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NPR News: 03-15-2026 10AM EDT

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EN

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor-Johnston.

The Iraqi government is raising concerns over the security of ISIS detainees transferred

last month by U.S. forces from Syria to Iraq.

That's after what it said were six attacks Saturday on the Baghdad Airport compound where they're being held, NPR's Jaina Raph reports. The detainees are being held in Camp Cropper, which is a facility set up and used by the U.S. military after it invaded Iraq in 2003 to hold what it called high-valued detainees, officials from Saddam Hussein's regime, and from militant groups.

U.S. forces had been based around there and had a large base at the airport. They've largely withdrawn, but they are still coming under attack. At NPR's Jaina Raph reporting, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, says the U.S. military has reached out several times seeking expertise on how to intercept and destroy Iranian-designed attack drones.

NPR's Jaina Raph reports Ukraine has responded to all these requests, even as President

Trump says he doesn't need the country's help. Zelensky made the comments during a private meeting with media outlets in Kiev, including NPR.

He said the leaders of several Middle Eastern countries have also contacted him about drone

expertise. Gulf nations are using expensive air defense missiles to take down Shaheads, which are relatively cheap in comparison. Russia also uses Shaheads to attack Ukrainian cities nearly every night, Kiev has developed inexpensive ways to destroy Shaheads using jamming and interceptor drones.

Zelensky said Ukrainian drone expertise is valuable and an exchange for helping to down Iranian drones, Ukraine is seeking funding and technology to increase its own drone production. Johanna Kakis' NPR news, Kiev. To Kiev, U.S. allies in Asia, Japan and South Korea are facing a dilemma after President Trump called on them and other nations to protect shipping through the state of Hormuz.

NPR's Anthony Qun has more from Seoul. South Korea's presidential office says it will carefully consider how to respond to President Trump's request without elaborating. Trump's request will likely top the agenda as Japan's Prime Minister, Sunai Takaychi, visits the White House on Thursday.

Japan's laws strictly limit overseas military deployments, and Tokyo had suggested that operations in the state of Hormuz might not pass legal muster. The U.S. has strained its alliances with both Seoul and Tokyo by asking both to help the U.S. counter-China. The U.S. has also triggered local concerns by reportedly withdrawing Marines from Japan

and missile defense batteries from South Korea to send to them at least, although neither has been officially confirmed by the U.S. Anthony Qun in PR News Seoul. This is NPR News. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat launch for parts of southern California and Arizona.

They could see temperatures climb above 100 degrees, along the California coast cities from San Diego, and Los Angeles, just San Francisco, could see temperatures rise into the 80s and 90s. Meteorologists mourn the early season heat could be dangerous because many people aren't yet acclimated to such high temperatures this time of year.

The death toll has continued to rise following heavy rains and flooding last week in several parts of Kenya. Michael Koloki reports officials say 62 people have been killed, and more than 2,000 families displaced. In a statement posted on social media today, the country's interior ministry said that

the highest number of fatalities were recorded in the country's capital Nairobi. Heavy rains were witnessed last week in various parts of the country, including the central western and southern regions. Parts of Kenya are prone to flooding during the country's main rainfall season, which is between the months of March to May.

This year authorities have warned of enhanced rainfall over most of the country during the

first half of this month.

Last year, hundreds of people were killed after heavy rains caused severe flooding and landslides across Kenya and neighboring Tanzania. For NPR News, a Michael Koloki in Nairobi. The Academy Awards will be handed out tonight in Los Angeles. The film, one battle after another, has dominated the award season and is widely expected

to win several top honors, comedian Conan O'Brien returns as host for the ceremony. This is NPR News in Washington On NPR's wildcard podcast, comedian Chris Fleming on his obsession with public radio zone Terry Gross.

I think there are very few mystical beings left in this world, supyons Stevens, Terry

Gross, all a Sweden Watch or listen to that wildcard conversation on the NPR app or on

YouTube at NPR Wildcard.

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