NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-16-2026 12AM EDT

Episode Date: March 16, 2026

NPR News: 03-16-2026 12AM EDTTo manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. As President Trump returned to Washington from Florida, he told reporters he had, quote, demanded that about seven nations that are heavily reliant on the Middle East oil join the coalition to protect the critical straight-of-horm moves, of which about 20 percent of the world's oil flows through. Trump did not say what nations that he had spoken with, but did say they should come in and, quote, protect their own territory. aboard Air Force One Sunday night, Trump discussed the military situation in the strait. It only takes a couple of people to screw up the strait, a couple of terrorists.

You don't need their military is to beat it, but all you need is a few people dropping mines here and there. You know, you're lous enough. Iran over the weekend threatened to strike the oil infrastructure of its neighbor, the United Arab Emirates. In the first two weeks of the U.S. war with Iran, the average gasoline prices, has surged to $3.70 a gallon, that's according to AAA. Crude oil prices are now hovering about $100 a barrel. But as the war continues, the Trump administration insists the spike in prices will be short-lived. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

During the war, Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for the world's oil and economy. But energy secretary, Chris Wright, told ABC News, the war will, quote, certainly end soon. The conflict will come to the end in the next few weeks. And we'll see a rebound in supplies and a pushing down of prices after that. The Energy Secretary then argued the war will ultimately make gas cheaper. This is short-term pain to get through to a much better place where the Middle East can no longer be held hostage by the one rogue nation in Iran. But Wright also said, quote, there's no guarantees in wars. Luke Garrett and Piran News, Washington.

The 98th Academy Awards saw one big after a. another win big with six awards including best picture director supporting actor and casting the academy awards also brought some other surprises here's npr's bob mondello best actress went as widely expected to jesse buckley who played will shakespeare's wife aeneas in the historical drama hamness the women in my family see things what do you see i see landscape undiscovered countries michael b jordan took home best actor for playing two characters, the Smokestack Brothers, Smoke and Stack, in the blues-inflicted thriller, Sinners. Sorry, I couldn't keep you safe.

Don't be sorry. You always be. Seriously unhinged characters dominated the supporting categories. Sean Penn, who already has two best actor Oscars, one best supporting actor, for his volatile Colonel Lockjaw in one battle after another. And best supporting actress went to Amy Madigan's Witchie Aunt Gladys in the horror film Weapons. Bob Mandelo, NPR News.

And you're listening to NPR News. The United States has advanced to the finals of the preseason world baseball classic Tuesday night in Miami by hanging on to beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 Sunday night. The U.S. will not play the winner of Monday's other semi-final game between Venezuela and Italy. Home runs from shortstop Gunner Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony Pace, the American team, which also played solid defense behind the starting pitching of Paul Skeens of the Pittsburgh Pirates. A line of thunderstorms with high winds is stretching through Arkansas,

Tennessee, and into the Ohio Valley. Tornado watches are in effect. Camilla Burris from member station WPLN reports from Nashville. The weather could cause extensive power outages. Heavy rain and wind gusts as high as 75 miles per hour are sweeping through much of Middle Tennessee in southern Kentucky. Meteorologists are categorizing the severe storms as a level three out of five risk and are expecting the most impact to hit in the early morning hours. A cold front will follow with temperatures dropping down to the low 30s. This may include light snow and a hard freeze by Monday evening. A recent ice storm left thousands of Tennesseans without power for days, but city officials say they are prepared for potential power outages caused by high winds and broken trees. For NPR news,

in Nashville. Trade and economic negotiations between the United States and China have begun in Paris. The talks are expected to pave the way for talks later this month between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. I'm Dan Ronan, NPR News. Support.