NPR News: 05-13-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 13, 2025, 9PM EDT

Released on May 14, 2025

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1. President Donald Trump's Middle East Visit

[00:19]
NPR Host Jack Spear reported that President Donald Trump is embarking on the first leg of his three-nation Middle East tour, focusing on diplomacy and strategic negotiations.

[00:38]
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump emphasized the urgency of securing a nuclear deal with Iran. He asserted, “They cannot have a nuclear weapon. This is an offer that will not last forever. The time is right now for them to choose. Right now, we don't have a lot of time to wait.” This statement underscores the administration's firm stance on preventing nuclear proliferation in the region.

[00:49]
In addition to his discussions with Saudi officials, Trump announced plans to ease sanctions against Syria. He expressed optimism about meeting with Syria’s new President, Ahmed Al Shara, stating his hope that the ousted regime of Bashar Assad would be successfully replaced. This move signals a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Syria and the broader Middle East.

2. Legal Developments: Menendez Brothers' Sentencing

[00:49]
The Menendez brothers, Eric and Lyle, are edging closer to possible parole after 35 years behind bars for the 1989 murders of their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has reduced their sentences from life without parole to a range of 50 years to life. This adjustment makes them eligible for parole under California's "useful offender" law, which applies to crimes committed before the age of 26.

The brothers' defense centered on claims of severe sexual abuse by their father and a subsequent fear for their lives, which they argue mitigates their culpability. While they remain in custody pending a parole board review, this legal shift marks a significant development in a high-profile case that has captivated the nation for decades.

3. FDA's Move to Remove Fluoride Supplements for Children

[01:53]
Ping Wong reported on a significant policy change initiated by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to remove prescription fluoride supplements from the market. Dr. Paul Casamassimo of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry highlighted the importance of these supplements for children who lack access to fluoridated water, stating, “These are recommended for kids who don't get fluoridated water to prevent cavities.”

[02:12]
The FDA's decision is controversial. A sponsor announcer criticized the move, saying, “This removes the choice. It really removes one of the tools that we as clinicians can use to stem tooth decay.”

[02:22]
Ping Wong further elaborated on the FDA's rationale, noting concerns that ingested fluoride might adversely affect the microbiome. However, this stance appears contradictory to existing recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and various medical groups, which support fluoride use for dental health.

4. Business and Technology: Nvidia's Partnership and Market Movements

[02:40]
NPR Host Jack Spear highlighted Nvidia's strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, Humane AI Startup. This collaboration involves shipping 18,000 chips to Saudi Arabia to bolster a new data center project, aimed at enhancing the nation's artificial intelligence and cloud computing capabilities.

The announcement coincided with the White House's regional trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, emphasizing the growing importance of AI infrastructure in the Middle East.

[04:49]
On Wall Street, stock markets showed mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 269 points, while the Nasdaq gained 301 points, reflecting varied investor sentiments amid signs of easing inflation.

5. Corporate News: UnitedHealth Group Leadership Changes

[02:40]
UnitedHealth Group has undergone significant leadership changes. CEO Andrew Witte is stepping down for personal reasons, following his tenure after the tragic murder of former CEO Brian Thompson. In an unexpected move, Stephen Helmsley, who previously served as CEO from 2006 to 2017, will return to lead the company effective immediately.

The company also announced a suspension of its full-year forecast due to higher-than-anticipated medical costs, following a recent quarterly earnings report that fell short of expectations. This uncertainty contributed to a sharp 17% decline in UnitedHealth's stock price.

6. Cultural Spotlight: 78th Cannes Film Festival

[04:03]
The prestigious Cannes Film Festival commenced in the south of France, with notable highlights reported by Mandalit del Barco.

[04:18]
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio presented the Palme d'Or to his idol, Robert De Niro, praising him for "creating a community, a home, if you will, for those of us who love the art of telling stories on screen." De Niro, renowned for his roles in classics like The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, and Raging Bull, delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech.

[04:29]
In a surprising turn, De Niro criticized President Trump during his speech, labeling him "an enemy of the arts." This politically charged statement reflects ongoing tensions between the entertainment industry and the current administration.

Additionally, the festival introduced new dress code regulations, prohibiting nudity on the red carpet and imposing restrictions on large, voluminous outfits to ensure smooth traffic flow and seating arrangements during events.

