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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Marathon Negotiations between American and Iranian delegations ended without a breakthrough on ending the war in Iran. Talks in Islamabad collapsed overnight with the two sides blaming each other. NPR's Dee Parvez reports. The meeting came just days after the two countries agreed to a temporary ceasefire, but that deal is now showing signs of severe strain.
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In a statement to Iranian state media, Iran's Foreign Ministry speaks spokesperson Esmael Barre said that the two sides, quote, reached an understanding on a number of issues, but ultimately the talks did not lead to an agreement. He added that issues such as Iran's demand that it continue to control the Strait of Hormuz added complexities to the talks and that, quote, we should not have expected to reach an agreement in one meeting from the beginning. After the collapse of the talks, Vice President J.D. vance said that the US needs a commitment from Iran that it will not seek a nuclear weapon nor pursue the tools to quickly build one. Iran has repeatedly said that the nuclear program is a civilian one and that it has a right to continue to enrich uranium for that purpose. The status of the two week ceasefire is uncertain at this point, as are the possibilities of further negotiations. Dee Pavaz, NPR News, Vaughan.
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Turkey the US Says two warships have passed through the hotly contested Strait of Hormuz after traffic was blocked for weeks. NPR's Ilana Weiss reports. It's the first transit of American warships since the start of the Iran war.
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The the Defense Department says two Navy guided missile destroyers pass through the Strait of Hormuz as the critical water passageway has become a key landmark in the ongoing conflict. US Central Command said that the US Forces had begun setting conditions to clear Iranian sea mines planted throughout the waterway. The blockage of the strait has led to global energy concerns and spikes in the prices of oil and natural gas. Central Command said additional American forces would join in helping to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines in the coming days. Ilana Wise, NPR News.
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Ukraine and Russia are accusing each other of violating the terms of their weekend ceasefire, marking Orthodox Easter. The BBC Sarah Rainsford reports.
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Across Ukraine, there have been no major missile or drone attacks and no civilian casualties reported overnight along the front line. Though the general Staff has reported well over 400 violations of the truce with shelling drones and attempted assaults on the ground, Ukrainians do need a pause in the fighting. But even if Easter Sunday remains relatively quiet, the Kremlin has already rejected a call from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to extend this truce.
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That's the BBC's Sarah Rainsford reporting from eastern Ukraine. This is NPR News in Washington. A raffle in France is offering a chance to win a Picasso. The draw for the Tete du Femme, painted in 1941, takes place Tuesday at Christie's auction house in Paris. Previous raffles have raised over 10 million euros for cultural and humanitarian causes. The number of tickets is capped at 120,000 and the draw will be broadcast online. The proceeds support Alzheimer's research. Spring has sprung in Britain, and with it some unsettling changes to the season. Vicki Barker reports from London.
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First, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds fired a salvo at a tradition long cherished by British gardeners. It has urged them to put away their bird feeders between May and October to fight a deadly parasite which spreads wherever birds crowd together. The bird feeders are a particular source of infection. And now another seasonal tradition violated. The posh and venerable Chelsea Flower show has relaxed its historic ban on garden gnomes. How could it not, after soccer star David Beckham personally decorated a gnome for the garden he designed with King Charles? The gnome will then be auctioned off for charity. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
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Rory McIlroy, led by Sig Strokes entering round three at the Masters on Saturday, the largest third round lead in tournament history. He's still on top, but is now tied with Cameron Young. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.
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Host: Windsor Johnston
Date: April 12, 2026
This five-minute newscast from NPR delivers updates on high-stakes diplomacy between the US and Iran, military developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, a unique Picasso raffle in France, seasonal changes in Britain, and the latest from the Masters golf tournament.
[00:01–01:18]
“Reached an understanding on a number of issues, but ultimately the talks did not lead to an agreement.” — Esmael Barre (00:28)
“We should not have expected to reach an agreement in one meeting from the beginning.” (00:28)
[01:18–02:13]
[02:13–02:50]
“Even if Easter Sunday remains relatively quiet, the Kremlin has already rejected a call from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to extend this truce.” — Sarah Rainsford (02:24)
[02:50–03:36]
[03:36–04:21]
“How could it not, after soccer star David Beckham personally decorated a gnome for the garden he designed with King Charles?” — Vicki Barker (03:56)
[04:21–04:40]
This episode encapsulates major international diplomatic and military developments, touches on cultural trends in Europe, and provides a sports highlight—all within NPR’s signature concise reporting style.