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NPR News Now

NPR News: 03-21-2026 12PM EDT

21 Mar 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What recent military actions have taken place between the U.S. and Iran?

0.723 - 24.277 Nora Rahm

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Iran's state news agency is reporting that the U.S. and Israel have begun striking its Natanz nuclear enrichment facility in the central part of the country. The U.K. has accused Iran of recklessly lashing out after two ballistic missiles were fired at an important base used by British and American forces in the Indian Ocean.

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24.858 - 36.495 Nora Rahm

The missiles failed to reach Diego Garcia, the island's about 2,500 miles from Iran. John McDonnell is a member of Parliament for the British Labour Party. He's concerned the violence will escalate.

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36.695 - 47.672 John McDonnell

The problem with these wars is that it is those small steps that eventually get you onto an escalator into a serious conflict. And that's what I'm worried about.

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Chapter 2: How are rising gas prices affecting consumers and the economy?

47.652 - 61.535 John McDonnell

For me, what's happening is that decisions are being taken by Trump and Netanyahu, which we're not part of, and as a result of that, they then expect us almost automatically to back them up.

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61.555 - 77.618 Nora Rahm

He spoke to the BBC. With oil shipments blocked at the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices are likely headed for $4 a gallon in the coming days. Already, they're up a dollar from just a month ago, before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. NPR's Amy Held has more.

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77.778 - 92.897 Patrick DeHaan

Gas prices are not at record highs, but the increase is the fastest ever, according to GasBuddy. Patrick DeHaan is their head of petroleum analysis, and he says with Iran's retaliatory attacks on sites across the Middle East, there is no quick fix.

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92.877 - 94.82 Unknown

These things aren't rebuilt overnight.

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Chapter 3: What challenges are students facing due to immigration enforcement in schools?

95.261 - 105.8 Unknown

It can take time to resume output. So at this point, we likely are looking at an impact that could last beyond several months when it comes to natural gas, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel.

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105.98 - 118.601 Patrick DeHaan

The U.S. is a huge natural gas producer for industry and home heat, insulating it for now. But jet fuel prices have more than doubled. So airlines are charging more and, in some cases, eliminating underbooked flights.

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119.162 - 132.944 Nora Rahm

Amy Held, NPR News. Nearly two months of virtual learning ended just this week for students in St. Paul, Minnesota. The school district there offered online learning in response to the sweeping immigration enforcement surge in the state.

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Chapter 4: How is Hawaii preparing for severe flooding and its aftermath?

133.625 - 138.493 Nora Rahm

NPR's Meg Anderson spent time there at one school to find out how the students are doing.

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138.473 - 159.397 Meg Anderson

More than a third of the students at this elementary school switched to online learning during the ICE surge. NPR is not naming the school because the staff fears the federal government could target them. After weeks of online learning, the school year feels like it's starting all over again. And not every student came back. One family is now in El Salvador. Others are in Mexico.

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159.858 - 164.363 Meg Anderson

But many of the students who returned are relieved, like Camila, a fifth grader.

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164.343 - 170.734 Unknown

It felt good because I got to see my friends again, and they helped me feel safer.

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171.075 - 174.561 Meg Anderson

She says it's starting to feel just a little bit like how it was before.

Chapter 5: What humanitarian efforts are being made to assist Cuba amid energy crises?

175.202 - 176.905 Meg Anderson

Meg Anderson, NPR News.

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177.365 - 199.771 Nora Rahm

This is NPR News in Washington. Meteorologists are predicting more rain this weekend in Hawaii. The state is already experiencing its worst flooding in more than 20 years. Authorities ordered evacuations north of Honolulu, affecting more than 5,000 people. Heavy rain is falling on places still saturated after a winter storm a week ago.

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200.351 - 219.58 Nora Rahm

Governor Josh Green says the cost of cleanup and repairs could exceed $1 billion. A convoy of humanitarian aid has set sail from Mexico to Cuba after an energy blackout left the island in the dark for more than 24 hours this week. From member station KJZZ, Nina Kravinsky has more.

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219.8 - 222.645 Nina Kravinsky

Cuba's electrical grid continues to crumble amid a U.S.

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Chapter 6: What significant event marked BTS's return to the stage after military service?

222.705 - 239.908 Nina Kravinsky

energy blockade. The White House in January said it would put tariffs on any country that sends oil to Cuba. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters Mexico was looking for ways to provide Cuba with fuel without impacting her country. Mexico was one of Cuba's major oil suppliers before the U.S. ban.

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240.688 - 244.953 Nora Rahm

We always defend self-determination.

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245.434 - 259.389 Nina Kravinsky

It's the Cuban people who must decide how to govern themselves without foreign intervention, Sheinbaum said. Mexico's navy delivered more than 800 tons of humanitarian supplies to Cuba last month. For NPR News, I'm Nina Kravinsky in Hermosillo, Mexico.

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259.77 - 278.893 Nora Rahm

The band is back together. The K-pop supergroup BTS held its first concert today in almost four years, now that the musicians completed their mandatory military service. Their comeback concert was free as a thank you for their fans. The band released its fifth album yesterday. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.

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280.876 - 304.442 Unknown

Water is abundant. We take showers, fill our glasses, and flush our toilets with it. But what if one morning you try to turn on the tap and nothing comes out? That is a reality that many people already face. For much of the world, normal is gone. What happens when our most vital resource runs out? Find out on Shortwave, listen in the NPR app, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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