Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – March 4, 2026, 1PM EST

Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on key national and international stories. Coverage includes anticipated Senate action on military involvement in Iran, a heated House hearing with Secretary of Homeland Security Christi Noem, economic repercussions of the US War with Iran (particularly on oil prices), Elon Musk’s courtroom appearance in a Twitter shareholder lawsuit, new findings on rising sea levels, and a significant time policy change in British Columbia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senate Vote on US Military Action in Iran

[00:15–01:14]
- The Senate is set to vote on a War Powers Resolution to retract US military operations in Iran.
- Reporter: Sam Greenglass.
- Context: President Trump ordered ongoing strikes in Iran without congressional authorization.
- Likelihood: The resolution, sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine, is not expected to pass but may resurface.
- Quote – Tim Kaine (00:42): “And the virtue of a war powers resolution, it's not a one and done.”
- Notable Detail: GOP Senator Josh Hawley notes that, unlike Venezuela, “there are no troops on the ground and there haven’t been at any point.” (01:02)
- A similar measure will be considered by the House on Thursday.

2. Homeland Security Secretary Christi Noem Testifies

[01:14–02:00]
- Secretary Noem faced intense questioning from Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin during House Judiciary testimony.
- Controversy: Noem had labeled two US citizens killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota as “domestic terrorists” before investigations were complete.
- Exchange Excerpt
  - Jamie Raskin (01:33): “You didn't wait for the investigation, did you? You didn't wait for the evidence. You proclaimed that they were domestic terrorists at the time. Why did you do that?”
  - Christi Noem (01:40): “And you didn't wait to attack our law enforcement.”
  - Jamie Raskin (01:44): “Why did you call them domestic terrorists?”
  - Christi Noem (01:46): “Our ICE officers and our HCI officers that day risked their lives to protect that scene so evidence could be reclaimed so it could be used in the investigation. Because those violent rioters that.”
- Noem’s Position: She refused to rescind her statements, citing an ongoing investigation.
- Her testimony follows a contentious Senate hearing where even GOP members questioned her leadership.

3. Economic Fallout from US Conflict with Iran – Oil and Gas Prices

[02:00–03:03]
- Reporter: Scott Horsley.
- Oil prices surged over 10% after US and Israeli strikes in Iran; Brent crude hovers above $80/barrel.
- President Trump seeks to restore tanker traffic through the Strait of Fort Meuse with Navy escorts.
- Gasoline prices up by 20 cents per gallon nationwide.
- AAA: Diesel prices exceed $4/gallon, raising transport costs broadly.
- Quote – Scott Horsley (02:54): “If that's sustained it [will increase] the cost of everything that travels by truck or train.”

4. Stock Market Rises Amid Ongoing Events

[03:03–03:51]
- Stock markets are trading higher:
  - Dow Jones up 326 points.
  - Nasdaq up 329 points.

5. Elon Musk Testifies in Shareholder Suit Over Twitter (X)

[03:03–03:51]
- Elon Musk appears in San Francisco federal court regarding a lawsuit tied to his $44 billion Twitter acquisition.
- Allegations: Musk is accused of false/misleading statements that depressed Twitter’s share price before acquisition, potentially violating federal securities laws.

6. Climate Study: Global Sea Levels May Rise Faster Than Expected

[03:51–04:26]
- Reporter: Lauren Sommer.
- As the climate warms, oceans rise from melting ice and expanding water.
- New Study (Vahanink and University, Netherlands): Model assumptions may underestimate the starting sea level by ~10 inches.
- With correction, computer models project up to 130 million more people potentially impacted by a 3-foot sea rise.
- Quote – Lauren Sommer (03:57): “The researchers found the computer models scientists use start with a current sea level that's about 10 inches too low on average. If that's corrected, those same models would show as many as 130 million more people potentially affected on coastlines if sea level rises by three feet.”

7. British Columbia Switches to Permanent Daylight Saving Time

[04:26–04:55]
- B.C. will adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time starting November 1st.
- The Canadian province will be one hour ahead of adjacent US states (Washington, Oregon).
- Officials state the change is for residents’ well-being, anticipating possible US alignment.

Notable Quotes

Tim Kaine (00:42): “And the virtue of a war powers resolution, it's not a one and done.”
Josh Hawley (01:02): “There are no troops on the ground and there haven't been at any point. So that's significant, which is a difference from what happened in Venezuela.”
Jamie Raskin (01:33): “You didn't wait for the investigation, did you? ... Why did you do that?”
Christi Noem (01:46): “Our ICE officers and our HCI officers that day risked their lives to protect that scene so evidence could be reclaimed ...”
Scott Horsley (02:54): “If that's sustained it [will increase] the cost of everything that travels by truck or train.”
Lauren Sommer (03:57): “The researchers found the computer models scientists use start with a current sea level that's about 10 inches too low on average. … as many as 130 million more people potentially affected on coastlines if sea level rises by three feet.”

