NPR News: 04-11-2026 8PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now — April 11, 2026, 8PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Episode Theme: Quick rundown of major news stories, focusing on international security developments, U.S. politics, scientific innovation, philanthropy, and markets.

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Main Stories & Key Segments

1. U.S. Navy Reopens the Strait of Hormuz

[00:13–01:16]

• Story Overview:
  Two U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers—the USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy—crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first American warship transit since the start of a regional war six weeks prior.
• Key Points:
  • U.S. Central Command confirms the ships’ passage is part of a mission to ensure the strait is cleared of mines reportedly laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
  • Additional U.S. forces, including underwater drones, are being deployed to reinforce the operation.
  • Opening the Strait is a crucial condition for a ceasefire in the region, as the waterway handles approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply.
• Notable Quote:
  “The reopening of the strait is a key US condition of the ceasefire. The waterway is critical to the global economy, accounting for about 20% of the world’s oil supply.” (Franco Ordonez, 01:07)

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2. Diplomacy in the Middle East: U.S.–Iran Talks and Regional Ceasefire

[01:16–02:04]

• Story Overview:
  Vice President J.D. Vance is leading U.S. delegates in negotiations with Iran and Pakistan in attempts to end the war involving Israel and Iran.
• Key Points:
  • President Trump comments positively on talks’ progress, emphasizing the importance of the temporary ceasefire, which remains fragile.
  • Thousands have died, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, with the global economy suffering collateral damage.
  • Ongoing disputes over whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire, as clashes continue between Hezbollah and Israel.
  • New development: Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to speak directly for the first time since the conflict began.
• Notable Quote:
  “Potentially, we have another historic outcome from this 43-day war.” (Dia Hadid, 02:00)

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3. California Gubernatorial Candidate Faces Allegations

[02:04–03:11]

• Story Overview:
  Democratic leaders urge Congressman Eric Swalwell to drop his campaign for California governor after sexual assault allegations by a former staffer.
• Key Points:
  • NPR has not independently verified the allegations, which surfaced via the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.
  • Swalwell denies the allegations as “absolutely false” but admits to past personal judgment errors.
  • Several women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct; his lead in the race is now uncertain.
  • House Democratic leaders call for him to end his bid and for a “swift investigation.”
• Notable Quotes:
  “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.” (Eric Swalwell, 02:36)

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4. Scientists Explore Fish Slime as Sustainable Fabric

[03:11–04:11]

• Story Overview:
  Utah State University researchers are developing textile fibers from hagfish slime as an alternative to plastic-based fabrics like polyester.
• Key Points:
  • Hagfish, odd-looking deep-sea creatures, produce a unique slime containing strong fibers for defense.
  • Professor Justin Jones leads research into extracting these fibers—which, when processed, rival the strength of spider silk.
  • A breakthrough: Jones’s lab can synthetically create the fibers without using actual hagfish.
  • The aim is to produce sustainable, plastic-free clothing materials.
• Notable Quotes:
  “When you take those fibers out of the slime and you stretch them and you allow them to dry, they’re as strong as spider silk is.” (Justin Jones, 03:54)

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5. French Raffle to Win a Picasso Painting

[04:11–04:35]

• Story Overview:
  A fundraiser in France is raffling off Pablo Picasso’s Tête de Femme (1941); proceeds will go toward Alzheimer’s research.
• Key Points:
  • Tickets cost €100 each, capped at 120,000 tickets.
  • The drawing occurs Tuesday at Christie’s in Paris and will be broadcast online.
  • Similar past raffles raised over €10 million for charity.
• Memorable Moment:
  The chance for the public to win a Picasso while supporting scientific research.

