NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-08-2026 5AM EDT

Episode Date: April 8, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingley. President Trump says the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire during which Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial ship traffic. Trump announced the ceasefire yesterday, less than two hours, before his deadline to Tehran was set to expire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the pause and attacks does not affect his military's invasion of Lebanon, where more Israeli-eastern. attacks are reported today targeting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants.

Pakistan's Prime Minister is offering to host negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on Friday. Betsy Jolz has more from Islamabad. In a post on X, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shabashiriv said he hopes talks in Islamabad will lead to a, quote, conclusive agreement to settle all disputes. Pakistan has played a key role in the peace process so far, acting as an intermediate between Iran and the U.S. In his confirmation of the two-week plan, Iranian foreign minister, Syed Abbas Arakchi,

thanked Sharif by name, along with Pakistan's powerful army chief, Asim Munir. Trump also said his decision to suspend attacks on Iran was based on conversations with Sharif and Munir. For NPR news, I'm Betsy Jolz and Islamabad. Republican Clay Fuller is celebrating a win in yesterday's special election runoff in Georgia. He defeated Democrat Sean Harris and will fill the seat vacated by former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green.

Raul Bally with member station WABE says Fuller had been endorsed by President Trump. Clay Fuller thanked President Trump during his address to supporters. And he has made sure that we are going to win. He made sure that he was the ultimate Trump card. Fuller received 56% of the vote over Democrat Sean Harris, but in 2024, Trump carried the district with 68%. While Tuesday's runoff involves about a third of the number of voters as November 2024, Democrats closing the gap could be a key factor for statewide races in Georgia this year,

including an open governor's seat and the re-election bid of John Ossoff, the only incumbent Democratic U.S. senator on the ballot in a state won by Trump. Once Fuller takes office, U.S. House Republicans will have 218 seats, Democrats 214. For NPR News, I'm Raul Bally in Atlanta. In Wisconsin, appeals court judge Chris Taylor is the winner of yesterday's election for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Taylor is a Democrat and former state representative. She defeated Maria Lazare, a conservative state appeals court judge. Taylor will fill the seat of Justice Rebecca Bradley, whose term expires July 31st.

This is NPR News. from Washington. The Trump administration is acknowledging U.S. immigration and customs enforcement has used spyware to intercept encrypted messages as part of its effort to disrupt trafficking of fentanyl. As NPR's Jew Jaffe Block reports last year, the administration revived the contract between ICE and Paragon Solutions, which created the spyware tool known as graphite. ICE's acting director, Todd Lyons, described for the first time his agency's use of spyware in a letter last week to Democratic House members. It was a response to questions the lawmakers had sent six months ago. Lyons said he greenlit ICE's use of tools to address challenges posed by transnational

criminal groups and fentanyl traffickers using encrypted communications. Privacy and civil liberties advocates say there are not sufficient regulations and transparency protocols to ensure ICE does not abuse spyware. Foreign governments have used graphite in the past to target journalists and activists and access their encrypted messages. Jude Jaffe Block and PR News. Delta Airlines is the latest carrier to announce higher fees for checked baggage in response to the rising costs for jet fuel. Beginning today, Delta says most domestic and short-haul international passengers

will pay $45 to check a bag. A second check bag will cost $55. The fees represent a $10 increase. A third check bag on Delta will cost $200, a jump of $50. Last week, United and JetBlue both announced higher fees for their check bags. Wall Street futures are sharply higher this morning. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.