NPR News: 02-28-2026 5AM EST

Summary

---

NPR News Now – February 28, 2026, 5AM EST

Main Theme

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise round-up of major national and international news stories, focusing on the aftermath of U.S. and Israeli air strikes against Iran, political testimony from former President Bill Clinton, an escalating dispute between tech firm Anthropic and the U.S. government over AI, the evolving identity of Scouting America, critical voting deadlines in several states, and a consumer health announcement from Target.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.–Israel Joint Strikes on Iran (00:15–01:25)

• Air raid sirens are active across Israel following overnight joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran.
• Israeli military is preparing for possible retaliatory attacks.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu frames the strikes as supporting Iranian efforts to change their government:

  “Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”
  (Daniel Estrin relaying Netanyahu statement, 00:44)

• President Trump addresses Iranians with a stark warning:

  “Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government.”
  (Daniel Estrin summarizing Trump's message, 00:44)

• Operation Scope: Expected to last several days, focusing on Iranian missile infrastructure.
• In Israel: Civilians are advised to stay in shelters as sirens sound.

---

2. Iran's Response (01:25–01:52)

• Iran’s Foreign Ministry calls the airstrikes a “gross violation of Iran’s national sovereignty” and promises a decisive response.

---

3. Bill Clinton Testifies on Epstein (01:25–02:10)

• Former President Bill Clinton testifies before a House panel in New York regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Clinton asserts his innocence:

    "But even with 2020 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me real pause. We're only here today because Epstein hid it from everyone so well for so long. And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with it."
    (Bill Clinton, 01:52)

• House Oversight Committee: No immediate accusations made after the testimony.

---

4. Pentagon Labels Anthropic a National Security Risk (02:10–03:12)

• Anthropic, an AI company, is being designated a national security supply chain risk by the Pentagon after failed negotiations on military usage of the company’s AI model.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth:

    “Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic.”
    (Shannon Bond reporting Hegseth’s post, 02:34)

  • Anthropic challenges the decision, labeling it “legally unsound” and a troubling precedent.

---

5. Scouting America Keeps New Identity Amid Criticism (03:12–03:58)

• Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts) will continue with its inclusive name and co-ed structure.
• Despite criticism from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterizing the rebrand as “woke culture,” the organization highlights key milestones:
  • 2013: Gay youth admitted
  • 2015: Ban on gay adult leaders lifted
  • 2017: Membership opened to transgender youth

---

6. Voter Registration Deadlines Approaching (03:12–04:40)

• North Carolina: Only hours remain to register and vote in the primary (until 3pm EST with required documentation).
• Illinois: Last day for online registration is Sunday; in-person registration open until March 17.
• Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas: Deadlines have passed, but general election registration ongoing.
  • Practical advice:

    “If you're already registered, you may want to confirm your status before those deadlines. Voters can sometimes fall off a list, especially if they move, change their name or haven't voted in a while.”
    (Hansi Lo Wang, 04:34)

---

7. Target Ends Use of Artificial Food Dyes in Cereals (04:40–04:55)

• Target will stop selling cereals with synthetic food dyes by the end of May.
• 85% of its cereal sales already come from dye-free products.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”
  – relayed from PM Netanyahu (00:44)

• “Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government.”
  – summarized from President Trump (00:44)

• "But even with 2020 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me real pause...Epstein hid it from everyone so well for so long."
  – Bill Clinton (01:52)

• “Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic.”
  – Post by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (02:34)

---

Key Timestamps

• 00:15 – Opening headlines; Update on U.S.–Israel strike on Iran
• 00:44 – Netanyahu and Trump public statements; operation details
• 01:25 – Iran condemns strike; Clinton’s Epstein testimony
• 01:52 – Clinton’s direct testimony quote
• 02:10 – Anthropic labeled a national security risk
• 03:12 – Scouting America’s name and policy updates
• 03:58 – Voter registration deadlines
• 04:40 – Target’s move on artificial food dyes

---

This NPR News Now episode provides a rapid-fire but thorough update on news developments of national significance, with particular focus on international conflict, high-profile political testimony, technology and security clashes, cultural evolution in American scouting, voter participation, and consumer health trends.

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.

[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Air raid sirens are sounding across Israel this morning. This comes after the United States and Israel launch joint strikes on Iran. The Israeli military is warning of retaliatory attacks following today's operation. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the goal is to help the Iranian people topple their regime.

[Daniel Estrin]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the goal of the joint U. S. Israeli strikes is to, quote, remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. Netanyahu said in a video, our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. President Trump addressed Iranians in a video saying bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. A person briefed on the operation told NPR it was expected to last a few days with Israel's military focusing on targeting Iran's missile program. Sirens are wailing in Israel, warning people to stay in shelters. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[NPR News Anchor]

Iran's Foreign Ministry calls the airstrikes a gross violation of Iran's national sovereignty and that it will respond decisively. Former President Bill Clinton testified before a House panel in New York on Friday about his past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a closed door deposition, Clinton told the committee he did nothing wrong and had long ended contact with Epstein before his 2008 guilty plea.

[Bill Clinton]

But even with 2020 hindsight, I saw nothing that ever gave me real pause. We're only here today because Epstein hid it from everyone so well for so long. And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with it.

[NPR News Anchor]

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee did not immediately announce any accusations following Clinton's testimony. AI company Anthropic says it plans to challenge the Trump administration in court after the Pentagon moved to label the firm a supply chain risk to national security. NPR, Shannonbaum reports. The dispute marks a sharp escalation in a growing fight over the military's use of artificial intelligence.

[Shannon Bond]

Being designated risk to national security is highly unusual for an American company and poses a threat to Anthropic's business. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made the announcement on X after the Pentagon and the company reached an impasse in a dispute over how the military could use Anthropic's AI model. Claude Hegseth said the designation means, quote, effective immediately, no contractor, supplier or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic. Anthropic called the move legally unsound and warned it would set a dangerous precedent for any American company that negotiates with the government. Shannon Bond, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

This is npr. Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scout, says it will keep its new name while continuing to welcome roughly 200,000 girls in its programs. The decision comes despite criticism from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who called the rebrand part of so called woke culture. The organization began allowing gay youth in 2013, lifted its ban on gay adult leaders in 2015 and opened membership to transgender youth in 2017. The time left to register to vote in this year's primary elections is ending soon in a couple of states. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports. The deadlines come as a handful of states get ready to hold primaries next month for the November midterms.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

There are only hours left to register to vote in North Carolina's primary election. Eligible voters there can sign up and cast a ballot at early voting sites until 3pm Eastern if they bring their proof of residence and a photo id. And in Illinois, Sunday is the last day to register online. After that, Illinois voters can sign up at election offices through the last day of voting on March 17. Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas are also preparing to hold statewide primary races next month. It's too late to register for those, but eligible voters still have months left to sign up to cast ballots in this fall's general election. If you're already registered, you may want to confirm your status before those deadlines. Voters can sometimes fall off a list, especially if they move, change their name or haven't voted in a while. Han Zi La Wang, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Target says it will stop selling cereals made with synthetic food dyes by the end of May. The retailer says about 85% of its cereal sales already come from products without artificial coloring. This is 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.