NPR News Now: 03-26-2026 2AM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder (NPR)
Date: March 26, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a rapid update on major global and domestic stories, including U.S.-Iran ceasefire negotiations, a mistaken Iranian missile strike on Kurdish forces in Iraq, U.S. policy on ethanol-blended gasoline, severe flooding in Hawaii, and significant layoffs and legal setbacks at Meta (Facebook’s parent company). The episode also covers upcoming diplomatic plans between the U.S. and China.

Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. and Iran: Ceasefire Negotiations

[00:15–01:20]

• President Trump asserted ongoing ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran, with emotionally charged rhetoric regarding Iranian leadership:
  • Donald Trump [00:24]:

    "They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they're afraid to say it because they figure they'll be killed by their own people. They're also afraid they'll be killed by us. There's never been a head of a country that wanted that job less than being the head of Iran."

• Trump’s comments were made at a Republican fundraising event in Washington, D.C.
• The reality of negotiations remains unclear; Trump hasn’t named negotiating partners. Many top Iranian officials reportedly died in recent U.S.-Israeli strikes.
• Iran’s foreign minister confirmed messages via intermediaries but denied official negotiations.

2. Iranian Missile Attack on Kurdish Forces in Iraq

[01:20–02:02]

• Six Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were killed when Iranian ballistic missiles struck their HQ near Erbil, Iraq.
• Iraq summoned the Iranian ambassador in protest; this was the first direct attack on Kurdistan region forces in the ongoing war.
• Iranian strikes have intensified regionally; U.S. fighter jets are patrolling Erbil.
• Kurdistan Region President Neshavan Barzani reported Iran acknowledged the strike as a mistake and is investigating.
  • Jane Araf [01:52]:

    "Regional President Neshavan Barzani says Iran acknowledged that the attack was a mistake and said it was investigating."

3. U.S. Expands E15 Gasoline Sales Amid High Fuel Prices

[02:02–02:54]

• The Trump administration will allow temporary summer sales of E15 (higher ethanol content gasoline) due to war-related price rises.
• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin highlighted expanded consumer choice:
  • Julia Simon [02:29]:

    "The decision is, quote, giving Americans more fuel options."

• Environmental concerns remain, as E15 is usually restricted in summer for air quality reasons.
• Impact on pump prices uncertain; E15 isn’t available nationwide.
• The ethanol industry supports the move; it follows similar waivers in prior years.

4. Hawaii Faces Worst Flooding in 20 Years

[02:54–03:08]

• Honolulu neighborhoods were inundated after a severe storm dropped several inches of rain; it’s the state’s worst flooding in two decades.
• Meteorologists were surprised by the storm’s intensity.
• Residents are now cleaning up and evaluating damage.

5. Meta Layoffs and Legal Troubles

[03:08–04:17]

• Meta is laying off ~700 employees (less than 1% of its workforce). The cuts span teams including Reality Labs, recruiting, sales, and operations.
  • Some employees may be reassigned or relocated.
• Layoffs come as Meta is refocusing on artificial intelligence (AI).
• Meanwhile, Meta executives stand to gain from potential stock price increases.
• Significant legal defeats:
  • Meta was hit with a $375 million verdict over failure to protect kids from online predators.
  • Additional $6 million verdict (alongside YouTube) in Los Angeles over social media addiction.
  • John Ruich [03:58]:

    "Meadow was also hit with a $375 million jury verdict after being found liable for failing to protect kids from online predators."

6. U.S.-China Diplomatic Updates

[04:17–04:50]

• President Trump will travel to China in May; trip was postponed due to the Iran war.
• A White House visit for Chinese President Xi Jinping is planned later in the year.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Donald Trump [00:24]:

  "They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they're afraid to say it because they figure they'll be killed by their own people. They're also afraid they'll be killed by us."

• Jane Araf [01:52]:

  "Regional President Neshavan Barzani says Iran acknowledged that the attack was a mistake and said it was investigating."

• Julia Simon [02:29]:

  "The decision is, quote, giving Americans more fuel options."

• John Ruich [03:58]:

  "Meadow was also hit with a $375 million jury verdict after being found liable for failing to protect kids from online predators."

Useful Timestamps

• [00:24] President Trump on U.S.-Iran negotiations
• [01:20] Iranian missile strike on Kurdish forces recap (Jane Araf)
• [02:13] E15 gasoline policy and fuel prices (Julia Simon)
• [02:54] Hawaii flooding report
• [03:35] Meta layoffs and legal issues (John Ruich)
• [04:17] Additional legal verdicts against Meta, U.S.-China diplomacy update

NPR News Now delivers concise, balanced updates at the top of the hour, offering listeners succinct, reliable snapshots of pressing global news.