NPR News: 05-13-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now

Episode: NPR News: 05-13-2025 1AM EDT
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Host: Giles Snyder
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. US-China Trade War Truce and Financial Market Response

Timestamp: [00:14 – 00:55]

Giles Snyder opens the episode by reporting on the recent announcement of a 90-day truce in the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. This development has led to positive movements in the financial markets across Asia and Wall Street.

Scott Horsley provides an in-depth analysis, stating, “Forecasters at the Yale Budget Lab say even with the temporary reduction in tariffs, the US is still looking at higher inflation and slower economic growth than it was before the trade war began” ([00:35]). Despite the truce, Horsley highlights that the economic impact of the trade tensions continues to linger. Interestingly, the temporary lowering of tariffs is benefiting the government’s revenue: “The lower tariff actually brings in more money for the government. That's because more businesses will grit their teeth and pay this tax, whereas the higher levy just brought commerce to a standstill” ([00:35]).

The financial markets reacted positively, with Japan’s Nikkei up 1.7% during the midday break, following the Dow’s surge of over 1,100 points, the NASDAQ’s rally of 4.3%, and the S&P 500’s gain of 3.3% ([00:55]).

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2. President Trump’s Middle East Tour

Timestamp: [00:55]

President Trump is set to commence a four-day trip to the Middle East, with his first stop scheduled in Saudi Arabia. During this visit, he is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional security and economic cooperation ([00:55]).

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3. US Welcomes South African Afrikaners as Refugees

Timestamp: [00:55 – 01:53]

In a controversial move, the Trump administration is resettling white South African Afrikaners as refugees, despite a freeze on refugee arrivals from war-torn regions worldwide. Christopher Landau, the Deputy Secretary of State, welcomed the Afrikaner families at Dulles Airport: “We are excited to welcome you here to our country where we think you will bloom” ([01:48]).

Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed confusion and concern over this policy decision: “It is baffling that the Trump administration is admitting Afrikaners for resettlement while blocking thousands of 'legitimate asylum seekers'” ([01:53]). She called for explanations on why the administration is prioritizing white South Africans over refugees from regions like Afghanistan, Sudan, and Myanmar.

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4. Harvard University Opposes Federal Intervention on Campus Issues

Timestamp: [02:18 – 03:12]

Harvard University President Alan Garber addressed the ongoing tensions between the institution and the Trump administration. While acknowledging shared goals such as combating antisemitism and promoting diverse viewpoints, Garber warned that “heavy-handed federal involvement is actually hurting those efforts” ([02:29]).

In a letter to the Department of Education, Garber emphasized Harvard’s commitment to addressing hate and safeguarding free expression independently. This stance comes amidst increased pressure following pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus related to the Gaza conflict. The White House has criticized Harvard for “failing to protect Jewish students and allowing anti-Semitism” ([02:29]).

Windsor Johnston reports from Washington, highlighting the escalating conflict between university governance and federal authorities over campus policies ([03:12]).

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5. Release of American Hostage and Ongoing Gaza Conflict

Timestamp: [03:12 – 04:14]

The release of the last living American hostage held by Hamas, Idan Alexander, has not de-escalated the conflict in Gaza. Israel briefly paused its military operations to facilitate Alexander’s release as a goodwill gesture to the Trump administration. Although Alexander has been reunited with his family, Israel has indicated intentions to escalate its offensive. Reports from Palestinian health officials confirm that Israeli tank fire and air attacks resumed shortly after the hostage handover was completed ([03:12]).

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6. Wildfires Ravage Minnesota Communities

Timestamp: [03:12 – 04:14]

Minnesota is grappling with severe wildfires, with local media reporting a camp house fire near the community of Brimson. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office stated that the fire has destroyed at least 40 structures, and residents are being urged to evacuate the affected areas. This blaze is one of three wildfires currently burning in the region, posing significant threats to local communities and wildlife ([03:12]).

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7. New York Lowers Minimum Age for Prison Guards

Timestamp: [04:14]

New York State has lowered the minimum hiring age for prison guards from 21 to 18 in an effort to increase staffing levels within the state’s prison system. Jeong Yoon Han reports that while younger guards will face certain restrictions—such as prohibition from using firearms and mandatory supervision during specific tasks—the policy aims to address the shortage following the March strike in which 2,000 corrections officers were fired after protesting for nearly a month ([04:14]).

