Loading summary
Transcript13 lines
- [00:00]
A
This message comes from NPR's sponsor, Shopify. No idea where to sell? Shopify puts you in control of every sales channel. It is the commerce platform revolutionizing millions of businesses worldwide. Whether you're a garage entrepreneur or IPO ready, Shopify is the only tool you need to start, run and grow your business without the struggle. Once you've reached your audience, Shopify has the Internet's best converting checkout to help you turn them from browsers to buyers. Go to Shopify.com NPR to take your business to the next level today.
- [00:30]
B
Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. California Democrat Eric Swalwell is resigning from Congress as he faces growing backlash over allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. His decision comes just one day after he suspended his campaign for governor of California and in the face of a potential vote to expel him from the house. Here's NPR's Elena Moore reporting.
- [00:55]
C
Swalwell has been at the center of controversy since last Friday after at least four women spoke with the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN about experiences ranging from unwanted sexual advances by Swalwell to allegations of rape. NPR has not independently verified the allegations and Swalwell has forcefully denied them. He repeats that in his latest statement, but goes on to say it's quote, wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Just one week ago, the seven term Democrat was seen as a front runner in the California governor's race. Elena Moore, NPR News.
- [01:27]
B
Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez is also bowing to pressure following sexual misconduct allegations. He says he will file to retire tomorrow when the House returns from its two week Easter recess. Gonzalez has acknowledged an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. He was also facing renewed calls for expulsion. The US Military now blockading Iranian ports as the Trump administration seeks to force Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and accept a deal to end the war after talks broke down over the weekend And Islamabad, here's NPR's Tom Bowman.
- [02:03]
D
It's possible that fighting could start again if Iran starts hitting US Warships or commercial ships trying to transit through the Strait of Hormuz or attacking the energy sector of Gulf allies. The Iranians have said they have major untouched levers to pull in response to the blockade, but we don't know what that means at this point. It's an economic war trying to get Iran back to negotiating table.
- [02:26]
B
And Iran is threatening to retaliate against Gulf ports in neighboring countries. Crude oil prices hovering around $100 a barrel as markets continue to watch what's happening in the strait of Hormuz NPR's Camilla Dominowski reports that last week's ceasefire deal brought prices down, but President Trump's blockade sent them back up today.
- [02:46]
E
This past weekend, 14 vessels per day passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the trade data platform Kepler. That's down sharply from the pre war average of 100 a day. And that's before before any US blockade was imposed. Because ships take a long time to travel by sea, the world had a bit of a buffer insulating importers from shortages. But that's gone now. The last ship carrying jet fuel from the Persian Gulf to Europe arrived last week, reports the commodity intelligence group Argus. There are no more on the way right now. The oil cartel OPEC remains optimistic that the supply crisis won't tank the global economy, holding forecasts for economic growth and global oil demand unchanged. Camila Domonosky, NPR News.
- [03:25]
B
And you're listening to NPR News. President Trump is refusing to apologize for Sunday night social media post attacking Pope Leo and proposing a now deleted AI generated image that appears to depict him as a Jesus like figure healing the sick. Trump says he thought the photo showed him as a doctor. More than a thousand Hollywood players have signed a letter protesting the proposed merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers discovery. NPR's Mandalito Barco.
- [03:56]
F
The letter was signed by Hollywood directors and actors, among them J.J. abrams and Denis Villeneuve, Bryan Cranston, Glenn Close and Jane Fonda. As founder of the relaunched committee for the First Amendment, Fonda has posted videos opposing the $110 million deal by media mogul David Ellison, backed by his billionaire father, Larry Ellison.
- [04:17]
B
The idea of the whole entertainment industry
- [04:19]
F
being run by one company, that doesn't seem good. The letter argues the deal would not only consolidate the media, it would shrink competition independ and diversity of the entertainment industry. In a response, Paramount Pictures reiterates its supportive talent and promises to release a minimum of 30 feature films a year with full theatrical runs. Warner Bros. Shareholders will vote on the deal on April 23rd. Mandalit del Barco, NPR News.
- [04:45]
B
Former UConn star Az Fudd is on her way to Dallas. She was the number one pick in tonight's WNBA draft. The Dallas Wings selected Fudd at the outset of the draft in New York. Fresh off winning the national championship, UCLA had five players drafted in the first round, breaking the record held by the 2002 UConn team. I'm Giles Snyder, NPR News.
- [05:09]
A
This message comes from ixl. Spring is here and school testing is just around the corner. IXL can help make an impact on your child's learning receive 20% off an IXL membership if you sign up today@ixl.com NPR.