NPR News: 04-01-2026 6PM EDT

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is expected to address the nation about the Iran war tonight at 9 Eastern. The conflict launched by the U.S. and Israel is in its fifth week. Thousands of U.S. troops are stationed in the region. Trump says the Iranian regime is relenting, but Iran says it isn't. NPR's Deepa Shivoram reports. On social media, Trump said Iran's new leader asked the U.S. for a ceasefire. The president said he would consider it if the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil, was opened. Until then, Trump said the U.S. would continue its attacks on Iran. But Iran's foreign ministry called Trump's comments saying that Iran asked for a ceasefire, quote, false and baseless. Trump has said the war, which has gone on for a month, should end in the next two to three weeks. Deepa Shivoram, NPR News, The White House. Wall Street's relief rally continued for a second day as investors hoped that President Trump will soon end the war in Iran. As NPR's Maurya Aspen reports, the Dow closed up nearly half a percent. The S&P 500 rose nearly three-quarters of a percent. And the Nasdaq jumped more than one percent. Some investors are calling it a Hormuz hope rally after the crucial waterway that handles a fifth of global oil. The war has sparked a global energy crisis, sending gas prices soaring and raising investor fears about wider inflation. U.S. stocks are still down since the start of the war, but investors are starting April with more optimism. Tech stocks in particular have been under pressure, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq has been leading this week's rebound. But the prospect of peace in the Middle East didn't reassure all investors. Shares in ExxonMobil, Chevron, and other energy companies sold off, as most of Wall Street hopes for lower oil prices. Maurya Aspen, NPR News. Republican congressional leaders say they have a path to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the government's shutdown of the agency. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in a joint statement that the solution would move forward in the coming days. The crew of Nasdaq's Artemis II is suited up and at the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ahead of a mission that will take them around the moon and back. Central Florida public media's Brendan Byrne is there. It's been a smooth countdown so far. Nasdaq's massive SLS rocket was fueled up with super cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen earlier today without any issues. The team continues to monitor the rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and weather at Kennedy Space Center. Once launched, this mission will take the crew of four to Earth orbit before heading on a flight path that will take them around the moon and back. It's the first time the Orion spacecraft was carrying a crew, and the first time humans will return to the moon in more than 50 years. A nearly 10-day mission will end with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. For NPR News, I'm Brendan Byrne at the Kennedy Space Center. The national average for a gallon of regular gas is $4.06. That's over a dollar more per gallon than before the Iran War. This is NPR News from Washington. The world's most populous nation, India, has begun its national population count which could reshape welfare programs and political representation across the country. The last census was conducted in 2011. India is now estimated to have more than 1.4 billion people surpassing China in 2023. King Charles is set to deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress later this month. The last time a British monarch spoke to Congress was Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. NPR's Claudia Grisales reports. Congressional leaders said it will celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Huckim Jeffries issued the invitation. The leaders said the historic visit will also recognize that, quote, the American experiment endures in no small part because of the British experiment from which it sprang. They said they hope that his royal highness will share his vision for the future of the U.S.-British alliance. The address is part of a U.S. state visit that will also include a White House state dinner with President Trump. Claudia Grisales, NPR News. A California company is designing a spacecraft that's set to launch in April 2028 with a mission to intercept an asteroid as it passes close to Earth. Long Beach-based X Labs hopes to reach the asteroid Apophis. Once there, it'll study the asteroid's composition and origin. The company hopes this will pave the way for mining asteroids, potentially reducing the need for Earth-based mining. The mission is funded by grants and contracts from agencies like NASA and the U.S. Space Force. This is NPR. Do you love pop culture? Hate some of it too? You're in good company. Pull up a metaphorical chair to Pop Culture Happy Hour, the podcast that breaks down the best and some of the most questionable moments in pop culture. We'll tell you what's great, what's interesting, and break it all down with debates that'll have you yelling at your speakers, but in a good way. Listen to NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour by finding us wherever you get your podcasts.