7. Energy Markets: Crude Oil Prices Rise

[04:49]
Crude oil futures saw a significant uptick, increasing nearly 3% to settle at $63.67 per barrel. This rise was attributed to various global factors, including geopolitical developments and shifts in supply and demand dynamics.

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This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing international relations, legal updates, health policy changes, business developments, corporate leadership shifts, cultural events, and energy market trends. The inclusion of direct quotes and specific timestamps offers listeners a nuanced understanding of each topic discussed.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Jack Spear]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Donald Trump is in Saudi Arabia, the first leg of his three nation visit to the Middle east this week. Along with the deal making and a welcome, Trump also called on Iran to take a new and better path as he continues to push for a nuclear deal with Tehran.

[Donald Trump]

They cannot have a nuclear weapon. This is an offer that will not last forever. The time is right now for them to choose. Right now, we don't have a lot of time to wait.

[Jack Spear]

Trump announced meanwhile, he'll ease sanctions against Syria and said he'll meet Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with new Syrian President Ahmed Al Shara. Trump said he hopes the new Syrian government, which ousted longtime leader Bashar Assad, succeeds. Lyle and Eric Menendez are moving a step closer to freedom after 35 years in prison for murdering their parents. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled the brothers sentences of life in prison without parole are being reduced to 50 years to life. That makes them eligible for parole under California's useful offender law because they committed the murders before they were 26. They'll remain jailed while parole board reviews the new sentences. Menendez brothers were found guilty of murdering their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in 1989 and were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The brothers claimed they'd been sexually abused by their father and feared for their lives. The Food and Drug Administration is seeking to remove fluoride tablets for kids from the market. Their prescription fluoride supplements taken by children prevent tooth decay in some Circumstances. More from NPR's Ping Wong.

[Ping Wong]

Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Food and Drug Administration is starting the process of taking prescription only fluoride supplements off the market. Dr. Paul Casamassimo with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says these are recommended for kids who don't get fluoridated water to prevent cavities.

[Sponsor Announcer]

This removes the choice. It really removes one of the tools that we as clinicians can use to stem tooth decay.

[Ping Wong]

The announcement claims ingested fluoride can change the microbiome in concerning ways. Even as it links to scientific papers that suggest low doses of fluoride may positively affect the microbiome, it contradicts recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force and professional medical groups. Ping Huang, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Shipmaker Nvidia says it will partner with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund owned by the AI startup Humane as part of the plan to ship 18,000 chips to the Middle Eastern nation to help power a new data center project there. The partnership was revealed today as part of a White House trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has been working to develop its artificial intelligence capacity and strengthen its cloud computing capabilities capabilities. Stocks closed mixed on Wall street today amid new signs of inflation easing. In April, the dow was down 269 points. The Nasdaq rose 301 points. This is NPR. UnitedHealth Group says its CEO Andrew Witte, is stepping down for what the company is calling personal reasons. Witty took over last year after the murder of former CEO Brian Thompson. Company also announced states suspending its full year forecast due to higher than expected medical costs. UnitedHealth announced today that effective immediately, Stephen Helmsley will return as CEO of the company. Helmsley served as CEO from 2006 to 2017. Last month, the company announced quarterly earnings that came in below expectations. Its stock plunged 17% today. The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicked off today in the south of France. NPR's Mandalito Barco reports. Actor Robert De Niro a top honorary award and festival goers will have to abide by a new dress code.

[Mandalit del Barco]

To thunderous applause, actor Leonardo DiCaprio presented his hero Robert De Niro with a prestigious Palme d' Or. The two time Academy Award winner was honored for his iconic roles in such films as the Godfather Part ii, Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.

[Donald Trump]

Messi Infiniment to the Festival de Cannes for creating a community, a home, if you will, for those of us who love the art of telling stories on screen.

[Mandalit del Barco]

During his acceptance speech, De Niro slammed President Trump, who he called an enemy of the arts. This year's festival goers faced an updated dress code, no nudity on the red carpet and other events, and no voluminous outfits such as gowns with large trains that hinder traffic and complicate seating. Mandalit del Barco, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Crude oil futures prices moved higher today. Oil up nearly 3% to $63.67 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News.

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