Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – May 13, 2026, 10AM EDT

Overview

This concise episode of NPR News Now covers key global and domestic headlines in under five minutes. Major topics include President Trump’s diplomatic visit to China, the ongoing war in Iran and its oil implications, challenges at the FDA, systemic barriers for coal miners with black lung disease, breaking news from the OpenAI civil trial featuring Elon Musk and Sam Altman, and recent developments in New York City’s budget under Mayor Zorant Mamdani.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s State Visit to China

[00:00-00:55]
- President Trump has arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit, marking the first since 2017.
- Past visits were marred by rising tensions and escalating trade war; the current relationship remains fragile despite a pause in the conflict.
- Both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are focused on stabilizing bilateral relations.
- Symbolic gestures, such as US and Chinese flags lining roads, were noted in Chinese media.
- Notable Quote (Jennifer Pack, NPR):
  “China, U.S. relations cannot go back to what it was in the past, but there could be a better future.” [00:45]

2. Geopolitics and Oil: War in Iran

[00:55-01:10]
- The war in Iran remains a major topic. China, a significant importer of Iranian oil, is affected by Iran’s curtailment of oil shipments worldwide.

3. FDA Commissioner Resignation

[01:10-01:56]
- Dr. Marty Makary resigns after 13 months amid turmoil and pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s supporters, who criticized his pace in advancing their agenda.
- Makary faced severe staffing cuts imposed by the Trump administration.
- Notable Quote (Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner):
  “The biggest challenge the agency faces and faced was just the loss of senior personnel... The agency went from about 100 medical reviewers at its starting strength to about 50 now.” [01:37]

4. Coal Miners’ Struggles with Black Lung Disability

[01:56-02:53]
- Congressional review finds coal miners face lengthy waits and bureaucratic obstacles obtaining federal black lung disability benefits.
- Coal companies often delay by withholding critical employment documentation.
- Even recipients face hurdles accessing covered medical care.
- Notable Quote (Chris Clements, KNAU):
  “The program needs to view these operators and continue to make sure that they stand up to their promise to the miner.” [02:32]
- Highlights the compounded difficulties for Native American miners.

5. OpenAI Civil Trial: Elon Musk v. Sam Altman

[02:53-04:03]
- In Oakland, the federal civil trial continues as Elon Musk sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging betrayal of the company’s founding principles.
- Sam Altman, on the stand, insists no individual should control AGI (artificial general intelligence), arguing Musk’s demand for majority control was incompatible with OpenAI’s mission.
- Musk’s attorney questioned Altman’s honesty in business dealings.
- Notable Quote (Rachel Myro, KQED):
  “This case turns on how OpenAI, which began as a public interest nonprofit, has come to be a for-profit industry leader.” [03:55]
- Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday.

6. New York City Budget Announcement

[04:03-04:39]
- Mayor Zorant Mamdani declares the city’s budget is balanced without property tax hikes, crediting support from Governor Kathy Hochul.
- The budget rejects “austerity measures” and aims to protect working class families.
- Critics claim the mayor’s approach relies on short-term solutions, potentially neglecting future fiscal responsibility.

Notable Moments and Quotes

Jennifer Pack (NPR):
“China, U.S. relations cannot go back to what it was in the past, but there could be a better future.” [00:45]
Dr. Scott Gottlieb (former FDA Commissioner):
“The agency went from about 100 medical reviewers at its starting strength to about 50 now.” [01:37]
Chris Clements (KNAU):
“The program needs to view these operators and continue to make sure that they stand up to their promise to the miner.” [02:32]
Rachel Myro (KQED):
“This case turns on how OpenAI, which began as a public interest nonprofit, has come to be a for-profit industry leader.” [03:55]

Segment Timestamps

[00:00-00:55] US-China relations, Trump’s Beijing state visit
[00:55-01:10] Iran war and oil supply tensions
[01:10-01:56] FDA Commissioner resignation, agency challenges
[01:56-02:53] Coal miners’ disability benefit barriers
[02:53-04:03] OpenAI civil trial: Musk v. Altman
[04:03-04:39] New York City balanced budget announcement

This episode delivers a brisk yet thorough sweep of the top news stories, offering essential updates and direct quotes from reporters and newsmakers. For listeners seeking a snapshot of headline-grabbing developments with clear context and memorable soundbites, this NPR News Now provides an efficient, authoritative summary.

