NPR News: 04-11-2026 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – April 11, 2026, 12 AM EDT

Main Theme

This five-minute episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on major global and national events, spanning topics such as a historic moon mission, casualties in the Iran war, inflation in the US, wildlife trade and disease risks, new FAA security measures, and a notable PGA Masters performance.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Artemis II: First Human Moon Mission in Over 50 Years

[00:01 – 01:02]

• Historic Splashdown:
  NASA's Artemis II successfully completed its mission, marking the first human return from the moon since 1972. The spacecraft and crew of four landed off California.

• Significance:
  The recovery operation marked the first US Navy and NASA joint spacecraft recovery since Apollo.

• Celebratory Atmosphere:

  • Quote:
    “What do you guys think? We just brought some astronauts back from the moon, huh?”
    — Unidentified Crew Member [00:31]
  • Flight controllers in Houston erupted in applause as astronauts appeared on live feed after the splashdown.

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2. Iran War: Casualties and Civilian Impact

[01:02 – 01:57]

• Reported Death Toll:
  Over 3,000 killed in six weeks, according to Iranian officials. About 40% of bodies are unidentifiable. Human rights groups estimate civilian deaths between 1,000–1,700, with more than 6,000 military/Revolutionary Guard deaths.

• Civilian Infrastructure Damage:
  Red Crescent reports destruction of 857 schools, 32 universities, and 338 hospitals from airstrikes.

• Notable Difference in Data:

  • Quote:
    “This casualty figure differs from what human rights groups have estimated. They put the number of civilian deaths at somewhere between 1,000 and 1,700 in recent days.”
    — D. Pravaz, NPR [01:27]

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3. Diplomatic Developments: US & Iranian Negotiators

[01:57 – 02:16]

• Negotiators are set to meet in Pakistan for high-level talks beginning Saturday, indicating a possible diplomatic shift amid ongoing conflict.

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4. US Inflation Rises Amid Wartime Energy Surge

[02:16 – 02:56]

• Inflation Data:
  Consumer prices in March are up 3.3% (year-on-year), with a sharp 0.9% monthly jump largely due to higher gasoline prices.

• Causes:

  • Gasoline has increased over $1/gallon since the US-Israel conflict with Iran began.
  • Airline ticket prices rose due to jet fuel costs; grocery prices down.

• Fed's Next Steps:

  • Quote:
    “Core inflation in March was 2.6%, a rate that’s likely to make the Federal Reserve cautious about any further cuts in interest rates.”
    — Scott Horsley [02:50]

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5. Wildlife Trade and Zoonotic Disease Transmission

[02:56 – 03:58]

• Prevalence of Mammal Trade:
  About 25% of all mammal species are involved in wildlife trade globally.

• Public Health Implications:
  New research reveals that 41% of traded mammals share at least one pathogen with humans (vs. 6% for non-traded mammals).

• Pathogen Spillover Increases Over Time:
  For every decade animals are traded, a new pathogen jumps to people.

• Relevant Examples:

  • Ebola from bats
  • HIV from hunted primates
  • COVID-19 from animal markets

• Notable Quote:
  “For every decade in the wildlife trade, an additional new pathogen jumps to humans.”
  — Jonathan Lambert [03:53]

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6. FAA and Military Use of Anti-Drone Lasers at US Border

[03:58 – 04:17]

• Policy Update:
  The FAA now allows anti-drone lasers at the southern border, with new safety agreements after earlier airspace closures in Texas.

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7. Rory McIlroy’s Masters Tournament Lead

[04:17 – 04:40]

• Record Performance:
  McIlroy finished Friday with a record-setting 65, birdied six of the last seven holes, and led the 36-hole board by six strokes—a Masters record.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What do you guys think? We just brought some astronauts back from the moon, huh?”
  — Unidentified Crew Member [00:31]

• “This casualty figure differs from what human rights groups have estimated. They put the number of civilian deaths at somewhere between 1,000 and 1,700 in recent days.”
  — D. Pravaz [01:27]

• “Core inflation in March was 2.6%, a rate that’s likely to make the Federal Reserve cautious about any further cuts in interest rates.”
  — Scott Horsley [02:50]

• “For every decade in the wildlife trade, an additional new pathogen jumps to humans.”
  — Jonathan Lambert [03:53]

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Segment Timestamps

• [00:01] Artemis II lunar mission splashdown
• [01:02] Iran war casualty and infrastructure damage update
• [01:57] US and Iran negotiate in Pakistan
• [02:16] Economic report: inflation and energy prices
• [02:56] Wildlife trade and zoonotic disease research
• [03:58] FAA authorizes anti-drone lasers at the border
• [04:17] Rory McIlroy sets Masters tournament record

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This episode offers a rapid, fact-driven overview of headlines shaping the news, with strong reporting, timely data, and expert commentary—hallmarks of NPR’s journalistic style.

