Summary3 min read

NPR News Now – April 13, 2026, 6AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman, NPR
Episode Theme:
A roundup of the day’s top stories: escalating U.S.–Iran tensions following the breakdown of peace talks, Congressional challenges upon return from recess, a major political shift in Hungary, disaster relief expansion in the U.S. South, and brief updates on Wall Street and the Boston Marathon.

U.S.–Iran Tensions and Strait of Hormuz Blockade

Timestamps: 00:00–00:57

President Trump and the Pentagon announce a forthcoming U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The action follows the collapse of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan, led by Vice President J.D. Vance.
Trump’s social media statement accuses Iran of extortion, declaring the blockade will halt vessel movement through the strait.
In a Fox News interview, Trump frames the breakdown as due to Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons:
- Quote:
  "They want to have nuclear weapons. They're not going to have nuclear weapons. I've been saying that for 30 years. I would never allow that to happen before I was in politics. And that country will not have nuclear weapons."
  — President Trump (00:40–00:50)
Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes.

Congress Returns: Iran War, Surveillance, and Homeland Security

Timestamps: 00:58–01:46

Congress reconvenes after a two-week recess with a packed agenda:
- Democrats intend to force votes putting Republicans on record regarding the Iran war.
- The context: Vance’s failed peace negotiations and ongoing conflict.
- Emphasis on Congressional power over declarations of war.
Expiration of key wiretap/spy powers for surveillance of foreign nationals looms (next Monday). Bipartisan privacy advocates push for U.S. citizen protections.
Homeland Security remains unfunded due to intra-Republican disputes, stalling the agency’s operation.

Political Shift in Hungary

Timestamps: 01:46–02:47

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister for 16 years and Trump ally, concedes defeat to Peter Magyar and the opposition TISA party.
- Magyar delivers a victory speech in Budapest before a massive crowd.
European Union leaders express relief over Magyar’s landslide victory given Orban’s record of obstructing EU initiatives, especially aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.
- Quote:
  “Hungary has chosen European.”
  — Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President (summary, 02:22)
High voter turnout signals public desire for closer EU relations and democratic reform.

Disaster Relief Expansion for Mississippi and Tennessee

Timestamps: 02:47–04:04

Federal disaster declarations expanded after January’s devastating winter storms killed 29 in each state.
Tennessee’s original federal aid extended to allow individual assistance:
- Funds for lodging, living expenses, and home repairs now available in 29 counties.
- Over 300,000 households lost power; delays in federal aid caused frustration:
  - Quote:
    “Tennesseans have been waiting and hoping for this assistance… it was 72 days between the governor's ask and the approval.”
    — Tony Gonzalez, NPR Nashville (03:25–04:04)
FEMA now able to distribute funds after Senate confirms Mark Wayne Mullen as Homeland Security Secretary.

Other Noteworthy Updates

Timestamps: 04:04–04:40

President Trump’s disaster declarations now apply to seven states from Alaska to South Carolina.
Boston Marathon celebrates its 130th year, with over 30,000 runners and an expected half a million spectators lining the course.
Financial markets: Dow and Nasdaq futures are down; crude oil prices rising.

Memorable Quotes

President Trump:
"They want to have nuclear weapons. They're not going to have nuclear weapons. I've been saying that for 30 years. I would never allow that to happen before I was in politics. And that country will not have nuclear weapons."
(00:40–00:50)
Tony Gonzalez, NPR Nashville:
"Tennesseans have been waiting and hoping for this assistance… it was 72 days between the governor's ask and the approval."
(03:25–04:04)
Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission President:
"Hungary has chosen European." (summary, 02:22)

Structure and Tone

The episode maintains NPR’s concise, factual reporting style, weaving global and domestic headlines with brief, clear language and direct speaker attribution.

This episode delivers crucial developments in U.S. foreign policy, Congressional activity, landmark European elections, and disaster relief, providing listeners with concise, actionable news for the day.

