NPR News: 04-05-2026 9AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – April 5, 2026, 9AM EDT

Episode Overview

This concise news roundup from NPR, hosted by Windsor Johnston, delivers updates on major international and national events as of April 5, 2026. The episode covers dramatic developments in the US-Iran conflict, anti-war protests in Israel, record-breaking internet shutdowns in Iran, the Pope's Easter address, and NCAA basketball highlights.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rescue of US Service Member in Iran (00:01–00:52)

• Summary: A second US service member from a fighter jet shot down over Iran has been rescued through a complex American-Israeli joint operation.
• Details:
  • President Trump announced the airman's safety via social media.
  • The rescue happened a day after the jet was downed by Iranian fire.
  • The Iranians "were closing in on him, but US Forces found him first." – Craig Myre (00:28)
  • The precise location and the extent of the airman's injuries remain undisclosed.
  • Two US planes reportedly landed for the extraction but couldn't depart as planned.
• Memorable Quote:

  "Trump said the Iranians were closing in on him, but the US Forces found him first. They picked him up, flew him out of Iran."
  — Craig Myre (00:28)

2. Growing Anti-War Protests in Israel (00:52–01:45)

• Summary: As the Middle East conflict stretches into its sixth week, anti-war demonstrations intensify in Israeli cities, particularly Tel Aviv.
• On-the-ground Report:
  • Hundreds protested against the ongoing wars in Iran and Lebanon.
  • Demonstrators displayed images of Lebanese children lost in Israeli airstrikes.
  • A missile attack forced protesters into underground shelters.
  • Police dispersed the gathering and made arrests due to a wartime ban on large groups, despite a Supreme Court decision permitting some protests.
• Notable Voices:
  • Protester Sherry Katz:

    "Basically, I think this war is going nowhere. As much as I'd like to see peace in the Middle east and freedom and democracy for Iran, let's face it, we're not going to get by this war."
    — Sherry Katz, protester (01:34)

• Reporter:
  “Police broke up the protest and made arrests... For NPR News, Amitai Stern in Tel Aviv.” (01:45)

3. Iran’s Record-Setting Internet Blackout (02:00–02:50)

• Summary: Iran is experiencing the world’s longest continuous nationwide internet shutdown—36 days—as conflict continues.
• Key Details:
  • This blackout began shortly after US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
  • 80% of Iran’s 90 million people typically rely on the internet for business and social needs.
  • The global monitor Netblock (likely a reference to NetBlocks) calls this the most severe incident on record.
  • The blackout hinders communication with loved ones, deepening anxiety among Iranians abroad.
• Memorable Moment:

  “Iranians living abroad are unable to contact their loved ones who are surviving under intense bombing of their cities, triggering anxiety.”
  — Ambarasan Etirajan, BBC (02:50)

4. Easter Sunday at the Vatican (03:00–03:40)

• Summary: Pope Leo I delivers the traditional Easter blessing to thousands at St. Peter’s Square, addressing global tensions and wars.
• Highlights:
  • Pope Leo offered the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing in Latin and a special message in English.
  • He urged Christians to embody the resurrection's joy amid times of global uncertainty.
• Quote:

  "Happy Easter. May you bring the joy of Jesus who is risen and present in our midst to all you meet."
  — Pope Leo I (03:29)

5. NCAA Basketball Final: UConn vs. Michigan (03:40–04:36)

• Summary: UConn advances to the NCAA championship game, securing a 71–62 win thanks to Terrace Reed Jr.’s late-game free throws.
• Highlights:
  • Reed, previously a poor free-throw shooter, made decisive shots in the final seconds.
  • UConn will meet Michigan in the championship. Michigan beat Arizona 91–73 in the semifinal.
• Memorable Moment:

  “With 30 seconds left, I looked at coach, gave him the nod like, yo, coach, let me, let me catch the ball. Let him foul me. I'm going to knock these two down. So I felt like just trusting in the work I put in, trusting the guys around me.”
  — Terrace Reed Jr., UConn (04:12)

