NPR News Now — April 8, 2026, 6PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode provides a concise roundup of major international and U.S. news as of April 8, 2026. Topics include renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, ongoing violence between Israel and Hezbollah, the release of a potentially dangerous new AI model by Anthropic, record-breaking U.S. temperatures, Mexico’s evolving energy policies, a major development in the Long Island serial killings case, and a nod to a historical discovery.

Key News Segments & Discussion Points

1. Strait of Hormuz Closure Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions

[00:36-01:20]

• Iran announces it is reclosing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies, shortly after a conditional ceasefire with the U.S. goes into effect.
• Hundreds of ships remain anchored, citing safety concerns, ongoing regional attacks, and the uncertainty over mines in the waterway.
• Iran broadcasts threats to ships:
  • Ray Tierney quotes Iran’s warning:
    “If any vessels try to transit without permission, [they] will be destroyed.” (01:15)
• White House reaction: The U.S. president is monitoring the situation and finds the closure reports “completely unacceptable.”

2. Israel-Hezbollah Violence Escalates in Lebanon

[01:31-02:16]

• Ceasefire does not include Hezbollah: Despite a U.S.–Iran ceasefire, Israel declares continued military operations in Lebanon.
• Massive airstrikes: Israel targets over 100 sites in Lebanon within 10 minutes, affecting overcrowded and previously untouched areas:
  • “A posh area along Beirut's Corniche waterfront was struck today, which has not been a target before.” – Lauren Frayer (01:58)
• Casualties and humanitarian crisis:
  • Lebanon’s health minister reports hundreds dead and injured.
  • Red Cross deploys 100 ambulances in Beirut.
  • Hospitals call for blood donations.
• New evacuation orders: Issued for Beirut’s southern suburbs but not central areas.

3. Anthropic’s New AI Model Raises Security Concerns

[02:16-03:12]

• Anthropic releases "Claude Mythos Preview", a cutting-edge AI model for cybersecurity applications.
• Restricted access:
  • Only select tech and cybersecurity companies receive the model due to its potential for misuse.
  • “Anthropic says the model could power damaging cyber attacks.” – Shannon Bond (02:17)
• Capabilities and risks:
  • “It’s so good, the company says, it would be dangerous to roll it out to the general public because bad actors could use it to exploit those flaws.” – Shannon Bond (02:40)
  • The model has uncovered thousands of vulnerabilities across all major operating systems and browsers, some undetected for years.

4. U.S. Records Hottest March in 132 Years

[03:12-03:37]

• NOAA reports March was the hottest month on record for the continental U.S:
  • Average temperature of 50.85°F, 9.35°F above the 20th-century norm.
  • Surpasses previous record set in March 2012.

5. Energy and Environmental Policy Update: Mexico

[03:37-04:16]

• President Claudia Sheinbaum outlines a plan to reduce Mexico’s reliance on foreign energy by tapping unconventional natural gas deposits.
• Avoiding the term “fracking,” Sheinbaum promotes a “more sustainable extraction approach.”
• Key priorities:
  • Expand renewable energy.
  • Continue support for state-owned oil company PEMEX.
  • Mexico remains the largest buyer of US natural gas.

6. Long Island Serial Killings: Guilty Plea and Ongoing Investigation

[04:16-04:51]

• Rex Heuerman Pleads Guilty:
  • Former architect admits to seven murders and an eighth killing in a decades-old serial case.
  • Victims’ remains found as far back as 1993.
• DA Ray Tierney emphasizes ongoing investigation:
  • “There are still, you know, bodies on that beach. There are still bodies in Suffolk County. There’s no rest for the weary.” (04:37)
• Sentencing details:
  • Heuerman faces three consecutive life sentences plus 100 years.

7. Historical Note: Discovery of Venus de Milo

[05:02-05:14]

• On this date in 1820:
  • The Venus de Milo statue was discovered on the Greek island of Milos.
  • Believed to date from the second century B.C.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Iran’s explicit threat to ships:
  • “If any vessels try to transit without permission will be destroyed.” — Ray Tierney quoting Iran (01:15)
• Ongoing pursuit of justice in serial killings:
  • “There are still, you know, bodies on that beach. There are still bodies in Suffolk County. There’s no rest for the weary.” — Ray Tierney, DA (04:37)
• On the risk of open-sourcing advanced AI:
  • “It would be dangerous to roll it out to the general public because bad actors could use it to exploit those flaws.” — Shannon Bond (02:40)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Start | End | |---------------------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | | Strait of Hormuz re-closure | 00:36 | 01:20 | | Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon | 01:31 | 02:16 | | Anthropic’s AI model & risks | 02:16 | 03:12 | | Record U.S. March temperatures | 03:12 | 03:37 | | Mexico’s energy plans | 03:37 | 04:16 | | Long Island serial killings guilty plea | 04:16 | 04:51 | | Venus de Milo discovery anniversary | 05:02 | 05:14 |

This episode succinctly highlights serious global flashpoints, scientific and technological breakthroughs, environmental trends, and major criminal justice news—all in the trademark brisk, authoritative NPR tone.