NPR News: 04-11-2026 2PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – April 11, 2026, 2PM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan (with reports by Franco Ordoñez, Joanna Kakis, Elena Moore, Steve Futterman)
Episode Summary:
This tightly-packed news update covers the latest developments in U.S.-Iran naval operations, Ukrainian defense efforts in the Gulf, U.S. political turmoil surrounding Rep. Eric Swalwell, Hungary’s pivotal election, Rory McIlroy’s historic run at The Masters, and post-mission health updates on NASA's Artemis 2 astronauts.

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1. U.S.-Iran Tensions and Strait of Hormuz Reopening

[00:00–00:53]

• Main Development: Two U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers began removing Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first American warship transit since the outbreak of a regional war six weeks prior.
• Strategic Importance: The move signals an effort to reopen one of the world’s most critical commercial shipping lanes.
• Diplomatic Efforts: Talks have kicked off in Pakistan between U.S., Iran, and Pakistan, with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance leading the American delegation. Pakistan serves as host and intermediary.
• Security Measures: U.S. plans to deploy underwater drones to aid the mine clearance efforts in the coming days.

Notable Quotes:

• “Now this would mark the first transit of American warships since the start of the war, you know, which began six weeks ago. The U.S. says this is the start of a process of reopening the strait to commercial shipping.” — Franco Ordoñez, [00:20]
• “American and Iranian teams are meeting in Pakistan for peace talks led by Vice President Vance. They kicked off this morning…” — Franco Ordoñez, [00:36]

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2. Ukrainian Defense in the Gulf and Regional Diplomacy

[00:53–01:57]

• Ukrainian Teams: President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms that Ukrainian teams in several Gulf countries have successfully intercepted Iranian Shahed drones targeting U.S. bases in the Middle East.
• Secrecy for Security: Zelensky didn’t specify the countries involved to protect operational security.
• New Defense Deals: Zelensky's recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE resulted in new defense agreements.
• Combat Experience: Ukraine’s effective drone countermeasures stem from nightly attacks by Russian-launched Shahed drones.

Notable Quotes:

• “Zelensky said he had seen video footage from the Gulf of Ukrainian weapons taking down Iranian Shahed drones, which have struck several sites, including U.S. bases in the Middle East, over the last month.” — Joanna Kakis, [01:14]

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3. Allegations Against Congressman Swalwell Rock California Politics

[01:57–02:58]

• Controversy: Democratic leaders are asking Rep. Eric Swalwell to end his California gubernatorial campaign after a former staffer accused him of sexual assault. NPR has not independently corroborated the allegations.
• Swalwell's Response: Posts a video denying the allegations but acknowledges previous “mistakes in judgment.”
  • “I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.” — Rep. Eric Swalwell, [02:23]
• Political Fallout: Multiple accusations of sexual misconduct emerge. Democratic leadership calls for a swift investigation and an end to Swalwell's gubernatorial ambitions but stops short of urging his resignation from Congress.
• Election Implications: Swalwell was considered a front runner with California’s primary set for June.

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4. International Spotlight: Hungary’s Election

[02:58–03:44]

• Election Overview: Hungarians vote in a consequential national election. Viktor Orban, long-serving prime minister and Trump supporter, faces a strong challenge from former ally Peter Meigar.
• Backdrop: The opposition split from Orban in 2024 following a scandal where Orban pardoned a man accused of child abuse.
• International Interest: U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance campaigned for Orban earlier in the week.

