NPR News: 02-28-2026 3AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 28, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Dale Willman, NPR
Episode Length: 5 minutes
Date: February 28, 2026

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Brief Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers fast-paced updates on major world and national events. Key stories include the US-Israel joint military strikes on Iran, US government action against Anthropic’s AI technology, a significant House committee deposition of former President Bill Clinton regarding Jeffrey Epstein, trends in US coal power pollution, escalating hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and World Cup security concerns in Mexico.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US-Israel Joint Military Strikes Against Iran

• Reported by: Daniel Estrin, from Tel Aviv

• The US and Israel have launched coordinated attacks on Iranian government, military, and intelligence locations, with operations expected to last several days.

• Iranian media confirms rocket fire and explosions in Tehran.

• Israeli Defense Minister frames this as a preemptive action to remove immediate threats to Israel, citing anticipated missile and drone retaliation from Iran.

• Both Israel and Iran have closed their airspace to passenger flights.

  Notable Moment:

  • [00:28] Daniel Estrin:
    “The Israeli strikes are being conducted jointly with the US after months of planning... the strikes are expected to last a few days.”

2. US Government Bans Anthropic’s AI Technology

• Reported by: Jeff Brumfiel

• President Trump orders all US agencies to halt the use of Anthropic’s AI, with the Defense Department labelling the company a “supply chain risk.”

• Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amade, expresses concern about the misuse of AI—specifically mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons.

  Notable Quotes:

  • [01:30] Dario Amade (via report):
    “He’s worried [the tools] could be turned on Americans for mass domestic surveillance or used to power autonomous weapons.”

3. OpenAI’s Pentagon Deal and Block Layoffs

• OpenAI secures a contract with the Pentagon for its AI technologies.
• Financial tech firm Block sees a major stock surge after CEO Jack Dorsey announces layoffs of 4,000 out of 10,000 employees, citing AI-driven efficiency gains.

4. Bill Clinton Testifies Before House Oversight Committee on Epstein

• Reported by: Sage Miller

• Former President Bill Clinton undergoes six hours of questioning about his association with Jeffrey Epstein; no accusations of wrongdoing were leveled against Clinton.

• Republicans labeled the deposition "productive." Clinton was notably cooperative, even against legal counsel.

  Memorable Moment:

  • [02:45] Rep. Nancy Mace:
    “He did attempt to respond to every single question asked. Even when his attorneys told him to shut up, he kept, you know, going.”

• The committee intends to release Clinton’s testimony and depose more Epstein associates.

5. Coal Power Pollution Surges Under Trump Executive Order

• Reported by: Rebecca Hersher

• A federal study reveals an explicit Trump administration policy allowed coal-fired power plants to exceed previous emissions limits, resulting in an 18% net increase in sulfur dioxide output last year.

  Notable Moment:

  • [03:30] Rebecca Hersher:
    “When President Trump took office, he signed an executive order exempting many coal fired power plants from those rules... the effect was immediate—last year, sulfur dioxide emissions increased 18%.”

6. Escalating Conflict Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

• Fighting follows Afghan cross-border attacks; Pakistan responds with airstrikes targeting Kabul and other provinces.
• Pakistan’s nuclear status is highlighted as context for global concern.

7. FIFA World Cup Security Assessment in Mexico

• FIFA officials will visit Mexico to assess event security following recent cartel violence.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasizes reviews of both security and transportation in host cities.

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] — Lead: US-Israel military operation against Iran (Daniel Estrin)
• [01:11] — US ban on Anthropic AI; Pentagon and OpenAI collaboration
• [01:52] — Block layoffs and AI adoption
• [02:24] — Clinton’s testimony on Epstein investigation (Sage Miller)
• [03:11] — Increase in coal power pollution (Rebecca Hersher)
• [04:08] — Pakistan/Afghanistan escalation
• [04:36] — FIFA’s upcoming security assessment in Mexico

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Daniel Estrin ([00:28]): “The Israeli strikes are being conducted jointly with the US after months of planning.”
• Dario Amade (via Jeff Brumfiel, [01:30]): “[Amade is] worried [AI tools] could be turned on Americans for mass domestic surveillance or used to power autonomous weapons.”
• Rep. Nancy Mace ([02:45]): “He did attempt to respond to every single question asked. Even when his attorneys told him to shut up, he kept, you know, going.”
• Rebecca Hersher ([03:30]): “When President Trump took office, he signed an executive order exempting many coal fired power plants from those rules... last year, sulfur dioxide emissions increased 18%.”

