NPR News: 05-01-2026 8PM EDT
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What recent changes occurred in Louisiana's congressional races?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Louisiana officials suspended congressional races this week after the Supreme Court invalidated the state's congressional map. Aubrey Juhasz of member station WWNO reports candidates and voters are now challenging the decision.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts. Plaintiffs argue Louisiana's governor doesn't have the authority to cancel elections and challenge the move on procedural grounds. Absentee ballots have already been distributed and in some cases returned. In a statement, Louisiana's attorney general said the state had to suspend House races after the Supreme Court ruled its current map an unconstitutional gerrymander. And a lower court told the state this week it can't use the map for any election. The governor's executive order asks the legislature to approve a new map quickly so House primaries can be held in time for the November election. Early voting starts Saturday.
What is China's stance on the Strait of Hormuz and U.S.-Iran relations?
For NPR News, I'm Aubrey Juhasz in New Orleans.
China's ambassador to the U.N. is urging Iran and the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And he says if the waterway is still closed when President Trump visits China later this month, this will be a major theme of the trip, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
As he takes over the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council, China's Ambassador Fu Tsong says the Strait of Hormuz needs to open as quickly as possible.
And that actually applies to both sides. Iran needs to lift its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. needs to lift its naval restrictions.
How are soaring oil prices affecting Exxon and gasoline prices?
The Chinese ambassador denies his country is cooperating with Iran's military and calls U.S. sanctions on Chinese ships and companies, quote, illegitimate. He's urging the U.S. and Iran to keep a ceasefire in place and negotiate in good faith. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.
Soaring oil prices have boosted Exxon's profits in the real world, but can mess with how they look on paper, as NPR's Camilla Dominovsky reports.
Big oil companies buy and sell promises for future oil as well as physical barrels of oil. When prices suddenly spike, Exxon logs losses on paper trades and gets profits on physical sales. But the losses show up before the profits, so they're doing even better than the numbers make it seem. Exxon CEO Darren Woods says he expects oil prices to rise further.
What new tariffs is President Trump planning to impose on the EU?
I think it's obvious to most that if you look at the unprecedented disruption in the world's supply of oil and natural gas, the market hasn't seen the full impact of that yet.
High oil prices have pushed up gasoline prices in the U.S., made worse in recent days by a refinery outage in the Midwest. Camila Dominovsky, NPR News.
The price of gasoline rose another 8 percent this week. The national average price for a gallon of regular gas is now $4.39. It's NPR News. President Trump says he'll increase the tariffs on cars and trucks from the EU next week to 25%. Trump said online that the EU is not complying with a fully agreed-to trade deal, though he did not specify his objections. The deal with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last summer set a 15% tariff on most goods. The West African country of Mali is still reeling after militants launched attacks and are now blockading roads leading to several cities, including the capital.
What is the current situation regarding the blockade in Mali?
Authorities in neighboring Burkina Faso say they're working to prevent similar attacks there, as NPR's Jewel Bright reports.
At least three of the six major roads leading to Bamako have been closed by militants, according to residents. A total blockade has also been imposed on the nearby town of Segu, leaving thousands of people stranded on major roads. The blockades are being mounted by the Al-Qaeda-linked Jinim group, which carried out large-scale attacks over the weekend alongside Tuareg separatist rebels. Last year, Genie militants mounted a fuel blockade on Bamako, causing severe fuel shortages in the city. On Tuesday, Tuareg rebels called on Russian forces who have been fighting alongside Mali's army to leave the country.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What recent changes occurred in Louisiana's congressional races?
0:00–0:59
2
What is China's stance on the Strait of Hormuz and U.S.-Iran relations?
0:59–1:39
3
How are soaring oil prices affecting Exxon and gasoline prices?
1:39–2:29
4
What new tariffs is President Trump planning to impose on the EU?
2:29–3:30
5
What is the current situation regarding the blockade in Mali?
3:30–4:32
6
What new rules has the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced for the Oscars?
4:32–5:02