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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. Attorney General Pam Bondi is out after 14 months on the job. NPR's Ryan Lucas says the president announced the shakeup yesterday on social media.
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In a post online, Trump called Bondi a great American patriot and loyal friend who oversaw what he called a massive crackdown on crime. But Bondi had come under bipartisan criticism for for a handling of the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She's also been pressed by Trump to aggressively go after the president's perceived political enemies. And under Bondi's leadership, the Justice Department has investigated and even prosecuted some of Trump's critics. But those cases have foundered in court or before grand juries. Now Bondi is out, and Trump says Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch, a former personal lawyer for Trump, will take over leading the department for now on an acting basis. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.
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President Trump says the US has destroyed one of Iran's largest bridges five weeks into operation Epic Fury. NPR's Emily Fang reports on the latest airstrikes across Iran.
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The B1 bridge west of the capital Tehran, connecting it to the city of Karaj, was under construction when it was hit in an attack that Iran's IRGC security forces said killed eight people. The IRGC also threatened to hit major bridges in the Middle east in retaliation. People in Iran reported strikes all across the country overnight. And a spokesperson for one of Iran's biggest steel companies says it will take at least half a year to repair damage from strikes on industrial factories starting last month. Trump has threatened the US Will hit more civilian infrastructure, including power plants in Iran, by next week if Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz, a threat that's been criticized by many Iranians who oppose Iran's current regime, including opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former shah. Emily Feng, NPR News, Istanbul.
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Iran says it will begin charging ships up to $2 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. It's part of Tehran's broader strategy to claim sovereignty over the key waterway affecting supplies of oil and gas. The Cuban government says it plans to pardon and release more than 2,000 prisoners as part of what it calls a humanitarian gesture in connection with Holy Week. Today is Good Friday. Easter is on Sunday. The government in Havana made no mention of any political pressure coming from the Trump administration, which had been blocking fuel shipments to Cuba in recent months. Cuba denies holding any political prisoners. Economists are predicting no change in the US Unemployment rate when the latest jobs numbers are released this morning by the Labor Department. The jobless number is forecast to hold steady in March at 4.4%. Economists are predicting the economy added about 60,000 jobs during the month. This is NPR News. Freddie Mac says the average 30 year fixed rate mortgage in the US has risen for a fifth consecutive week. It's now up to 6.46%. Federal regulators say California's lone operating nuclear power plant may continue running for another 20 years. Kendra Hanna with member station KCBX has more.
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Diablo Canyon, located along California's central coast, produces almost 10% of the state's electricity. It's in Congressman' Carbajals district. He says that trying to meet California's carbon free energy goals without the plant operating could lead to blackouts.
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We could have more blackouts. We could be in a challenging predicament not having the energy reliance that we need here in the state of California.
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The state has fought for years over how long the nuclear power plant should operate. It was headed for decommissioning, only to be extended until 2030. Now that Diablo Canyon has a federal license to run until 2045, the state legislature might try to pass another bill further extending its life. The state has the final word on how long the plant runs. For NPR News, I'm Kendra Hanna.
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The NCAA women's Final Four tips off tonight in Phoenix featuring four top seated teams. The first game features South Carolina against UConn. That'll be followed by Texas against UCLA. The winners advance to Sunday's championship game. The final four in the men's NCAA basketball tournament will face off tomorrow. Illinois will face UConn and Michigan will play Arizona. The winners advance to the championship game Monday night in Indianapolis. I'm Dave Mattingly in Washington.
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