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Notable Quotes & Segments

• Rescue mission in Iran:
  "Trump said the Iranians were closing in on him, but the US Forces found him first." (00:28)
• Protest sentiment in Tel Aviv:
  "Basically, I think this war is going nowhere." — Sherry Katz (01:34)
• Impact of internet shutdown:
  "Those Iranians living abroad are unable to contact their loved ones who are surviving under intense bombing..." (02:50)
• Easter message:
  "Happy Easter. May you bring the joy of Jesus who is risen..." — Pope Leo I (03:29)
• Basketball heroics:
  "Let him foul me. I'm going to knock these two down." — Terrace Reed Jr. (04:12)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• US-Iran rescue operation: 00:01–00:52
• Anti-war protests in Israel: 00:52–01:45
• Iran internet blackout: 02:00–02:50
• Easter at the Vatican: 03:00–03:40
• NCAA Final Four results: 03:40–04:36

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Conclusion:
This NPR News Now episode brings listeners swift yet comprehensive updates on world affairs—from high-stakes military rescues and civilian protests to the suppression of digital communications and stories of hope and competition on the world stage.

Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. A second service member from a US Fighter jet shot down over Iran has been rescued. In a post on social media, President Trump said the airman was safe. NPR's Craig Myre reports. The rescue mission was carried out by American and Israeli forces in a complex operation a day after the plane was brought down by Iranian fire.

[B]

Trump said the Iranians were closing in on him, but the US Forces found him first. They picked him up, flew him out of Iran. Trump says he's safe and sound, though we don't know exactly where he is or the extent of his injuries. Still, a lot of details we don't know. The New York Times is reporting that two U.S. planes landed to pick up the injured colonel and the other troops, but were not able to fly out.

[A]

That's NPR's Greg Myhre reporting. As the conflict in the Middle east enters its sixth week, anti war protests are growing in Israel. Demonstrations took place in several cities over the weekend. Itai Stern reports. Police broke up a large demonstration in Tel Aviv.

[C]

I'm here in central Tel Aviv, where hundreds of Israelis came to protest against the war in Iran and Lebanon. They held signs with the faces of Lebanese children killed by the Israeli military, and they went into an underground shelter during a missile attack. Protester Sherry Katz, Basically, I think this

[D]

war is going nowhere. As much as I'd like to see peace in the Middle east and freedom and democracy for Iran, let's face it, we're not going to get by this war.

[C]

Police broke up the protest and made arrests. There is a wartime ban on large gatherings for security reasons, but Israel's Supreme Court says hundreds may protest. For NPR News, Amitai Stern in Tel Aviv.

[A]

Iran, now holds the record for the longest nationwide Internet shutdown. Iranians haven't been able to access the World wide web for 36 days after the US and Israel launched attacks on the country. The BBC's Ambaran Etirajan reports almost 80%

[E]

of Iran's 90 million population use the Internet for commercial or social purposes. But now they find themselves digitally cut off from the rest of the world after the government imposed a blackout soon after the start of the hostilities. The global Internet monitor Nedblock says the shutdown has exceeded all other comparable incidents in severity. Those Iranians living abroad are unable to contact their loved ones who are surviving under intense bombing of their cities, triggering anxiety.

[A]

That's the BBC's Ambarasan Etirajan reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. At the Vatican, thousands of Christian faithful are filling St. Peter's Square on this Easter Sunday. Pope Leo delivered the traditional Easter blessing in Latin, asking that God's grace and

[F]

peace remain with the faithful et benedictio DEI omnipotentis.

[A]

Patrice the American pope also addressed the crowd in English.

[F]

Happy Easter. May you bring the joy of Jesus who is risen and present in our midst to all you meet.

[A]

Pope Leo also offered messages of hope as wars and global tensions loom. UConn has advanced to the NCAA championship and will play Michigan on Monday night. Greg Eklund has the results of Saturday night's semifinals.

[G]

UConn Center Terrace. Reed Jr. Capped the Huskies scoring in the 7162 victory with key free throws in the game's final seconds. This season, Reed has shot a below average 59% from the line, but was determined to change that.

[H]

Yeah, with 30 seconds left, I looked at coach, gave him the nod like, yo, coach, let me, let me catch the ball. Let him foul me. I'm going to knock these two down. So I felt like just trusting in the work I put in, trusting the guys around me.

[G]

Reed played the first two years of his collegiate career at Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines, now 36 3, defeated Arizona in the second semifinal, 91 to 73. Greg Eklund, NPR News, Indianapolis.

[A]

This is NPR News.