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NPR News Now

NPR News: 04-19-2026 8AM EDT

19 Apr 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What updates are there on the US-Iran peace talks?

0.807 - 23.374 Windsor Johnston

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The United States and Iran have not confirmed when peace talks will resume ahead of a ceasefire deadline this week, but there are signs that Islamabad is preparing to host the second round of negotiations. Betsy Jules reports Pakistan has been serving as a mediator between the two sides.

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23.654 - 43.402 Betsy Joles

There are some hints that the next round of talks might take place soon. Earlier this weekend, administrators in both Islamabad and its sister city, Rawalpindi, denied reports that commercial activity and transport were being curtailed. Then, on Sunday, they announced on social media the suspension of public transport until further notice.

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43.422 - 63.872 Betsy Joles

Another clue that preparations are underway is restricted movement in and out of Islamabad's red zone, a high-security sector that houses government buildings and most embassies. Pakistan has also not confirmed dates for talks, but says it is continuing to mediate between the two sides. For NPR News, I'm Betsy Joles in Islamabad.

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63.852 - 70.1 Windsor Johnston

No ships are crossing the Strait of Hormuz as the standoff between the US and Iran continues.

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Chapter 2: How is Pakistan mediating between the US and Iran?

70.521 - 78.131 Windsor Johnston

Neither side appears ready to back down. But as the BBC's Frank Gardner reports, some comments indicate a willingness to negotiate.

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78.471 - 99.501 Frank Gardner

The Strait of Hormuz is double shut. It was never really fully open even on Friday. The markets got very excited by simply a statement saying it is fully open. It wasn't. For a start, the U.S. naval blockade was still in place, which meant that all ships calling at Iranian ports would be turned back. And indeed, they have turned back at least 23 vessels so far.

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100.101 - 107.633 Frank Gardner

But even on the Iranian side, Iran was saying, yes, it's open, but the ships have got to come a new way that we have designated.

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Chapter 3: What is the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz?

108.033 - 113.181 Frank Gardner

And they've got to be searched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy and possibly even atolls.

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113.161 - 127.525 Windsor Johnston

The BBC's Frank Gardner reporting. Wall Street will be looking for a lot of reassurances from big companies this week. NPR's Maria Aspin reports the conflict in the Middle East has left many investors on edge.

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128.281 - 149.965 Maria Aspin

It's the height of earnings season when big companies reveal their results for the last three months and tell investors how they're feeling about the broader economy. So far, things have been looking pretty rosy, despite weeks of uncertainty over the war in Iran. JPMorgan Chase and other big banks say their customers are feeling fine and continuing to spend money.

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150.005 - 172.52 Maria Aspin

And by the end of last week, the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq had hit new highs. But this week will bring many more corporate report cards and a fuller picture of how corporate America is doing. The struggling insurance giant UnitedHealth Group is due to face investors, as is United Airlines and Elon Musk's Tesla.

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Chapter 4: How are investors reacting to the conflict in the Middle East?

173.101 - 175.024 Maria Aspin

Maria Aspin, NPR News.

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175.565 - 198.468 Windsor Johnston

This is NPR News in Washington. Crowds gathered in Kilamba, Angola to celebrate Mass with Pope Leo as he continues his trip across Africa. The tour comes after the Pope's appeals for an end to the conflict in the Middle East, which prompted criticism from the White House.

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198.929 - 205.96 Windsor Johnston

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the pontiff said remarks he made earlier in the week about peace were not aimed at President Trump.

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206.294 - 226.503 Unknown

The talk that I gave at the prayer meeting for peace a couple days ago was prepared two weeks ago, well before the president ever commented on myself and on the message of peace that I am promoting. And yet, as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not my interest at all.

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226.684 - 234.495 Windsor Johnston

Angola is the third leg of the Pope's visit to Africa. NPR's Michael Koloke has more on what's being called a landmark tour.

234.661 - 239.53 Pope Leo

Upon his arrival to the South African nation, the pontiff met with Angola's President João Lourenço.

Chapter 5: What messages did Pope Leo convey during his Africa tour?

239.79 - 257.783 Pope Leo

In an address to government officials, Pope Leo made references to Angola's former civil war, which began shortly after the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and went on until 2002. More than half a million people are believed to have been killed during the fighting. In his speech, the Pope offered words of encouragement to the Angolan people.

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257.763 - 274.649 Pope Leo

saying that they hold, quote, a joy that not even the most adverse circumstances have been able to extinguish. Pope Leo's fourth and final leg of his African visit will take him to Equatorial Guinea, a country where more than 70 percent of the population identify as Catholic. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.

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275.51 - 278.775 Windsor Johnston

I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington.

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280.274 - 291.489 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.

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Chapter 6: Why is NPR operating without federal funding this year?

291.77 - 303.666 Brittany Luce

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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