NPR News: 05-11-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 11, 2025, 10 PM EDT Summary

President Trump's Ambitious Plan to Slash Drug Prices

In a significant policy announcement, President Donald Trump declared his intention to sign an executive order aimed at reducing drug prices by an impressive 30 to 80% almost immediately. Speaking via social media, Trump emphasized the administration's commitment to making medications more affordable for Americans. At [00:29], NPR's Luke Garrett reports:

"President Trump is promising to reduce drug prices by 30 to 80% almost immediately. Posting on social media, Trump says his executive order will lower pharmaceutical costs. To quote, 'the same price as the nation that pays the lowest price.' He's calling it a most favored nation policy."

This executive order seeks to implement a "most favored nation" policy, which would require Medicare to pay no more for certain drugs than the lowest prices paid by other developed countries. Although a similar initiative was introduced in 2020, it faced legal challenges and was ultimately revoked by President Joe Biden. The pharmaceutical industry has criticized the proposal as "unworkable and irresponsible," highlighting uncertainties regarding which drugs and payments would be affected under the new order ([00:58]).

Middle East Diplomacy: Efforts Towards Ceasefire and Prisoner Release

The geopolitical landscape in the Middle East continues to evolve as diplomatic efforts intensify. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to travel to Israel to negotiate the release of Eden Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen and the last known American captive remaining in Gaza. Announced by Jeanine Herbst at [01:14], Witkoff's mission is part of broader initiatives to broker peace between Israel and Hamas, which has proposed releasing prisoners as a step towards ending the ongoing conflict and initiating ceasefire talks.

Concurrently, President Trump is embarking on a four-day diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, underscoring the administration's active role in regional peace efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also playing a pivotal role, as he prepares to visit Turkey on May 15th for direct negotiations proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As reported by Joanna Kakisis at [02:00], Zelenskyy expressed optimism in his nightly address:

"I will be in Turkey on May 15th and I will be waiting there for Putin. I hope this time Putin will not look for reasons why he cannot do something."

This optimism follows Putin's recent statement indicating readiness for direct talks, though he has yet to commit to a ceasefire. European leaders, alongside Zelenskyy, have advocated for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire beginning the following Monday, a proposal that has garnered support from Trump ([02:40]).

Breakthroughs in US-China Trade Negotiations

In a positive development for international trade relations, the Trump administration announced progress in trade talks with China. Following two days of negotiations in Switzerland over the weekend, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen confirmed substantial advancements, which he plans to elaborate on the following day ([02:49]). Chinese officials have described the discussions as "candid and constructive," contributing to a favorable market response. Wall Street futures are trading higher, with Dow futures up 1% and Nasdaq futures rising by 1.9% ([04:33]).

NPR's Joanna Kakisis adds:

"I'm happy to report that we made substantial progress between the United States and China in these very important trade talks."

This progress is seen as a promising step towards resolving tariff disputes and fostering a more stable economic relationship between the two global giants.

High-Profile Legal Battle: Sean "Diddy" Combs Faces Sex Trafficking Trial

The legal spotlight is on music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs as he prepares to face opening statements in New York tomorrow for charges related to sex trafficking. Despite multiple attempts by his legal team to exclude damaging evidence, a video depicting Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, is set to be presented in court ([02:58]). When the video emerged last May, Combs issued an apology on Instagram, but the incident continues to haunt his legal standing.

Cassie Ventura is expected to testify as one of the first three witnesses, with her testimony anticipated to dominate the proceedings for the majority of the week. This high-stakes trial is closely watched by both the entertainment industry and the public, highlighting issues of accountability and personal conduct in the spotlight.

Nature's Renewal: Spring Blooms at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Amidst political and economic headlines, nature enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as rare and diverse spring flowers bloom at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Jackie Sieber from W UOT reports on the vibrant display of "spring ephemerals" that typically go dormant in summer, now flourishing in the park's lower elevations ([03:51]).

"The spring ephemerals in lower elevations of the park usually go dormant in the summer months. Some flowers, like the yellow trillium, can only be found in southern Appalachia," explains Todd Witcher, Executive Director of Discover Life in America.

