NPR News: 03-08-2026 10AM EDT

0:00This message comes from duck.ai. Looking for AI that protects your data? Go to duck.ai-nPR to chat privately with popular AIs. It's free. No account required. By duck.go, where AI is always optional. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Skivone. Attacks by Iran and its paramilitary proxies have intensified in Iraq and the country's Kurdistan region. This weekend rockets hit the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. NPR's Jaina Raf has more. Iran and the Iraqi militias at Bax hit a hotel used by the UN in the city of Soleimania, as well as a brigade of Kurdish fighters and an Iranian opposition base near the Kurdistan region's second city. Kamala and Iranian armed opposition groups at its base near Soleimania was hit by a missile Saturday, killing one of its fighters and wounding another. In the regional capital, Erbil, grown attacks at the airport compound where U.S. forces are based,

1:02killed a member of the region's internal security forces, the provincial governor told NPR. The Iraqi government pledged to arrest militia members at Blaine for rocket attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Saturday. Security sources said one of the rockets hit the Embassy's helicopter landing pad. Jaina Raf and NPR News, Erbil. President Trump has sharpened his invective against Britain's Prime Minister despite reports that the UK is preparing to send an aircraft carrier to the Gulf region. Vicki Barker has more. In his social media post reported widely by British news outlets. Trump said the U.S. doesn't need any British aircraft carriers and accused Kier's starmer of, quote, trying to join war's weave already one. Britain's Prime Minister, it appears, won't soon be forgiven for his initial reluctance to allow U.S. warplanes bound for Iran access to British air bases. While Starmer has not responded directly to Trump's post, he earlier wrote in the Sunday mirror

2:04that, quote, at moments like this, the country needs seriousness not political games. Though that was an apparent reference to the sniping he's come in for from Britain's opposition politicians. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. A federal judge has struck down Trump administration official Kerry Lake's actions to dismantle voice of America, saying that she did not have legal authority to do so. NPR's David Fokenflick reports Lake plans to appeal. Lake sought to lay off more than a thousand journalists from the U.S. owned global network and its sister network, serving Cuba. And she tried to kill federal funding for radio free Asia and radio free Europe radio liberty. NPR first reported on the legality of Lake status last August. For example, we repeatedly asked for any evidence she had been named acting CEO of the agency by President Trump as required for that job. None arrived. U.S. District Court Judge Roy C. Lamberth wrote that Lake, quote, satisfies the requirements of neither this statute nor the Constitution.

3:06Lake tells NPR that Lamberth is an activist judge trying to stand in the way of Trump's agenda. David Fokenflick, NPR News. This is NPR. 61 years after state troopers attack civil rights marchers on the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama and what became known as Bloody Sunday, thousands are gathering there this weekend. The violence shocked the nation and helped spur passage of the Voting Rights Act. Troy Public Radio's Kyle Gassett reports that a special service will be held to honor civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson. Today's bridge crossing will be one of the few that Jackson will not physically be present, but as contributions to the civil rights movement and the many times he participated in the march will be remembered. Jackson, who died last month, was moved to join the movement in 1965 when he heard reports of fellow black protesters being beaten in Selma by Alabama state troopers as they marched for the right to vote. Events to honor Jackson will be held before and after

4:08the bridge crossing reenactments as organizers attempt to draw attention to what they say are threats to voting rights. For NPR News, I'm Kyle Gassett in Montgomery, Alabama. The war in Iran is affecting energy markets, ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is stalled, prices are higher for oil, natural gas and gasoline. The average price of gas has risen above $3 a gallon for the first time since early December. Triple A says the average cost of a gallon of gas nationwide is now 341 up around 43 cents from a week ago and diesel and jet fuel prices are also higher. President Trump is down-playing the idea of turning to the nation's strategic petroleum reserve. I'm Louise Skivone and NPR News, Washington. This message comes from Mint Mobile. If you're tired of spending hundreds on big wireless bills, bogus fees and free perks, Mint Mobile might be right for you with plans starting from 15 bucks a month. Shop plans today at mintmobile.com slash switch.

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