Timestamps of Key Segments

Senate Military Powers Resolution on Iran: 00:15–01:14
Secretary Noem House Testimony: 01:14–02:00
Oil Price Rise and Economic Impact: 02:00–03:03
Stock Market Update: 03:03–03:51
Elon Musk Twitter Lawsuit: 03:03–03:51
Climate Study/Sea Level Rise: 03:51–04:26
British Columbia Permanent DST: 04:26–04:55

For the latest developments, tune in to NPR News Now hourly updates.

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Transcript21 lines

[00:01]
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[00:16]
Windsor Johnston
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The Senate is expected to vote this afternoon on a resolution to pull back military action in Iran. NPR's Sam Greenglass reports President Trump ordered sustained strikes without authorization from Congress.
[00:33]
Sam Greenglass
The War Powers Resolution is not expected to pass, but its sponsor, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, says the measure can be brought for a vote. Again, this thing evolves.
[00:42]
Tim Kaine
And the virtue of a war powers resolution, it's not a one and done.
[00:46]
Sam Greenglass
The vote comes after top Trump administration officials briefed all lawmakers on Tuesday. Republican Senator Josh Hawley initially backed a failed resolution to curb intervention in Venezuela, but said he is not likely to vote to limit the action in Iran. At the this time they reiterated, but
[01:02]
Josh Hawley
there are no troops on the ground and there haven't been at any point. So that's significant, which is a difference from what happened in Venezuela.
[01:08]
Sam Greenglass
A similar resolution is slated for a House vote on Thursday. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.
[01:14]
Windsor Johnston
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Christi Noem is back on Capitol Hill today, this time testifying before the House Judiciary Committee. In a heated exchange, Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin repeatedly pressed Noem about her description of two US Citizens who were shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
[01:34]
Jamie Raskin
You didn't wait for the investigation, did you? You didn't wait for the evidence. You proclaimed that they were domestic terrorists at the time. Why did you do that?
[01:41]
Christi Noem
And you didn't wait to attack our law enforcement.
[01:42]
Jamie Raskin
Why did you do that?
[01:43]
Christi Noem
Going into a dangerous why did you
[01:45]
Jamie Raskin
call them domestic terrorists?
[01:46]
Christi Noem
Our ICE officers and our HCI officers that day risked their lives to protect that scene so evidence could be reclaimed so it could be used in the investigation. Because those violent rioters that.
[01:56]
Jamie Raskin
So you're proud of the fact that you called them domestic terrorists? Is that what you're telling America?
[02:00]
Windsor Johnston
When asked directly to apologize, Noem refused to walk back her remarks, saying the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Her appearance comes a day after a bruising Senate hearing where members of her own party questioned her leadership. The price of crude oil appears to be leveling off after a big jump earlier this week. NPR Scott Horsley reports on the economic fallout from the US War with Iran.
[02:26]
Scott Horsley
Crude oil prices have jumped more than 10% since the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran over the weekend. Most of that jump came Monday and Tuesday. Prices appear to be stabilizing, with Brent crude now trading above $80 a barrel. President Trump is hoping to restart tanker traffic through the Strait of Fort Meuse, just south of Iran, by offering Navy escorts through that critical chokepoint. U.S. gasoline prices continue to climb. They're up about 20 cents a gallon on average over the last couple of days. AAA says the price of diesel fuel now tops $4 a gallon. If that's sustained it the cost of everything that travels by truck or train. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[03:03]
Windsor Johnston
Stocks are trading higher on Wall street at the sour the dow was up 326 points. The Nasdaq composite also trading higher, up 329. This is NPR Tech billionaire Elon Musk is in a San Francisco courtroom today. He's taking the stand in a shareholder lawsuit over his purchase of Twitter Now X. Musk is accused of making false and misleading statements that drove down Twitter's ST price before he closed his $44 billion buyout in 2022. The lawsuit alleges he violated federal securities laws. Global sea levels could rise more than is currently expected because of climate change. That's according to a new study looking at how sea level is measured. As NPR's Lauren Sommer reports, as the
[03:52]
Lauren Sommer
climate gets hotter, oceans are rising. That's because polar ice and glaciers are melting and because the water itself expands as it gets warmer. A new study from Vahanink and University in the Netherlands finds that scientific studies may be underestimating how much sea levels could rise. The researchers found the computer models scientists use start with a current sea level that's about 10 inches too low on average. If that's corrected, those same models would show as many as 130 million more people potentially affected on coastlines if sea level rises by three feet.
[04:26]
Windsor Johnston
Lauren Sommer, NPR News, British Columbia is planning to adopt permanent Daylight saving time beginning November 1st. The time change will put the Canadian province one hour ahead of Washington state and Oregon. Officials say the shift serves the well being of B.C. residents. They moved ahead anticipating that neighboring U.S. states may soon follow. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.
[04:55]
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