NPR News: 09-11-2026 12PM EDT

0:00Lai from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Across the country, flags are flying at half-staff. Bells have told names have been read aloud in memory of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed and the 9-11 terrorist attacks on U.S. oil 25 years ago today. Ceremonies have been held in New York. William F. Abrahamson. Richard Anthony Achaeta. Panric Bernard Achaeta. In Shanksville, Pennsylvania. And outside Washington, D.C., President Trump honored the families and victims of the attacks at the Pentagon. NPR's Frank Ordonia's reports Trump also used the speech to defend the administration's war against Iran. President Trump and the First Lady listened as the names of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon were read at the beginning of the 25th anniversary ceremony of the attacks.

1:03They killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington, D.C., in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In honoring those who died, Trump also sought to tie the moment to his decision to go to war in Iran. We will never, ever forget. That's where we fight today. We don't have a choice. It can only be victory. Trump spoke of American unity following the 9-11 attacks, calling it the authentic spirit of the nation. Franco, Ordonia's, NPR News. In connection to the war against Iran, diesel prices have topped $6 a gallon for the first time ever. National average is $6.5, and NPR Stephen Bessaha says it's more than just truckers paying for the higher cost at the pump. This rise in diesel prices has been rapid. It's gone up 42 cents a gallon in September alone.

2:03And since the warthoron started, diesel is up $2.30. The recent hike follows a steep increase in oil prices as the U.S. war against Iran escalates. Farmers use diesel to power equipment, and that food then gets shipped to stores and trucks also fueled by diesel. So this could drive up grocery bills. Other goods shipped across the country could also see price increases. Stephen Bessaha, NPR News. Well, more than 100,000 people turned out for the National Football League's first ever regular season game down under. They watch as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams at Australia's Melbourne Cricket Ground. Unlike the Niners, the Rams arrived only 28 hours before kickoff and kept her body clocks on California time. However, Coach Shamak-Bess says he does not believe the tight travel schedule had anything to do with the loss. This is NPR News. More fighting overnight between Russia and neighboring Ukraine with Russian drone and missiles, again striking Ukraine's capital Keeve.

3:09NPR's Charles Means has more from Moscow. For months, Ukraine has shown a capacity to strike deep in the Russian interior, part of a strategy designed to make Russians experience a war that has raged some 4.5 years. Yet Ukraine's attack on two gas facilities in Siberia's Yamal and the Nets region, from 1800 miles from the front line, is believed to be the deepest strike to date. Ukrainian drones also targeted another oil facility and logistics warehouse in the city of Saratov, and carried out strikes in the Volga grad and Tula regions. Those attacks came just a day after Ukrainian drones set fire to the lone Caspian seaport in the Republic of Dagestan and attacked the main beach promenade in Russia's resort city of Socchi, injuring more than two dozen people. Charles Means and Charnews, Moscow. Galapal shows American attitudes towards schooling is at an all-time low. Here's NPR Sequoia Corolla. Only 32% of Americans say they're satisfied with the quality of K through 12 education in the United States. The poll conducted by Gallup has measured the public's attitude towards schooling both public and private for the last 27 years.

4:14Satisfaction rates are down 11% in the past two years. At the same time, dissatisfaction is at a record high of 67%. Schools have been trying to figure out how to rebound from learning loss following the COVID-19 shutdown. Most recent attempts have come in the form of cell phone bands or restricting technology in the classroom. Succoia Corillo, NPR News. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News. This is Ira Glass. On this American life, we tell stories about when things change. Like for this guy David, whose entire life took a sharp, unexpected, and very unpleasant term. And it did take me a while to realize that it's basically because the monkey pressed the button. That's right, because the monkey pressed the button. Spreising stories every week, wherever you get your podcasts.