NPR News: 04-13-2026 8AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now — April 13, 2026, 8AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers the latest global and national headlines, focusing on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, a clash between President Trump and Pope Leo, a major development in California’s gubernatorial race, a federal court ruling in Arizona, and the passing of legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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

• [00:00–00:46]
  • Summary: President Trump announced a U.S. Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, following unsuccessful U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan. Iran has limited oil tanker movement through the strait.
  • Analysis (Greg Myhre):
    • “The U.S. navy can certainly keep track of a few massive, slow moving, unarmed commercial ships, but there are still lots of unknowns.” (Greg Myhre, 00:22)
    • Main concerns revolve around potential attempts to break the blockade and Iran’s warning of a “severe response” if a warship approaches, seeing it as a ceasefire violation.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “The main threat will be from Iran. The country's Revolutionary Guard said if a warship approaches the strait, it would be viewed as a ceasefire violation and Iran would deliver a severe response.” (Greg Myhre, 00:34)

2. President Trump vs. Pope Leo on Foreign Policy

• [00:46–01:46]
  • Event: President Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo, calling him “terrible on foreign policy” and disavowing the first American pope. Pope Leo, en route to Algeria, responded by appealing for peace.
  • Analysis (Ruth Sherlock):
    • Pope Leo did not engage in direct debate, but lamented the “abuse” of Christian messaging and the high civilian toll in conflict zones.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “I think someone has to stand up and say there is a better way.” (Pope Leo, via Ruth Sherlock, 01:20)
    • “Too many innocent people are being killed and I think someone has to stand up and say there is a better way.” (Pope Leo, 01:22)

3. California Governor’s Race Shocker: Eric Swalwell Withdraws

• [01:46–02:47]
  • Summary: Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his campaign amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations, including from a former staffer.
    • Widespread calls for his resignation emerge, and over 50 former staffers publicly demand he leave Congress and the race.
  • Analysis (Scott Shaffer, KQED):
    • Swalwell apologizes for “mistakes in judgment” but denies “inappropriate sexual behavior.”
    • His exit leaves uncertainty in California’s already turbulent gubernatorial race.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Swalwell said he was deeply sorry for what he called his mistakes in judgment, but he denies the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.” (Scott Shaffer, 02:19)
  • Additional: Manhattan DA is investigating a specific assault allegation related to an incident in a New York hotel room. (02:47)

4. Federal Case in Arizona Against Kalshi Prediction Market

• [02:47–03:47]
  • Summary: A federal judge blocks Arizona from prosecuting the prediction market platform Kalshi as an illegal gambling operation, siding with the Trump administration’s argument about federal jurisdiction over such platforms.

5. Asha Bhosle: Iconic Indian Singer Dies at 92

• [03:47–04:34]
  • Summary: Tributes pour in for Asha Bhosle, prolific Bollywood playback singer and Grammy nominee.
  • Analysis (Omkar Khandekar):
    • Bhosle’s “voice to female desire” and her musical range distinguished her from her sister, Lata Mangeshkar.
    • She “spanned dozens of languages, genres and international collaborations.”
  • Notable Moment:
    • “Bhosle gave voice to female desire... ‘you are welcome, sir. Take a test of love.’” (Omkar Khandekar, 04:00)
    • She passed away from a chest infection, aged 92.

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Memorable Quotes & Speaker Attribution

• Greg Myhre (on Iran):
  “The U.S. navy can certainly keep track of a few massive, slow moving, unarmed commercial ships, but there are still lots of unknowns.” (00:22)
• Pope Leo (via Ruth Sherlock):
  “Too many innocent people are being killed and I think someone has to stand up and say there is a better way.” (01:22)
• Scott Shaffer (on Swalwell):
  “Swalwell said he was deeply sorry for what he called his mistakes in judgment, but he denies the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.” (02:19)
• Omkar Khandekar (on Asha Bhosle):
  “Bhosle gave voice to female desire... ‘you are welcome, sir. Take a test of love.’” (04:00)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:46: U.S. Navy to blockade Strait of Hormuz (Korva Coleman, Greg Myhre)
• 00:46–01:46: Trump attacks Pope Leo; Pope responds (Korva Coleman, Ruth Sherlock)
• 01:46–02:47: Swalwell exits governor race over misconduct allegations (Korva Coleman, Scott Shaffer)
• 02:47–03:47: Federal ruling on prediction market platform Kalshi
• 03:47–04:34: Asha Bhosle, legendary Bollywood singer, dies (Korva Coleman, Omkar Khandekar)

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Tone & Delivery

The episode maintains NPR’s signature calm, factual tone, with economic but precise wording. Field reporters convey urgency and gravity on high-stakes issues, while tributes to public and cultural figures balance the news coverage with human interest.

