NPR News: 03-29-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 29, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst | Source: NPR

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Major Earthquake Devastates Myanmar

Timestamp: 00:13

Jeanine Herbst opens the episode with a tragic report from Myanmar, where a powerful earthquake has struck the heart of the country. The US Geological Survey has confirmed the quake's magnitude at 7.7, resulting in the loss of over 1,600 lives and leaving thousands more injured.

Key Developments:

• International Aid Arrival: Michael Sullivan reports that the first international aid shipments have landed in Yangon, Myanmar's former capital. These shipments, originating from China and India, include essential search and rescue teams, medical personnel, blankets, and other vital provisions.

• Challenges in Rescue Efforts: The earthquake's epicenter is located near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, approximately 360 miles north by road. The Mandalay airport remains closed, severely hampering rescue operations. Rescue teams are struggling due to a shortage of equipment and personnel, with some being forced to dig manually.

• Regional Impact: In Thailand, rescue teams are utilizing heavy machinery to free dozens of construction workers trapped in the rubble of a 33-story skyscraper that collapsed during the earthquake.

Notable Quote:

“Rescue workers say their efforts have been stymied by a lack of equipment and personnel, with some resorting to digging with their hands.” — Michael Sullivan (00:39)

Mass Firings at the US Institute of Peace

Timestamp: 01:25

Jeanine Herbst transitions to a political upheaval in the United States, highlighting significant personnel changes at the US Institute of Peace (USIP).

Key Developments:

• Mass Terminations: Starting late Friday night, the USIP Human Resources Department informed the majority of its employees that their positions have been terminated. This action follows the takeover by the Trump administration's government efficiency team, despite the institute being a Congress-funded think tank with its own building and substantial endowment.

• Legal Actions and Deadlines: Board members ousted by the Trump administration are pursuing legal action against the administration. Employees have been given until early April to return their badges and company equipment. Notifications were sent via private email addresses due to restricted access following the administration transition.

Notable Quote:

“Though the institute owns its own building and has a large endowment funded in part by private donors, the Trump administration is trying to take it over.” — Michelle Kellerman (01:40)

Severe Wildfires Rage Across the Carolinas

Timestamp: 02:22

Jeanine Herbst reports escalating wildfires that are currently enveloping the Carolinas, with a focus on the severe situation in South Carolina.

Key Developments:

• Table Rock Fire: The Table Rock fire has become the largest in upstate South Carolina's history, burning vast expanses despite extensive firefighting efforts.

• Active Wildfires: Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evitt confirms there are three active fires in the state:

  “We have three active fires going on in the state right now.” — Pamela Evitt (02:38)

• Firefighting Efforts: Air crews have deployed hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, yet containment remains elusive. The month has already seen 388 wildfires scorch over 18,000 acres in South Carolina alone.

• Statewide Burn Ban: In response to the rampant fires, a statewide burn ban has been enacted in western North Carolina to curb further wildfires.

• Contributing Factors: High winds, dry conditions, and downed trees are exacerbating the fire situation, making firefighting operations increasingly challenging.

Notable Quote:

“We have three active fires going on in the state right now. That fire, the Forestry Commission is still fighting.” — Pamela Evitt (02:38)

College Basketball Highlights and Records

Timestamp: 03:26

Shifting to sports, Jeanine Herbst covers the latest in college basketball, highlighting record-breaking performances and upcoming pivotal matches.

Key Developments:

• Alabama's Historic Victory: Pat Duggans reports that Alabama has made NCAA history by achieving 25 successful three-point shots in a single game against Brigham Young, surpassing the previous record of 24 set by Loyola Marymount in 1990.

• Star Performance: Alabama forward Mark Sears was instrumental in this achievement, sinking 10 three-pointers and amassing 34 points. Sears attributes the success to his team's trust and support:

  “And you know, that's just show trust in them, that even though when I'm not at my highest peak, that they still trust me and want me to shoot the ball. So you know, it's a big shout out to them.” — Mark Sears (03:43)

• Upcoming Matches: Alabama is set to face Duke, while other notable games include Florida vs. Texas Tech and Houston, Auburn, Tennessee, and Michigan State battling for a spot in the Final Four.

Women's NCAA Basketball and Figure Skating Triumph

Timestamp: 04:01

Jeanine Herbst continues with updates on women's NCAA basketball and a remarkable achievement in figure skating.

Key Developments:

• NCAA Women's Basketball: South Carolina secured a victory over Maryland and is scheduled to face Duke the following day. The winner of this match will advance to the women's Final Four in Tampa.

• Figure Skating World Championship: After a two-year hiatus, Alyssa Liu clinched the gold medal at the World Championships in Boston. This victory marks the first time in nearly 20 years that an American woman has won the title.