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6. Weekly U.S. Stock Market Surge

[04:35–04:56]

• Story Overview:
  U.S. markets saw strong gains:
  • Dow up 3%
  • S&P 500 up 3.5%
  • Nasdaq nearly 4.7%

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Quotes & Memorable Highlights

• Franco Ordonez on the Strait of Hormuz:
  “The reopening of the strait is a key US condition of the ceasefire.” (01:07)

• Eric Swalwell’s Acknowledgment:
  “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.” (02:36)

• Justin Jones on Hagfish Fibers:
  “They’re as strong as spider silk is.” (03:54)

• Pierce Dia Hadid on Lebanon-Israel Talks:
  “Potentially we have another historic outcome from this 43 day war.” (02:00)

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Timeline of Segments

• 00:13 – U.S. Navy in Strait of Hormuz (Franco Ordonez)
• 01:16 – U.S.–Iran talks, Mideast ceasefire status (Pierce Dia Hadid)
• 02:04 – Eric Swalwell allegations (Elena Moore)
• 03:11 – Hagfish slime fabric innovation (Macey Lipkin, Justin Jones)
• 04:11 – Picasso raffle for Alzheimer’s research (Jeanine Hurst)
• 04:35 – Weekly stock market update (Jeanine Hurst)

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This episode delivers a rapid, authoritative update spanning geopolitics, U.S. politics, notable scientific research, philanthropy, and financial news—a snapshot of consequential events and emerging trends from around the world.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Hurst]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. U.S. officials say two U.S. navy ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports on U.S. efforts to reopen the channel.

[Franco Ordonez]

The passage of the guided missile destroyers marks the first transit of American warships since the start of the war six weeks ago, according to U.S. central Command. The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy are part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of mines previously laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard. U.S. officials say additional forces, including underwater drones, will join the effort in the coming days. The reopening of the strait is a key US Condition of the ceasefire. The waterway is critical to the global economy, accounting for about 20% of the world's oil supply. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Vice President Vance is leading a delegation of face to face talks with Iran and Pakistan today to end the U. S. Israeli war in Iran. President Trump tonight said the talks were going well, but that regardless of what happens with them, quote we this as the temporary ceasefire continues. Thousands have died in the violence, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and the global economy has been damaged. And Pierce Dia Hadid has more from Islamabad.

[Pierce Dia Hadid]

The ceasefire that was announced last Tuesday has been shaky from the get go over disagreement about whether it includes Lebanon, where there's been fighting between the Iranian proxy Hezbollah and Israel. Now what we're hearing today is that the Lebanese and the Israelis are going to speak directly. So potentially we have another historic outco from this 43 day war.

[Jeanine Hurst]

NPR's Dia Hadid reporting from Islamabad. Democratic leaders are calling on Congressman Eric Swalwell to end his bid for governor of California following allegations made by a former staffer that he sexually assaulted her. NPR hasn't independently verified the allegation, which was first published in the San Francisco chronicle and on CNN.

[Elena Moore]

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

[Eric Swalwell]

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.

[Elena Moore]

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.

[Jeanine Hurst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Plastic, like polyester, is commonly used in clothing, and researchers at Utah State University are looking to replace some of that plastic plastic with things like fish slime. From member station KUER Macy, Livkin has more.

[Macey Lipkin]

Hagfish are long, tubular deep sea dwellers. They kind of look like intestines. Their bodies are grayish pink and they have teeth but no jaw. They're not cute, but Utah State biology professor Justin Jones says they have something else going for them. They exude a slime when they're bitten to clog the gills of predators. And it's useful because of its fibers.

[Justin Jones]

When you take those fibers out of the slime and you stretch them and you allow them to dry, they're as strong as spider silk is.

[Macey Lipkin]

Jones's lab can make those fibers without any hagfish involved. Now they're studying how to turn them into clothing. For NPR News, I'm Macey Lipkin in Logan, Utah.

[Jeanine Hurst]

A raffle in France is offering the chance to win a Picasso. The tickets cost €100 and proceeds support Alzheimer's research. The drawing for the Tete du Femmes painting created in 1941, takes place on Tuesday at Christie's in Paris. Previous raffles in 2013 and 2020 raised over 10 million euros for cultural and humanitarian causes. The number of tickets is now capped at 120,000 and the drawing will be broadcast online. Stocks soared this week on Wall Street. For the week, The Dow was up 3%, the S&P 500 was up 3.5% and the Nasdaq jumped nearly 4.7%. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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