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NPR News Now

NPR News: 04-19-2026 7AM EDT

19 Apr 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What recent events have escalated tensions in the Strait of Hormuz?

0.79 - 21.442 Windsor Johnston

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Fear and confusion are growing in the Strait of Hormuz after two Indian-flagged oil tankers were attacked on Saturday after Iran reimposed restrictions in the shipping channel. Radio calls from one of the tankers were captured by ABC News.

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22.304 - 26.41 Unknown

SEPA Navy, SEPA Navy, this is Motoringa Sanmar Herald. You gave me

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26.845 - 49.297 Windsor Johnston

The attacks came a day after President Trump refused to lift a U.S. naval blockade in the Strait. India is now demanding answers, summoning the Iranian ambassador to New Delhi for talks. The attack underscores the ongoing risks in one of the world's most critical oil routes. It comes just days before the ceasefire deadline between Washington and Tehran.

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50.098 - 64.083 Windsor Johnston

The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is being tested but still holding for now. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports a French peacekeeper and an Israeli soldier were killed in southern Lebanon over the weekend.

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64.424 - 79.519 Eleanor Beardsley

President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the French soldier's death, which he said appeared to be caused by fire from Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militant group denies any responsibility. The Israeli military says a soldier was killed when his engineering vehicle ran over a bomb.

79.96 - 105.027 Eleanor Beardsley

Meanwhile, polls show most Israelis oppose the ceasefire, which comes as they believe their army was making progress in routing the group. 56-year-old Gabriel Levy is a taxi driver in Tel Aviv. We stop in the middle to finish the work. Levy also supports pursuing military operations against Iran to finish with the regime, he says, even if it means more missiles on Israel.

105.408 - 107.671 Eleanor Beardsley

Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

107.932 - 131.71 Windsor Johnston

The Senate will hold a hearing this week for President Trump's pick to lead the Federal Reserve. The nominee is expected to face questions on inflation and interest rate policy. The hearing comes amid tensions between the White House and the Senate Banking Committee. Many parts of the U.S. are facing drought conditions. As NPR's Matt Bloom reports, that's according to recent weather data.

132.382 - 149.644 Matt Bloom

The U.S. Drought Monitor says 97% of the southeastern U.S. is now in moderate to exceptional drought, while two-thirds of western states are in similar shape. That's the monitor's highest levels for this time of year since the service began tracking conditions in 2000.

Chapter 2: How is the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon holding up?

262.685 - 278.522 Windsor Johnston

The Federal Reserve says interest rate cuts may be delayed longer than expected. They cite persistent inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty. Rising energy costs tied to the war in Iran are adding pressure. This is NPR News.

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280.257 - 303.666 Brittany Luce

This year, for the first time in NPR's history, public media is operating without federal funding. That means NPR needs your support now more than ever. I'm Brittany Luce from It's Been a Minute. Please do your part to keep independent, reliable news coverage strong and support the podcasts that get you through the day by making a gift for public media giving days. Head over to donate.npr.org.

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