NPR News Now: April 13, 2026, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers breaking and headline news from the U.S. and around the world. Key topics include escalating military action around Iran, escalating tensions between the Vatican and the White House, major political changes in Hungary, leadership changes at a federal park agency, sexual misconduct allegations against a California political figure, and an encouraging environmental discovery in Central America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Naval Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

[00:05–01:04]

• Announcement: U.S. military to enforce a naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to pressure Iran after failed peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.
• Background: President Trump declared that the U.S. Navy, already heavily present in the region, would act quickly. The situation is tense due to risks of maritime mines and Iran’s threats to retaliate against attacks on its ports.
• Regional Impact: Iran has maintained an effective closure of the waterway, only permitting select ships through; future confrontations are uncertain.

Notable Quote:

“President Trump says it won't take long for the U.S. to, quote, clean out the strait.”
— Greg Myhre (00:24)

2. Pope Leo’s Historic Africa Visit Amid Diplomatic Tensions

[01:04–02:07]

• Event: Pope Leo begins an 11-day African tour starting in Algeria – a historic first for a pope in the country.
• Tensions: The visit follows sharp criticism from President Trump regarding the Pope’s stance on the Iran conflict and broader social issues.
• Faith & Diplomacy: The Pope uses his platform to call for peace and highlight global suffering, directly responding to the U.S. President’s attacks while still on his arrival flight.

Notable Quotes:

“We don't like a pope that's going to say that it's okay to have a nuclear weapon... I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo.”
— President Trump (01:43)

“Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way to do this.”
— Pope Leo (01:58)

3. Political Change in Hungary

[02:10–02:51]

• Election Result: Alek Peter Magyar is set to replace Viktor Orbán as Hungary’s prime minister after a landslide vote, pledging a return to democratic standards.
• Community Response: Hungarian Americans express optimism for the country’s direction, marking a break from authoritarian leadership closely tied to global hardliners.

Notable Quote:

“This gives hope to our generation that we can actually make change and democracy is not dead.”
— Anna Haydu (02:29)

4. San Francisco Presidio Trust Board Dismissal

[03:01–03:53]

• Action: President Trump fired all six members of the Presidio Trust board, originally appointed by President Biden.
• Ongoing Operations: The park remains unaffected due to its self-sufficiency, generating nearly $60 million in net income last year. No timeline for new appointments.

5. California Gubernatorial Campaign Suspension Amid Allegations

[03:53–04:08]

• Political Fallout: Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his campaign for California governor following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct by several women. Swalwell denies all wrongdoing.

6. Conservation Success: Cloud Jaguar Spotted in Honduras

[04:08–04:26]

• Wildlife Update: A cloud jaguar was photographed in the Sierra Del Marindon mountains, Honduras, for the first time in a decade—signaling progress for big cat conservation efforts in the region, despite ongoing threats.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with timestamps)

• “President Trump says it won't take long for the U.S. to, quote, clean out the strait.”
  — Greg Myhre (00:24)
• “We don't like a pope that's going to say that it's okay to have a nuclear weapon... I'm not a big fan of Pope Leo.”
  — President Trump (01:43)
• “Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there's a better way to do this.”
  — Pope Leo (01:58)
• “This gives hope to our generation that we can actually make change and democracy is not dead.”
  — Anna Haydu (02:29)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S. Naval Blockade/Iran Tensions: 00:05–01:04
• Pope Leo’s Visit & U.S. Tensions: 01:04–02:07
• Hungarian Election & Political Shift: 02:10–02:51
• Presidio Trust Board Dismissal: 03:01–03:53
• Eric Swalwell Campaign Suspension: 03:53–04:08
• Jaguar Conservation News: 04:08–04:26

Tone & Style

The episode maintains NPR’s signature measured, factual, and internationalist tone, combining concise reporting with select direct quotes from newsmakers to provide a snapshot of consequential developments across politics, diplomacy, and environmental news.