NPR News: 04-28-2026 1PM EDT

In this NPR News Now roundup from April 28, 2026, broadcasters cover developments tied to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran, including energy market shifts and diplomatic tensions, alongside domestic economic signals, media fallout, a California ballot push, and entertainment legal moves.

UAE Exits OPEC Amid Energy Crunch

The United Arab Emirates announced it is leaving OPEC and will gradually ramp up crude oil production, citing long-standing friction within the cartel over output quotas aimed at supporting prices. This move comes against the Iran War's disruption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven oil to around $100 a barrel—hovering steady after the news. AAA reports average U.S. regular gasoline at $4.17 per gallon, up 15 cents weekly and over a dollar from last year. The UAE's push for higher production highlights internal OPEC strains, but markets showed minimal reaction, underscoring broader war-related pressures on supply.