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Episode Date: April 20, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. President Trump is sending U.S. officials to Islamabad for another round of peace talks with Iran. Pakistan hosted previous negotiations between the two countries that lasted 21 hours but produced no agreement. These latest discussions come amid the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The president and U.S. Central Command also say U.S. forces struck and seized an Iranian-flag-cargo ship yesterday that attempted to violate that blockade. NPR's Eric McDaniel has more. Vice President Van's special envoy Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, will be involved in the talks, according to a White House official who spoke on background.

In a post online, Trump accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire by firing on some ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key energy transit waterway. He said Iran is losing $500 million a day thanks to the U.S. blockade of its ships there. Later in the day, Trump posted that the U.S. had stopped in Iranian-flagged cargo ship by, quote, blowing a hole in its engine room, and that U.S. Marines are now in control of the vessel. Eric McDaniel and P.R. News, the White House. Vice President Vance also led the U.S. delegation during the first round of talks with Iran. A tsunami alert was issued today in Japan after the U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 7.4

earthquake struck off the country's northern coast. There's no immediate word of any injuries or damage. Ukrainian forces have attacked southern Russia, as NPR's Joanna Kikisis reports from Kiev. Russian authorities say the strikes in the South killed at least one person and also caused fires. Ukraine has been striking Russian oil facilities for months to hit what it calls Russia's war machine. Russian oil has gotten a boost after the Iran war shot up prices. The Trump administration also loosened sanctions on Russian oil. In his evening video address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyer Zelensky said this is unfortunate.

This will not benefit diplomacy, he said. Every dollar of oil only sets up Russia to fight longer. Oil and gas are the Kremlin's most important revenue sources. Joanna Kikisis, NPR News, Piev. Later this morning, the Trump administration is scheduled to launch a refund system for businesses that paid tariffs imposed by President Trump. NPR's Alina Seljuk has more. About a year ago, President Trump set historic tariffs on virtually all imports into the U.S.

So for a year now, anything imported into the U.S. has cost companies extra fees to get the goods through customs. Then two months ago, the Supreme Court said the majority of those tariffs were unconstitutional. And that's an estimated $166 billion that was collected illegally. That's NPR's Alina Seljuk reporting. This is NPR News. Authorities in Louisiana are investigating what's being called the deadliest shooting in the U.S. in more than two years. It happened in Shreveport where police say eight children were shot and killed yesterday at a home in the city. Investigators say a ninth child jumped from the roof of the house and is expected to survive.

Two women were also wounded in the attack, including at a separate house where police say the shootings began. Police later shot and killed the suspected gunman who was identified as the father of seven of the children killed. Neighbors and friends held a prayer vigil in a community parking lot last night. This year's NFL draft is being held this week in Pittsburgh. Julian Forsstadt with member station WESA says the city's public schools are shifting to remote learning over concerns about traffic and security. Many students in downtown Pittsburgh are excited to get a break from. in-person classes. Although 11th grader Kyah Lewis notes remote learning isn't always easy. Like I have physics, so that can be hard to try and learn online. But especially with the AP test

coming up, it'll be easier for us to, you know, study at home. Most middle and high school students in the city take public transit to school. Buses are expected to be swamped. And some of the ones that students rely on have been canceled. But parents say the big business that city officials hope to drum up during the draft shouldn't outweigh learning. City rec centers will open their doors this week to students who need a place to connect online. For NPR news, I'm Jillian Forstadt in Pittsburgh. Wall Street futures are lower this morning. I'm Dave Mattingly in Washington.