NPR News: 03-07-2026 3PM EST

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nur Rahm. The Lebanese government says it wants to crack down on the Iran-banked militant group Hezbollah and to restore power back to its own army. Israel began a ramped-up military campaign in South Lebanon against Hezbollah after it launched rockets into northern Israel last week. Lebanese officials say nearly 300 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the war in Iran began, and says more than 100,000 displaced people are in shelters. NPR's Hadeel Al-Shelchi reports. In a rare move, Justice Minister Hayden Nassad has proposed to charge the leader of the militant group Hezbollah with, quote,, dragging Lebanon into war and tampering with security. That's according to a Lebanese government official who was not authorized to speak to the media. While the Lebanese cabinet did not take any action, this is the sharpest rebuke a Lebanese member of government has made against Hezbollah. Last week, the government banned all Hezbollah military activity and issued arrest warrants

1:00for the members who launched rockets into Israel. Lebanon's leaders say they're trying to rein in Hezbollah and make clear that the government speaks for the country. Hadeel Al-Shelchi, NPR News, Beirut. The UN's top humanitarian official says the conflict in Iran is costing nearly $900 million a day. President Trump is demanding what he calls unconditional surrender. While U.S. and Israeli strikes continue against Iran, Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks, raising fears of a wider, Middle East conflict. 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. It tears through markets, supply chains, food prices.

2:02And he says when that happens, the world's most vulnerable people tend to suffer the consequences. Michelle Kellman and NPR News, the State Department. Ukrainian officials say Russia launched a missile and drone attack on the northeast city of Harkiv overnight, killing at least eight people. The mayor says they were an apartment building that was struck by a missile. President Vladimir Zelensky says Russia also continues to target the energy sector and rail infrastructure. The National Weather Service predicts more severe weather today across the middle part of the U.S. Tornado is killed six people yesterday, four in Michigan and two in Oklahoma. In Begs, Oklahoma, emergency chief James Nicholson damaged was extensive. In home, according to my crews, was completely leveled. The storm's also brought down trees and power lines. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. A new study of Kuala's provides hope for plants or animals that have dwindled to low numbers.

3:06NPR's Nate Rod has more. When a species population drops precipitously, it can enter what scientists call a genetic bottleneck. Through individuals mean less genetic diversity, possible inbreeding and other problems for generations to come. The new study finds that a population of Kuala's in Australia south are escaping a bottleneck, thanks to a rapid increase in their population that's helping reshuffle their genetic deck. The Kuala 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 Rod and NPR News. Weeks of events to honor the late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson wrapped up in Chicago today at the headquarters of his Rainbow Push Coalition.

4:07This was a more intimate gathering than yesterday's televised service that attracted former presidents, governors, and residents, his family invited activists, allies, and longtime friends, such as Stevie Wonder. We have loved each other and supported each other through the good and the bad. I knew his heart, respected his mind and trusted his soul. Jesse Jackson died last month at the age of 84. I'm Noor Rahm, NPR News in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a Prime Membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.