Loading summary

Transcript12 lines

[00:00]
A
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump and the PENTAGON say the U.S. navy will start blockading the Strait of Hormuz in a few hours. NPR's Joe Hernandez reports Trump's decision follows the collapse of peace talks with Iran that were held in Pakistan this weekend.
[00:17]
B
In a post on social media, President Trump accused Iran of extortion and said the US Blockade would prevent any vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump made the announcement after a U.S. delegation led by Vice President J.D. vance failed to reach a deal with Iran to end the war. Trump said in an interview on Fox News that the negotiations had broken down because of Iran's nuclear ambitions.
[00:40]
C
They want to have nuclear weapons. They're not going to have nuclear weapons. I've been saying that for 30 years. I would never allow that to happen before I was in politics. And that country will not have nuclear weapons.
[00:51]
B
Iran has repeatedly insisted that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.
[00:58]
A
Congress returns Today from its two week recess. NPR's Eric McDaniel reports. There's a lot on the agenda.
[01:05]
D
Democrats plan to force Republicans to go on the record with their view of the Iran war in a series of votes. That's after Vice President Vance's peace talks with the country failed over the weekend. And the votes are also a reminder that the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the authority to declare and regulate war. Congress must also reauthorize key spy powers that allow the government to collect the communications of more than 300,000 foreign nationals each year without a warrant. Those expire next Monday. Bipartisan privacy reformers want more protections for Americans. Calls, texts and emails caught up in that surveillance. And the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down. A plan to fund the agency is hampered by an inter Republican fight. Eric McDaniel, NPR News, Washington.
[01:46]
A
The longtime prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, has conceded defeat to his rival Peter Mage and his TISA party. MAGA walked through the Hungarian capital, Budapest, yesterday to give his victory speech. He he was welcomed by a huge crowd. Outgoing leader Orban is an ally of President Trump's European Union leaders are expressing relief at Madur's landslide victory. Terry Schultz reports. Orban has repeatedly blocked EU aid to Ukraine as well as blocked European sanctions on Russia.
[02:23]
E
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on social media that Hungary has chosen European. Prime Minister Orban railed against the European Union as he sought to keep his Fidesh party in power. But Hungarians were ready for change after 16 years of Orban's authoritarian rule. They turned out in record numbers to vote for the opposition TISA Party of Peter Magyar, who's pledged to renew the country's relationship with the eu.
[02:47]
A
Terry Schultz reporting on Wall Street. In premarket trading, Dow and Nasdaq futures are both lower. Crude oil prices are going higher. This is npr. The federal government has expanded its disaster declarations for Mississippi and Tennessee. This is for a brutal winter storm. Last January, 29 people were killed in each state. Tennessee already had a federal disaster declaration that covered help for local governments. From member station wpln, Tony Gonzalez reports. The amended declaration will help residents request individual aid.
[03:25]
F
Tennesseans have been waiting and hoping for this assistance. Now survivors in 29 counties can get individual aid that can reimburse people for temporary lodging, living expenses and home repairs. The ice storm's impacts were vast, with unprecedented damage to trees and utility lines. More than 300,000 households lost power, some for nearly two weeks, forcing residents to stay in shelters and hotels. Governor Bill Lee sought federal help, and he said early on that he hoped it would come quickly because the impacts were so evident. But disaster declarations have been taking longer under the current administration, and it was 72 days between the governor's ask and the approval. For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville.
[04:05]
A
Last week, President Trump approved major disaster declarations for seven states from Alaska to South Carolina. They'll now be able to receive money through fema. This action comes after the Senate confirmed Mark Wayne Mullen as the new homeland security secretary. That is the parent agency of FEMA. The Boston Marathon is today. This is the 130th year of the famous race. The Boston Athletic association says that more than 30,000 entrants will participate. Half a million people are expected to line the course. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.
[04:40]
G
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