NPR News: 04-14-2026 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 14, 2026, 10AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Length: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This concise news update by NPR delivers critical international, national, economic, and cultural headlines for the morning of April 14, 2026. Key topics include the evolving US-Iran peace negotiations, regional fallout in the Middle East, US economic trends, allegations of misconduct against congressmen, World Cup host city preparations, and the death of children's television icon Sid Croft.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Iran Ceasefire Talks and Regional Impact

• Pakistan’s Proposal:
  Pakistan has offered to host another round of talks between the US and Iran before the current ceasefire ends. The previous round concluded last weekend without a deal.
• US Stance:
  Vice President Vance led negotiations, expressing optimism:
  • Quote: "I do think that we're in a place where we've accomplished our objectives. We can start to wind this thing down. I'd much rather wind this thing down with a big, successful negotiation." – Vice President Vance on Fox News [00:22]
  • President Trump reiterates that the war with Iran will not continue indefinitely.
• Regional Energy Infrastructure Damage:
  Feteh Barol, chief of the International Energy Agency, reports:
  • Damage Statistics: Over 80 oil and gas sites in the Middle East have been hit in just six weeks of conflict.
  • Restoration Timeline: Full repairs could take up to two years.
  • New Footage: Al Jazeera has broadcast, for the first time, images of Iran’s March missile attacks, notably at the Ras Lafan gas complex in Qatar and damage to the El Adeid air base, once home to 10,000 US troops.
  • Financial Disputes: Iran seeks compensation from four Gulf Arab states and Jordan for hosting US troops involved in attacks, while those states argue Iran should pay for region-wide damages.
  • Reporting by Aya Batrawy, NPR News, Dubai [00:53]

2. US Economic Update

• Stock Market:
  Positive open as Dow Jones rises by 190 points in early trading. ([01:34])
• Oil Prices:
  Slight dip in oil prices due to hopes for renewed peace talks, despite the Strait of Hormuz blockade; national average gas price is $4.12/gallon.
• Inflation & Profits:
  • Wholesale inflation up 4% year-on-year, the highest in over three years.
  • JPMorgan Chase posts strong quarterly profits; CEO Jamie Dimon notes economic boosts from deregulation and AI, but warns of ongoing risks from war, volatile energy, and trade uncertainties.
    • Reporting by Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington [01:44]

3. Congressional Misconduct Allegations

• Eric Swalwell (D-CA):
  • Accused by two women of sexual misconduct in a CBS interview.
  • Strongly denies allegations.
  • Suspends California gubernatorial campaign and announces intention to resign from Congress to focus on his defense. [02:25]
• Tony Gonzalez (R-TX):
  • Also facing sexual misconduct allegations.
  • States he will be leaving Congress.

4. 2026 Soccer World Cup: Human Rights Action Plans

• FIFA Requirements:
  Only 4 of 16 host cities (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Vancouver) have published the required human rights plans.
• Atlanta’s Leadership:
  • Quote: "Some cities opted not to create a human rights plan at all, which is a fascinating kind of choice. And Atlanta was very much excited to do ours right. We believe this is our legacy." – Candice Stancil, Atlanta’s chief impact officer [03:38]
  • Atlanta’s plan covers support for unsheltered residents, anti-human trafficking measures, and accessibility for those with disabilities.
  • Reporting by Marlon Hyde, NPR News, Atlanta [03:21]

5. Cultural Moment: Passing of Sid Croft

• Legacy:
  Sid Croft, 96, renowned for psychedelic and beloved children's TV (notably HR Pufnstuf), has died.
  • Memorable Clip: HR Pufnstuf theme is briefly sung.
    • Quote: "HR Pufnstuff, who should be with when things Get Better. HR Puff and Stuff can't do a little cause you can't do enough." – Sid Croft [04:21]
  • HR Pufnstuf ran for only 17 episodes but remains iconic through decades of reruns. [04:31]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peace Negotiations:
  "I'd much rather wind this thing down with a big, successful negotiation."
  – Vice President Vance [00:22]
• On Human Rights and World Cup:
  "Some cities opted not to create a human rights plan at all, which is a fascinating kind of choice. And Atlanta was very much excited to do ours right."
  – Candice Stancil [03:38]
• Nostalgic TV:
  "HR Pufnstuff, who should be with when things Get Better. HR Puff and Stuff can't do a little cause you can't do enough."
  – Sid Croft [04:21]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• US-Iran and Regional Impact: 00:00–01:34
• Economic and Market Recap: 01:34–02:25
• Congressional Allegations: 02:25–03:21
• World Cup Human Rights: 03:21–04:01
• Sid Croft Tribute: 04:01–04:31

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This episode packs critical updates from global diplomacy and economic shifts to domestic politics and cultural legacies, with concise, fact-driven reporting and a touch of nostalgia.

