Loading summary
A
Who should win the Oscar for the best original song this year? On the latest All Songs Considered from NPR Music, we rank the nominees.
B
I think Diane Warren should have won two Academy Awards. The problem is, very often the lyrics are not much more insightful than you would find on the nearest throw pillow.
A
Hear the NPR Music podcast on the NPR app or wherever you get podcasts.
C
Live from NPR News In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump says he will tap the U.S. s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to reduce gasoline prices that have risen due to the Iran war. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency, which the US Is a member of, agreed to tap its reserves with a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of crude oil. NPR's Camilla Domonosky reports.
D
The IEA was formed in the wake of the oil crisis of the 1970s. To protect against future disruptions to oil supply, member countries had to agree to hold stockpiles in reserve in case of emergency. The near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the essential waterway through which about 20% of the world's oil and gas passes, is precisely that kind of emergency. Releasing that oil could help stabilize prices, but there's a limit on how much oil can be pulled out of storage at a time. You can't pull it all at once. Analysts say global reserves are not enough to make up for the daily shortfall created by the war. Camille Domonoski, NPR News.
C
Israel continues to hit what it says are regime targets in the Iranian capital as Iran has fired back into Israel. And multiple countries in the Gulf say they intercepted missiles and drones today. As NPR's Carrie Khan reports, air raid
E
sirens sounded repeatedly Wednesday in central Israel as residents scrambled into shelters. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the war in Iran will, quote, continue without any time limit until we decisively win the campaign. In the uae, military officials say its air defense systems responded to incoming missiles and drones from Iran. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar also said their systems intercepted incoming missiles. According to a UK Maritime organization, three ships in the Strait of Hormuz were hit by projectiles. Kerry Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
C
The Justice Department has quietly restarted a program that allows some people with felony records to regain their Federal gun rights. NPR's Jacqueline Diaz has more.
F
The 22 people the Justice Department approved to get their guns back lost their Second Amendment rights because of felony convictions decades ago. The DOJ maintains that the people on this list pose no public safety risk and had committed their felony crimes many years ago. That is, except for one Arizona state Senator, Jay Kaufman. He was indicted in an Arizona fake elector scheme from 2020. He received a pardon from Trump last year but still faces those charges. In Arizona, a DOJ official said Hoffman poses no risk to public safety. Hoffman didn't respond to NPR's request for comment. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News.
C
Inflation stayed elevated last month as gas prices rose and gas prices are expected to push inflation much higher when inflation data for this month is released. In early April, the US Stock market remained relatively calm even as the price of oil climbed again. This is NPR News. For from Washington. Britain is ending the centuries old tradition of hereditary aristocrats sitting in Parliament's House of Lords. Yesterday, the Lords dropped objections to a bill passed by the House of Commons that removes dozens of dukes, earls and others who inherited seats in the unelected upper chamber. A previous government removed most hereditary seats in 1999 but left some in place. An Iranian official says its men's soccer team will not compete in this summer's World cup after the US And Israel's military campaign that killed Iraq, Iran's supreme leader, NPR's Becky Sullivan, reports.
G
Speaking on state TV, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup. Iran qualified for the World cup last year, and the team is set to take part in three group stage games when the tournament begins in June. Two of those games would be in the Los Angeles area and the third in Seattle. It's not clear if the team has formally withdrawn from the tournament. FIFA has not commented. Pulling out of a World cup is unprecedented in the modern era. FIFA regulations say Iran could be fined hundreds of thousands of DOL or face a ban from future competition. And it's unclear whether another team would take Iran's place or how FIFA would decide who gets in. Tournament rules say FIFA has broad discretion to make those calls. Becky Sullivan, NPR News, Kansas City Chiefs
C
tight end Travis Kelce has put off retirement one more time to return for a 14th season. Better known by some as Taylor Swift's fiance, Kelce says he still loves the work and the game. He says he also wants to play once more with court quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose season last year ended three games early with a torn knee ligament. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.
This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise five-minute update on major global and U.S. news, at the intersection of geopolitics, economics, legal developments, and sports. The broadcast covers the ongoing Iran war's impact on oil and energy, escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, a quiet policy shift on federal gun rights for felons, key legislative reform in the U.K., shockwaves in international soccer, and an NFL player’s high-profile career decision. The tone is brisk, authoritative, and matter-of-fact.
[00:22–01:23]
President Trump announces plans to tap the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve in response to surging gas prices amid the Iran war.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) agrees to a coordinated release of 400 million barrels of crude oil by member countries, aiming to stabilize markets as the Strait of Hormuz—vital for global oil transit—is nearly closed.
Camila Domonosky explains that while releasing reserves may ease prices, logistical and capacity limits mean reserves are insufficient to fully offset global supply disruptions.
Notable Quote:
“Releasing that oil could help stabilize prices, but there’s a limit on how much oil can be pulled out of storage at a time.” — Camila Domonosky [01:05]
[01:23–02:13]
Israel continues strikes on what it labels regime targets in Tehran, while Iran retaliates with missile fire at Israel.
Multiple Gulf states (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar) report intercepting Iranian missiles and drones.
Three ships are struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating security risks for global shipping.
Notable Quote:
“The war in Iran will, quote, continue without any time limit until we decisively win the campaign.” — Defense Minister Israel Katz, reported by Carrie Khan [01:47]
[02:13–03:03]
DOJ resumes a program allowing certain people with old felony convictions to regain federal gun rights.
22 individuals have had their rights restored; DOJ says all but one pose no public risk.
Notably, Arizona State Senator Jay Kaufman—recently pardoned by Trump but still under indictment—was granted restoration.
Notable Quote:
“The DOJ maintains that the people on this list pose no public safety risk and had committed their felony crimes many years ago.” — Jacqueline Diaz [02:30]
[03:03–03:19]
[03:19–03:44]
[03:44–04:37]
Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali announces a boycott of the World Cup, amid military conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
Iran had already qualified, set for games in Los Angeles and Seattle; FIFA has not yet responded to the withdrawal.
Such a move is unprecedented in the modern era and could bring fines or future bans for Iran’s team.
Notable Quote:
“Under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.” — Ahmad Donyamali, as reported by Becky Sullivan [03:57]
[04:37–05:04]
This rapid-fire news drop equips listeners with the essentials for understanding the day's headline stories at the highest level, maintaining NPR’s trademark calm authority and tight focus under pressing global circumstances.