NPR News: 05-12-2026 3PM EDT

President Trump departed for his first state visit to Beijing since returning to office, inviting business leaders like Tesla's Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook, whose companies have major stakes in China. Before leaving the White House, he dismissed the need for Chinese President Xi Jinping's help in pressuring Iran—a Chinese ally—to meet U.S. demands to end the war, stating Iran is "defeated militarily" and will comply or face further action. In related domestic news, NPR sources report FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin McCarry is expected to resign, according to a federal health official not authorized to speak publicly.

Supreme Court Backs Alabama Redistricting

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared Alabama to redraw its congressional maps, consolidating Republican power by eliminating one of two majority-Black districts. This follows a prior ruling that struck down race-based districting as unconstitutional. Democratic freshman Rep. Shomari Figures of Mobile holds one targeted seat; Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall celebrated the decision on social media, saying "we were right to fight." Other Southern legislatures are advancing similar plans, raising concerns about representation in red states post-redistricting.