Critics argue that 18 is too young for the demanding role of a corrections officer. The New York State Legislature is set to hold a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the recent strike, alongside recent inmate deaths and beatings by prison guards ([04:14]).

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on May 13, 2025. From international trade dynamics and political maneuvers to local crises and policy changes, the episode provides listeners with a nuanced overview of current events shaping the world today.

Transcript

[Capital One Representative]

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. The financial markets in Asia are following Wall street higher, advancing in Tuesday trading after China and the US announced a 90 day truce in their trade war. But there is still a cloud of uncertainty over what happens next. And NPR's Scott Horsley says the damage could already be done.

[Scott Horsley]

Forecasters at the Yale Budget Lab say even with the temporary reduction in tariffs, the US Is still looking at higher inflation and slower economic growth than it was before the trade war began. Ironically, though, the lower tariff actually brings in more money for the government. That's because more businesses will grit their teeth and pay this tax, whereas the higher levy just brought commerce to a standstill.

[Giles Snyder]

Japan's benchmark Nikkei up 1.7% in the midday break after the Dow rose more than 1,100 points. The NASDAQ rallied 4.3% and the S&P 500 added 3.3%. President Trump preparing to open his four day trip to the Middle East. His first stop is in Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to meet Tuesday with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. US Deputy secretary of State went to Dulles Airport Monday to greet a group of Afrikaners from South Africa. The Trump administration welcoming them as refugees even as it has paused all refugee arrivals from war zones around the world. As NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports, at an.

[Christopher Landau]

Airport hangar, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with families of white South Africans, mostly farmers, who the Trump administration claims have faced racial discrimination.

[Unnamed Official]

We are excited to welcome you here to our country where we think you will bloom.

[Christopher Landau]

The ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jeanne Shaheen, calls it baffling that the Trump administration is admitting Afrikaners for resettlement while blocking thousands of quote, unquote, legitimate asylum seekers. She wants the administration to explain why it is prioritizing white South Africans over refugees from Afghanistan, Sudan and Myanmar. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Giles Snyder]

Harvard pushing back on the Trump administration, saying federal intervention on campus issues may be doing more harm than good. Here's NPR's Windsor Johnston.

[Alan Garber]

Harvard University President Alan Garber says the school shares some goals with the Trump administration, like fighting antisemitism and encouraging diverse viewpoints. But in a letter to the Department of Education, Garber warns that heavy handed federal involvement is actually hurting those efforts. Garber says the university is committed to addressing hate and protecting free expression but he says it must be allowed to do so independently. Harvard has been under increasing pressure since pro Palestinian demonstrations erupted on campus following the start of the war in Gaza. The White House has accused the university of failing to protect Jewish students and allowing anti Semitism. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. The release of the last living American hostage being held by Hamas has not stopped the fighting in Gaza. Israel briefly paused military operations to allow for Monday's release of Idan Alexander and what Hamas said was a goodwill gesture to the Trump administration. He's been reunited with his family. Israel says it still plans to escalate its offensive. And Palestinian health officials reported Israeli tank fire and an air attack attack after the handover was completed. Local media in Minnesota are reporting on a wildfire burning near the community of Brimson. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is being quoted as saying that the camp house fire has destroyed at least 40 structures and that residents of the area are being asked to evacuate. The camphouse fire is one of three wildfires burning in the region. New York State lowering the minimum hiring age for prison guards from 21 to 18. Jung Yoon Han of member station WXXI.

[Jeong Yoon Han]

Reports the state will still place some restrictions on younger guards. They can't, for example, use firearms and have to be supervised during certain tasks. State lawmakers greenlit Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal, saying it's a way to boost guard staffing levels in New York's prison system after the state fired 2,000 corrections officers in March for being on strike for nearly a month. But critics say 18 is too young to work as a corrections officer. The New York State Legislature will hold a hearing on Wednesday on the strike, as well as recent inmate deaths and beatings at the hands of prison guards. For NPR News, I'm Jeong Yoon Han in Albany.

[Capital One Representative]

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