Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm.
Chapter 2: What happened to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
NPR has learned that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed. The U.S. and Israel launched a wave of airstrikes against Iran this morning following a massive military buildup and weeks of escalating tension in the region. Earlier today, President Trump had called on ordinary Iranians to rise up and overthrow the Iranian government. NPR's Greg Myrie has more.
Huge explosions rang out in Iran's capital, Tehran, and videos on social media showed huge plumes of smoke. President Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. was targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs in what he described as a massive operation.
Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating terrorists
Chapter 3: What military actions did the U.S. and Israel take against Iran?
imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard Terrible people.
He also spoke directly to the Iranian people, saying, quote, When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu said in his own statement that his country was also taking part in the air campaign against Iran. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.
The White House says the Trump administration briefed congressional leaders before undertaking strikes in Iran. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has more.
Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt posted on social media that before the attacks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was able to brief seven members of the Gang of Eight, top congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle. Trump ordered the strikes without official congressional approval.
Chapter 4: How are U.S. congressional leaders responding to the airstrikes in Iran?
Presidents have for decades authorized military actions without congressional approval, but only an act of Congress can declare war. Levitt also said that Trump and his national security team monitored the attacks from Mar-a-Lago, where he is spending the weekend. He also spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.
European Union leaders are reacting cautiously to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. The bloc's top diplomat is calling the situation perilous. Terry Schultz reports.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaya Khalis says the bloc is evacuating its non-essential personnel from the Middle East and is helping facilitate the departure of EU citizens. Kahla says the Iranian regime, which is under heavy sanctions from the EU, poses a serious threat to global security.
She says she's spoken with Israel's foreign minister and others in the region to, in her words, explore diplomatic paths. The EU's naval mission in the Red Sea, meanwhile, is on high alert, she says, and stands ready to help keep the maritime corridor open.
Chapter 5: What is the European Union's reaction to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa underscore the need for ensuring nuclear safety. and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global nonproliferation regime. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz.
This is NPR News in Washington. President Trump says the U.S. is in high-level talks with Cuba on the possibility of what he called a friendly takeover of the island. The U.S. has shut off the flow of oil, which has been devastating to its economy. Earlier this week, Cuban soldiers fired on a boat coming from the U.S., killing four people, including a U.S. citizen.
Chapter 6: What are the implications of Trump's talks with Cuba?
Outer space viewed from Earth tonight features an unusual number of visible planets. NPR's Amy Held reports the display is expected to last through the weekend.
It's called a planetary parade. Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury all visible to the naked eye. Plus Neptune and Uranus with the help of binoculars or a telescope. Viewing conditions are best soon after sunset without clouds or artificial light getting in the way. Looking up to catch a planet or two isn't so unusual. But seeing this many is.
As they orbit the sun, the planets of our solar system only align like this with optimal visibility every few years, NASA says. And unlike faraway stars, which twinkle and look fixed in place, the word planet comes from the ancient Greek for wanderer.
Chapter 7: What celestial events can we expect in the coming days?
There's another celestial spectacle early Tuesday morning, when the Earth will pass between the sun and the moon, creating a total lunar eclipse and making the moon look red.
Amy Held, NPR News. Warren Buffett's successor at Berkshire Hathaway issued his first letter today. Greg Abel took over as CEO last month. Buffett remains the chairman and the biggest shareholder of the company. His annual, often folksy letter had been one of the most read business reports for 60 years. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News.