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Transcript10 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump has arrived in Beijing for a two day state visit and talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. NPR's Jennifer Paak has more from Beijing.
[00:13]
B
Trump was the last US president to visit since 2017. And after all of the ceremonial pomp, Trump still launched a trade war with China. He imposed even more tariffs and sanctions last year when he returned to office. Chinese officials retaliated and the two sides reached a sort of pause last fall. But it's fragile. The two leaders are keen to stabilize the relationship. Chinese media showed roads leading out of the Beijing capital airport were lined with US And Chinese flags side by side to greet Trump's arrival. An editorial in the state owned People's Daily said China, U. S relations cannot go back to what it was in the past, but there could be a better future. Jennifer Pack, NPR News, Beijing.
[00:55]
A
One of the issues Trump and Xi are also likely to discuss is the war in Iran. China is one of the largest buyers of Iranian crude oil. Iran has choked off oil supply shipments to much of the world. The Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, Dr. Marty Makary, is resigning after 13 months on the job. There was turmoil at the FDA during his tenure. Supporters of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. S effort Make America Healthy Again fellow felt McCary moved too slowly on their agenda. But McCary also began work with significant cuts to the FDA by the Trump administration. One of his predecessors, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, says that was a challenge.
[01:37]
C
I think that the biggest challenge that the agency faces and faced was just the loss of senior personnel. If you look at overall, they lost thousands of staff members, thousands of medical reviewers. You look at the oncology division, the agency went from about 100 medical reviewers at its starting strength to about 50 now.
[01:56]
A
NPR's Morning Edition, a congressional watchdog office finds that coal miners who are looking to get federal disability payments for black lung disease face a host of barriers. From member station KNAU, Chris Clements has more.
[02:13]
C
The U.S. government Accountability Office found coal miners can wait for years while seeking benefits. That's true for Alex Oseff, who is Navajo, Hopi and Pima and a former coal miner who worked on the Navajo Nation. He says the coal companies that are on the hook for paying miners benefits can slow the process down by not providing employment histories. The program needs to view these operators and continue to make sure that they stand up to their promise to the miner. The report also found that even when they get benefits, many coal miners face obstacles accessing the medical coverage they're entitled to. For NPR News, I'm Chris Clements in Flagstaff.
[02:54]
A
On Wall Street, Dow is down about 200 points. This is NPR. The Federal Civil trial continues in Oakland, California, today against artificial intelligence company OpenAI. Billionaire Elon Musk, who has a rival firm, is also suing OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman. Musk alleges Altman and the company betrayed their original principles. From member station kqed, Rachel Myro reports. Altman took the stand yesterday.
[03:25]
D
Sam Altman said no single person should control AGI, artificial intelligence or AI that surpasses human intelligence. So he told the court Elon Musk's insistence on majority control made him a poor fit for OpenAI. On cross examination, Musk's attorney asked whether Altman had repeatedly been called a liar by people with whom he'd done business. Altman replied, quote, I have heard people say that this, this case turns on how OpenAI, which began as a public interest nonprofit, has come to be a for profit industry leader. Closing arguments are Thursday. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Myro.
[04:03]
A
New York City Democratic Mayor Zorant Mamdani says that he has balanced the city's budget. He's done it without raising property taxes. Mamdani received significant help from New York State Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. Mamdani says the New York City budget rejects past austerity measures and does not burden working class families in the city. However, critics say Mamdani is using short term measures that won't solve long term budget problems. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.
[04:40]
C
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