Trump rejects Iran's ceasefire proposal response. And...

Introduction

Catching up on global affairs? Here are the top 10 world news stories from NPR News as of May 12, 2026. NPR (National Public Radio) is a leading American non-profit media organization known for in-depth, independent reporting on international and domestic affairs.

📌 Previously: Fugitive former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro... — catch up on yesterday's world news.

Today's Top 10 Stories on NPR News

#1 — Trump rejects Iran's ceasefire proposal response. And, Congress to tackle ICE funding

Trump rejected Iran's response to a U.S. peace proposal, calling it "totally unacceptable." And, Congressional Republicans are trying to push for three years of funding for immigration enforcement.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/g-s1-121375/up-first-newsletter-trump-iran-congress-ice-cbp-hantavirus

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#2 — Trump heads to China amid ongoing war with Iran

President Trump's trip to China is going forward despite the war with Iran casting a shadow over the state visit.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/nx-s1-5816150/trump-heads-to-china-amid-ongoing-war-with-iran

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#3 — Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi transferred to a Tehran hospital, her foundation says

Nobel Peace laureate and activist Narges Mohammadi has been transferred to a Tehran hospital more than a week after collapsing in prison, her foundation said Sunday.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/g-s1-121365/nobel-laureate-mohammadi-transferred-to-a-tehran-hospital

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#4 — AI on the agenda as Trump heads to China

Artificial intelligence on the agenda for President Trump's upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/nx-s1-5812681/ai-on-the-agenda-as-trump-heads-to-china

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#5 — Remains of a U.S. soldier who went missing in Morocco have been recovered

The remains of a U.S. soldier who went missing during military drills in Morocco were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean, the army said. Military teams are searching for a second missing soldier.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/11/g-s1-121363/remains-of-missing-us-soldier

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#6 — U.S. cruise passengers arrive in the U.S. after one tests positive for hantavirus

One of the 18 Americans tested "mildly" positive for the virus during the U.S. return flight. A French woman has also tested positive — she was was among five French passengers repatriated to Paris.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5817578/hantavirus-cruise-ship-nebraska-us-passengers

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#7 — Israeli settlers force Palestinian family to exhume and rebury their father

The relatives of Hussein Asasa described to NPR how they were forced to exhume and rebury their father when Israeli settlers interfered with his grave.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5817496/israeli-settlers-palestinian-exhume-grave-west-bank-jenin

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#8 — Trump says the Iran ceasefire is 'on life support' after rejecting an Iranian proposal

President Trump said Iran's latest response to a U.S. proposal was "unacceptable" and didn't address the country's nuclear program.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5817605/trump-rejects-iran-ceasefire-proposal

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#9 — Why has China doubled its nuclear capacity in the last decade?

For decades, China pared back its nuclear weapons program and kept its arsenal to a minimum. Now, new satellite images show China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and production sites. Why?

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5727674/why-has-china-doubled-its-nuclear-capacity-in-the-last-decade

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#10 — Keir Starmer's party lost big in U.K. local elections. Here's what comes next

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour party suffered major losses in local elections held across Britain last week. So far, Starmer has rejected calls for his resignation.

Read full article: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/10/nx-s1-5817491/uk-elections-keir-starmer-resign-reform-green

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Why These World News Stories Matter

NPR's reporting offers an American perspective on global events, with a focus on context, analysis, and underrepresented voices. Today's stories span politics, conflict, climate, and culture across continents.

About NPR News

NPR News (npr.org) is the news division of National Public Radio, a privately and publicly funded American media organization. Founded in 1970, NPR produces and distributes award-winning news, analysis, and cultural programming.

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/world/
Updated: May 12, 2026