NPR News: 03-06-2026 11PM EST

0:00This message comes from Harvey AI. Harvey is the AI platform, trusted by more than half of the AM law 100. Built for the legal teams behind the world's most complex matters. Harvey AI tailored for law. Learn more at Harvey.AI. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. The UN's top humanitarian official says the US and Israeli war with Iran is costing about a billion dollars a day that comes at a time when most countries are scaling back humanitarian assistance. And he's worried about fallout from this latest conflict as NPR's Michelle Kellman reports. President Trump says there will be no deal with Iran, but only in his words unconditional surrender. And he says in the aftermath, partners and allies will bring Iran back from the brink. The UN's humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, is calling for de-escalation now, saying he's worried about the knock-on effects. War doesn't stay neatly within borders. Or on desktop military plans.

1:00It tears through markets, supply chains, food prices. And he says when that happens, the world's most vulnerable people tend to suffer the consequences. Michelle Kellman, NPR News, the State Department. A new NPR-PBS News Marist pull is out and it reveals that a majority of Americans are against military action in Iran. 56 percent of the almost 1,600 people interviewed say they oppose military action in Iran. And a similar number of 55 percent say they believe Iran only presents a minor threat or no threat at all to the United States. President Trump only gets a 36 percent approval rating for his handling of the war. Democrats and independents are largely aligned in opposition to the military action and disapproving of Trump's handling and in viewing Iran as not a major threat. But Republicans continue to heavily support the president with 8 and 10 supporting the military action and Trump's handling of it. Domenico Montenaro, NPR News, Washington. An anti-drone system that was developed by an American company is heading to the mid-east to help defend against Iranian drones.

2:02The system has already been used in Ukraine where it's proved to be effective. The system uses its own drones to attack enemy devices, current systems being used by the U.S. are calibrated for high-speed missiles and they often overlook slow-moving drones. Three people in Michigan have been killed by what appears to be a tornado. Powerful storms off the Great Lakes are pounding the state this weekend. A controversial top-food and drug administration regulator is leaving the agency. NPR's Rob Stein has more in our story. Dr. Vinay Prasad is out as one of the FDA's top regulators. FDA Commissioner Marty McCarry thanked Prasad in announcing it's departure in a post on X. Prasad generated controversy at the FDA for a series of moves. Those included questioning the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines, rejecting a new flu vaccine using mRNA technology and derailing treatments for rare diseases, including a gene therapy for the devastating brain disorder hunting in disease.

3:02The move comes as the Trump administration has been reshuffling health officials ahead of the midterm elections. Rob Stein in pure news. And you're listening to NPR News. Fighting is continuing between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the most recent attacks launched this weekend, both sides are claiming to have killed dozens of enemy combatants and the fighting has been the deadliest since the conflict began nine days ago. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring the Pakistani Taliban which launches periodic raids against Pakistan. A new study of koalas provides hope for plants or animals that have dwindled to low numbers. NPR's Nate Roth has more. When a species population drops precipitously, it can enter what scientists call a genetic bottleneck. Few individuals mean less genetic diversity, possible inbreeding and other problems for generations to come. The new study finds that a population of koalas in Australia's south are escaping a bottleneck.

4:05Thanks to a rapid increase in their population that's helping reshuffle their genetic deck. The koalas situation is somewhat unusual. Their population boomed on an island, and later the animals were brought back to the mainland. But the findings suggest even small populations of other species. The study's authors say can recover genetic diversity, given enough time and space. Nate Roth in pure news. Boo is where heard Friday when Russian athletes entered the stage at the opening of the Paralympics in Verona, Italy. It was the first time the Russian flag made its return to the games since the 2017 winter games in Sochi. It could signal a possible full return to the Olympic circles ahead of the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles, four members represented that country. Stocks closed down on Wall Street, I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. You can send, spend, and receive, and up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps.

5:06Be smart, get wise, download the Wise app today or visit wise.com, tease and seize apply.