NPR News Now – November 8, 2025, 4AM EST

Episode Overview
This concise five-minute news update, hosted by Dale Willman, covers major national and international headlines. Topics include the continued impact of the U.S. government shutdown, disruptions in European airspace due to drones, worsening malnutrition in Sudan, and updates on recent transportation and legal developments. The episode delivers rapid, high-impact reporting, direct from NPR correspondents and notable voices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court & SNAP Benefits Amid U.S. Government Shutdown

[00:18–01:27]

• The Supreme Court grants the Trump administration's emergency appeal to halt a lower court's order, pausing funding for SNAP (food stamp) benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

• Payments for November are stopped; the high court’s intervention is temporary until an appeals court decision is reached.

• Some state governments are acting independently to provide support.

  • Connecticut’s response:

    • Over 360,000 residents rely on SNAP; typical monthly federal funding of $72 million has not arrived.

    • Governor Ned Lamont criticizes federal inaction and uses state reserve funds to ensure SNAP recipients receive support.

      “They can't make up their mind. We've made up our mind. We're going to take care of the people on snap.”
      — Governor Ned Lamont [01:12]

2. FAA Flight Reductions Due to Shutdown

[01:27–01:59]

• FAA cuts flights by 10% nationwide as air traffic controllers and TSA officers operate without pay, leading to increased sick calls.

• Travelers are advised by officials to continue booking flights despite disruptions.

  > “The government can open back up. We could have controllers coming to work, and then you're going to be stock booking a week before you want to travel and you're going to pay way more money and you're going to be angry. So book it now.”  
  — *Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy* [01:49]
  

3. Drone Disruptions in Belgian and European Airspace

[01:59–02:59]

• The Belgian government is poised to spend over $50 million to counter drones that have disrupted air travel and hovered over sensitive military sites, including one with U.S. nuclear weapons.

• Belgium’s major airports have faced multiple closures; similar disruptions reported in Germany and Sweden.

• Uncertainty remains over who is responsible for the drone incursions.

  > “This is hybrid warfare and Europe is at risk.”  
  — *European Commission spokesman Thomas Redinier* [02:40]
  

• Both EU and NATO are allocating resources to counter drone threats. Belgian police now have authority to shoot down drones.

4. Wall Street Weekly Performance

[02:59–03:29]

• Markets end with their first weekly loss in a month.
  • Dow Jones finishes up by 74 points (+0.16%) for the day.
  • S&P 500 slightly up.
  • Nasdaq down by 49 points.
• Concise financial recap, highlighting market volatility amid broader instability.

5. Crisis in Sudan: Worsening Malnutrition

[03:29–04:10]

• Doctors Without Borders voices alarm over starvation among those fleeing El Fasha, recently captured by a paramilitary group.

• In Tawila, Darfur, 70%+ of those seeking aid show signs of starvation, including 71% of children and 87% of pregnant/breastfeeding women.

  > “I've never seen anything so shocking in all my 15 years of my work.”  
  — *Mohammed Javid Abdelmonim, President of Doctors Without Borders* [03:50]
  

6. Aviation Safety – MD11 Aircraft Grounded

[04:10–04:34]

• McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) asks UPS and FedEx to ground MD11 planes after a deadly crash in Louisville, with at least 14 fatalities.
• Both companies will conduct safety reviews before resuming flights.

7. Federal Judge Rules on National Guard Deployment in Portland

[04:34–04:57]

• An Oregon judge finds the Trump administration failed to meet legal standards for deploying National Guard troops to Portland earlier in the year.
• The administration did not prove federal forces were inadequate or that a rebellion existed, thereby failing legal requirements for such deployment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Governor Ned Lamont on state leadership:
  “They can't make up their mind. We've made up our mind. We're going to take care of the people on snap.” [01:12]

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s travel advice:
  “So book it now.” [01:49]

• European Commission on drone incursions:
  “This is hybrid warfare and Europe is at risk.” [02:40]

• Doctors Without Borders president on Sudan:
  “I've never seen anything so shocking in all my 15 years of my work.” [03:50]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• SNAP/Shutdown: [00:18–01:27]
• FAA/Flight Reductions: [01:27–01:59]
• Drone Disruptions (Belgium/EU): [01:59–02:59]
• Wall Street Recap: [02:59–03:29]
• Sudan Malnutrition Crisis: [03:29–04:10]
• MD11 Groundings: [04:10–04:34]
• Oregon National Guard Ruling: [04:34–04:57]

Summary Conclusion
This update encapsulates a tense moment as U.S. government functions, social safety nets, and infrastructure are strained by political stalemates, all while the international community contends with new forms of disruption and humanitarian crises. Key voices underline the urgency and stakes, reflecting NPR’s commitment to compact yet comprehensive news reporting.