NPR News: 04-04-2026 3AM EDT

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Rowland.

Iran shot down two U.S. aircraft in separate attacks Friday, making this the first time

U.S. aircraft have been taken down to the five-week-old war.

One plane was in a ten known as the Wardhawg.

The U.S. says the pilot was rescued.

The second plane is an Air Force F-15E fighter that has two pilots.

One pilot has been rescued.

The other is still missing.

NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman says the attack show Iran's military is still

capable of fighting back.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. has control of the skies over Iran and

it now able to fly in the lumbering B-52 aircraft for bombing runs.

And last month, F-35 aircraft was struck by Iranian fire, possibly a missile.

The aircraft was very damaged, but the pilot was able to land back at base so the pilot

was wounded by shell fragments and required stitches.

So again, this latest two aircraft down shows the skies above Iran are still dangerous

for U.S. pilots.

Amazon has announced a fuel surcharge in response to higher prices brought on by the war

in Iran.

NPR is a financial supporter of NPR.

As NPR's Andrea Shoe reports, the fee will be imposed on third-party sellers.

During April 17th, Amazon third-party sellers will see a 3.5% increase to their fulfillment

fees.

In a message to sellers, the company said that equates to an average of $0.17 per unit.

A cost sellers could pass on the customers.

Amazon said it had been absorbing increased fuel prices, but like other major carriers,

it was hiking fees to recover a portion of its added costs.

UPS and FedEx imposed new fuel surcharges last month, and the U.S. Postal Service says

starting April 26th, it's adding an 8% surcharge to package and shipping services, including

priority mail and parcel select.

First-class stamps will not be affected, Andrea Shoe and P.R. News.

The Trump administration wants to begin privatizing airport security operations currently

handled by the TSA.

NPR's Joel Rose reports it's part of the White House budget.

President Trump's budget proposes cutting funding for the TSA, the Transportation Security

Administration, by more than $50 million.

And it would require small airports to enroll in a program in which TSA pays for private

contractors to staff security checkpoints.

That program has existed for years, but only 20 airports are enrolled.

The Trump administration argues that privatized screening would save taxpayers money.

But critics, including the union that represents TSA officers, say it would undermine security.

The budget request reflects the White House's priorities, but it's Congress that ultimately

sets and approves spending levels.

And lawmakers are still deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security in

this year's budget.

Joel Rose and P.R. News, Washington.

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

The four Artemis two astronauts are now in their first astronauts in 53 years to travel

this far into space.

NASA says they're now more than halfway to the moon.

Monday is a key day in the flight when the crew will fly around the far side of the

moon.

Higher housing costs are pricing people not only a buying, but also renting a loan.

NPR's Jennifer Lutton reports it's 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 roommate.

And that's pretty special when that works out.

She's also proud she's learned to live with less.

Jennifer Lutton in Pierre news.

At the NCAA men's final four in Indianapolis number three, Illinois will play Yukon number

one in the first game Saturday, tip off now scheduled for 609 Eastern in the late game

that set for 849 Michigan will play Arizona.

The two winners will advance to the championship game Monday night in the women's tournament

South Carolina to play UCLA for the championship game Sunday afternoon.

That game to be played in Phoenix, Arizona.

I'm Dan Roman, NPR News in Washington.

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