Transcript

[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. NASA is celebrating the successful completion of the first human moon mission in more than half a century. The Artemis II spacecraft and its four person crew splashed down safely Friday evening off the coast of California. As NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports, a recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha, was waiting nearby.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who went to space twice as a private astronaut, was on the ship with workers from the U.S. navy and NASA.

[Unidentified Crew Member]

What do you guys think? We just brought some astronauts back from the moon, huh?

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

It was the first time that the U.S. navy and NASA had teamed up for a spacecraft recovery since the end of the Apollo lunar program in 1972.

[Dale Willman]

Crew member number three now, Al.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

Meanwhile, in Houston, flight controllers crowded into mission Control, cheering and clapping as a video feed showed the astronauts emerging from the capsule as it floated in the Pacific. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

According to Iranian media, the head of Iran's forensic medical agency says that more than 3,000 people have been killed so far in the war. The Iranian Red Crescent has also released some figures on the numbers of damaged civilian facilities. NPR's D. Pravaz has more from Van. Turkey.

[D. Pravaz]

The head of Iran's forensic medical agency says the country's death toll in the war over the past six weeks has surpassed 3,000. State media outlets quote Abbas Masjid Aroni as some 40% of the bodies are unidentifiable, and this casualty figure differs from what human rights groups have estimated. They put the number of civilian deaths at somewhere between 1,000 and 1,700 in recent days, and they've also estimated that over 6,000 military and Revolutionary Guard members have been killed. Additionally, 857 schools, 32 universities and 338 hospitals were damaged or destroyed by airstrikes, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. D. Dee Pav, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Ron, Turkey U.S. and Iranian negotiators, meanwhile, are heading to Pakistan for high level talks with Iranian officials. Those talks are expected to begin on Saturday. A wartime surge in energy prices caused a spike in inflation last month. NPR Scott Horsley reports on the latest figures from the Labor Departments.

[Scott Horsley]

Consumer prices in March were up 3.3% from a year ago. That's the biggest annual increase in almost two years. Prices jumped 0.9% between February and March, with a spike in gasoline prices accounting for nearly three quarters of that increase. Gas prices have jumped by more than a dollar a gallon since the US And Israel launched their war on Iran. Pump prices have remained high this week despite the tentative ceasefire. Higher prices for jet fuel also pushed up prices for airline tickets last month while grocery prices were down, stripping out volatile food and energy prices. So called core inflation in March was 2.6%, a rate that's likely to make the Federal Reserve cautious about any further cuts in interest rates. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. Worldwide, roughly a quarter of all mammals are hunted, trapped, bought or sold as part of the wildlife trade. And as NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports, this trade is a major route for animal diseases to jump into humans.

[Jonathan Lambert]

Scientists have traced many human diseases to contact with wild animals. Ebola outbreaks can be sparked by interacting with bats. HIV likely jumped to humans through a hunted primate. And studies suggest COVID 19 came from a live animal market where lots of species were kept in close quarters. But these anecdotal examples don't say much about how risky trading wildlife is generally. New research in the journal Science suggests vary. It found 41% of traded mammals shared at least one pathogen with humans, while just 6% of non traded ones did. And the longer humans have been trading animals, the the more viruses they share. For every decade in the wildlife trade, an additional new pathogen jumps to humans. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

The FAA says anti drone lasers can now be used along the US Southern border. Earlier this year, the agency had shut down airspace in some parts of Texas after the Pentagon deployed the lasers. Now the FAA and Pentagon have signed an agreement that outlines the safety precautions that will be employed when the lasers are used to protect travelers. Rory McIlroy has turned on the heat at the PGA Masters tournament underway in Augusta. The defending champion birdied six of the last seven holes on Friday to finish the day with a tournament best 65. He also set a Masters record for the largest 36 hole lead, sitting six strokes ahead of Sam Burns and Patrick Reed heading into Saturday's penultimate round. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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