NPR News: 03-09-2026 8PM EDT

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. President Trump held a news conference in Miami today as the U.S.-Israel-led war with Iran enters its second week and gas prices continue to soar. Trump says the U.S. is achieving major strides towards completing its military objective. NPR's Sage Miller has more. Trump says the U.S. has begun targeting Iran's drone manufacturing facilities. We know all of the places they manufacture the drones and they're being hit One after another. Trump also says the U.S. is attacking the facilities where Iranian missiles are made and delivered. But he says some of the biggest targets, like electricity production, remain. Oil prices surged after the war prompted the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively choking off a key route. Trump had this warning for Iran if they try to stop the global oil supply chain. We'll take them out so quickly, they'll never be able to recover, ever. Trump says the U.S. is ahead of its initial timeline, but he didn't say when the war would likely end. Sage Miller, NPR News. The State Department says it has offered advice to 23 Americans to help them leave countries that have been targeted with Iranian missiles and drones as the U and Israel bomb Iran NPR Michelle Kellerman reports that most Americans are finding commercial routes out The State Department has been running a 24-7 hotline to give Americans advice on how to leave. There have been more than two dozen evacuation charters, but the agency says most Americans have declined assistance when offered. It says most U.S. citizens are either booking their own commercial options or staying in the region. Embassies across the Middle East are closed to the public, providing only emergency services for Americans. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, which was hit by two Iranian drones last week, was the latest to go on what's called ordered departure, when non-essential personnel and family members have to leave. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department. Members of Maryland's congressional delegation made an unannounced visit to the federal ICE detention facility in Baltimore today. From member station WYPR, Scott Mazzoni reports they say conditions at the facility are deplorable. Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks called the facility in Baltimore unfit for animals, describing a cell that had one toilet and concrete benches holding dozens of people The facility at one point held more than 225 people A judge recently ruled that the facility could only house 55 Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke after the meeting with ICE staff. But a judge said that is absolutely inhumane and put that cap on it. They say they understand the ruling from last Friday. They're still looking through it. The ruling comes after a leaked video showed crowded conditions and follows recent reports of a deadly bacteria in the building. For NPR News, I'm Scott Mascione in Baltimore. U.S. stocks rose today after a major reversal. This is NPR News from Washington. Australia has granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women's soccer team who were visiting for the Women's Asian Cup last month before the start of the Iran war. It comes after President Trump urged Australia to grant asylum to any team member who wanted it. The team was facing the prospect of returning to a country under bombardment. Dozens of countries are meeting in Jamaica this week to develop rules for mining the deep sea. Some are pushing to harvest critical minerals to use in batteries and other technology, as NPR's Lauren Sommer reports. More than 10 feet below the surface of the ocean there are potato rocks on the seafloor They polymetallic nodules which grow slowly over millions of years accumulating metals like nickel and cobalt With demand for batteries growing mining companies are pushing to start commercially harvesting them. Ocean scientists say that could hurt the deep sea ecosystem, where the majority of life is still unknown to science. Countries are meeting this week to negotiate rules about mining in international waters. The Trump administration is not part of that process and is moving ahead on its own with permitting deep sea mining. Lauren Sommer, NPR News. Denmark is debating whether top-level cooking counts as art and the country's most theatrical restaurants sit at the center of it. The culture ministry is exploring formal recognition for gastronomy. Some chefs say food can carry ideas, emotion and social messages like modern performance art. They also say art status could unlock public funding and private grants, but others say food has a different purpose, which must be consumed. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.