NPR News: 03-08-2026 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Date: March 8, 2026
Host: Louise Schiavone
Episode: NPR News: 03-08-2026 6AM EDT

Overview

This episode offers a rapid-fire update on major global and national news in just five minutes. Top stories include ongoing military escalation in the Middle East between Iran, Israel, and the US; a judicial ruling striking down a Trump administration appointee’s actions at Voice of America; President Trump’s slated diplomatic trip to China; civil rights commemorations in Selma, Alabama; and Indonesia’s new social media ban for children.

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Key News Highlights

1. Middle East Escalation: War with Iran

[00:16]–[02:21]

• Regional Warfare Intensifies:
  The US and Israel’s war with Iran has entered its second week, resulting in significant drone and missile exchanges across the Middle East.

  • Israeli jets struck targets in Iran’s capital, Tehran, and in Lebanon (focus: Hezbollah, Iran-backed militia).
  • Iran retaliated by launching drones and missiles targeting multiple Gulf states.

• Ground Reporting:
  Reporter Carrie Khan, live from Tel Aviv, described ongoing air strikes and the experience of residents:

  “More than a handful of sirens sending residents into the bomb shelter, and that’s where I am right now.” — Carrie Khan [00:56]

  • A decrease in air raid sirens suggests Israeli air defenses are working, but tension remains high.

• Proxy Attacks in Iraq:

  • Militia groups backed by Iran carried out attacks in Iraq and Kurdistan, including:
    • A missile strike on the US base at Erbil International Airport, killing a Kurdish security officer.
    • Rocket attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad.
    • Strikes on a hotel used by the UN and an Iranian opposition base in Suleimaniya.
    • The provincial governor of Erbil affirmed that arrests of militia members responsible for the Baghdad embassy attack have been pledged by the Iraqi government.
  • Significant casualties include at least one Kurdish fighter (Iranian opposition) killed.

  “One of the rockets hit the embassy’s helicopter landing pad.” — Jane Arraf [02:15]

2. Voice of America Legal Ruling

[02:21]–[03:12]

• A federal judge ruled that Carrie Lake, a Trump administration official, acted without legal authority in moves to dismantle Voice of America and related networks. Lake sought to:
  • Lay off over a thousand journalists from the US-owned network.
  • Cut funding for Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
• Judge Royce C. Lamberth found Lake did not meet statutory or constitutional requirements for her role. Lake criticized the ruling as politically motivated.

  “Lake tells NPR that Lamberth is an activist judge trying to stand in the way of Trump’s agenda.” — David Folkenflick [03:07]

3. US-China Diplomatic Prospects

[03:12]–[03:55]

• President Trump is expected to visit Beijing at month’s end.
• China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope for a “landmark year” in US-China relations, also calling for an end to military actions in Iran.

4. Civil Rights Commemoration – Selma, Alabama

[03:12]–[04:35]

• The annual reenactment of the 1965 “Bloody Sunday” voting rights march is scheduled in Selma.
• There will be a special service honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon who recently passed away and was often present at this event.

  “Jackson, who died last month, was moved to join the movement in 1965 when he heard reports of fellow black protesters being beaten in Selma by Alabama state troopers as they marched for the right to vote.” — Kyle Gassett [04:10]

• Organizers highlight threats to contemporary voting rights.

5. Indonesia: Children’s Social Media Ban

[04:35]–[04:55]

• By the end of March, Indonesia will block access to social media platforms—including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram—for users under 16.
• The move is aimed at reducing digital risks to children.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Overnight and throughout the day, there was more than a handful of sirens sending residents into the bomb shelter, and that’s where I am right now.” — Carrie Khan from Tel Aviv [00:56]
• “One of the rockets hit the embassy’s helicopter landing pad.” — Jane Arraf from Erbil [02:15]
• “Lake tells NPR that Lamberth is an activist judge trying to stand in the way of Trump’s agenda.” — David Folkenflick [03:07]
• On Jesse Jackson: “Jackson, who died last month, was moved to join the movement in 1965 when he heard reports of fellow black protesters being beaten in Selma by Alabama state troopers as they marched for the right to vote.” — Kyle Gassett [04:10]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Middle East War Coverage: [00:16]–[02:21]
• Voice of America Legal Ruling: [02:21]–[03:12]
• US-China Relations: [03:12]–[03:55]
• Selma/Bloody Sunday Reenactment & Jesse Jackson: [03:55]–[04:35]
• Indonesia Social Media Ban: [04:35]–[04:55]

