Trump in Beijing, Inflation Bites, and a Murderer Gets a Second Shot

In this episode of The Morning Rundown, hosts break down a fast-moving news cycle spanning global diplomacy, economic data, and major developments in crime and public health.On the geopolitics front, President Trump has arrived in Beijing for a face-to-face summit with President Xi Jinping, with trade, Taiwan, and the aftermath of the Iran conflict all on the agenda. A new Washington Post report finds that China gained a significant intelligence advantage over the U.S. by closely observing American military operations during the Iran war, a finding with major implications for how the Beijing summit plays out. Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made a secret visit to the UAE during the conflict, with his office describing the results as a historic breakthrough linked to Israel providing Iron Dome systems to the Emirates.On the economy, wholesale inflation surged 6% annually in April, the largest jump in four years, according to Reuters and CNBC. Despite the hot producer price data, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are pushing toward record highs on the strength of an AI-driven rally, while the Dow slipped. The hosts also discuss a major Silicon Valley tech company that announced record revenue and 4,000 job cuts on the same day.In health and legal news, the hantavirus cluster tied to the MV Hondius cruise ship has grown to 11 confirmed cases across multiple countries. Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, an oncologist who volunteered to assist sick passengers, is now the sole patient in a Nebraska biocontainment facility. The episode also covers two high-profile criminal cases: Alex Murdaugh has been granted a new murder trial after the South Carolina Supreme Court confirmed jury clerk interference, and Utah mother Kouri Richins was sentenced to life without parole for poisoning her husband with a fentanyl-laced cocktail, a case made more unusual by the fact that she later wrote a children's book about grief.Trump-Xi summit: Trade, Taiwan, and Iran top the agenda as Trump arrives in Beijing with China holding stronger diplomatic cards post-conflict.China intelligence report: The Washington Post finds China gained a meaningful edge on U.S. military capabilities by monitoring the Iran war in real time.Wholesale inflation: Producer prices rose 6% year-over-year in April, the steepest increase since 2022, raising new questions about the inflation outlook.Hantavirus outbreak: Eleven confirmed cases across multiple countries, with an American volunteer doctor now in isolation at a Nebraska biocontainment unit.High-profile verdicts: Alex Murdaugh wins a new trial on jury tampering grounds; Kouri Richins receives life without parole for her husband's murder.