NPR News: 03-12-2026 4PM EDT

A violent attack on a synagogue in suburban Detroit, a shooting on a Virginia college campus, and the first public statement from Iran’s new Supreme Leader dominated the news on March 12, 2026. The developments come alongside continued volatility in oil markets, a slight uptick in mortgage rates, and new research showing that global physical inactivity levels have not improved in two decades.

Attack on Temple Israel in Michigan

Schools and houses of worship in the Detroit area are on alert after a violent attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. According to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, the suspect rammed his truck into the synagogue. Security at the temple saw the suspect and engaged him in gunfire. Once inside, the vehicle became engulfed in flames, sending plumes of smoke out the top and front of the building. The suspect was found dead and badly burned inside. One security guard was struck by the vehicle and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No one else was hurt. Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Shooting at Old Dominion University