NPR News: 05-14-2026 5PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: May 14, 2026, 5PM EDT

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update, hosted by Jeanine Herbst, provides concise coverage of the day's top national and international headlines. Key topics include the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, the passage of a significant biofuels bill in Congress, a major damages verdict against Boeing, leadership changes at U.S. Border Patrol, heat risks at the upcoming Men's Soccer World Cup, and a positive day on Wall Street.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S.-China Summit: High Stakes on Taiwan and Trade

• [00:15–01:15]

  • President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are meeting in Beijing for their second day of high-level talks.
  • Today’s meetings featured discussions on contentious subjects, notably Taiwan.
  • Emily Fang (NPR): Reports Xi Jinping called Taiwan “the most important issue” and cautioned the U.S. to "exercise caution," warning mishandling could “jeopardize ties entirely.” Trump wants to address a stalled U.S. weapons package to Taiwan.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged.
  • Upcoming talks will tackle trade, the war in Iran, and potential investment partnerships.

  Quote (Xi Jinping via Emily Fang, 00:35):
  “Taiwan is, quote, the most important issue and warned the U.S. to, quote, exercise caution on Taiwan, saying it could jeopardize ties entirely.”

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2. Ethanol Fuel Expansion: Congressional Progress

• [01:15–02:15]

  • The House has approved year-round sales of E15 ethanol gasoline; the bill advances to the Senate.
  • Proponents say increased E15 sales benefit both farmers and consumers by boosting corn demand and reducing pump prices.
  • Iowa Senator Charles Grassley: Urged the Senate to act, emphasizing farmer reliance on E15 and the president’s reported support for the bill.
  • Critics worry about negative effects on small oil refineries.

  Quote (Charles Grassley, 01:42):
  “Iowa's family farmers are counting on the Senate to deliver year round E15. I'm going to keep fighting until we get this bill to the president's desk.”

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3. Boeing Crash Verdict: Accountability and Compensation

• [02:15–03:09]

  • A federal jury in Lincoln, NE, awarded $49.5 million to the family of Samya Rose Stumo, one of the victims of the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max crash.
  • Boeing previously admitted responsibility; the jury determined damages only.
  • The trial resolves one of the last outstanding lawsuits from the crashes that killed 346 people.
  • Boeing settled with the Justice Department to avoid criminal prosecution and has confidential settlements with other victim families.

  Summary (Joel Rose, 02:33): "Boeing reached an agreement with the Justice Department to avoid criminal prosecution. The company also agreed to confidential settlements in dozens of lawsuits brought by family members of the crash victims.”

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4. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Resigns amid DHS Controversy

• [03:09–03:55]
  • U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks has resigned; no successor named yet.
  • The agency remains under scrutiny after actions led to a departmental partial shutdown in April.
  • Funding for DHS is stalled as lawmakers debate policy changes.
  • Separately, senators voted to forgo paychecks during future shutdowns.

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5. Men’s Soccer World Cup: Climate Concerns

• [03:55–04:39]

  • This summer's Men's World Cup spans June 11–July 19 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
  • A new study warns five matches will likely occur in “dangerously hot and humid” conditions—especially in Miami (open stadium, no AC) and the July final near NYC.
  • FIFA is allowing extra water breaks and permitting fans to bring sealed water bottles to mitigate risks.

  Key Measure (Rebecca Hersher, 04:14): “FIFA says it's addressing heat risk by allowing players and officials to take extra water breaks and allowing fans to bring sealed water bottles into stadiums during the hottest matches.”

