NPR News: May 12, 2025 – 12 PM EDT

Released May 12, 2025

Release of U.S. Hostage Edan Alexander by Hamas

[00:24] Lakshmi Singh opens the episode with breaking news:

"Hamas has released U.S. Israeli hostage Edan Alexander," Singh reports, citing statements from both Hamas and an Israeli official.

[00:43] Hadil Al Shalchi provides further details:

Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier raised in New Jersey, was captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and held in Gaza. His release is part of what Hamas describes as a step toward a ceasefire agreement with Israel. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office clarified that Alexander's return was achieved "without anything in return," attributing it to "President Trump's diplomacy."

[01:25] President Trump's Response:

In Washington, President Trump welcomed Alexander's release, emphasizing the successful diplomatic efforts that led to the hostage's return.

[01:27] Vincent Mguena adds, "It ends the only American citizen captured and held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023, and he's coming home to his parents."

U.S.-China Trade Relations: Temporary Tariff Relief

[01:42] Lakshmi Singh transitions to economic news:

President Trump is embarking on his first major overseas trip, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Concurrently, the U.S. and China have reached a temporary agreement to halt triple-digit tariffs.

[01:59] Scott Horsley elaborates:

"The U.S. is slashing tariffs on imports from China from 145% to 30% for the next 90 days," Horsley explains. In exchange, China will reduce its tariffs on U.S. imports to just 10%. This move provides relief for businesses dependent on Chinese goods, which had been severely impacted by the previous high tariffs that nearly halted cargo traffic between the two nations. Despite this temporary relief, remaining tariffs are still substantially higher than pre-tariff levels, and uncertainty persists regarding the long-term trade landscape once the 90-day period concludes.

Afrikaners’ Resettlement in the United States

[02:39] Lakshmi Singh reports on an immigration development:

Dozens of white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners descended from Dutch colonists, have arrived in the U.S. via a government-chartered flight.

[02:45] Kay Bartlett provides context from Johannesburg:

The group was granted refugee status following an executive order signed by President Trump, who stated that Afrikaners face persecution in South Africa. However, [03:03] Vincent Mguena, a spokesperson for the South African presidency, disputes this claim:

"There are no legal or any factual basis for the executive order sanctioning this action. None of the provisions of international law on the definition of refugees are applicable in this case," Mguena asserts.

Pope Leo XIV Advocates for Press Freedom

[03:19] Lakshmi Singh covers a significant statement from the Vatican:

Pope Leo XIV has called for the release of imprisoned journalists during a large gathering of reporters in Rome. The newly elected pontiff encouraged journalists to continue their critical work in documenting history, despite facing increasing threats and criticism globally. This message comes at a time when various governments, including the Trump administration, have labeled certain media outlets as "fake media."

Land Subsidence in U.S. Cities Due to Groundwater Extraction

[04:10] Rebecca Hersher reports on environmental research:

A study by Columbia University and Virginia Tech, published in Nature Cities, reveals that approximately 20% of the land area in the 28 most populous U.S. cities has experienced sinking between 2015 and 2021. This subsidence affects over 30 million people, with Houston identified as the fastest-sinking major city. The primary cause is groundwater extraction for agriculture, drinking, and manufacturing purposes. Consequences of land sinking include increased flooding risks, especially in coastal urban areas already vulnerable to rising sea levels from climate change.

Market Update

[04:54] Lakshmi Singh provides a brief economic update:

Major U.S. market indices are up between 2.5% and 3.5%, reflecting positive investor sentiment amidst ongoing economic developments.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on May 12, 2025, offering a comprehensive overview for those who have not tuned into the broadcast.