NPR News: 03-21-2026 3PM EDT
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died, according to a statement from his family. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports he transformed the FBI after September 11, 2001, and went on to investigate President Trump's campaign ties to Russia.
Robert Mueller led the FBI for 12 tumultuous years, taking office only days before terror attacks hit the nation on 9-11. He helped transform the bureau from a traditional crime-fighting agency into one that works to identify and prevent terror networks from striking on American soil. Later in his career, he served as special counsel, investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller said he could not reach a conclusion about whether President Trump obstructed justice, but he also said he could not exonerate Trump. Trump posted on social media that, quote, I'm glad he's dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people. Mueller, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and Marine, was 81 years old.
Carrie Johnson, NPR News.
U.S. military officials today gave an update on the war in Iran. CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper says the Iranian Navy is not sailing, Iran's tactical fighters are not flying, and Iran has lost the ability to launch missiles and drones at the high rates seen at the beginning of the conflict. And Cooper said Iran is less able to attack ships.
Earlier this week, we dropped multiple 5,000-pound bombs on an underground facility located along Iran's coastline. The Iranian regime used the hardened underground facility to discreetly store anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile missile launchers, and other equipment that presented a dangerous risk to international shipping.
Iran's state news agency says airstrikes by Israel and the U.S. began hitting the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran today. The Israeli military says it's not aware of this, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles. The Natanz facility was already struck by Israel this month. Turkey says recent Israeli strikes on its neighbor Syria represent a, quote, dangerous escalation. The Israeli military says it had struck a Syrian command center and weapons depot. NPR's Emily Fang reports.
Deadly fighting broke out once again this week in southern Syria between fighters from Syria's government and the Druze, a minority religious group. Israel says it is acting to protect the Druze minority from the Syrian government. The Israeli military said in a statement it struck government sites in Syria's southern Sueda province where many Druze live. The strikes add to an Israeli military campaign in Syria that dates back to the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Turkey said the attacks this week were illegal. The country has funded militia groups in Syria in the past, including one run by now-Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaf. Emily Fang, NPR News, Van, Turkey.
This is NPR News. Lawmakers are working this weekend in an effort to end the partial government shutdown now five weeks old. The lines are long at airports where TSA agents have been working without pay. Democrats say they won't pass a budget for the Department of Homeland Security until there are changes in immigration enforcement. Cuban doctors working abroad are a major source of money for the Cuban government. But more than half a dozen countries have started sending those doctors home or phasing out the arrangement. NPR's Gabriela Emanuel reports.
For more than 60 years, Cuba has sent doctors and other medical professionals abroad to work in underserved communities. The Cuban government is often paid a hefty sum, and the doctors make a small fraction of that. Stephanie Panakelli-Batalla is at the University of Warwick in the UK.
It is the highest income of foreign funds for Cuba. So it's a huge support to the Cuban economy.
The U.S. calls the system human trafficking, and it has threatened to cut off U.S. assistance to countries that participate. Now Guatemala, Jamaica, Guyana, Honduras and others are bowing out of their arrangements with Cuba or are trying to pay the doctors directly.
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