NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-12-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: May 12, 2025

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These days, there's a lot of news. It can be hard to keep up with what it means for you, your family, and your community. Consider This from NPR is a podcast that helps you make sense of the news. Six days a week, we bring you a deep dive on a story and provide the context, backstory, and analysis you need to understand our rapidly changing world. Listen to the Consider This podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. A Hamas official speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly tells NPR that American hostage, Edan Alexander, will be released in return for unspecified things the U.S. is promising.

The official hinted that Israel would release some Palestinian prisoners and ensure some aid into Gaza for the release. Pope Leo XIV made his first Sunday noon blessing as Pontus speaking from St. Peter's Basilica to a crowd of about 100,000 people. He called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. He served here through a translator. I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. May whatever is possible be done to

reach an authentic, true and lasting peace as quickly as possible. May all the prisoners be freed. May children return to their families. The Trump administration is in talks with the Qatari government about accepting a luxury airplane that could temporarily serve as Air Force One, but as NPR's Frank Ordonez reports, the idea is already raising ethical and legal questions. The White House has acknowledged that the Qatari government has offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense. ABC was first to report about the plane.

If it happens, the plane would be one of the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the U.S. government. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt issued a statement saying that any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. The president is traveling to the Middle East this week and will stop in Qatar, as well as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But administration officials say not to expect the gift to be presented or accepted this week while the president is in Qatar. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

The Federal Aviation Administration says a runway equipment issue caused delays at the Atlanta airport Sunday. Plane arrivals were slowed while technicians dealt with the problem. In a separate announcement, the FAA says operations have returned to normal at Newark airport. The Trump administration warns such problems could happen elsewhere. NPR's Luke Garrett explains. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy tells NBC's Meet the Press it is safe to fly out of Newark, but flight volume needs to be scaled back.

I want you to get to where you're traveling. And if that means slowing down flights into Newark, we slow them down to make sure we can do it safely. Duffy says the outdated air traffic control systems are to blame, and it's an issue that other airports face across the country. I'm concerned about the whole airspace. The equipment that we use, much of it we can't buy parts for new. We have to go on eBay and buy parts if one part goes down.

Duffy says the Trump administration's plan to overhaul the nation's air traffic control system will take three to four years. In the meantime, he says planes remain the safest way to travel. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. And you're listening to NPR News. Texas-born country music singer Johnny Rodriguez died on Friday. He was 73 years old. His family has confirmed his death.

Rodriguez was known for chart-topping hits in the 1970s. Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton reports. Born in Sabanul, Texas, of Mexican heritage, Johnny Rodriguez became a prolific musical artist in both Tejano and country music and was one of the first Latinos to break into country music in Nashville. He had 45 Billboard chart singles and 6 number one hits during his career. He was most well known for the hit songs, That's the Way Love Goes, and Riding My Thumb to Mexico.

Rodriguez was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. His daughter says he died in San Antonio surrounded by family. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio. The Indiana Pacers had a 41-point halftime lead Sunday before going on to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109. The Pacers also led at one point by 44 points. They now have a three one lead in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals and could make it to the Eastern finals with the win Tuesday in Cleveland and the

Oklahoma city thunders overcame an eight point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Denver Nuggets 92 to 87. That ties the series at two games apiece. Sepp Straka shot a two under 68 on Sunday to win the PGA championship this weekend in Flowertown, Pennsylvania. Shane Lowry, who started the day tied with Stracke, and Justin Thomas tied for second at two strokes off the pace. Three other players finished tied for fourth at 12-under.

I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. You may have heard that President Trump has issued an executive order seeking to block I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.