NPR News Now – March 20, 2026, 2PM EDT

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers concise, up-to-the-minute global and national news updates. Today's broadcast, anchored by Kristen Wright, covers high-stakes geopolitical tensions involving the U.S., Ukraine, Iran, and Russia, major changes in American broadcasting, rising violence in Africa, and developments in U.S.-Swiss relations and commemorative coinage.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. U.S., NATO, and Middle East Tensions

[00:16–01:26]

• President Trump Criticizes NATO Allies (00:16)

  • On social media, President Trump referred to NATO allies as "cowards," accusing them of reluctance to aid efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz for oil tankers threatened by the current Iran war.
  • Trump insisted NATO was not doing enough to address Tehran's attacks on vital energy infrastructure.
    • Quote: "President Trump called NATO allies cowards on social media today." – Kristen Wright [00:16]

• Ukraine Assists Middle East with Drone Defense (00:44)

  • Ukrainian officials, under security chief Rustam Umarov, are sending anti-drone units to five Middle Eastern nations: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
  • Objective: To counter Iranian Shahed attack drones menacing U.S.-aligned Gulf nations.
  • Ukraine’s air defense experience is being exported, after enduring over 57,000 Russian drone attacks since 2022.
    • Quote: "The main focus is intercepting shahead attack drones, which Iran has launched on Gulf nations hosting American bases." – Joanna Kakis [01:08]

2. U.S.-Ukraine Diplomatic Efforts

[01:26]

• Ukrainian peace negotiators are heading to Washington for high-level meetings with White House envoys in hopes of advancing talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

3. James Comey Legal Developments

[01:26–02:34]

• Former FBI Director Subpoenaed (01:26)
  • A federal grand jury in Florida has subpoenaed James Comey, months after a separate case against him was dismissed.
  • The current probe reportedly centers on U.S. intelligence concerning foreign election interference.
  • President Trump has long accused Comey of misconduct and has been vocal in encouraging legal actions against him.
    • Quote: "President Trump has called the former FBI director a liar and a leaker, and he's blamed Jim Comey for an investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russia years ago." – Carrie Johnson [01:51]
  • Comey maintains his innocence, claiming he's subject to vindictive prosecution.

4. Historic End for CBS News Radio

[02:34–03:31]

• CBS News Radio, after nearly a century, will end broadcasting in May 2026.
  • Around 700 affiliate stations currently carry CBS News Radio.
  • All team positions will be eliminated; attributed broadly to "shifts in programming strategies and challenging economic realities."
    • Quote: "The memo says all positions on the radio team are being eliminated." – Kristen Wright [02:44]
  • "World News Roundup" is the nation’s longest-running newscast, airing since 1938.

5. Rising Terrorism in Africa

[03:31–04:20]

• Nigeria: Largest global increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2025—up 46%.
  • Islamist militants and criminal gangs are driving violence, especially in the country's north and central areas.
  • Recent suicide attack in Maiduguri killed 23 people—the worst in years.
  • Boko Haram and other groups are reportedly strengthening.
    • Quote: "This week, 23 people were killed in a suspected suicide attack in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, in one of the worst such attacks in years." – Emmanuel Akinwotu [03:46]
• DR Congo: Terrorism-related deaths surged by nearly 28%, largely due to the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces.

6. Switzerland Halts Weapons Exports to U.S.

[04:20]

• Switzerland suspends arms exports to the U.S., citing neutrality amid the ongoing Iran war.

7. Trump Commemorative Coin Approved

[04:20–04:56]

• A federal arts commission has approved the design for a gold coin bearing President Trump’s image, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
  • U.S. Mint will proceed with production, but denomination and size are not yet determined.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kristen Wright on Trump’s NATO criticism:
  "President Trump called NATO allies cowards on social media today." [00:16]

• Joanna Kakis on Ukraine’s aid to the Middle East:
  "Ukrainian security chief Rustam Umira visited five Middle Eastern countries in the past week to talk about countering drone attacks." [00:44]

• Carrie Johnson on Comey investigation:
  "Now a grand jury in Florida has issued a new subpoena to Comey, according to a source familiar with the matter." [01:53]

• Kristen Wright on the closure of CBS News Radio:
  "CBS News Radio’s signature broadcast, World News Roundup, is the longest running newscast in the country." [02:48]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• U.S.-NATO-Iran Tensions: 00:16–01:26
• Ukraine Peace Negotiations: 01:26
• James Comey Legal News: 01:26–02:34
• CBS News Radio Ends Broadcasts: 02:34–03:31
• African Terrorism Report: 03:31–04:20
• Switzerland Halts Arms Exports: 04:20
• Trump Commemorative Coin: 04:20–04:56

Tone and Language

True to the NPR News Now format, the episode maintains a brisk, factual, and impartial tone, focusing on essential developments with clarity and context for listeners seeking rapid, reliable updates.