NPR News: 05-13-2026 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – May 13, 2026, 5PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Correspondents: Eva Berger, Quill Lawrence, Jonathan Lambert

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Episode Overview

This concise news roundup from NPR delivers the latest headlines and political developments from Washington and around the world. The episode covers President Trump’s visit to Beijing, ongoing U.S. military action in Iran, veteran homelessness, federal anti-fraud efforts in health programs, a probe into the NFL’s Rooney Rule, rising global obesity rates, and the effects of the Iran war on Japanese consumer goods.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

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1. President Trump’s State Visit to Beijing

• Summary: President Trump arrived in Beijing for a bilateral summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
• Details:
  • Trump was welcomed with full ceremonial honors, including a military honor guard and young people waving flags in “white and Robin's egg blue outfits.”
  • Formal talks with Xi will begin the following day, with discussion topics including the Iran war, trade, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
• Quote:
  • “President Trump arrived in Beijing today for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping… the main part of the summit with President President Xi starts tomorrow when they hold bilateral talks, visit the Temple of Heaven and take part in a formal banquet.” — Ryland Barton [00:33]

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2. Senate Defeats Iran War Powers Resolution

• Summary: The Senate narrowly defeated a resolution aiming to curtail Trump’s military authority in Iran.
• Details:
  • The measure failed 49–50, with three Republican senators joining Democrats in support.
  • Notably, Democrat John Fetterman voted with Republicans to defeat the bill.
  • The conflict’s cost has risen to $30 billion, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has requested a record $1.5 trillion budget for the Pentagon next year.
• Quote:
  • "The resolution was defeated 49 to 50. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul and Susan Collins voted with Democrats, while Senator John Fetterman... joined with Republicans to defeat the bill." — Eva Berger [01:23]
  • “He [Defense Secretary Hegseth] asked lawmakers for record 1.5 trillion to fund the Pentagon next year.” — Eva Berger [01:40]

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3. Slow Progress on Homeless Veterans Order

• Summary: One year after an executive order meant to house 6,000 homeless veterans, little progress has been seen.
• Details:
  • The order’s centerpiece, a “center for warrior independence” on the West LA VA campus, is under scrutiny for lack of transparency.
  • Republican Rep. Mike Boss and LA veteran advocates criticized secrecy caused by non-disclosure agreements, suspecting delays and lack of oversight.
  • Funding for new housing is described as “minimal.”
• Quotes:
  • “If agreements, planning decisions or delay are hiding behind NDAs... our veterans deserve to know how the land is being used and why progress has been so slow.” — Rep. Mike Boss (quoted by Quill Lawrence) [02:06]
  • “I want to see President Trump's executive order be successful. But again, we need to get rid of these non disclosure agreements.” — LA veterans advocate Rob Reynolds (attributed by Ryland Barton/Quill Lawrence) [02:39]

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4. Crackdown on Health Program Fraud

• Summary: The Trump administration has suspended $1.3 billion in Medicaid reimbursements to California and imposed a freeze on new Medicare enrollments.
• Details:
  • States are warned to investigate Medicaid fraud or risk federal funding.
  • While states acknowledge the issue, some criticize the administration’s “aggressive tactics.”
• Quote:
  • “The administration's also imposing a six month freeze on some new Medicare enrollments and warning states to investigate Medicaid fraud or risk losing funding.” — Ryland Barton [02:50]

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5. NFL Rooney Rule under Investigation

• Summary: Florida AG James Uthmeyer subpoenas the NFL over its Rooney Rule, alleging discrimination.
• Details:
  • Uthmeyer’s inquiry centers on whether the rule, which mandates interviewing at least two minority candidates for leadership positions, constitutes race and sex discrimination.
• Quote:
  • “Uthmeyer sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in March saying the rule amounts to blatant race and sex discrimination.” — Ryland Barton [03:44]

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6. Global Obesity Trends

• Summary: Obesity rates are now rising faster in poorer countries than richer ones, new research shows.
• Details:
  • While rates are plateauing or declining in countries such as France and Portugal, they are accelerating in low and middle-income countries, including Pacific island nations.
  • Increased access to sugary drinks and processed foods, along with laxer food regulations, are suspected contributors.
• Quote:
  • “Obesity levels are plateauing in most wealthy countries. A few, including France and Portugal, are even seeing declines. But across many low and middle income countries, rates are accelerating.” — Jonathan Lambert [04:02]
  • “The study can't say for sure why this is happening. Increased availability of sugary drinks and processed foods could be a factor.” — Jonathan Lambert [04:30]

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7. Iran War Disrupts Japanese Snack Packaging

