NPR News Now — March 29, 2026, 10PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on major global and national events, spanning developments in the Middle East, Ukraine’s military technology diplomacy, the ongoing TSA funding crisis, NASA’s upcoming lunar mission, and the weekend box office. It features direct reporting from NPR correspondents and brief statements from key stakeholders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Israel Expands Ground Invasion Into Southern Lebanon

Reported by Daniel Estrin from Tel Aviv
[00:15–01:13]

• Expansion of Israeli Military Operations:
  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders an enlargement of the buffer zone in southern Lebanon with the aim of preemptively thwarting attacks by Hezbollah.
  • "Netanyahu is now ordering it to be expanded, he says, to thwart the threat of Hezbollah invading northern Israel and to push anti tank missile fire farther away from the Israeli border." – Daniel Estrin [00:38]
• Civilian Impact:
  There is growing pressure on Netanyahu to protect northern Israeli residents who have not been evacuated but face regular attacks.
• Related Incidents:
  An Iranian missile strike caused a significant fire at an Israeli chemical plant, though authorities report no hazardous leak.

2. Ukraine Shares Air Defense Technologies with Gulf States

Reported by Joanna Kakissis from Kyiv
[01:13–02:08]

• Ukraine’s Anti-Drone Expertise:
  President Volodymyr Zelensky commits to sharing Ukraine’s air defense technologies with three Gulf nations—the latest targets of Iranian attacks.
  • "The Russians are sharing information with the Iranians, he said, and we do not know how many weapons the Russians are transferring to them." – Joanna Kakissis, quoting Zelensky [01:49]
• Diplomatic Engagements:
  Deals now signed with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with the UAE negotiations near conclusion.

3. ICE Remains in Airports Amid TSA Pay Crisis

Reported by Jeff Brady from Minneapolis
[02:08–03:10]

• TSA Paychecks Resume Without New Congressional Funding:
  President Trump directed the TSA to use existing funds after Congress failed to pass a DHS budget.
• Continued ICE Support at Airports:
  ICE officers, supporting TSA tasks, may remain until the agency’s staffing stabilizes.
  • "Depends how many TSA agents come back to work. How many TSA agents have actually quit and have no plan coming back to work?" – Tom Homan, White House border czar [02:45]
• Impact of Staffing Crisis:
  Hundreds of TSA employees quit following missed paychecks, causing prolonged wait times at airports.
• Political Stalemate:
  Democrats refuse new DHS funding without reforms after incidents involving officer lethality.

4. NASA Prepares for Artemis II Manned Moon Mission

Reported by Nell Greenfield Boyce from Florida
[03:10–04:14]

• Crew Readiness:
  Artemis II astronauts are in pre-flight quarantine at Kennedy Space Center, prepping for a 10-day journey around the moon.
• Mission Commander’s Perspective:
  • "You look at the size of this vehicle and you know it's going one one place. It is going to space and it is going to go there in a hurry. When those engines light, this thing is moving out." – Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman [03:43]
• Mission Timeline:
  First, an orbital test of systems; then, a looping lunar flyby if all checks go well.

5. Weekend Box Office Update

[04:14–04:55]

• ‘Project Hail Mary’ Dominates:
  Amazon MGM’s science fiction adventure holds the top spot with $54 million, notable as the “best non-franchise opening” since 2023’s Oppenheimer.
• Other Performers:
  ‘Hoppers’ from Disney/Pixar remains strong in fourth weekend with $12 million.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Netanyahu is now ordering it to be expanded, he says, to thwart the threat of Hezbollah invading northern Israel..." – Daniel Estrin [00:38]
• "The Russians are sharing information with the Iranians, he said, and we do not know how many weapons the Russians are transferring to them." – Joanna Kakissis relaying Zelensky’s statement [01:49]
• "Depends how many TSA agents come back to work. How many TSA agents have actually quit and have no plan coming back to work?" – Tom Homan, White House border czar [02:45]
• "You look at the size of this vehicle and you know ... it is going to go there in a hurry. When those engines light, this thing is moving out." – Commander Reid Wiseman, Artemis II [03:43]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:15] Israel expands ground invasion in southern Lebanon
• [01:13] Ukraine provides air defense tech to Gulf states
• [02:08] ICE/TSA airport staffing after funding lapse
• [03:10] Artemis II lunar mission update
• [04:14] Box office highlights

For further details, listen to the full 5-minute episode or read NPR’s online reporting for continuous updates.