Visitors are encouraged to engage with the park's biodiversity by using the Inaturalist app to document sightings of specific plants and wildlife. The nonprofit organization relies on this data to monitor and preserve the park's rich ecosystem. However, tourists are advised against picking the flowers to help maintain their natural beauty and sustainability.

Market Movements and Economic Indicators

In addition to the positive developments in US-China trade talks, Wall Street futures reflect optimistic sentiments, with Dow futures rising by 1% and Nasdaq futures up by 1.9% ([04:33]). Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen's upcoming release of detailed discussions between the US and China is expected to further influence market trends and investor confidence.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, from President Trump's healthcare initiatives and Middle East diplomacy to significant legal proceedings and environmental highlights. The balanced coverage ensures listeners are well-informed on critical developments shaping the world today.

Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

This message comes from Capital One Access comprehensive solutions from a top commercial bank that prioritizes your needs today and goals for tomorrow. Learn [e-mail] Commercial Member FDIC. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump says he will sign an executive order tomorrow morning to reduce drug prices. He made the announcement on social media today. NPR's Luke Garrett has more.

[Luke Garrett]

President Trump is promising to reduce drug prices by 30 to 80% almost immediately. Posting on social media, Trump says his executive order will lower pharmaceutical costs. To quote the same price as the nation that pays the lowest price. He's calling it a most favored nation policy. In 2020, Trump signed an executive order of the same name and general principle, but it was blocked by the courts and then killed by President Joe Biden a year later. The driving idea is that Medicare would refuse to pay more for certain drugs than the lowest price paid by other developed nations. Drug companies criticized the idea as unworkable and irresponsible. In 2020, it's unclear what payments or drugs this new order would apply to. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Israel tomorrow to work out details of the Hamas prisoner release of Eden Alexander, a dual US Israeli citizen and the last known living American still being held in Gaz. Hamas said today they will release them as part of steps to end the war with Israel, and they say they want ceasefire talks to start immediately. He's been held since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel. President Trump heads to the Mideast this week on a four day trip to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he's traveling to Turkey Thursday for direct talks proposed by Russian President Putin in if Putin agrees to a 30 day ceasefire tomorrow. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports.

[Joanna Kakisis]

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said he was optimistic that Russia could agree to a ceasefire on Monday. I will be in Turkey on May 15th and I will be waiting there for Putin, zelensky said. And I hope this time Putin will not look for reasons why he cannot do something. On Saturday, the Russian leader said he was ready for direct talks with Ukraine but did not address a ceasefire. The same day, the leaders of European countries traveled to Kyiv. Together with Zelensky, they proposed an unconditional ceasefire that would last 30 days, starting on Monday. President Trump says he supports the proposal. Joanna Kakis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Trump administration says progress was made in two days of talks in Switzerland this weekend between the US And China over tariffs.

[Joanna Kakisis]

I'm happy to report that we made substantial progress between the United States and China in these very important trade talks.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen says he will release details of those talks tomorrow. China says the talks were candid and constructive. That has Wall street futures trading higher. The Dow's futures are up 1%. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Opening statements are scheduled to start tomorrow in New York in the sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean Diddy Combs. And despite his lawyers trying several times to have it excluded, evidence, a video of him assaulting his ex girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, is set to be shown tomorrow. When the video was released last May, he posted an apology on Instagram. Cassie is expected to be one of the first three witnesses called in the trial, and her testimony is expected to take up most of the week. Rare, diverse spring flowers are now in bloom at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Jackie Sieber from member station W UOT has more.

[Jackie Sieber]

The spring ephemerals in lower elevations of the park usually go dormant in the summer months. Some flowers, like the yellow trillium, can only be found in southern Appalachia. Visitors are encouraged to download the app Inaturalist to document the spring flowers and other wildlife. The nonprofit Discover Life in America uses data from that app to keep track of plants and animals in the park. Todd Witcher is the executive director.

[Todd Witcher]

We have a project through Inaturals called Smokies Most Wanted, and so we try to encourage people to look for some very specific things. We're wanting to know more about or where it is in the park.

[Jackie Sieber]

Visitors are advised to avoid picking the flowers. For NPR News, I'm Jackie Sieber in Gatlinburg.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And that park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains park is home to more than 1500 flowering plants. US futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. Dow futures are up 1%. Nasdaq futures are up 1.9%. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Todd Witcher]

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