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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst.
Chapter 2: What led to Eric Swalwell ending his campaign for governor?
California Congressman Eric Swalwell has ended his campaign for governor following allegations of sexual misconduct by former female staff members. From Member Station KQED in San Francisco, Scott Schaefer has more.
In a post on X Sunday, Swalwell said he was suspending a campaign that has been imploding since multiple women alleged that the San Francisco Bay Area Democrat had sexually forced himself on them. Swalwell had been gaining momentum in the race, winning key endorsements and leading other Democrats in pre-election polls.
All that changed quickly, and more than 50 former staff members called on Swalwell to resign his seat in Congress and quit the race for governor. In his post, Swalwell said he was deeply sorry for what he called his mistakes in judgment, but he denies the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Swalwell's sudden departure adds even more turmoil to a campaign with no clear leader.
The election is June 2nd. For NPR News, I'm Scott Schaefer in San Francisco.
Chapter 3: What are the implications of the U.S. Navy's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz?
President Trump says the U.S. Navy will block the Strait of Hormuz from all ships, and the U.S. military says that starts tomorrow.
Chapter 4: How are rising fuel prices affecting protests in Ireland?
This after peace talks between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan yesterday failed to produce a deal. And here's Mara Lyson has more on what happens next.
It's not clear. Maybe the naval blockade will cause Iran to say, OK, we'll agree to the Americans' terms.
Chapter 5: What were the highlights of Rory McIlroy's recent Masters victory?
They could start negotiations again. Or Donald Trump could decide to send in ground troops. I don't know if a naval blockade is enough to forcibly open the straits.
Chapter 6: How did cold temperatures impact cherry blooms in the Northwest?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said recently that if Iran doesn't turn over its enriched uranium, the U.S. would go in and get it. But experts say that also would involve ground troops, which could be a red line politically for a lot of voters in the U.S. It also could be very risky. I guess another way this gets resolved is that Donald Trump declares victory. He's already been doing that.
Chapter 7: What is the current state of U.S. futures trading?
And he leaves Iran without his major political goals accomplished, without Iran giving up its nuclear program.
And here's Mara Liason reporting. Hundreds of petrol stations in Ireland have run out of fuel today. as protesters block roads and access to oil refineries, angry over rising fuel prices. Empire's Fatima al-Kassab has more.
For nearly a week, slow-moving convoys of tractors and trucks have blocked major highways and roads across the country, including some of the busiest streets in Ireland's capital, Dublin. Protesters are demanding more support from the government as fuel prices continue to rise, because of the US and Israel's war against Iran.
The Irish government has been meeting with farmers and truckers over the weekend and say more support is coming. But opposition party Sinn FĆ©in says they will bring a motion of no confidence in the Irish government over the crisis. Fatima Al-Kassab, NPR News, London. You're listening to NPR News.
Rory McIlroy is donning a green jacket once again after winning the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, his second in a row. He held off challenges from several players in the final round, including Scotty Scheffler. McIlroy now has won six majors.
He's the first golfer to get back-to-back wins since Tiger Woods in 2001-2002, and McIlroy's only the fourth golfer ever to win back-to-back tournaments. He gets the green jacket, but he also gets to take home the $4.5 million purse. Cold temperatures have cut down sweet cherry blooms across much of central and eastern Washington and Oregon. Northwest Public Broadcasting's Anna King has more.
First, northwest blooms were teased open by a mild winter and warm spring temperatures. Then whack! Freezing temps hit, killing the blooms before they get pollinated. Matthew Whiting is a professor who specializes in cherry trees at Washington State University Research Station in Prosser.
If there's still some pruning to do, you might be a little bit less aggressive with pruning. In other words, leaving a little bit more wood in those trees if you felt like you had significant frost damage.
The cold snaps also mowed down some asparagus, but with warmer temps now, farmers say they've got some fresh grass headed to market soon. For NPR News, I'm Anna King in Richland, Washington.
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