"Live from NPR News in Washington.
is urging European countries to join the U.S. effort to open the state of harm moves.
“NPR's Quill Lawrence reports it could take six months to clear the key waterway."”
At a news conference, Heggseth repeated President Trump's threat to destroy any Iranian
small boats laying mines in the narrow straight through which about 20 percent of the world's
oil passes. "We would welcome a serious European effort to do something about this straight and this passage considering its their energy capabilities that are most at stake." But since oil is globally traded, the blockade is driving up prices worldwide. On Thursday, Trump said the U.S. is using minesweepers in the region, but there are no known U.S. minesweepers there. Heggseth dodged a question about Pentagon estimates that it could take
six months to clear the state. Quill Lawrence NPR News. "The White House says President Trump is issuing a 90-day extension of the Jones Act waiver to ease oil disruptions. President Trump has announced a three-week extension to pause the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and Lebanon. But as NPR's Cat-Lons door for reports from Beirut, both sides have continued to acknowledge
“attacks despite the agreement." Hezbollah says it fired rockets into northern Israel Thursday”
night. The Israeli military says all were intercepted. That's after in Israeli air strike killed prominent Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil while she was reporting in the south. The eighth journalist killed by Israel in Lebanon in the past two months. The Israeli military responded to Hezbollah's attack by carrying out several more air strikes in the south on what it says were military structures. All of this occurred as the Israeli
Lebanese ambassadors were in Washington to discuss the extension of the ceasefire. Iran backed Hezbollah has been opposed to direct talks while Iran insisted on a ceasefire in Lebanon to continue peace talks with the U.S. Cat-Lons door for NPR News Beirut. "Today people in northern Oklahoma are assessing tornado damage, multiple twisters touched down last night. The city of Inid was hit especially hard. It's about a hundred miles north of
Oklahoma City. There are no reports of deaths. The tech company Mehta is laying off about 10% of its staff. NPR's John Ruich reports an internal memo says the company is re-organizing." A meta spokesperson confirmed the internal memo. Init Mehta's chief people officer Janelle Gail says the layoffs are part of a continued effort to run the company more efficiently. The cuts will also allow it to offset other investments the company's making.
Gail says while its unwelcome news that puts employees in an uneasy state, the company feels it's the best path forward given the circumstances. The layoffs will take place on May 20th. Mehta also will not hire for 6,000 open roles that it had intended to film. In January, Mehta forecast record capital expenditures this year
of up to $135 billion, almost double what it spent last year. John Ruich and PR News.
"You are listening to NPR News from Washington." The British King and Queen head to the U.S. next week for a state visit, timed with a 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. President Trump says he thinks their visit can help heal transatlantic relations. The U.S. and United Kingdom have been at odds over wars in Ukraine and Iran and over NATO
as NPR's law and frayer reports. In a five-minute phone call with the BBC, President Trump was asked whether King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit can help heal transatlantic relations. Absolutely, he's fantastic. The BBC quoted Trump's responding about the King. As for British Prime Minister Kier Starmer, whom Trump used to call a friend, but has recently repeatedly been saying is "no Winston Churchill,"
Trump said Starmer can recover if he tightens his immigration policy. The Trump administration has accused the UK and other European governments of being lacks on immigration in a way that ruins their culture. This along with British opposition to the U.S. and Israeli War on Iran has led to a rift in U.S. British relations ahead of this royal visit next week. Lauren Fryer and PR News Alexandria, Scotland.
Wildfires are burning in southern Georgia and northern Florida.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemple tore the damage and meet with first responders today.
The governor said Black Hawk helicopters are being deployed to help combat the flames. Microsoft will offer voluntary buyouts to more than 8,000 U.S. employees next month, according to the Associated Press. That's about 7% of the software company's domestic workforce. I'm Kristen Wright and PR News from Washington. Support for NPR. Every story from shortwave and PR science podcast starts with a question.
“Like, why do we have nightmares? How does AI affect my energy bill?”
At NPR, we are here for your right to be curious about the world around you. Follow shortwave wherever you get your podcasts because the more you ask, the more interesting
