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Jeanine Herbst
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The Lebanese government says it wants to crack down on the Iran backed militant group Hezbollah and and restore power back to its own army. Israel began a ramped up military campaign in south Lebanon against Hezbollah after it launched rockets into northern Israel last week. Lebanese officials say nearly 300 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the war in Iran began and says over 100,000 displaced people are in shelters. Imperial's Hadil Al Shulci has more from Beirut.
Hadil Al Shalchi
In a rare move, Justice Minister Adel Nassar has proposed to charge the leader of the militant group Hezbollah with, quote, dragging Lebanon and tampering with security. That's according to a Lebanese government official who was not authorized to speak to the media. While the Lebanese cabinet did not take any action, this is the sharpest rebuke a Lebanese member of government has made against Hezbollah. Last week, the government banned all Hezbollah military activity and issued arrest warrants for the members who launched rockets into Israel. Lebanon's leaders say they are trying to rein in Hezbollah and make clear that the government speaks for the country. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Beirut.
Jeanine Herbst
In New York, a man was found guilty in a plot to kill President Trump and other prominent U.S. officials on the orders of Iran. NPR's Jacqueline Diaz has more.
Jacqueline Diaz
A federal jury in Brooklyn found Asif Merchant guilty of planning to hire hitmen, steal documents and kill American politicians. Federal prosecutors said the scheme was backed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Berchant, who is a Pakistani national, received spycraft training from Iran around 2022 and was sent to the US in 2024 to execute his scheme to kill President Trump and former President Joe Biden. But he didn't get far in his grand plan before law enforcement learned of the plot. Merchant could now face life in prison. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News.
Jeanine Herbst
In southern Michigan and Oklahoma, search crews are looking through the debris after suspected tornadoes killed at least six night, injuring more than a dozen. Photos and videos on social media show flattened homes and buildings along with downed trees. The National Weather Service's teams are evaluating the damage and working to confirm the tornadoes. The severe weather threat, though, continues with strong thunderstorms possible from Texas to the northeast. National Weather Service meteorologist Bob Orvik.
Bob Orvik
The greatest threat right now is probably across the lower lakes, parts of Ohio, northeast Ohio, western Pennsylvania. And then there's a lesser threat as you extend southwest through the Ohio Valley and into the lower Mississippi Valley.
Jeanine Herbst
But temperatures are getting warmer. Temperatures above normal are forecast for much of the country this weekend. Some places could see record tying or record breaking highs today. You're listening to NPR News. Americans trust career scientists at federal health agencies more than the leaders of those agencies, including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. And Dr. Mehmet Oz, NPR. Selena Simmons Duffin reports. That's according to a new poll that's out this week.
Selena Simmons Duffin
As President Trump's secretary of health, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Has clashed frequently with the career scientists he oversees and medical organizations. According to the survey from the Annenberg Public Policy center at the University of Pennsylvania, two thirds of Americans have confidence in career scientists, while only 38% have confidence in Kennedy. There was an even bigger gap with organized medical groups. Kennedy recently changed the childhood vaccine schedule to stop recommending the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly objects to that change. And the survey found people are more likely to accept their advice on this vaccine over Kennedy's by nearly 4 to 1. Selena Simmons Duffen, NPR News.
Jeanine Herbst
Overnight, much of the U.S. will set their clocks ahead one hour for daylight saving time, meaning most people will lose an hour of sleep. This lasts until we go back to standard Time, and that happens in November. Two states don't Arizona and Hawaii, along with the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. Meanwhile, 19 states approved permanent daylight saving time, meaning no clock changes for their residents. But current federal regulations limit their decision to year round standard time only. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.
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Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: ~5 minutes
This NPR News Now episode provides a concise yet comprehensive roundup of major national and international news stories as of March 7, 2026, 7PM EST. Stories covered include rising tensions in Lebanon involving Hezbollah and Israel, a U.S. court verdict on an Iranian-backed assassination plot, ongoing tornado recovery efforts in the Midwest, evolving public trust in federal health authorities, and the coming change to daylight saving time.
[00:17–01:29]
Main Development:
Lebanon’s government is moving to restore control from the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and empower the official Lebanese military, following deadly Israeli strikes tied to escalating cross-border violence.
Actions Taken:
Notable Quote:
“This is the sharpest rebuke a Lebanese member of government has made against Hezbollah.”
— Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Beirut ([01:18])
[01:29–02:18]
Summary:
A Brooklyn jury found Asif Merchant guilty of plotting to assassinate President Trump and other prominent U.S. officials, allegedly on orders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Details:
Notable Quote:
“[He] received spycraft training from Iran around 2022 and was sent to the US in 2024 to execute his scheme...”
— Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News ([01:45])
[02:18–03:04]
[03:04–04:19]
Summary:
A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center shows the public trusts career scientists at federal health agencies significantly more than political appointees, including current Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Key Findings:
Notable Quote:
“Two thirds of Americans have confidence in career scientists, while only 38% have confidence in Kennedy.”
— Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News ([03:33])
[04:19–04:57]
The episode maintains NPR’s signature straightforward, fact-based tone, with clear attributions and succinct analysis. Official and expert voices offer both authority and clarity, particularly in the reporting on complex geopolitical and legal developments.
For concise, trustworthy updates on global and national events, this five-minute NPR news summary is an essential listen.