Conflict on Iran; TSA again pay; DHS asylum course of : NPR

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At present's prime tales Iran is allowing some ships to move by the Strait of Hormuz, however most oil and fuel tankers stay trapped. President Trump has repeatedly insisted that Iran needs a deal to finish the conflict, but he has deployed hundreds of U.S. troops to the Center East. The president has additionally warned of the U.S. taking potential actions to grab or destroy Iran's oil and Khrag Island, house to Iran's predominant oil processing facility. Because the preventing continues, NPR confirmed that greater than a dozen U.S. service members have been injured and two E-3 Sentry plane have been broken in an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabian air base on Friday.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x4858+0+896/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2F06%2F819e73674ee5bbbd01517654b242%2Fap26089566450645.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x4858+0+896/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2F06%2F819e73674ee5bbbd01517654b242%2Fap26089566450645.jpg" class="img" alt="A member of police special forces stands guard on top of a vehicle in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday." loading="lazy"/> A member of police particular forces stands guard on prime of a automobile in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday. Vahid Salemi/AP cover caption

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Vahid Salemi/AP 🎧 NPR's Aya Batrawy, who's in Dubai, tells Up First that folks there are adjusting to a brand new regular as a result of they're unaccustomed to assaults. Missiles by no means struck the town earlier than this conflict, which is why Dubai, a secure haven, does not have shelters. One distinction Batrawy has observed within the metropolis is fighter jets overhead chasing and taking pictures down Iranian-made Shahed drones, that are comparatively low-cost to supply and may trigger intensive harm. Pakistan says it's ready to host Iran and the U.S. for a gathering within the coming days, however no indicators point out that's occurring. The Trump administration says U.S. diplomacy is working, which is why some ships are passing by the strait. Nevertheless, Iran says there are not any talks with the U.S.

Transportation Safety officers began receiving their first paychecks yesterday after greater than 40 days of the Division of Homeland Safety being shut down. Nevertheless, the partial authorities shutdown just isn't over but and uncertainty looms about when they may obtain their subsequent paycheck.

🎧 TSA employees nonetheless haven't obtained the complete quantity they're owed, inflicting anxiousness and concern, Johnny Jones, a union chief who represents TSA employees, tells NPR. Most safety screeners have obtained two full paychecks they've missed, however TSA employees are nonetheless ready to be paid for a part of a 3rd missed paycheck, DHS says. It's unclear the place the funds are coming from since Congress did not acceptable them. Many Trump administration critics are questioning the legality of the White Home taking this motion. NPR's Joel Rose says safety traces at U.S. airports have been a lot shorter yesterday, displaying good preliminary indicators that enterprise is getting nearer to regular. Nevertheless, the fallout from this occasion is probably going not within the rearview mirror but attributable to greater than 500 TSA officers quitting throughout the shutdown, based on DHS. DHS has lifted its ban on reviewing asylum functions. The processing maintain will stay for 36 international locations labeled as "excessive threat" and topic to journey restrictions to the U.S. In November 2025, the Trump administration halted processing for some 4 million asylum functions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Providers. The choice for the pause got here as a part of a slew of restrictions on immigration after an Afghan nationwide allegedly shot two Nationwide Guardsmen in Washington, D.C.

Life recommendation <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1900x1069+0+99/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc3%2F45%2Fb8b074bf44758fcb0ff7e38cb5df%2Fgettyimages-1302774918-1.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1900x1069+0+99/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc3%2F45%2Fb8b074bf44758fcb0ff7e38cb5df%2Fgettyimages-1302774918-1.jpg" class="img" alt="Man with open head and happy rainbow wave from inside his brain around with cloud. " loading="lazy"/>

Nuthawut Somsuk/Getty Photos Discovering the silver lining can really feel futile at instances, however optimism can turn out to be useful no matter your scenario. In contrast to pessimism, which helps people survive by imagining worst-case situations, optimism can extra successfully clear up issues within the trendy world, says behavioral scientist and psychologist Deepika Chopra. Plus, Chopra says one of the best half is that anybody can prepare themselves to see the glass as half full. Take this quiz to search out out your degree of optimism, then discover ways to prepare your self to grow to be extra optimistic with these methods:

➡️ Make a "ta-da record" which is able to recount all your accomplishments for the day, regardless of how large or small.➡️ To keep away from being overwhelmed with all of the dangerous stuff that would occur sooner or later, schedule some "fear time" into your day. Use the designated time to undergo your record of worries and ask your self in the event you can management, change or let go of the concern.➡️ Observe the "7/10 rule" for affirmations wherein you select an announcement you are no less than 70% assured about. Then preserve constructing on these affirmations till you imagine it 100%. For extra of the science behind optimism and manifestation, hearken to this episode of NPR's Life Equipment. Subscribe to the Life Equipment e-newsletter for skilled recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.

At present's pay attention <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3240x1823+0+133/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2F2a%2F03f3dc0d479d8f1e693c6431ccd6%2Fd-dwyer-aura-v-npr-12.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3240x1823+0+133/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2F2a%2F03f3dc0d479d8f1e693c6431ccd6%2Fd-dwyer-aura-v-npr-12.jpg" class="img" alt="On Tuesday March 24, 2026, 2026 Grammy award winners Aura V. and Fyütch (Harold Simmons II) enjoy a morning musical practice session in their home recording space. They sing their hit "Harmony". Photo by Dee Dwyer for NPR" loading="lazy"/> On Tuesday March 24, 2026, 2026 Grammy award winners Aura V. and Fyütch (Harold Simmons II) take pleasure in a morning musical observe session of their house recording house. They sing their hit "Concord". Photograph by Dee Dwyer for NPR Dee Dwyer for NPR cover caption

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Dee Dwyer for NPR In February, 8-year-old Aura V and her dad, Harold Simmons II, who makes use of the stage identify Fyütch, made historical past. They gained a Grammy for Finest Kids's Music Album for Concord, making Aura the youngest-ever individually named Grammy winner. The album's 13 songs, which took over two years to jot down and report, comply with themes of affection, positivity and inclusion. Simmons says he wished the album to seize the life he wished to mannequin for his daughter whereas "making dope beats." However what does life seem like for the younger lady after profitable the Grammy? NPR spoke to her about her life now. Take heed to her story and snippets from the album.

3 issues to know earlier than you go <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4256x2395+0+138/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd3%2F61%2Fd0edfeb1445480d41743442357d6%2Fgettyimages-584617150.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4256x2395+0+138/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd3%2F61%2Fd0edfeb1445480d41743442357d6%2Fgettyimages-584617150.jpg" class="img" alt="Statues of d'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers in Condom, France." loading="lazy"/> Statues of d'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers in Condom, France. Arterra/Common Photos Group through Getty Photos cover caption

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Arterra/Common Photos Group through Getty Photos Archaeologists might have discovered the stays of d'Artagnan, the swashbuckling swordsman of The Three Musketeers, below the tiles of a Netherlands church close to the place he died preventing greater than 3 1/2 centuries in the past.Anthony Palmini has grow to be a number one determine within the "romantasy" audio publishing world — an exploding e book style that mixes romance with fantasy. Final yr, he recorded greater than 50 e book titles. This yr, he is on observe to double that.BTS's new album, Arirang, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart this week after promoting roughly 532,000 copies. The group's success extends to the Scorching 100 singles chart as their music "Swim" debuted at No. 1. This text was edited by Yvonne Dennis.