• Summary: Closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing shortages of colored ink, turning Japanese snack packaging monochrome.
• Details:
  • Kalbi potato chips—normally in a “bright orange bag”—are now in black-and-white packaging, though the product inside is unchanged.
  • Example of global economic ripple effects from the Iran war.
• Quote:
  • “Kalbi, which normally makes potato chips in a bright, bright orange bag, says what’s inside remains the same, even though new packaging just has monochrome lettering.” — Ryland Barton [04:45]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Senate War Powers Vote:
  • “Senators Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul and Susan Collins voted with Democrats, while Senator John Fetterman... joined with Republicans to defeat the bill.” — Eva Berger [01:23]
• On Veteran Housing Secrecy:
  • “If agreements, planning decisions or delay are hiding behind NDAs... our veterans deserve to know how the land is being used and why progress has been so slow.” — Rep. Mike Boss [02:06]
• On the Impact of War on Daily Life:
  • “The usually colorful packaging on some Japanese snacks is turning a somber black and white as the war in Iran disrupts the supply of an ingredient in colored ink.” — Ryland Barton [04:45]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|------------| | President Trump in Beijing | 00:33 | | Senate Defeats War Powers Resolution | 01:23 | | Homeless Veterans, NDAs, Oversight | 02:06 | | Medicaid/Medicare Fraud Crackdown | 02:50 | | NFL Rooney Rule Investigation | 03:44 | | Global Obesity Report | 04:02 | | Iran War’s Ink Shortage Hits Japan | 04:45 |

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Conclusion

This edition of NPR News Now gave a rapid-fire but comprehensive look at the day’s biggest stories, from global diplomacy and legislative wrangling to health and consumer trends. It reflected NPR’s straightforward, fact-driven style, highlighting complex interconnections between U.S. policy and worldwide events.

Transcript

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[Ryland Barton]

In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump arrived in Beijing today for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump was greeted by a military honor guard, a military band and hundreds of young Chinese people waving flags and chanting warm welcome. The greeters were decked out in white and Robin's egg blue outfits that matched the paint job of the iconic presidential plane. The main part of the summit with President President Xi starts tomorrow when they hold bilateral talks, visit the Temple of Heaven and take part in a formal banquet. The talks are expected to focus on the Iran war trade and US Arms sales to Taiwan. The Senate once again narrowly defeated a war powers resolution that would have forced President Trump to end the war in Iran. Three Republicans joined almost all Senate Democrats to vote in support of the bill. NPR's Eva Berger is at the Capitol.

[Eva Berger]

The vote is the seventh in an effort largely led by Democrats, to constrain Trump's ability to continue to engage in the conflict with Iran. The resolution was defeated 49 to 50. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul and Susan Collins voted with Democrats, while Senator John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat, joined with Republicans to defeat the bill. The vote came one day after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told Congress that the cost of the conflict had risen to nearly 30 billion. He asked lawmakers for record 1.5 trillion to fund the Pentagon next year. Eva Berger, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Ryland Barton]

One year after President Trump's executive order to shelter 6,000 homeless veterans, NPR's Quill Lawrence reports. Democrats and Republicans say they've seen little progress.

[Quill Lawrence]

The president's order aimed to create what he called a center for warrior independence on the sprawling VA campus in West Los Angeles. But at a hearing, Republican Congressman Mike Boss said the administration has blocked oversight with non disclosure agreements. If agreements, planning decisions or delay are hiding behind NDAs. The the American taxpayers and our veterans deserve to know how the land is being used and why progress has been so slow. Ongoing construction at the campus has taken decades. The secrecy also worries LA veterans advocate Rob Reynolds.

[Ryland Barton]

I want to see President Trump's executive order be successful. But again, we need to get rid

[Cachava Advertiser]

of these non disclosure agreements.

[Quill Lawrence]

The administration's budget request funds minimal new housing on the campus. Quill Lawrence, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

The Trump administration is expanding its fraud busting initiative in federal health programs. Vice President J.D. vance today announced a $1.3 billion pause in Medicaid reimbursements to California. The administration's also imposing a six month freeze on some new Medicare enrollments and warning states to investigate Medicaid fraud or risk losing funding. States have acknowledged it's a legitimate concern, but some have pushed back on the administration's aggressive tactics. A rebound for tech stocks today led Wall street to new records even though the majority of US Stocks fell following another discouraging update on inflation China. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Florida Republican Attorney General James Uthmeyer says he has issued an investigative subpoena to the NFL regarding the Rooney Rule. That's the rule that requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coach, general manager and coordinator positions. Uthmeyer sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in March saying the rule amounts to blatant race and sex discrimination. Obesity is rising faster in poorer countries than in wealthier ones, according to a new study. NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports.

[Quill Lawrence]

Around the 1980s, obesity started ticking up in many parts of the world. Back then, it was mostly a problem for wealthy countries, but as time went on, it grew into a global phenomenon. Now a new analysis finds that obesity levels are plateauing in most wealthy countries. A few, including France and Portugal, are even seeing declines. But across many low and middle income countries, rates are accelerating. Some of those countries, including many Pacific island nations, now have some of the highest obesity levels of any country. The study can't say for sure why this is happening. Increased availability of sugary drinks and processed foods could be a factor, the authors say, and laxer food regulations may also be contributing. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

The usually colorful packaging on some Japanese snacks is turning a somber black and white as the war in Iran disrupts the supply of an ingredient in colored ink. Kalbi, which normally makes potato chips in a bright, bright orange bag, says what's inside remains the same, even though new packaging just has monochrome lettering. It's the latest impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in the Middle East. This is NPR News.

[Cachava Advertiser]

This message comes from Cachava. It can be tough to stick to your wellness routine, especially when you're on the go. Cachava's new travel packs make it easier. Just one packet provides nutrition ready for wherever life takes you with protein, fiber, greens, probiotics, electrolytes and more. Take your daily ritual with you. Go to kachava.com and use code NPR. New customers get 15% off their first order. That's K A C H A V A.com code NPR.