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Summary

This tightly-packed NPR News Now update provides crucial insights into international security crises, the evolving US approach to AI policy and industrial regulation, and developments in high-profile investigations. With on-the-ground perspectives and direct attributions, the episode arms listeners with a rapid, balanced understanding of rapidly emerging stories at both the domestic and international level.

Transcript

[Charles Schwab Announcer]

This message comes from Charles Schwab. When it comes to managing your wealth, Schwab gives you more choices like full service, wealth management and advice when you need it. You can also invest on your own and trade on Think or swim. Visit schwab.com to learn more.

[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The US And Israel have announced an attack against Iran, and Israel is preparing for retaliation from that country, as NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

President Trump and Israel's defense minister announced strikes on Iran. A person briefed on the operation told NPR the Israeli strikes are being conducted jointly with the US after months of planning. The person said the targets are Iranian government, military and intelligence sites and that the strikes are expected to last a few days. Iranian government media are reporting rocket fire and blasts in parts of the capital, Tehran. Israel's defense minister announced this was a preemptive Israeli strike against Iran to remove threats to Israel. He he said missile and drone fire from Iran toward Israel was expected imminently. Sirens wailed throughout Israel as a warning to prepare. Israel and Iran have closed their airspace to passenger flights. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Dale Willman]

President Trump Friday ordered all government agencies to stop using Anthropic's AI technology. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says it's designating the company as a supply chain risk which could prevent military vendors from working with it. NPR's Jeff Brumfiel says the action came after Anthropic expressed concern about how its AI might be used.

[Dario Amade]

Anthropic's AI tools are currently being used on classified systems. The company has a $200 million contract with the Defense Department. But Anthropic CEO Dario Amade is concerned about exactly how those tools might get used. In particular, he's worried they could be turned on Americans for mass domestic surveillance or used to power autonomous weapons.

[Dale Willman]

OpenAI, meanwhile, says it now has a deal for its AI to be used by the Pentagon. Stock at the financial technology company Block has risen more than 20 in after hours trading after the company's CEO announced he was laying off 4,000 of Block's 10,000 employees. Jack Dorsey says using AI, the company can now do more and do it more efficiently. Former President Bill Clinton wrapped up more than six hours of testimony in front of the House Oversight Committee Friday. The committee is investigating Jeffrey Epstein. NPR's Sage Miller has more.

[Sage Miller]

The committee was attempting to gather information about Clinton's relationship with Epstein. The two men were friends, but Clinton says the relationship ended before he learned about Epstein's criminal activities Clinton has not been accused of wrongdoing. Republicans on the committee called the deposition productive. Republican Representative Nancy Mace said Clinton divulged a lot of information.

[Republican Representative Nancy Mace]

He did attempt to respond to every single question asked. Even when his attorneys told him to shut up, he kept, you know, going.

[Sage Miller]

The committee says Clinton's deposition will be made public as soon as possible, but the committee's investigation into Epstein isn't over. Republican committee Chair James Comer told reporters they plan to depose others who had relationships with Epstein, but he did not disclose who. Sage Miller, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. A new federal study shows coal fired power plants released more air pollution last year than in the past. NPR's Rebecca Hersher reports that the Trump administration explicitly allowed pollution from the plants to increase burning coal.

[Rebecca Hersher]

Coal produces a lot of pollution, including sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain and respiratory illness. There are strict limits set by the federal government on how much sulfur dioxide power plants can emit. But when President Trump took office, he signed an executive order exempting many coal fired power plants from those rules, which allowed the plants to save money by turning off expensive technology that traps dangerous gases. The effect was immediately last year, sulfur dioxide emissions increased 18%, an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council found. Rebecca Hersher, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Fighting is underway between Pakistan and Afghanistan. For months, Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring militants who attack western regions of Pakistan. Late Thursday, Afghanistan launched a cross border attack. Pakistan then carried out airstrikes on Kabul and two other Afghan provinces on Friday. Pakistan is one of just nine countries known to have a nuclear weapons arsenal. FIFA officials are heading to Mexico soon to determine whether that country can safely host World cup games this summer. Mexico is recently wracked with violence following the shooting death of a major drug cartel leader there. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says the officials will review security and transport mobility in the host cities. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

[Charles Schwab Announcer]

This message comes from Charles Schwab. When it comes to managing your wealth, Schwab gives you more choices like full service, wealth management and advice when you need it. You can also invest on your own and trade on thinkorswim. Visit schwab.com to learn more.