NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-11-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: May 11, 2025

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A lot of short daily news podcasts focus on just one story. But right now, you probably need more. On Up First from NPR, we bring you three of the world's top headlines every day in under 15 minutes. Because no one story can capture all that's happening in this big, crazy world of ours on any given morning. Listen now to the Up First podcast from NPR. Liveor Rahm Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is proposing direct talks with Ukraine aimed at ending the war between the two countries. The initiative appears to be the Kremlin leader's response to demands by European powers and Ukraine that Russia agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire. NPR's Charles Maynes has details. Reading from notes in a late-night appearance before reporters, Putin proposed Russian and Ukrainian negotiators meet for talks

in Istanbul, Turkey later this week. Putin said Russia would enter the negotiations without preconditions, but wanted a lasting peace settlement that addressed the root causes of the conflict, that in the past has included Russian demands Ukraine demilitarize and formally end its NATO ambitions. Putin's proposal came hours after European leaders threatened massive new sanctions. Should the Kremlin refuse to agree to an immediate month-long ceasefire endorsed by Kiev, President

Trump welcomed the prospect of direct talks, calling it a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine. Charles Mayne's NPR News, Moscow. welcome the prospect of direct talks, calling it a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he sees Putin's comments as a positive sign that Russia is finally engaging with finding an end to the war. But he said there must be a ceasefire before peace talks can start. Talks resumed in Geneva, Switzerland today between negotiators for the U.S. and

China. They're attempting to de-escalate trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. Tariffs on each other's imports have soared above 100%. Gene Seroca is the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. He says tariffs mean higher prices. Gene Seroca, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles Tariffs, whether they be the exorbitant numbers in China right now or the 10 percent tariffs on all other trading countries along the Pacific Rim, likely those price hikes will be passed on to us as consumers. He says fewer ships from Asia have been docking at his port since the end of April.

At the Vatican, newly elected Pope Leo XIV called for peace from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square today. NPR's Jason DeRose reports from Rome. Speaking in Italian, Pope Leo noted the 80th anniversary of World War II and said the world is currently experiencing a third world war in pieces, something the late Pope Francis often said. He called for an authentic, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, that prisoners be released and children be returned to their families. And he said he was saddened by the continuing conflict in Gaza, calling for all hostages

to be released and aid to be sent to the suffering civilian population. Leo gave thanks for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and said he hopes it leads to a lasting accord. He also closed his remarks by offering a greeting to all mothers, since many countries today are celebrating Mother's Day. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Rome. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Torrential rains and strong winds have caused devastating floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A local official in the eastern part of the country says more than 100 people have died. Forty-nine years after her death, the writer known as the Queen of Crime has been brought back to life through artificial intelligence. Vicki Barker reports. Vicki Barker, Author, The Queen that this is all rather new to me. Agatha Christie recreated using AI for the online masterclass series BBC Maestro. Her great-grandson, James Pritchard, told a BBC promotional video. At the heart of this was my father, who knew Agatha Christie better than any person alive.

At times he was astounded by how similar to his grandmother this version was. The crime writers family set a condition that all the words used be Christie's own. Christie scholars combed her published and unpublished works and private letters to assemble this masterclass. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. A Tufts University student is back in Boston after spending more than six weeks in a Louisiana detention center.

Rumeysa Ozturk was taken off the street by immigration agents and told her student visa had been revoked. Her lawyers say she was arrested after she co-wrote an op-ed criticizing her school's response to the war in Gaza. A federal judge ordered her release Friday. When she arrived in Boston yesterday, OzTurk told reporters that she was grateful for all the support she's received and she's excited to get back to her studies. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in

Washington.