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5. Sports: The Masters – Rory McIlroy Chases History

[03:44–04:30]

• Leaderboard: Defending champion Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) sits at 12-under par with a historic six-stroke lead at Augusta.
• Golf Milestones:
  • If victorious, McIlroy would become just the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters.
  • Notable predecessors: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo.
• Memorable Moments:
  • “I’ve built up a nice cushion at this point and I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas.” — Rory McIlroy, [04:00]

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6. Science & Exploration: Artemis 2 Astronauts Safe after Splashdown

[04:30–04:39]

• Update: NASA’s Artemis 2 astronauts are undergoing medical checks after a successful Pacific splashdown on Friday.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The U.S. says this is the start of a process of reopening the strait to commercial shipping.” — Franco Ordoñez, [00:23]
• “Zelensky said he had seen video footage from the Gulf of Ukrainian weapons taking down Iranian Shahed drones…” — Joanna Kakis, [01:14]
• “I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.” — Rep. Eric Swalwell, [02:23]
• “I’ve built up a nice cushion at this point and I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas.” — Rory McIlroy, [04:00]

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This NPR News Now segment delivers a concise yet impactful overview of global diplomacy, defense actions, U.S. political intrigue, European pivotal elections, sports records in the making, and achievements in space exploration—a fitting snapshot of news shaping the moment.

Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Two US Navy warships began removing Iranian mines from the Iranian block Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. central Command. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports.

[B]

Two U.S. navy guided missile destroyers pass through the Strait of Hormuz today. Now this would mark the first transit of American warships since the start of the war, you know, which began six weeks ago. The US Says this is the start of a process of reopening the strait to commercial shipping. And again, it comes as American and Iranian teams are meeting in Pakistan for peace talks led by the Vice President Vance. You know, they kicked off this morning between the us, Iran and Pakistan, which of course, is serving as host and intermediary for the talks.

[A]

Additionally, the US Plans to deploy underwater drones to assist in the clearance effort in the coming days. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly confirmed that Ukraine Ukrainian teams sent to several Gulf countries have helped take down Iranian attack drones. NPR's Joanna Kassis reports from Kyiv.

[C]

Zelensky said he had seen video footage from the Gulf of Ukrainian weapons taking down Iranian shahed drones, which have struck several sites, including US Bases in the Middle east, over the last month. He did not say in which Gulf countries the Ukrainian team shot down these drones, citing security reasons. In the last couple of weeks, Zelensky has visited the region and signed defense deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Russia has been using shahed drones to strike Ukrainian cities nearly every night, so Ukraine has developed ways to destroy them. This includes electronic jamming as well as small, cheap interceptor drones that blow up shaheds. Joanna Kakis, NPR News.

[A]

Cave Democratic leaders are calling for Congressman Eric Smallwell to end his bid for the governor of California following allegations made by a former staffer that he sexually assaulted her. NPR has not independently verified the allegations. NPR's Elena Moore reports.

[D]

Swalwell is denying the sexual assault allegations, saying in a video posted online Friday that they were absolutely false. But he also said this.

[E]

I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.

[D]

Several women have accused him of sexual misconduct. California's primary is set for June, and Swalwell was seen as a front runner in the race. Now his standing in Congress is also uncertain. In a statement, House Democratic leaders stopped short of calling for his resignation, but demanded he end his gubernatorial campaign and that there be a, quote, swift investigation. Elena Moore, NPR News.

[A]

It's npr. Voters Sunday in Hungary will cast ballots in a critical national election that could decide the fate of the country's longtime prime minister and Trump supporter Viktor Orban. He is being challenged by a one time supporter, opposition candidate Peter Meigar, who split the with Orban in 2024amid a corruption scandal involving a pardon for a man accused of child abuse. This week, Vice President J.D. vance went to Hungary and campaign on Orbon's behalf. Round three is underway at the Augusta National Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters. The leader is the defending champion, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy. He is 12 under and he begins his round this hour. Steve Futterman reports.

[F]

Last year, in his 17th try, and after years of agonizing frustration, McIlroy won his first Masters. Now he's trying to make it two in a row. McIlroy had a remarkable second round, giving him a six stroke lead at the midway point, the largest in Masters history.

[G]

I've built up a nice cushion at this point and I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas.

[F]

During Friday's second round, McIlroy got birdies on six of the last seven holes. If he ends up winning here, he would become just the fourth golfer ever to win back to Backmasters, joining Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Augusta, Georgia.

[A]

The four Artemis 2 astronauts are undergoing medical tests after Friday's successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. I'm Dan Ronan, npr.

[H]

Support for npr.

[I]

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