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6. Markets Update: Wall Street Rises

• [04:39–04:53]
  • Positive trading at the close:
    • Dow Jones +370 points
    • NASDAQ +232 points
    • S&P 500 +56 points

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Memorable Quotes and Moments

• Xi Jinping’s direct warning to the U.S. over Taiwan (00:35)
• Senator Charles Grassley’s passionate promise to Iowa farmers (01:42)
• Details of Boeing’s multi-million dollar verdict and avoidance of criminal prosecution (02:33)
• FIFA’s response to heat risk during the World Cup (04:14)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump-Xi Summit: 00:15–01:15
• Ethanol Bill Advances: 01:15–02:15
• Boeing Verdict: 02:15–03:09
• Border Patrol Chief Resignation: 03:09–03:55
• World Cup Heat Warnings: 03:55–04:39
• Market Update: 04:39–04:53

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This episode delivers a brisk, impactful roundup of policy, international relations, business accountability, environmental concerns, and economic indicators—essential listening for anyone needing a snapshot of May 14, 2026’s breaking news.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump and China's leader Xi Jinping are getting ready for their second day of meetings tomorrow. NPR's Emily Fang reports. Today, after a tour of historic buildings in Beijing, the two talked about controversial issues, including Taiwan for China.

[Emily Fang]

Xi Jinping said Taiwan is, quote, the most important issue and warned the U.S. to, quote, exercise caution on Taiwan, saying it could jeopardize ties entirely. China hopes to control the Democratic island one day. And Trump has said he wants to discuss a delayed U.S. weapons package to Taiwan that is stalled with China. Despite concerns Beijing might push the US to scale back its support of Taiwan, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US has not changed its position. And on the final day of this visit, Trump and Xi will meet again at a compound in Beijing where some of China's top leadership live for further talks on trade, the war in Iran and potential investment in both countries. Emily Fang, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

This week, the U.S. house approved year round sales of up to 15% ethanol gas blends or E15 harvest. Public Media's Macy Byers reports the bill now heads to the Senate.

[Macy Byers]

Supporters of the Measure say greater E15 availability could boost the farm economy and give consumers cheaper options at the pump. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley thanked the House for passing the bill, calling it a major moment for farmers and gas consumers.

[Charles Grassley]

Iowa's family farmers are counting on the Senate to deliver year round E15. I'm going to keep fighting until we get this bill to the president's desk. And the president had made very clear a couple months ago in Iowa that he's waiting to sign that bill.

[Macy Byers]

For farmers, the bill could create more demand for corn. But some Congress members have pushed back, concerned expanding ethanol would damage small oil refinery businesses. For NPR News, I'm Maci Byers. In Lincoln, Nebraska, a jury has ordered

[Jeanine Herbst]

Boeing to pay more than $49 million to the family of a young woman who died when one of its planes crashed in Ethiopia in 2019. And Piers Joel Rose reports the verdict resolves one of the last remaining cases stemming from two 737 Max crashes.

[Joel Rose]

A federal jury awarded $49.5 million to the family of Samya Rose Stumo. She was 24 years old when she died in the second of two Boeing 737 Max crashes within months of each other. That killed a total of 346 people. Boeing had already admitted responsibility for the crash, so the trial was only about how much the company should pay in compensatory damages. Boeing reached an agreement with the Justice Department to avoid criminal prosecution. The company also agreed to confidential settlements in dozens of lawsuits brought by family members of the crash victims. Joel Rose, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR news from Washington. U.S. border Patrol Chief Michael Banks has resigned. There's no word on who will replace him. Controversy over actions by the agency led to a partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security in April, and that's still going on this after Democratic lawmakers refused to approve funding for DHS until certain policies are changed. Meanwhile, senators voted today to forego their paychecks during future government shutdowns. Multiple games at the upcoming men's soccer World cup are likely to be held in dangerously hot weather. That's according to a new study. If here's Rebecca Hersher reports, the World cup kicks off in June.

[Rebecca Hersher]

This year's tournament runs from June 11 through July 19 in the U.S. canada and Mexico. There will be 104 matches. A new analysis by climate scientists at Imperial College London finds that the weather during five of those matches is likely to be dangerously hot and humid. Miami is a particular hotspot because its stadium is not covered and does not have air conditioning. The World cup final held outside New York City in July, is also at high risk. FIFA says it's addressing heatrisk by allowing players and officials to take extra water breaks and allowing fans to bring sealed water bottles into stadiums during the hottest matches, as well as other measures. Rebecca Hersher, NPR News, Wall street, higher

[Jeanine Herbst]

by the closing bell. The dow is up 370 points, the NASDAQ up 232, the S&P 500 up 56. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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