NPR News: 03-17-2026 2PM EDT

0:00This message comes from ODO. If you are currently overpaying on software to run your business, remember this number, 10,000. That's the number of new businesses that join ODO per month. Join ODO today at odu.com, that's odo.com. Lie from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump is lashing out at NATO leaders who do not want to get involved in the U.S. or against Iran. He blasts them on his truth, social, and while speaking to reporters at the White House today. NPR's Franco Ordonia reports Trump called the decision shocking. Trump pressed allies for help to protect oil ships crossing through the strait of our news. He said he was disappointed at their reluctance considering how much support the U.S. has contributed to European interests, including the war in Ukraine. Trump told reporters that NATO leaders were making a foolish mistake. I've long said that I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us.

1:03So this was a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there. Several European, Western, and Asian leaders, including from Germany, Italy, and Japan, said this week that they would not participate in military efforts to reopen the strait, which accounts for 20 percent of the world's oil supply. Franco, Ordonia's, NPR News, the White House. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling for a change in Cuban leadership a day after President Trump called the Caribbean island a, quote, weekend nation that he could take over. Rubio, who is of Cuban heritage, addressed reporters today, is millions of people on the island wait for electricity to be fully restored following another nationwide blackout. NPR's Ada Peralta says this comes amid an oil blockade by the U.S. President Diaz Canal blamed the U.S. for, quote, cruelly squeezing energy resources. And that has made the situation in Cuba worse, because the country depends on imported oil to run its thermal power plants. And for three months now, Cuba hasn't received any oil.

2:06NPR's Ada Peralta reporting nearly 130 Democratic members of Congress are calling on the federal government to prevent a funding shortfall for reproductive health clinics in the U.S. NPR Selena Simmons-defin says this follows the administration's release of its Title 10 funding guidance. Title 10 allows thousands of health centers around the country to provide free and low-cost birth control, cancer screening, and testing for sexually transmitted infections to people without insurance. This year, grantees were given just one week to complete their applications. Usually they have three or four months. Peter Coleman runs the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association. She worries Title 10 grantees might have to cut staff or hours or even services if there's a delay in funding. That's all going to be on the table on the 1st of April, if these awards don't come out on time. The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to NPR's request for comment.

3:07Selena Simmons-defin and Pierre News, Washington. Under the last check on Wall Street, the Dow is up 144 points. You're listening to NPR News. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is being subpoenaed to testify before Congress about possible mismanagement of a federal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The Republican Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform James Comer sent a letter to Bondi and C.C. ranking member Robert Garcia on it. He says lawmakers have questions about the Justice Department's examination of Epstein's and Associate Elaine Maxwell's sex abuse crimes against women and children. The DOJ has been accused of failing to comply with the law to disclose all documents related to Epstein who died by suicide in 2019. President Trump is taking aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom, criticizing him for his learning disabilities. Newsom is widely rumored to be a potential presidential candidate.

4:07Here's NPR's Danaki Mitha. President Trump said this. The President of the United States, Gavin Newsom, admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia, everything about him is dumb. Trump said Newsom's learning disabilities should disqualify him from running for president. Newsom has spoken openly about his dyslexia. He takes rigorous notes and often commits speeches to memory. When asked about Trump's latest comments, Newsom's team responded with a link to a video of that very same clip, poking fun at the fact that President Trump mistakenly refers to Newsom as the president of the United States. Newsom's caption reads, quote, no thank you, we believe in free elections. Janaki Mitha and Pair News. This message comes from Kachava. Sometimes you crave a treat while prioritizing your wellness goals. Kachava's newest coffee flavor is the perfect treat. This all-in-one nutrition shake delivers bold flavor from decaffeinated Brazilian beans,

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