NPR News: 04-15-2026 2PM EDT

The United States and Iran are expected to resume peace negotiations this week after talks broke down in Pakistan last weekend, with the delegations up against the clock to reach an agreement. The chances of any resolution are complicated by the fact that Iran wants a peace deal to include an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. From Tel Aviv, Israel and the United States say the ceasefire does not extend to Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon, a position Iran disputes. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict after the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, breaking a prior ceasefire.

Trump's Renewed Threat to Fire the Fed Chair

President Trump renewed his threat to fire the chairman of the Federal Reserve, but as NPR's Scott Horsley reported, the administration's actions could backfire, leaving Jerome Powell in charge of the central bank for a longer period of time. The threat comes amid a broader investigation into cost overruns at the Central Bank's headquarters renovation. A federal judge has ruled there is no basis for that probe, describing it as merely designed to intimidate the Fed. The president has been more aggressive about cutting interest rates, and the standoff underscores the ongoing tension between the White House and the independent central bank.