Transcript

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Pakistan is proposing hosting a second round of talks between the US And Iran in coming days. According to the Associated Press, the talks would be held in Pakistan before the end of the current ceasefire. Last weekend's talks ended with no agreement. Vice President vance led the U.S. delegation. He remains optimistic.

[Vice President Pence]

I do think that we're in a place where we've accomplished our objectives. We can start to wind this thing down. I'd much rather wind this thing down with a big, successful negotiation.

[Korva Coleman]

He spoke to Fox News. Band says President Trump has said the war with Iran will not go on forever. The head of the International Energy Agency says more than 80 energy facilities have been hit across the Mid east so far during the war on Iran. NPR's Eye Batrawy reports. He says it could take up to two years to repair the damage.

[Aya Batrawy]

The International Energy Agency's chief, Feteh Barol, told an audience at the Atlantic Council that more than 80 oil and gas fields, refineries and energy terminals were damaged in six weeks weeks of war. His comments come as the Qatar based Al Jazeera Channel released footage for the first time of Iran's March missile attack on the Ras Lafan gas complex in Qatar and damage to the El Adeid air base where some 10,000 US troops were stationed before the war. Iran's state news agency, meanwhile, says Iran wants financial compensation from four Gulf Arab states and Jordan for hosting US Troops that attacked it during the war. Some Arab Gulf states say it's Iran that should pay for region wide damage. Aya Botrawi, NPR News, Dubai.

[Korva Coleman]

Stocks opened higher this morning as crude oil prices dipped. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 190 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

Hopes for a second round of peace talks between the US And Iran put a little downward pressure on oil prices. Despite the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, retail gasoline prices showed little change overnight. AAA says the average price of gas is hovering around $4.12 a gallon. Rising prices for energy and other goods pushed wholesale inflation to its highest level in more than three years. Wholesale prices in March were up 4% from a year ago. JPMorgan Chase reported better than expected profits for the first three months of the year. CEO Jamie Dimon says the economy is getting a boost from deregulation and investment in artificial intelligence, but also faces risks from war, volatile energy prices and trade uncertainty. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Two women who accuse California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell of sexual misconduct have given a public interview. Speaking to CBS News, the women say they want Swalwell to face consequences for his alleged actions. Swalwell has strongly denied the allegations. He has suspended his campaign for California governor and says he will resign from Congress to defend himself. Separately, Texas Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez, who is also accused of sexual misconduct, says that he will leave Congress, too. You're listening to NPR. The soccer World cup is two months away, and 75% of the host cities have not published their human rights action plans. The world governing organization FIFA had required the host cities, such as Atlanta, to develop guidelines for protecting the rights of fans, immigrants and workers. From member station wabe, Marlon Hyde has more.

[Marlon Hyde]

According to the nonprofit Human Rights watch, out of FIFA's 16 host cities, only four, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Vancouver have published plans. Candice Stancil is Atlanta's chief impact officer and oversaw the Human Rights Action Plan's creation.

[Candice Stancil]

Some cities opted not to create a human rights plan at all, which is a fascinating kind of choice. And Atlanta was very much excited to do ours right. We believe this is our legacy.

[Marlon Hyde]

Stancil says Atlanta has put in place initiatives to support unsheltered residents, prevent human trafficking and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. For NPR News, I'm Marlon Hyde in Atlanta.

[Korva Coleman]

Children's TV programmer Sid Croft has died in Los Angeles, according to his friend Kelly killian. He was 96. Croft and his brother Marty created children's programming that some called zany and even psychedelic. This included the brief but beloved Saturday morning show HR Pufnstuff, with its memorable

[Sid Croft]

theme, HR Pufnstuff, who should be with when things Get Better. HR Puff and Stuff can't do a little cause you can't do enough.

[Korva Coleman]

HR Puff and Stuff only lasted for 17 episodes, but lived on for decades in reruns. This is npr.

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