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Conclusion

The episode provides a concise yet impactful briefing. From escalating war in the Middle East and major judicial rulings to diplomatic hopes and the ongoing fight for civil rights, NPR News Now keeps listeners up to date with developing stories from around the globe.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Drones and missiles crisscross much of the Middle east today as the US And Israeli war with Iran entered its second week. Israeli fighter jets pounded targets in Iran's capital and also in Lebanon, where the Iran Iran backed Hezbollah militant group is based. Meanwhile, Iran continues to fire drones and missiles into multiple Gulf states. NPR's Carrie Khan has the latest from Tel Aviv.

[C]

Israel's military says it has dealt serious blows to Iran's air missile and drone system. They say they've been hitting targets throughout the country and particularly in the capital, Tehran. We have seen a decrease in the number of air raid sirens in Israel signaling incoming missiles or drones from Iran. But I have to tell you, overnight and throughout the day, there was more than a handful of sirens sending residents into the bomb shelter, and that's where I AM right now.

[B]

NPR's Carrie Khan reporting from Tel Aviv. Attacks by Iran and its paramilitary proxies have intensified in Iraq and the country's Kurdistan region. A missile strike on the US Base at Erbil's international airport killed a Kurdish security member while rockets hit the U.S. embassy in Baghdad yesterday. NPR's Jane Arraf reports.

[D]

Iran and the Iraqi militias it backs hit a hotel used by the UN in the city of Suleimaniya, as well as a brigade of Kurdish fighters and an Iranian opposition base near the Kurdistan region's second city. Kamala, an Iranian armed opposition group said its base near Suleimaniyah was hit by a missile Saturday, killing one of its fighters and wounding another. In the regional capital, Erbil. Drone attacks at the airport compound where US Forces are based killed a member of the region's internal security forces. The provincial governor told NPR the Iraqi government pledged to arrest militia members at blame for rocket attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad Saturday. Security sources said one of the rockets hit the embassy's helicopter landing pad. Jane Araf, NPR News, Erbil.

[B]

A federal judge has struck down Trump administration official Carrie Lake's actions to dismantle Voice of America, saying she did not have legal authority to do so. NPR's David Folkenflick reports. She plans to appeal.

[E]

Lake sought to lay off more than a thousand journalists from the US Owned Global Network and its sister network serving Cuba, and she tried to kill federal funding for Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty. NPR first reported on the legality of Lake's status last August. For example, we repeatedly asked for any evidence she had been named acting CEO of the agency by President Trump as required for that job. None arrived. U.S. district Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth wrote that Lake satisfies the requirements of neither the statute nor the Constitution. The Lake tells NPR that Lamberth is an activist judge trying to stand in the way of Trump's agenda.

[B]

This is NPR News in Washington. President Trump is currently slated to visit Beijing at the end of this month, and today China's foreign minister told reporters that there are hopes that this will be a landmark year for relations between China and the United States. Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the sidelines of an annual meeting of China's ceremonial legislature, which long also called for an end to military actions in Iran. In Selma, Alabama, the annual reenactment of the 1965 Bloody Sunday March for voting rights will be held today. Troy Public Radio's Kyle Gassett reports that a special service will be held to honor civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson.

[F]

Today's bridge crossing will be one of the few that Jackson will not physically be present, but his contributions to the civil rights movement and and the many times he participated in the march will be remembered. Jackson, who died last month, was moved to join the movement in 1965 when he heard reports of fellow black protesters being beaten in Selma by Alabama state troopers as they marched for the right to vote. Events to honor Jackson will be held before and after the bridge crossing reenactments as organizers attempt to draw attention to what they say are threats to voting rights. For NPR News, I'm Kyle Gassett in Montgomery, Alabama.

[B]

By the end of this month, Indonesia will ban social media for children under age 16. A government regulation has been signed there blocking access to these young people on what's considered high risk digital platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. I'm Luis Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

[G]

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