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Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump says the US Navy will start blockading the Strait of Hormuz today. This comes after the US And Iran failed to reach agreement during a day of marathon talks over the weekend in Pakistan. Iran has been limiting oil tanker traffic in and out of the Strait. NPR's Greg Myhre says this action by the U.S. may be complicated.

[B]

The U.S. navy can certainly keep track of a few massive, slow moving, unarmed commercial ships, but there are still lots of unknowns. Will any ship try to break a US Blockade, and if so, how will the US Respond? The main threat will be from Iran. The country's Revolutionary Guard said if a warship approaches the strait, it would be viewed as a ceasefire violation and Iran would deliver a severe response.

[A]

NPR's Greg Myhre reporting. Pope Leo has responded to a direct verbal attack by President Trump. The pontiff says he'll continue to speak out against war and promote peace. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports.

[C]

Pope Leo spoke with reporters after President Trump attacked him in a lengthy social media post and then in comments to journalists on Sunday night. Trump said Leo is, quote, terrible on foreign policy. The president said he is not a fan of this first American. Pope Leo has been an outspoken critic of the US Israeli conflict with Iran. Responding to Trump's comments while on a plane to Algeria for the start of an 11 day tour to four African countries, Leo said he didn't want to enter into a debate with the US President. He did say, though, that he felt the Christian message was being abused. He said that, quote, too many innocent people are being killed and I think someone has to stand up and say there is a better way. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News.

[A]

California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell has ended his campaign for governor. This is after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against women, including a former staff member, came to light. From member station KQED in San Francisco. Scott Shaffer reports.

[D]

In a post on X Sunday, Swalwell said he was suspending a campaign that has been imploding since multiple women alleged that the San Francisco Bay Area Democrat had sexually forced himself on them. Swalwell had been gaining momentum in the race, winning key endorsements and leading other Democrats in pre election polls. All that changed quickly and more than 50 former staff members called on Swalwell to resign his seat in Congress and quit the race for governor. In his post, Swalwell said he was deeply sorry for what he called his mistakes in judgment, but he denies the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Swalwell's sudden departure adds even more turmoil to a campaign with no clear leader. The election is June 2nd. For NPR News, I'm Scott Schaefer in San Francisco.

[A]

Separately, the Manhattan district attorney's office says it's investigating one of the allegations. A woman has claimed Swalwell assaulted her in a New York City hotel room. You're listening to npr. A federal judge has issued a temporary ruling saying that Arizona state prosecutors cannot pursue a criminal case against the prediction market platform Kalshi. Arizona officials had alleged that Kalshee is running an illegal gambling operation in the state, but the Trump administration had stepped into the case. The administration had sued Arizona, saying the state's actions in this case were illegally trying to take over the role of the federal government. The judge sided with the Trump administration. Legendary Indian singer Asha Bosley has died. She recorded thousands of songs and lent her voice to generations of Bollywood films. NPR's Amkar Kandeka reports. Bosley was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

[E]

Asha Bosley was the younger sister of Indian legend Lata Mangeshkar, often called as the Nightingale of Bollywood. What set them apart was their choices. Mangeshkar often sang chaste songs of love and restraint in Indian cinema, but Bhosle gave voice to female desire like this, where she sings, you are welcome, sir. Take a test of love. Posle's career spanned dozens of languages, genres and international collaborations. The one with San Francisco based Gronau's quartet in the early 2000s got her a second Grammy nomination in world music, died after she was hospitalized for a chest infection. She was 92. Omkar Khandekar, NPR News, Pune.

[A]

And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

[F]

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