  Notable Factors:

  • Absence of Russian Competitors: The competition did not feature Russian athletes, who typically dominate the sport.

  • Personal Journey: At 19 years old, Liu made a significant comeback after stepping away from figure skating at 16, following her participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. She cited a lack of joy and the feeling that it was "just a job" as reasons for her hiatus.

Notable Quote:

“It's a big comeback for the 19 year old who stepped away from the sport when she was just 16, just after competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, saying it felt like it didn't bring her joy and it felt like just a job.” — Jeanine Herbst (04:01)

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Conclusion

In this episode of NPR News Now, hosts provided comprehensive updates on significant global and national events, including the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, political shifts within the US Institute of Peace, severe wildfires in the Carolinas, and notable achievements in college and women's sports. Additionally, a heartening story highlighted Alyssa Liu's triumphant return to figure skating, marking a historic moment for American athletes on the world stage.

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For more detailed updates, listen to the full episode on NPR.org or your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In Myanmar, the state run media says more than 1600 people were killed after yesterday's earthquake in the center of the country. Thousands of others were injured. The US Geological Survey says the quake was magnitude 7.7. Myanmar's military is now allowing international aid to help in the aftermath. Michael Sullivan has more from neighboring Thailand.

[Michael Sullivan]

The first shipments of international aid arrived this morning at the airport in the former capital Yangon. They came from neighboring China and from India and included search and rescue and medical teams, as well as blankets and other provisions. But the epicenter of the quake was just outside Myanmar's second biggest city, Mandalay, some 360 miles to the north by road. The airport there remains closed. Rescue workers say their efforts have been stymied by a lack of equipment and personnel, with some resorting to digging with their hands. In neighboring Thailand, rescue workers used heavy equipment to try to rescue dozens of construction workers trapped in the rubble after a 33 story skyscraper under construction collapsed. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Employees at the US Institute of Peace are being fired en masse and Piers Michelle Kellerman reports. It's happening weeks after the Trump administration's government efficiency team took over the building that houses the nonprofit think tank.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Starting late Friday night, the USIP HR Department told most employees their jobs have been terminated. The US Institute of Peace is a think tank funded by Congress, but the workers are not federal employees. Though the institute owns its own building and has a large endowment funded in part by private donors, the Trump administration is trying to take it over. The board members fired by Trump are suing. The administration employees have until early April to turn in their badges and computers. They were notified over private email addresses since they haven't had access to their official accounts since the Trump administration brought in a new president earlier this month. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wildfires are burning across the Carolinas. In South Carolina, the state fire service says the Table Rock fire, just one week old, is now the largest in upstate history. But it's only one of the fires burning in that state. Lieutenant Governor PAMELA evitt.

[Pamela Evitt]

We have three active fires going on in the state right now. That fire, the Forestry Commission is still fighting.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Air crews have dropped hundreds of thousands of gallons of water on the fires, but so far there is no containment. 388 wildfires have burned more than 18,000 acres in the state just this month alone. And a statewide ban on burning is in effect in western North Carolina. Much of the area is blanketed by smoke as firefighters battle blazes in that state. The flames are fueled by high winds, dry conditions and downed trees. You're listening to NPR News. Well, it's down to the elite aid in college men's basketball. Play begins tonight. Pat Duggans of Alabama Public Radio reports Alabama is moving on after making NCAA history.

[Pat Duggans]

Alabama faces Duke following 25 successful three point shots in its win over Brigham Young that broke the previous NCAA record set by Loyola Marymount back in 1990. Alabama forward Mark Sears made 10 of those three pointers, finishing the night with 34 points. And he gave credit to his team.

[Mark Sears]

And you know, that's just show trust in them, that even though when I'm not at my highest peak, that they still trust me and want me to shoot the ball. So you know, it's a big shout out to them.

[Pat Duggans]

Florida plays Texas Tech today. Houston, Auburn, Tennessee and Michigan State face off tomorrow for a shot at the Final Four. For NPR News, I'm Pat Duggans in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And in women's NCAA college basketball action, South Carolina defeated Maryland last night. And tomorrow the Gamecocks play Duke with the winner advancing to the women's Final Four in Tampa. After nearly two years away, Alyssa Liu took home the gold in the world championship in figure skating, her first before a sold out crowd in Boston yesterday. It's the first time in nearly 20 years that an American woman, woman Rather, has won the World Championships. The 2025 World Championships, though, didn't include the Russians, who do dominate the sport. It's a big comeback for the 19 year old who stepped away from the sport when she was just 16, just after competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, saying it felt like it didn't bring her joy and it felt like just a job. I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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