Lakshmi Singh

Here's NPR's Ava Berger.

That's Abe Berger reporting.

It's NPR News.

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

Early morning trading saw world oil prices soar as high as $126 a barrel over fears of an escalation in the U.S.-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, site of competing blockades that have set off a historic energy crisis.

As NPR's Aya Batraoui reports, there's no sign of relief for global markets in light of the latest responses from the leaders of Iran and the U.S.

Oil prices have settled back down to around $114 a barrel, and despite the war, the U.S.

economy has expanded.

The Commerce Department reports modest growth at a rate of 2 percent in the first quarter.

The Dow has risen 625 points, or more than 1.2 percent at last check.

President Trump says he is considering reducing the number of American troops in Germany, where the U.S.

maintains its largest military presence in Europe.

Esme Nicholson reports the president's announcement comes after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Washington for having a lack of strategy over Iran.

Maine's Governor Janet Mills is suspending her Democratic campaign for the Senate seat long held by Republican Susan Collins.

Kevin Miller with Maine Public Radio reports.

For the first time in seven years, passengers are flying nonstop between the United States and Venezuela.

The first such flight took off this morning from Miami to Caracas.

The Trump administration lifted the government's indefinite suspension on direct flights to Venezuela months after the U.S.

military seized then-President Nicolas Maduro and his wife to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

The U.S.