NPR News: 04-03-2026 10PM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The U.S. and Israeli war with Iran continues to escalate to U.S. combat planes were shot down today to crew members have been rescued. The search for continues for a third. President Trump delivered a prime time speech on Wednesday, saying the Iran war could be over in two to three weeks. But as NPR's Greg Meiery points out, he hasn't said how he plans to do that. The U.S. and Iran have been having some diplomatic contacts. Pakistan has tried to play the broker here, but there's really no sign of a breakthrough right now. And given this short timeline that Trump is talking about, a U.S. ground operation now seems quite unlikely, though more troops are still moving into the region. But by far, the biggest problem is this ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It will be very difficult for Trump to just walk away from the war if this hasn't been resolved. NPR's Greg Meiery reporting, Hi, housing costs are pricing people out of not only buying, but also renting alone.

1:01NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports that has led to an uptick in seniors seeking roommates. The share of people 65 and older looking for a roommate has tripled in the past decade says Matt Hutchinson with the listing site Spare Room. They're not the biggest group of roommates, but they're by far the fastest growing. David West is one of them. He never imagined living with a stranger at age 72, but divorce and job loss burned through his savings. His roommate in Fresno covers utilities and West shares his Costco membership. And it's that give and take things to try to help each other out as much as possible. Darla DeSatel is 74 and enjoys the shared company when she gets along well with a room. And that's pretty special when that works out. She's also proud she's learned to live with less. Jennifer Ludden in peer news, UPS says it will continue offering drivers thousands of dollars to resign across much of the country. This comes after the delivery giant pulled the program offer in 13 central states, including Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky from member station W. A. B. E. Marlin Hyde reports.

2:05UPS says it's latest bio program where eligible drivers can accept $150,000 to resign was well received by its employees. Over 30 teams to local unions in its central region filed grievances against the Atlanta based company claiming the offer violates their contract in a statement UPS denies these claims and continues to engage with the local unions in the central region. In February, a federal judge rejected the teamster's request to block the workforce reduction program. UPS says it will continue to offer buyouts to drivers in the remaining states as it moves to slash 30,000 positions this year. South Carolina beat UConn, 62 to 48 tonight ending the Huskies 54 game winning streak and advancing to the NCAA women's basketball championship on Sunday. The game cocks will face the winner of Texas and UCLA. It's NPR French President Emmanuel Macron and his South Korean counterpart E. Jett

3:05Myeong say they have agreed to work together to help reopen the straight of Hormuz. During a joint briefing today, the leaders did not elaborate on how they would help reopen the straight. They met in Seoul after President Trump slammed allies for not supporting the war in Iran. The Swedish Coast Guard has detained a ship. It says it's sailing under a false flag and is leaked oil in the Nordic country's economic zone. Terry Schultz reports the government believes the ship is part of a fleet Russia uses to circumvent sanctions on its oil exports. Swedish authorities say the Flora 1, sailing under the flag of Cameroon, is suspected of committing an environmental crime by spilling oil off the coast of the island of Gotland. Civil defense minister Carl Oscar Bolline says this oil spill is not significant, but a more extensive one could have had devastating consequences for marine ecosystems and Swedish coasts. He says the incident is still being viewed with grave concern because the ship is believed to be part of Moscow's shadow fleet, made up of often unseeworthy older vessels that have questionable insurance and registration.

4:06These ships he adds pose a significant security and environmental threat. The Flora 1 is the third suspicious vessel Sweden has detained in the past month. For MPR News, I'm Terry Schultz. New Jersey Democratic Governor Mikey Sherrill and her family will move into Drum Thwacket, the state's official governor's mansion. She'll be the first governor to live in Drum Thwacket full time in more than 20 years. For those curious, Drum Thwacket is a Scott's Gaelic phrase meaning wooded hill. I'm Ryland Barton. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. 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.