neighboring villages after an Israeli drone struck a village in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the fatalities.

• Hezbollah Involvement: The Israeli military claims the airstrikes were aimed at Hezbollah in response to earlier rocket fire into Israel. However, Hezbollah has denied involvement and affirmed its commitment to a ceasefire established in November.

• Ceasefire Violations: UN peacekeepers have recorded over 680 attacks violating the truce since last November, predominantly attributed to Israeli actions. The Lebanese army has also uncovered and dismantled wooden rocket launchers, differing from Hezbollah’s typical weaponry.

Notable Quotes:

"One mayor in Lebanon south tells NPR an Israeli drone hit his village and that residents are panicking. People are evacuating other villages."
— Jawad Rizkala at [01:30]

"It's not the type of weapon Hezbollah is known to have used."
— Jawad Rizkala at [02:07]

Pope Francis to Return from Hospital

Speakers: Luis Schiavone, Emma Bowman, Ximena Bustillo
Key Points:

• Health Update: After an extensive hospitalization due to bronchitis that developed into pneumonia, the 88-year-old Pope Francis is set to be released from Rome's Gemelli Hospital tomorrow.

• Recovery Plan: Doctors indicate that Pope Francis will require several months of rest to fully recuperate. Despite his release, he will continue to receive medical care at the Vatican.

• Public Appearance: The Vatican announced that Pope Francis will make his first public appearance since his hospitalization by giving a blessing to a crowd outside the hospital shortly after noon on Sunday.

Notable Quotes:

"The pope is in stable condition and that he will continue to receive medical care while at the Vatican."
— Emma Bowman at [02:35]

"Tomorrow he will be at home."
— Ximena Bustillo at [03:00]

"We are happy to say that."
— Jawad Rizkala at [02:58]

Aviation Disruptions Amid Los Angeles Wildfires

Speakers: Luis Schiavone, Andrea Dominick, Emery D'Alessio
Key Points:

• Heathrow Airport Fire: A British Airways electrical substation fire at London’s Heathrow Airport resulted in the shutdown of flights for almost an entire day. Despite this, the airline managed to deliver 90% of its Saturday schedule.

• Ongoing Disruptions: Major airlines operating through key hubs anticipate that flight disruptions may continue for several days due to extensive damage caused by wildfires in Los Angeles, which have destroyed or damaged over 16,000 structures.

• Community Preservation Efforts: In response to the wildfires, volunteers are participating in Wikipedia edit-a-thons at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. These events aim to document and preserve information about landmarks and community hubs lost to the fires by creating and updating Wikipedia entries with citations and photos.

• Digital Memorialization: Facilitator Emery D'Alessio emphasizes the importance of these efforts, highlighting their role in ensuring that the devastation caused by the fires is not forgotten.

Notable Quotes:

"We have the potential ourselves to preserve what we lost and make sure that what was destroyed in the fires isn't forgotten."
— Emery D'Alessio at [04:09]

President Trump at NCAA Wrestling Championships

Speaker: Luis Schiavone
Key Points:

• Event Attendance: President Trump attended the NCAA wrestling championships held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, showing his support for the sport and the competing college teams, including Penn State’s wrestling team.

• Support for Athletics: The president expressed his backing for all college wrestling teams, underscoring his interest in collegiate athletics and their role in higher education.

Notable Quote:

"He supports all the college wrestling teams."
— Luis Schiavone at [04:36]

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