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Windsor Johnston
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is threatening to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, one of the several key sticking points in failed peace talks with Iran. Negotiations in Islamabad broke down overnight with disputes over nuclear ambitions, sanctions and control of the critical oil route. Betsy Joels reports. Vice President J.D. vance and a U.S. delegation are on their way back to Washington.
Betsy Joels
In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it would continue facilitating dialogue between the two sides. It has been doing this for weeks and was credited by both sides with helping make the ceasefire happen. The Foreign Ministry said that several rounds of negotiations took place between Iran and the US and that they ended this morning Islamabad time. It said its army chief, Asim Munir, who President Trump has called his, quote, favorite field marshal, was part of them. The fate of the ceasefire and prospects for longer term peace remain uncertain. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on X that the success of the diplomatic process depends on seriousness and good faith from the American side. For NPR News, I'm Betsy Jolz in Islamabad.
Windsor Johnston
A vote is expected in the Senate this week on a resolution to limit President Trump's war powers over Iran. NPR's Eric McDaniel reports. Lawmakers want Congress to reassert authority over military action.
Eric McDaniel
Democrats in Congress are going to force votes attempting to constrain the president on this war. The Constitution, of course, gives Congress the power to declare war, although it hasn't worked that way in practice in quite a while. Those votes are expected to fail, as have all of their past go rounds at this. But the president's post about ending Iranian civilization before announcing that ceasefire last week.
Windsor Johnston
That's NPR's Eric McDaniel reporting. A number of Senate Republicans have said the war in Iran faces a time limit without congressional approval. As gas prices have taken a historic leap during the war In Iran, some U.S. drivers are finding relief at an unusual place. NPR's Amy Held reports. They're filling up on tribal lands.
Janelle Lewis
Gas is ridiculous.
Amy Held
Janelle Lewis of Snohomish County, Washington, has been spending about $150 to fill up her Suburban. Now she's driving it 25 minutes out of her way to the Tulalip Reservation. There, gas is about 10% cheaper.
Janelle Lewis
It's worth it to fill up once a week.
Amy Held
The US has dozens, dozens of tribally owned gas stations, by and large exempt from paying state fuel taxes. Savings they can pass on. The gas stations also provide revenue for reservations to reinvest in their communities, concentrated in western states where the priciest gas in the US is found for Lewis. Finding it at $4.85 a gallon on the reservation has been a boon.
Janelle Lewis
That'll get me through the week.
Amy Held
Amy Held, NPR News.
Windsor Johnston
This is NPR News in Washington. The German football team Union Berlin have named Mary Louise Etta as their new head coach until the end of the season. It's the first time a woman has been appointed to manage a men's team in the Bundesliga, one of Europe's top five leagues. The BBC's Elektra Naismith has more.
Elektra Naismith
An accomplished former player, Marie Louise Eta is no stranger to breaking barriers. She became the Bundesliga's first female assistant coach just over two years ago, and she was the first to lead a Bundesliga side from the touchline, deputising for the then manager during a 10 win over Darmstadt. But while men frequently manage women's sides, this is a much rarer prospect. The club says Eta hasn't been chosen to make a point, but because she's the natural choice, she'll certainly have her work cut out. Union have won only twice in their 14 Bundesliga games this year.
Windsor Johnston
The BBC's Elektra Naismith tickets to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are now on sale. Libby Rainey from the Las Fans are shocked by the high prices.
Libby Rainey
Fans in LA went from ecstatic to heartbroken when they logged on to buy Olympics tickets and saw prices in the hundreds and thousands of dollars. Seats at the games start at 28 bucks, but go as high as 5,500, including a whopping 24% service fee on each ticket. And the cheap seats sold out fast. Olympics organizers say the ticket costs are necessary to pay for the Games and that more cheap tickets will be made available in later drop.
Windsor Johnston
Libby Raney from the LA is reporting. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.
Amy Held
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Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Windsor Johnston
Episode Date: April 12, 2026
Episode Length: 5 minutes
This brisk, five-minute episode delivers the latest updates on major international and domestic news stories as of April 12, 2026. Highlights include rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, Congressional debates over war powers, relief for U.S. gas buyers on tribal lands, a historic coaching appointment in German football, and public reactions to soaring ticket prices for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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In this concise yet information-packed news update, NPR highlights the urgency and complexity of ongoing international crises, reveals shifts in American domestic policy dynamics, spotlights creative community solutions to economic pain, and underscores historic moments in both sports and culture. If you missed the episode, these five minutes are brimming with crucial headlines and the human stories behind them.