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NPR News: 03-11-2026 10PM EDT

March 12, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The U.S. will release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of a coordinated international effort to stabilize global markets disrupted by the war with Iran. The International Energy Agency’s 32 member countries unanimously agreed to their largest-ever emergency stockpile release, making 400 million barrels available. IEA executive director Fatih Birol announced the figure directly: "I repeat, four hundred million barrels of oil available." Nearly 40% of those barrels will come from the U.S. reserve, released gradually over the next four months. Experts caution that tapping stockpiles can only partially address the disruption to oil trade caused by the war.

U.N. Security Council Condemns Iran

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:04) **U.S. to Release 172 Million Barrels from Strategic Petroleum Reserve** - Part of a coordinated 400 million barrel release from 32 IEA countries to stabilize markets disrupted by the war with Iran.
  • 2 (00:50) **UN Security Council Condemns Iran** - Resolution drafted by Bahrain passes with Russia and China abstaining; 135 countries co-sponsor.
  • 3 (01:41) **Trump Attacks Republican Congressman Thomas Massey at Kentucky Rally** - President calls Massey "the worst person" and a "disaster for our party" in Hebron, Kentucky.
  • 4 (02:49) **Inflation Remains Elevated as Gas Prices Rise** - February data shows persistent inflation, with March data expected to push it even higher.
  • 5 (03:00) **Lyft Agrees to Nationwide Settlement on Service Animal Rights** - Minnesota settlement requires Lyft to train drivers and warn them of platform removal for violations.
  • 6 (03:28) **UK to Abolish Hereditary Seats in House of Lords** - Move ends centuries-old tradition of inherited parliamentary seats.
  • 7 (04:19) **NASA's Van Allen Probe A Crashes in Pacific Ocean** - Probe studied Earth's radiation belts for seven years before ceasing operations.

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NPR News: 03-11-2026 10PM EDT

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