NPR News: 05-14-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 14, 2025

Released: May 14, 2025

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International Affairs

U.S. Sanctions on Syria Lifted

President Donald Trump announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, describing the restrictions as "brutal and crippling" while acknowledging their previous role: “the restrictions served an important function” (00:18). The President emphasized that the justifications for these sanctions are no longer valid.

In line with this policy shift, Trump is set to meet Syria’s new leader during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, marking the first overseas trip of his second term and the initial stop of his four-day Gulf region tour (00:49). Elena Moore reported, “There is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace. That's what we want to see in Syria.”

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U.S. Domestic Politics

House Republicans Strive to Pass Massive Spending Bill

House Republicans are actively working to finalize a significant spending bill, aiming to present it to the Senate by Memorial Day. The GOP faces internal divisions that threaten to stall the legislation. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, “I'm building consensus with party holdouts” (01:13).

An unnamed GOP representative elaborated on the complexities involved: “There's a lot in this piece of legislation, and so it takes a lot of calculation and discussion and negotiation...sometimes you go right up to the edge” (01:19). A key point of contention is the state and local tax deduction (SALT), with representatives from high-property-tax districts insisting on higher caps as a condition for their support. Johnson remains optimistic, noting progress towards an agreement essential for securing near-unanimous party backing (01:33).

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Health

FDA Moves to Ban Fluoride Supplements for Children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced steps to prohibit fluoride supplements for children, citing concerns that ingested fluoride may alter microorganisms in the human body (01:56). FDA Commissioner Marty Makary emphasized alternative preventive measures: “Good dental hygiene and avoiding too much sugar are the best ways to prevent cavities in children” (01:56).

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Economy and Markets

Stock Market Shows Resilience Amid Tariff Concerns

Following a previous downturn triggered by President Trump’s announcement of widespread tariffs, the stock market is staging a notable recovery. Rafael Naim reports that investors remain hopeful that the economic impact of tariffs, particularly those involving China, may be less severe than initially feared (02:28). This optimism is bolstered by recent data indicating that inflation rose to 2.3% in April, down from 2.4% in March, suggesting progress in controlling consumer prices.

Despite this recovery, the Dow Jones experienced a decline partly due to United Healthcare shares plummeting after the company’s CEO stepped down (02:28). Meanwhile, U.S. futures are trading flat in after-hours markets, with Tokyo’s market slightly down and Hong Kong’s up by 1% (04:48).

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Consumer News

Inflation Rates Moderate

The Labor Department reported that consumer prices increased at an annual rate of 2.3% in April, a slight decrease from the 2.4% rise in March. This marks the third consecutive month where lower rental and food costs have contributed to moderating inflation. The Federal Reserve continues to target an inflation rate of 2% (03:11).

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Arts and Entertainment

78th Cannes Film Festival Highlights

At the 78th Cannes Film Festival in southern France, renowned actor Robert De Niro was honored with a prestigious Palme d'Or. Leonardo DiCaprio presented the award to De Niro, a two-time Academy Award winner known for iconic roles in films such as The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, and Raging Bull (04:00).

During his acceptance speech, De Niro took a bold stance by criticizing President Trump, labeling him “an enemy of the arts” (04:27). Elena Moore added, “Merci. 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” (04:16).

Additionally, the festival introduced new dress codes, prohibiting nudity and voluminous outfits like gowns with large trains to streamline traffic flow and seating arrangements (04:27).

French actor Gerard Depardieu faced legal consequences, having been convicted of assaulting two women on a movie set. He received an 18-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay each accuser approximately $32,000 (03:11).

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Market Insights

Global Market Trends

While U.S. markets show mixed performances, Asian markets reflect varied trends with Tokyo's market slightly declining and Hong Kong's indices rising by 1% (04:48).

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key developments covered in the NPR News Now episode released on May 14, 2025, providing insights into international relations, domestic politics, health initiatives, economic trends, and notable events in the arts and entertainment sectors.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump says he'll lift US Sanctions on Syria, calling the restrictions brutal and crippling, but says they served an important function. Trump says that purpose is no longer needed.

[Elena Moore]

There is a new government that will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace. That's what we want to see in Syria. They've had their share of travesty war killing many years.

[Shea Stevens]

Trump was speaking in Saudi Arabia, where he plans to meet with Syria's new leader briefly on Wednesday. It is the first stop of Trump's four day trip to the Gulf region and the first overseas trip of his second term in office. House Republicans are trying to finalize a massive spending bill, which they hope to send to the Senate by Memorial Day. As NPR's Elena Moore reports, GOP leaders are trying to solve ongoing party divisions.

[Mike Johnson]

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Monday that he's building consensus with party holdouts.

[Unnamed GOP Representative]

There's a lot in this piece of legislation, and so it takes a lot of calculation and discussion and negotiation. And as you know, 220 colleagues, there's a lot of different ideas on what the best outcome is. And it takes a while to get there. And sometimes you go right up to the edge. That's how this process works.

[Mike Johnson]

One of the divides is over the state and local tax deduction, or salt. Some members representing districts with high local property taxes say their support is tied to a higher cap on salt. But Johnson says they're getting closer to an agreement that may be crucial, since Republicans will need virtually full party support to get this bill passed. Elena Moore, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

The Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to ban fluoride supplements for children. The agency claims that ingested fluoride alters microorganisms in the human body. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary says good dental hygiene and avoiding too much sugar are the best ways to prevent cavities in children. The broadest measure of the stock market is staging a remarkable comeback. As NPR's Rafael Naim reports, investors are hoping that tariffs may not do as much damage to the economy as feared.

[Rafael Naim]

Just last month, stocks tanked after President Trump unveiled widespread tariffs. But he then paused many of those tariffs as the White House negotiates with countries, including its biggest trading partner China. Investors were also relieved after data earlier in the day showed inflation at 2.3% in April from a year ago, slightly lower than in March. Economists do caution that we're still not seeing the full effects of the tariffs, but stock investors for now see the glass as half full. The Nasdaq also rose, although the Dow Jones fell in part after United Healthcare shares tumbled after the company's CEO stepped down. Rafael NAM, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr. Lower rental and food costs help rein in inflation for the third month in a row. The Labor Department says consumer prices rose at an annual rate of 2.3% in April, down from 2.4% increase in March. The Federal Reserve has an inflation target of 2%. French actor Gerard Depardieu has been convicted of assaulting two women on a movie set. He's received an 18 month long suspended prison sentence and must pay each accuser roughly $32,000. The 78th Cannes Film Festival is underway in the south of France. Actor Robert De Niro received a top honorary award as NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports.

[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.

[Elena Moore]

Merci. 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 hate, hinder traffic and complicate seating. Mandalit del Barco, NPR News, on Asia Pacific.

[Shea Stevens]

Market shares are mixed at this hour, down a fraction in Tokyo, up 1% in Hong Kong. This is NPR News.

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