NPR News Now: November 7, 2025 – 4AM EST

Overview

In this concise five-minute news update, NPR covers major domestic and international stories, focusing on the impact of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown on air travel and federal workers, humanitarian efforts in Washington D.C., testimonies from released Israeli hostages, an attack on a Russian oil refinery by Ukrainian drones, and legal outcomes following a U.S. strike on a Colombian submarine. The report closes with key financial updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Disrupts Air Travel

• [00:18] Shea Stevens reports major U.S. airlines, including Delta and United, are reducing domestic flights as the government shutdown continues.
• Airlines are able to accommodate most ticket holders due to typically low demand during this period.
• [00:41] Joel Rose explains the FAA's rationale: it's a safety measure necessitated by increased absences among unpaid air traffic controllers.
  • Some controllers are working second jobs, some calling out sick, leading to staffing shortages.
  • The system functioned okay until a recent weekend, when shortages significantly affected dozens of facilities.
  • Quote:

    "The government shutdown is clearly taking a toll on air traffic controllers who are required to work without pay. Some of them have taken on second jobs. Many are calling out sick."
    — Joel Rose [00:43]

2. Community Response to Shutdown: School District Support

• [01:05] Shea Stevens highlights how D.C.-area organizations step up to support federal workers without pay.
• [01:24] Jackson Sinneberg spotlights Arlington, VA (a federal employee hub), where the superintendent requested help for local families.
  • Arlington Public Schools now serve dinner at three schools.
  • [01:44] Frank Bellavia (school representative) underscores the role of schools as community backbones.
    • Quote:

      "When you think about communities, you think about the schools that are there. And these are really are the backbones of the community. So us being here and doing this meat is nothing... is nothing different."
      — Frank Bellavia [01:44]

  • Plan: 250 meals per school per weeknight for 30 days or until the shutdown ends.

3. Testimonies from Released Israeli Hostages

• [02:03] Shea Stevens transitions to new survivor accounts from Israeli hostages released from Gaza.
• [02:21] Amita Stern reports from Tel Aviv:
  • Ron Berslavski, an Israeli soldier kidnapped from a music festival, says he endured repeated sexual abuse by captors (members of Islamic Jihad).
  • Captivity involved humiliation and attempts at forced conversion to Islam. Berslavski refused incentives to convert.
  • Similar stories reported by other released hostages.
  • Israel awaits the return of six bodies (five Israelis, one Thai national).
  • Quote:

    "They stripped me of everything, tied me up naked... it was sexual violence meant to humiliate."
    — Ron Berslavski, as reported by Amita Stern [02:28]

4. Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Oil Facility

• [03:10] Shea Stevens: Ukrainian drones attacked Russia's largest oil refinery in its southern federal district—the second such incident in three months.
  • The targeted facility accounts for 5% of Russia's refining capacity.
  • Russian officials have not officially confirmed the strike, though a local governor noted a fire started by drones at an unnamed site.

5. Colombian Survivor of U.S. Drug Sub War Attack Released

• [03:10] Shea Stevens: A Colombian man who survived a U.S. attack on a suspected smuggling submarine will not face charges in Colombia, despite earlier assurances from officials and former President Trump.
• [04:02] Gary Kahn explains:
  • Survivor Jonathan Obando Perez was discharged from a hospital; Colombian officials decline to prosecute, citing lack of evidence.
  • Trump and Colombian authorities previously promised prosecution.
  • The other survivor, Ecuadorian with a U.S. criminal record, was released after returning home.
  • Quote:

    "Federal officials in Bogota say there were no plans to launch a formal investigation against Obando, as it has no evidence he committed a crime in Colombia."
    — Gary Kahn [04:18]

6. Markets Update

• [04:47] Shea Stevens: Asia-Pacific shares are mostly lower, down around 1% in Tokyo and Hong Kong. U.S. futures are higher in after-hours trading.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Joel Rose on ATC staffing:

  "The government shutdown is clearly taking a toll on air traffic controllers who are required to work without pay. Some of them have taken on second jobs. Many are calling out sick."
  [00:43]

• Frank Bellavia on community response:

  "When you think about communities, you think about the schools that are there. And these are really are the backbones of the community. So us being here and doing this meat is nothing... is nothing different."
  [01:44]

• Amita Stern relaying Ron Berslavski's testimony:

  "They stripped me of everything, tied me up naked... it was sexual violence meant to humiliate."
  [02:28]

• Gary Kahn on lack of prosecution in Colombia:

  "Federal officials in Bogota say there were no plans to launch a formal investigation against Obando, as it has no evidence he committed a crime in Colombia."
  [04:18]

Segment Timestamps

• Government Shutdown & Air Travel: 00:18 – 01:05
• Community Meals for Federal Workers: 01:05 – 02:03
• Israeli Hostage Testimonies: 02:03 – 03:10
• Ukrainian Drone Attack: 03:10 – 04:02
• Colombian Submarine Survivor Case: 04:02 – 04:47
• Markets Update: 04:47 – 04:57

This episode delivers a succinct, impactful survey of pressing news, centering on the social impacts of political decisions, international conflict aftermaths, and evolving legal stories, all in NPR’s signature balanced, matter-of-fact reporting style.