NPR News Now
NPR News Now

NPR News: 03-31-2026 12PM EDT

March 31, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

This NPR News Now episode from March 31, 2026, leads with economic fallout from the U.S. war with Iran, including surging gasoline prices, before covering a Supreme Court free speech ruling, NASA's Artemis II preparations, and a mix of domestic stories like a deadlocked corruption trial and a renamed California holiday.

Middle East Tensions Drive Up Oil and Gas Prices

Gasoline prices have surpassed $4 per gallon nationwide as oil costs climb amid the U.S. war with Iran. An oil tanker carrying oil was struck by Iran off Dubai's coast, sparking a fire that took hours to contain, though no leakage was reported. Iranian missiles were intercepted over Dubai skies Tuesday morning, producing loud booms; Iran claimed they targeted U.S. Marines and the United Arab Emirates near a military base outside Dubai. Dubai has historically hosted U.S. Navy ships as a port.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:04) **Gasoline Prices Exceed $4/Gallon** - Economic fallout from US-Iran war as oil prices climb
  • 2 (00:14) **Iran Attacks Oil Tanker Off Dubai** - Fire on carrying oil contained after hours, no leakage reported
  • 3 (00:47) **Iranian Missiles Intercepted Over Dubai** - Targeting US Marines and UAE near military base amid US troop deployments
  • 4 (01:07) **Iran-UAE Residency Revocations** - Iran expels 1,200 Emiratis in response to UAE actions against Iranians
  • 5 (01:22) **UAE Closes Iranian Institutions** - Shuts regime-linked groups and Revolutionary Guard operations found misused
  • 6 (01:33) **Defense Secretary Visits Troops** - Pete Hagseth's unannounced Middle East trip reveals high US morale
  • 7 (01:44) **Supreme Court Strikes Down Conversion Therapy Ban** - 8-1 ruling against Colorado law for LGBTQ+ minors over free speech concerns

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Show Notes

NPR News: 03-31-2026 12PM EDT

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