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NPR News Now

NPR News: 03-21-2026 4PM EDT

21 Mar 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What recent events have escalated tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran?

1.094 - 15.451 Nora Rahm

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Today marks three weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran. There's no sign it will end anytime soon. The Pentagon says it's going very well. NPR's Greg Myhre reports.

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15.631 - 36.279 Unknown

The U.S. and Israel dominate the skies over Iran. They're really bombing at will. Iranian missiles and drone strikes are down 90 percent from the early days of war, and this is all according to the Pentagon. The Pentagon also announced the U.S. is using Apache helicopters and A-10 Warthog planes to carry out attacks now. This move suggests that the U.S.

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36.299 - 44.071 Unknown

believes the threat from the Iranian forces on the ground has been reduced to the point where these aircraft can be brought into the fight.

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44.531 - 57.232 Nora Rahm

NPR's Greg Myhre. Stocks fell for the fourth straight week on Wall Street as the war in Iran pushed oil prices higher and the Federal Reserve braced for more economic uncertainty. NPR's Maria Aspin reports.

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57.393 - 76.917 Maria Aspin

The surge in oil prices is hitting consumers at the gas pump, but that's just the first wave of pain. The energy crisis means companies will have to pay more for shipping and trucking, likely driving up all kinds of prices. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said this week that the war is making the country's economic outlook cloudier.

77.598 - 100.71 Maria Aspin

The Fed held interest rates steady as it tries to keep inflation under control. But now some investors are starting to worry that the Fed might actually have to raise the cost of borrowing later this year. U.S. government bonds also sold off, and the price of gold plunged. Gold is usually seen as a safe haven investment, but it just had its worst week in 15 years.

101.251 - 107.882 Nora Rahm

Maria Aspin, NPR News. Heavy rains continued for a second week across Hawaii. Jackie Young has more.

107.862 - 130.375 Jackie Young

Nearly 7,000 residents lost power on Friday after more heavy rains pelted the state. Multiple emergency shelters have opened, and some areas saw up to 14 inches of rain in just 24 hours. The governor described the flooding as the largest Hawaii has seen in 20 years. Early damage estimates exceed $1 billion.

130.415 - 152.753 Jackie Young

At least 233 people have been rescued statewide, and several thousand have been evacuated from Oahu's North Shore and Central District, some by helicopter. Forecasters warn the state could see heavy rainfall through Sunday, with more flash flooding, thunderstorms and strong winds. For NPR News, I'm Jackie Young in Honolulu.

Chapter 2: How is the ongoing war affecting the U.S. economy and oil prices?

206.14 - 208.103 Nora Rahm

NPR's Bob Mondello has details.

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208.304 - 230.417 Bob Mondello

Project Hail Mary is not a sequel or a remake. It's not animated or about superheroes, video games, or toys. I'm several light years from my apartment, and I'm not an astronaut. And yet film industry analysts were predicting a week ago that the Ryan Gosling film might open to as much as $50 million. I put the knot in astronaut. Two days ago, they upped that prediction to $60 million.

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230.798 - 252.133 Bob Mondello

I've never done a spacewalk. I can't even moonwalk. Now, based on previews and first-day ticket sales, it looks like The Weeknd will top $77 million. If it does, that'll be Hollywood's best opening weekend of 2026. It'll also be one of the best openings for a non-franchise film ever. up there with the likes of Oppenheimer and Jordan Peele's Us. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

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252.414 - 270.625 Nora Rahm

The NCAA is suing the sports betting company DraftKings for trademark infringement. It's seeking an order to stop the use of registered trademarks associated with its basketball tournaments, such as March Madness, Final Four, and Sweet 16. It wants to avoid any appearance of being part of gambling.

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270.605 - 279.923 Nora Rahm

DraftKings says its use is not a trademark violation, but protected speech under the First Amendment. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.

280.308 - 297.712 Ira Glass

This is Ira Glass of This American Life. Do you know our show? Okay, well, either way, I'm going to tell you about it. We make stories that hopefully pull you in at the beginning with funny moments and feelings and people in surprising situations, and then you just want to find out what is going to happen and cannot stop listening. That's right.

298.273 - 304.088 Ira Glass

I'm talking about stories that make you miss appointments. This American Life, wherever you get your podcasts.

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