NPR News: 04-01-2026 6PM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is expected to address the nation about the Iran War tonight at nine Eastern. The conflict launched by the U.S. in 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 Deep Ashivar on 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 straight-of-hormouse, 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. Deep Ashivar on NPR News, the White House. While streets relief rally continued for a second day, as investors hope that President Trump will soon end the war in Iran, as NPR's Maria Aspen reports, the Dow closed up nearly half a percent, the S&P 500 rose nearly three-quarters of a percent, and then Aztec jumped

1:04more 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. U.S. 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 an Exxon mobile, Chevron, and other energy companies sold off, as most of Wall Street hopes for lower oil prices. Maria Aspen and NPR News. Republican-cune congressional leaders say they have a path to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the government 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.

2:05The 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 Space Caps was carrying a crew, and the first time humans will return to the moon in more than 50 years. The 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.

3:09The last census was conducted in 2011. India is now estimated to have more than 1.4 billion people surpassing China in 2023. Being 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 Grysalis 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 Hakeem 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's spraying. They said they hoped 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 Grysalis, NPR News.

4:11A 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 a poffis. 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. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a Prime Membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.