NPR News: 03-18-2026 5PM EDT

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Givone.

The nation's top intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard,

told Congress today that, although weakened,

Iran's government still appears to be functioning

and PR's Greg Myrie has to tail.

Syracter of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard,

described Iran's government this way

after nearly three weeks of airstrikes.

The regime in Iran appears to be intact,

but largely degraded due to attacks on its leadership

and military capabilities.

The testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee

came a day after the head of the National Counterterrorism Center

resigned to protest the Iran War.

Joe Kent said he quit because Iran didn't pose

an imminent threat to the U.S.

At the Senate hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe

said he disagreed.

He said, quote, I think Iran has been a constant threat

to the United States for an extended period of time.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

Israel's military says it is starting a broad operation

targeting crossings in southern Lebanon.

NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalshi reports from Beirut

the announcement came with new evacuation orders

for people still in South Lebanon.

While this isn't the first time the Israeli military

targets bridges in South Lebanon,

it now says it will widen attacks

and strike many crossings on the Latani River.

The Latani River is considered a buffer zone line

in the conflict.

In a statement posted on social media,

the Israeli military said the Iran-backed militant group

Hezbollah uses the crossings to transfer weapons.

The Israeli military began a ground-incursion

in South Lebanon this week and troops moved deeper

into the country.

The Israeli defense minister said those evacuated

south of the Latani River will not be allowed

to return to their homes until, quote,

the safety of northern Israeli residents is guaranteed.

Hadeel Al-Shalshi, NPR News, Beirut.

A divided Federal Reserve today voted to keep

interest rate steady.

NPR Scott Horsley reports the central bank

is trying to keep a lid on both inflation and unemployment.

Fed policymakers voted 11-to-1

to leave their benchmark interest rate unchanged.

On average, members of the Fed's

rate setting committee expected cut rates just once this year.

The labor market has shown signs of weakness in recent months.

Employers cut 92,000 jobs in February

and the unemployment rate inched up to 4.4%.

At the same time, inflation has remained sticky,

and the U.S. war with Iran could make that worse,

triggering a sharp jump in prices for both gasoline and diesel fuel.

A new report from the Labor Department shows

even before the war began, wholesale prices were rising

at the fastest pace in a year.

Fed policymakers are now projecting somewhat higher inflation

than they were three months ago.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average,

fell 768 points to close at 46,225.

The NASDAQ lost 327.

This is NPR.

At Dover Air Force Base in Delaware,

President Trump today attended the return of the remains

of six U.S. service members from the Middle East.

The six died last week when the Air Force refueling aircraft crashed

over fendly territory in Western Iraq

as they were supporting military operations against Iran.

Health officials with the Trump administration

have backed away from an effort to more heavily regulate indoor tanning.

The Food and Drug Administration made the decision earlier this week

despite protests from medical groups who warn of the dangers of skin cancer.

NPR's Will Stone has more.

The proposed regulations had been in the works for many years.

They would have banned anyone under 18 from using tanning beds

and required those who do use them to sign documents acknowledging the risks.

There is extensive research showing that tanning beds significantly increased the risk

of skin cancer, especially if you tan at a young age.

Dr. Susan Taylor is president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Science has taught us that there's really no such thing as a safe tanning bed.

A memo on the FDA's decision signed by a Secretary of Health

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. notes there were, quote,

scientific and technical concerns and possible unintended consequences

of the proposed regulations, but did not elaborate.

Will Stone and PR News.

UK Public Health Officials are acting to provide medical intervention

as a meningitis outbreak in Southeast England

has led to two student deaths, at least 20 cases of the illness

have been identified near Canterbury, antibiotics, and vaccinations are being offered.

I'm Louise Skivone and PR News, Washington.

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