NPR News: 03-24-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

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

Release Date: March 24, 2025 | Host: Dale Willman

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U.S. Military Operations Intensify Against Houthi Militants in Yemen

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz announced that the United States has escalated its military campaign targeting Houthi militants in Yemen. Speaking on CBS Sunday at [00:26], Waltz detailed the scope of recent operations:

"We've taken out key Houthi leadership, including their head missileier. We've hit their headquarters, we've hit communications nodes, weapons factories and even some of their over the water drone production facilities. Just in the last couple of days."

This intensified effort follows the Houthis' attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which coincided with the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas.

Democratic Lawmakers Face Constituents' Demands for Aggressive Action Against Trump Administration

As congressional lawmakers returned to Washington after a week in their home states, Democratic members were confronted by constituents urging more vigorous measures against the Trump administration. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reported at [00:45] that Democrats received significant pressure to outline a clear strategy:

"I heard a lot of other people ask, is there a plan? And it really doesn't seem like there's a plan." — Constituent Amanda

During a town hall in Golden, Colorado, Senator Michael Bennett addressed these concerns. At [01:19], Bennett acknowledged the limitations faced by Democrats as the minority party but emphasized the importance of mobilizing for the upcoming midterms to counteract the administration's policies.

Supreme Court to Review Critical Gerrymandering Case in Louisiana

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a significant voting rights case from Louisiana, which closely mirrors a 2023 case from Alabama. NPR's Nina Totenberg provided insights at [01:59], highlighting the racial dynamics and legislative maneuvers involved:

"Louisiana, like Alabama, has a large black population. Roughly a third of the state is black. But after the 2020 census, the Republican dominated state legislature once again created only one majority black district in a state with six congressional seats."

The case challenges the redistricting efforts that some argue illegally discriminate based on race. The Court's decision will have profound implications on recent gerrymandering precedents.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court Dismisses Impeachment of Prime Minister Han Deok Soo

In a landmark decision, South Korea's Constitutional Court has dismissed the impeachment case against Prime Minister Han Deok Soo, allowing him to resume his duties as acting president. NPR’s Se Woon Gong reported from Seoul at [03:12], detailing the court's rationale:

"Five of the eight justices dismissed the accusations or considered them not serious enough to warrant Han's impeachment. Two other justices said the case itself is invalid because the impeachment motion needed two thirds of the parliament to pass."

This ruling follows a turbulent period where Han was impeached less than two weeks after President Yoon Sung Yeol, marking the first instance of an acting president facing impeachment in South Korean history.

Escalation of Russian Drone Strikes in Ukraine Amid Ceasefire Talks

Russia has intensified its use of drone attacks across Ukraine, resulting in at least seven fatalities overnight. These strikes occurred just as ceasefire negotiations commenced in Saudi Arabia. Dale Willman reported at [03:29] that the capital city of Kyiv experienced over five hours of air raid sirens and explosions, heightening tensions ahead of the peace talks.

Second Lady Usha Vance Visits Greenland Amid U.S. Territorial Ambitions

Second Lady Usha Vance is scheduled to travel to Greenland on Thursday to explore historical sites and gain insight into Greenland's heritage. This visit comes in the context of President Trump's ongoing assertions that the United States could assume control over the mineral-rich island. NPR reported at [04:17] that Greenland remains a self-governing territory of Denmark, and the visit underscores the geopolitical tensions surrounding the region's valuable resources.

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This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode from March 24, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, D.C. i'm Dale Willman. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz says the U.S. has continued its attacks on Houthi militants in Yemen.

[Mike Waltz]

We've taken out key Houthi leadership, including their head missilier. We've hit their headquarters, we've hit communications nodes, weapons factories and even some of their over the water drone production facilities. Just in the last couple of days.

[Dale Willman]

Waltz was speaking on CBS Sunday. The military campaign against the Houthis began a little more than a week ago. The Houthis launched attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea soon after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. Congressional lawmakers are returning to Washington today after spending a week back in their home states. As NPC Barbara Sprunt reports, Democrats got an earful from constituents demanding the party take more aggressive steps to combat the actions of the Trump administration.

[Barbara Sprunt]

I heard a lot of other people ask, is there a plan? And it really doesn't seem like there's a plan.

[Michael Bennett]

This question from a constituent named Amanda during a town hall in Golden, Colorado, was one of many asked to Democratic Senator Michael Bennett about what Democrats can do to push back on the GOP agenda. 19 year old Jackson Armenta said it's personal.

[Jackson Armenta]

I have family that's on Medicaid. I family that collects Social Security. And they need that to survive month to month. And so we just really want to make sure that there's a real plan.

[Michael Bennett]

Bennett acknowledged Democrats are limited in what they can do on Capitol Hill as members of the minority party, but said mobilizing ahead of next year's midterms will be critical to put a check on the Trump administration. Barbara Sprunt, NPR news, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

The U.S. supreme Court takes up another voting rights case later today. It's a case that will indicate whether the court is going to stick to its recent gerrymandering precedent. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the case from Louisiana is nearly identical to a 2023 case that came from Alabama.

[Nina Totenberg]

Louisiana, like Alabama, has a large black population. Roughly a third of the state is black. But after the 2020 census, the Republican dominated state legislature once again created only one majority black district in a state with six congressional seats. Just a year earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered ALAB in similar circumstances to create a second majority black district. So seeing the handwriting on the wall, the Louisiana legislature gave up the fight and created a second district. In doing that, it also preserved a safe seat for the current US House Speaker, Mike Johnson. A group of self described non black voters, however, have challenged the redistricting, contending it illegally discriminates based on race. Now the Supreme Court must decide. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. South Korea's Constitutional court has dismissed the impeachment case against Prime Minister han Deok Soo. NPR's Se Woon Gong reports from Seoul that Han will now resume serving as the acting president.

[Se Woon Gong]

In December, the opposition led the national assembly impeached Han Deok Soo less than two weeks after impeaching President Yoon Sung Yeol. Han was the first acting president to be impeached in South Korea's history. The parliament accused Han of aiding and abetting the president in declaring martial law and refusing to appoint constitutional court justices. In today's ruling, five of the eight justices dismissed the accusations or considered them not serious enough to warrant Han's impeachment. Two other justices said the case itself is invalid because the impeachment motion needed two thirds of the parliament to pass. As Han was an acting president, only one justice upheld Han's impeachment. Han thanked the court and returned to his office immediately. Seun Gong, NPR News, Seoul.

[Dale Willman]

At least seven people were killed overnight after Russia launched a barrage of drones across Ukraine. The attacks occurred ahead of ceasefire negotiations getting underway in Saudi Arabia. The sound of explosions were heard in the early hours of the evening across the capital city of Kyiv, where air raid sirens blared for more than five hours. Second Lady Usha Vance is traveling to Greenland on Thursday, where she's expected to visit historical sites and learn about Greenland's heritage. The trip comes as President Trump continues to suggest that the US could take control of the mineral rich island. Greenland is a self governing region of Denmark. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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