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Episode Date: May 4, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump has announced what he calls Project Freedom to assist ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz to leave the waterway safely. The effort is scheduled to start today. Meanwhile, no new face-to-face negotiations to end the war are scheduled. Suzanne DiMaggio is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She's conducted unofficial negotiations with countries that have no diplomatic relations. with the United States, including Iran.

She told NPR there is a possible solution to end the war. I think there's a potential way forward here, and that would be for the U.S. to announce the end of a blockade, and the Iranians, in turn, or perhaps simultaneously, if that could be negotiated, would declare the straight as open and commit to the negotiating process. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is hospitalized in critical condition. NPR's Rob Stein reports. In a post on X, Giuliani spokesman,

Ted Goodman, says the former New York mayor is in critical but stable condition. Goodman did not release any additional information, but Goodman said Giuliani is, quote, a fighter who has faced every challenge in his life with unwavering strength, and he's fighting with that same level of strength. In a post on truth social, President Trump called Giuliani a, quote, true warrior. Giuliani, who's 81, served as Trump's advisor and personal lawyer for part of Trump's first term. Trump pardoned Giuliani last year for his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Rob Stein and Peer News. Top Republicans on congressional committees overseeing the military are condemning President Trump's decision to withdraw thousands of

of troops from Germany. Senator Roger Wicker and Congressman Mike Rogers say the move should be subject to congressional review and coordination with allies. NPR's Eric McDaniel reports. German Chancellor Frederick Murr said last week that Iran was humiliating the U.S. and that the U.S. Israeli war on the country was ill-considered. Trump then said MERS doesn't know what he's talking about and announced the troop production. The top armed services Republicans said Germany has complied with America's request to increase its defense spending and has offered logistical support for the war. In a statement, they wrote that reducing America's presence in Europe risks undermining deterrence and sending the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin. Quote, we expect the department to engage with its

oversight committees in the days and weeks ahead on this decision and its implications. Eric McDaniel and P.R. News, Washington. The price of a gallon of gasoline has risen more than 30 cents in the last week, and AAA says the national average is now 444 a gallon a week ago. It was just below 410 a gallon before the war at average $298 a gallon. This is NPR News from Washington. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating how a landing United Airlines flight at Newark's Liberty International Airport struck a light pole on the New Jersey turnpike while on final approach Sunday. United Flight 169 from Venice and Boeing 767 with 221 passengers and 10 crew members landed safely. No one on the plane was injured.

tractor trailer traveling on the nearby highway was damaged by debris. The truck driver was treated and released. The Lucille Lottel Awards for Excellence Off Broadway were given Sunday evening. As Jeff London reports, one show was a clear favorite for the voters. Mexico, a two-person musical, which uses rap and looping to tell the story of the Underground Railroad to Mexico, picked up four awards, including outstanding musical. Go ahead and stare at us. We are just a The rest of the awards were spread around. Outstanding play went to a queer coming-of-age story about a prince with a blunt title that features an epithet. And outstanding revival went to the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, with a score by the late William Finn.

For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. At least 10 people have been injured and are hospitalized after a mass shooting near Arcadia Lake, Oklahoma Sunday night. Police say the violence erupted at a party at the lake involving a group of young people. The investigation is ongoing. I'm Dan Ronan, NPR News in Washington. Support for...