Loading summary
NPR Sponsor Announcer
This message comes from Capital One with the Capital One Saver card. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. Capital One, what's in your wallet? Terms apply. Details@capitalone.com live from NPR News.
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.
NPR Sponsor Announcer
Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to NPR News now. Sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get NPR+@ NPR. Org. That's NPR. Org.
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.
[00:15–01:15]
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.”
[01:15–02:15]
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.”
[02:15–03:09]
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.”
[03:55–04:39]
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.”
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.