NPR News: 03-12-2026 4AM EDT

0:00Who should win the Oscar for the best original song this year? On the latest all songs considered from NPR music, we rank the nominees. I think Diane Warren should have won two Academy Awards. The problem is very often the lyrics are not much more insightful than you would find on the nearest throw pillow. Here's the NPR music podcast on the NPR app or wherever you get podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Israel continues to hit what it says our regime targets in the Iranian capitals to Ron fires back into Israel. Multiple countries in the Persian Gulf say they've been intercepting missiles and drones as NPR's carry con reports. Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly when staying central Israel as residents scrambled into shelters. Defense Minister Israel Kat said the war in Iran will quote, continue without any time limit until we decisively win the campaign. In the UAE military officials say its air defense systems responded to incoming

1:00missiles and drones from Iran. Saudi Arabia Kuwait and Qatar also said their systems intercepted incoming missiles. According to a UK maritime organization, three ships in the strait of Hormuz were hit by projectiles, carry con NPR News Tel Aviv. More than a dozen ships have been attacked in the Gulf since the beginning of the war. The latest beating to fuel tankers off the coast of Iraq near the port city of Basra. The attacks approach shipping to a virtual stand still on royal energy markets. The Trump administration is planning to release 172 million barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum reserve, part of a wider release of a record 400 million barrels coordinated by the Paris-based International Energy Agency. NPR's Honor Beardsley reports. IEA General Director Fetty Beirole said the current conflict is having significant impact on global oil and gas markets, with major implications for energy security, energy affordability, and the global economy. Beirole said that global energy supplies have decreased

2:04by 20% forcing the IEA to act. To launch the largest ever release of emergency oil stocks in our agency's history. Emergency stocks have only been released five times before, during the first Gulf War, Hurricane Katrina, the Libyan Civil War, and twice since Russia invaded Ukraine. Beirole said a return to stability would only come with the resumption of transit through the strait of Hormuz. Eleanor Beardsley in Pair News, Paris. To Norway, where three brothers have been arrested and connection with an attack on the US Embassy in Oslo earlier this week, Terry Schultz reports. Norwegian authorities are calling it a terrorist bombing. The three detained men are Norwegian citizens of Iraqi origin in their 20s without prior criminal records, according to law enforcement. Investigators say they still don't know the motive for the incident, in which an explosive device was detonated at the US Embassy early Sunday. In a press conference, a police prosecutor said they're exploring several hypotheses, including whether the attack was done on instructions from a foreign government.

3:08Norway's security service warned last month that Iran may try to use local proxies to carry out attacks. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Norway. And you're listening to NPR News. President Trump's war with Iran is angering some swing state voters who want the administration focused on tackling mounting economic pressures facing most Americans. NPR observed two online focus groups Tuesday night with voters from Michigan. NPR is actually Lopez reports. These focus groups were held by marketing agency engages in research firms say go each of the 12 voters who participated supported Joe Biden in 2020 and then Trump in 2024. None of the 12 said they disapprove of what the US is doing in Iran. Brandon a 37 year old independent voter is among them. Participants agreed to be part of the focus groups on condition. They be identified by their first names. Brandon says he's concerned about the economic effects of the war. I feel like we're stretched too thin and the cost of

4:09gas has gone 20 cents in my neighborhood. I feel like we always have money for bombs but no money for infrastructure. Many of the participants said they would prefer American tax dollars be spent at home. Ashley Lopez and P.R. News. Trump administration is moving to try to replace the tariff struck down by the Supreme Court. The administration is kicking off a new process starting unfair trade practice investigations under section 3-0-1 of the trade act of 1974 to try to charge new import taxes. US trade representative James and Greer told reporters Wednesday the process could lead to new tariffs imposed by this summer. Oil prices briefly shut out more than 9 percent early today amid concern about Iranian attacks on shipping around the strait of Fort Moose. They've since fallen back a bit but still elevated. I'm Jail Snyder. This is P.R. News.