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This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's IN your wallet? Terms apply. Details@capitalone.com Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has died. His family issued a statement that he died last night. He has served as the special counsel and in the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Robert Mueller was 81. Britain says Iran launched an unsuccessful missile attack at a joint British and American base in the Indian Ocean. NPR's Ruth Sherlock has more.
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In a statement to NPR, the British Ministry of Defense accused Iran of lashing out across the region after it said Iran had made a failed attempt to strike at Diego Garcia military base. It's unclear how close the missiles came to the base. Located on the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, some 2,500 miles away from Iran, the base has long been strategically important for the US which has used it in military operations from the Vietnam War to the invasion of Iraq and in other more recent conflicts. The British government has said U.S. bombers can use some British bases, including Diego Garcia, for operations to prevent Iran attacking ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz Waterway. Ruth, Sherlock and Pioneez.
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Citing the war in Iran, a federal judge says it's more important than ever the public have information on what the government is doing. He struck down a Pentagon policy that limited reporters access. NPR's Ron Elving has more.
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The Pentagon under Secretary Pete Hegseth put limits on where reporters could go, who they could talk to, and a long list of news organizations, the New York Times, other newspapers, also NPR and PBS and the cable and broadcast TV operations, all refused to live under those conditions. Conditions. So we're barred. We were barred. The others were barred from the Pentagon. A federal judge has now ruled that was a clear violation of the First Amendment rights of news reporters and news consumers with a compelling interest in the Pentagon and the government in general.
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NPR's Ron Elving. The partial government shutdown continues after five weeks, meaning longer lines at airports. NPR's Matt Bloom reports.
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Major airports issued fresh warnings ahead of the weekend to expect more long lines. Atlanta's airport urged travelers to arrive at least three hours early. Hollywood Burbank Airport, Emily Alexis brought canned goods to contribute to a food drive for TSA agents who've worked without pay for several weeks.
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Oh, I just feel bad for them, but, you know, they have families and everything, and I just don't like what's
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going on in New Orleans. Mass agent callouts this month led to huge lines that stretched into the airport's parking garage. Leaders on social media said that staffing remains a fluid situation, and wait times may fluctuate from 15 minutes to up to two hours. Matt Bloom, NPR News.
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This is NPR News in Washington. Scottish police said today they arrested two people trying to enter the UK's nuclear submarine base this week. They describe them as an Iranian man and a Romanian woman. They're to appear in court Monday to face charges, as is customary in Scotland. Their names and the charges won't be released until after the hearing. The base holds the core of the UK's submarine fleet, including the Royal Navy submarines armed with Trident missiles. Britain has been a nuclear power since the 1950s. The British version of Saturday Night Live debuts tonight, with Tina Fey hosting. Vicki Barker reports from London. Comedy and satire are not strangers to the British airwaves, but live comedy and satire is cast member Ayoade Bangboye telling
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the BBC I mean, I'm nervous, but
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I think my nerves are just like excitement, you know, when you're nervous because you care. Producer James Longman is confident the SNL brand will appeal to British viewers.
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The world is rough out there at the moment, so it's really good time to laugh. And we are creating hopefully something very special with an amazing cast, an amazing team of writers.
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The sky program will stream in the US On Peacock on Sunday. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. An international group of scientists says the high temperatures in the U.S. southwest this month are the result of climate change. World Weather Attribution studies the causes of extreme weather and says this month's heat wave would have been virtually impossible without human caused climate change. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington. This message comes from Warby Parker. Prescription eyewear that's expertly crafted and unexpectedly affordable. Glasses designed in house from premium materials starting at just $95, including prescription lenses. Stop by a Warby Parker store near you.
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 03-21-2026 2PM EDT
Date: March 21, 2026
Host: Nora Ramm
This fast-paced episode of NPR News Now, hosted by Nora Ramm, delivers a concise roundup of breaking news and major headlines from around the globe. Covering major international tensions, domestic legal rulings, ongoing impacts of government shutdowns, and lighter cultural moments, the episode provides listeners with the essential updates of the hour.
The reporting style remains factual, calm, and measured—characteristic of NPR’s journalistic tone—with brief yet meaningful human touches from field reports and direct quotes.
This summary delivers all essential developments from the March 21, 2026, NPR News Now 2PM update, providing a well-rounded picture for anyone needing a quick yet thorough catch-up on the day’s events.