NPR News: 04-13-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 13, 2025, 10 AM EDT

Host: NPR
Release Date: April 13, 2025
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Renewed US-Iran Nuclear Talks in Oman

Timestamp: [00:16]
Reporter: Windsor Johnston

Delegations from the United States and Iran are set to resume nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman, this week. The initial meetings held on Saturday marked a significant step forward in addressing Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Key Points:

• Objective: Define the limitations of Iran's nuclear activities and negotiate potential relief from stringent U.S. sanctions.
• Tone of Discussions: Both parties expressed a serious and constructive approach towards the negotiations.

Notable Quote:

"Saturday's talks were an important first step... both sides sounded very serious."
— Greg Myhre, NPR [00:35]

The United States has imposed a two-month deadline on Iran to either scale down its nuclear capabilities or completely dismantle its program. These discussions are critical as they attempt to balance diplomatic relations and security concerns in the region.

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2. Deadly Russian Missile Strike in Sumy, Ukraine

Timestamp: [01:03]
Reporter: Joanna Kakissis

In a tragic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles targeting Sumy, a Ukrainian city close to the Russian border. The attack resulted in over 30 fatalities and numerous injuries, marking the latest deadly strike amid fragile peace talks.

Key Points:

• Impact: The missiles struck downtown Sumy on Palm Sunday, causing widespread devastation as residents prepared for Easter services.
• Context: This assault occurs despite a 30-day ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. a month prior, indicating Russia's intent to advance its offensive in the region.
• Ukrainian Response: The Ukrainian military accuses Russia of initiating a spring offensive aimed at capturing strategic areas near the border.

Notable Quote:

"Russia has launched a spring offensive to try to capture the region."
— Joanna Kakissis, NPR [01:37]

The international community remains on high alert as these developments threaten to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region.

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3. UK Stands Firm on Food Safety in Trade Negotiations with the US

Timestamp: [02:18]
Reporter: Vicki Barker

Amid ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and the United Kingdom, British officials have declared that maintaining high food safety standards is non-negotiable. This stance could pose challenges to reaching a new trade deal with the U.S.

Key Points:

• Issue at Hand: The U.S. seeks to relax certain food import standards, such as the use of chlorine in poultry processing, which is permitted in the U.S. but banned in the UK and EU.
• British Position: Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Business Secretary, emphasized that lowering food standards is off the table, potentially complicating tariff reduction talks.

Notable Quote:

"Britain will not lower its food safety standards in any deal to secure lower US tariffs on British goods."
— Jonathan Reynolds, Business Secretary, as reported by Vicki Barker [02:27]

This firm stance underscores the UK's commitment to food safety and may impact the progress of bilateral trade agreements with the Trump administration.

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4. Pope Francis Celebrates Palm Sunday Amid Recovery and Myanmar Archaeological Discoveries

Timestamp: [03:12]
Reporter: Chloe Veltman

Thousands of Christians gathered in St. Peter's Square for Palm Sunday, where Pope Francis made a brief appearance from his wheelchair, continuing his recovery from a severe lung infection. Simultaneously, significant archaeological discoveries emerged from the recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar.

Key Points:

• Pope's Health: At 88 years old, Pope Francis greeted the faithful while recuperating after being hospitalized for pneumon pneumonia since late March.
• Myanmar Earthquake Aftermath: A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc, resulting in thousands of deaths and extensive damage to cultural heritage sites.
• Archaeological Finds: Researchers uncovered ruins that may belong to a historical water palace in Inwa, the ancient imperial capital near Mandalay. These findings highlight the rich cultural legacy threatened by natural disasters.

Notable Quote:

"The ruins may belong to a water palace or similar structure used for royal ceremonies and festivals."
— Chloe Veltman, NPR [04:04]

The simultaneous events in the Vatican and Myanmar reflect a world grappling with both enduring faith traditions and the urgent need to preserve cultural heritage in the face of natural calamities.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of critical international developments, including diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran, ongoing conflict in Ukraine, trade discussions between the UK and the US, and significant cultural events and discoveries. Notable quotes and detailed reporting offer listeners a clear understanding of the complex issues shaping today's global landscape.

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For more detailed reports and updates, visit NPR and stay informed with the latest news as it unfolds.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

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[Windsor Johnston]

News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Delegations from the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume talks in oman this week. NPR's Greg Myhre reports. The two sides met yesterday to discuss Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

[Greg Myhre]

Saturday's talks were an important first step. The US And Iran held these talks in Oman's capital, Muscat, mediated by Oman. And the key issues are clear. What will the limits be on Iran's nuclear program? And to what extent will Iran get relief from the tough sanctions imposed by the U.S. but both sides sounded very serious. The U.S. called the talks positive and constructive. Iran struck a similar note and they've agreed to meet again on Saturday.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's NPR's Greg Myrey reporting. President Trump has given Iran a two month deadline to accept a deal that would lead to the country downsizing its nuclear program or getting rid of it entirely. Russian forces shot two ballistic missiles in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing more than 30 people and wounding dozens of others. NPR's Joanna Kakissis reports. The attack is the latest deadly strike by Russia even as it continues talks with the Trump administration. Administration on a ceasefire.

[Joanna Kakissis]

The missiles hit Sumy's busy downtown on Palm Sunday as churchgoers prepared for Easter. In this video posted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, bodies are seen on a street filled with burning cars and a trolley bus. A woman screams as rescue workers help bloodied survivors. Russia has escalated attacks since Ukraine agreed to a 30 day ceasefire brokered by the US a month ago. Sumy is about 25 miles from the Russian border. Ukraine's military says Russia has launched a spring offensive to try to capture the region. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Windsor Johnston]

A British cabinet minister says lower food standards are off the menu in any new trade deal with the U.S. vicki Barker reports from London.

[Vicki Barker]

If ordinary Britain's apprehension about possible future US Food imports can be summed up in a single phrase, it is chlorinated chicken. Poultry disinfected in a chlorine solution may be considered safe in the US but it's banned in both the EU and the UK and now Britain's business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has told Sky News that Britain will not lower its food safety standards in any deal to secure lower US Tariffs on British goods. That may bode ill for those trade negotiations. The Trump administration has called a relaxation of the standards a precondition to any new tariffs deal. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

[Windsor Johnston]

It's NPR. Thousands of Christian faithful packed St. Peter's Square today on Palm Sunday. Pope Francis made a brief appearance at the end of the service. The 88 year old pontiff greeted the crowds from his wheelchair as he continues to recover from pneumon. Frances was discharged from a hospital in Rome on March 23 after spending five weeks being treated for a severe lung infection after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar last month. Culturally significant ruins have been found in the rubble. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports. The discoveries include a possible water palace.

[Chloe Veltman]

According to the Myanmar Department of Archaeology and National Museum's Facebook page, the ruins may belong to a water palace or similar structure used for royal ceremonies and festivals. They were discovered in Inwa, an ancient imperial capital near Mandalay in central Myanmar. Pictures posted earlier this week show massive carved stone slabs covered in earth and listing in the ground at an angle. Experts say they likely date back to the Konbong Dynasty, the last dynasty that ruled Burma from 1752-18. Many important cultural sites were also damaged in the earthquake, which killed several thousand people. According to the Myanmar Department of Archaeology, roughly three quarters of the historical buildings in Inhua came to harm. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is npr.

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