NPR News Now: 03-30-2026 2AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman, NPR
Date: March 30, 2026
Length: Five minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise update on major international and national headlines as of March 30, 2026. The segment covers developments in the Iran war, the U.S. partial government shutdown affecting TSA workers, the EU's controversial new deportation policy, Pope Leo XIV’s pointed Palm Sunday message, an upcoming NASA mission, and key stories from sports and entertainment.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Latest on the War in Iran

[00:16 - 01:03]

• President Trump indicated the war in Iran “could end soon,” referencing indirect talks and U.S. demands sent to Iraq.
• Iran’s Response:
  • Emily Fang (NPR): Iran rejected U.S. proposals and issued five counter-demands including:
    • U.S. reparations to Iran.
    • U.S. guarantees never to attack Iran again.
  • This weekend, a hardline Iranian newspaper published nine additional demands, notably calling for the dismantling of U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
• Key Takeaway: Tensions persist, and the war’s end remains uncertain as both sides exchange demands.

Notable Quote:

“So when Iran rejected the US Proposal to end the war earlier, it put forth its own five demands... among those are dismantling military bases the U.S. uses in the Middle East.”
— Emily Fang [00:35]

2. TSA Paychecks Amid Government Shutdown

[01:03 - 01:53]

• Eric McDaniel (NPR):
  • White House memo allows DHS to move funds to pay 60,000 TSA employees who’ve missed paychecks for over a month.
  • Core Congressional dispute: Democrats withhold overall DHS funding to push for immigration policy changes; House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused Senate-backed funding that would exclude immigration functions.
• Congressional Commentary:
  • Adam Smith (D): Criticizes Johnson for not allowing a House vote on the Senate package.
  • House Republicans firm, backed by President Trump, show no signs of compromise.

Notable Quote:

“We can have that debate and fund TSA if Mike Johnson would just let us vote on what every single senator supported.”
— Rep. Adam Smith [01:40]

3. EU Moves Toward Deportation “Return Hubs”

[01:53 - 02:49]

• Terry Schultz (NPR):
  • The EU Parliament advanced plans for “return hubs” (external detention centers) for people with rejected asylum claims.
  • The legislative push, backed by center-right and far-right parties, mirrors aspects of the U.S. ICE system.
  • Negotiations are ongoing among EU states and with some African nations about hosting the centers.
  • The International Rescue Committee calls this an “historic setback for refugee rights.”

Notable Quote:

“Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands are among the countries negotiating with primarily African countries to host the sites. The International Rescue Committee calls the vote an historic setback for refugee rights.”
— Terry Schultz [02:32]

4. Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday Remarks

[02:49 - 03:11]

• Dale Willman (NPR):
  • Pope Leo XIV declares, “God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” interpreted as a strong rebuke of leaders invoking religion to justify the war in Iran.
  • The message addresses both the general faithful and U.S. military rhetoric casting the conflict in explicitly Christian terms.

Notable Quote:

“God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.”
— Pope Leo XIV [02:49]

5. NASA’s Upcoming Moon Mission

[03:11 - 03:49]

• Nell Greenfield Boyce (NPR):
  • NASA prepares to launch four astronauts for a 10-day moon-loop test flight.
  • Crew in quarantine at Kennedy Space Center; will test the Orion capsule in Earth orbit before proceeding around the moon.
  • Mission Commander Reid Wiseman expresses awe at the rocket’s scale and upcoming journey.

Notable Quote:

“You look at the size of this vehicle and you know it's going 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.”
— Reid Wiseman [03:42]

6. Entertainment & Sports Highlights

[04:13 - 04:45]

• Box Office:
  • Project Hail Mary tops the charts again, grossing $54.5 million this weekend and $300 million worldwide in two weeks.
  • Disney/Pixar’s Hoppers holds second with $12.2 million.
• Golf:
  • Gary Woodland wins the Houston Open with a five-stroke lead—his first tournament victory since 2019, earning a spot in the upcoming Masters.

Memorable Moments and Contextual Quotes

• Iran’s demands and media messaging signal no near resolution in the Middle East conflict.
• TSA pay delays reflect deeper gridlock on U.S. immigration policy.
• EU’s return hubs incite human rights concerns.
• Pope’s antiwar Palm Sunday message resonates amid escalating conflict.
• NASA’s moon mission advances as a major step in U.S. space exploration.
• Sports and box office leaders underscore ongoing cultural trends and heroes.

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Iran War & Demands: 00:16–01:03
• TSA Shutdown & Congressional Discuss: 01:03–01:53
• EU Deportation Hubs: 01:53–02:49
• Pope’s Palm Sunday Homily: 02:49–03:11
• NASA Moon Launch: 03:11–03:49
• Entertainment & Sports: 04:13–04:45

For the latest news updates, visit NPR.org or listen to further hourly editions of NPR News Now.