NPR News Now — 8AM EST, November 10, 2025

Host: Korva Coleman

Episode Overview

This five-minute news briefing delivers the latest breaking developments from U.S. politics, legal decisions, international affairs, business, technology, and health. The episode’s key stories cover significant White House pardons, the end of the government shutdown, a major court ruling on food aid benefits, a historic diplomatic meeting, a marketing controversy over AI-generated ads, and a critical recall of infant formula.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump Issues Mass Pardons

• Timestamps: 00:16 – 00:56
• NPR reports President Trump has pardoned 77 people involved in efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election results.
  • High-profile pardons include former chief of staff Mark Meadows and attorney Rudy Giuliani.
  • Korva Coleman reminds listeners that Joe Biden won the 2020 election despite Trump’s persistent false claims to the contrary.

2. Government Shutdown Ends; Senate Moves New Spending Bill

• Timestamps: 00:16 – 01:35
• After 41 days, a stopgap spending plan has been passed by the Senate to reopen federal agencies.
  • Some Senate Democrats joined Republicans to advance the measure.
  • Package details:
    • Government funded through end of January.
    • Full appropriations for Agriculture and Veterans Affairs.
    • Pauses planned SNAP cuts.
    • Reinstates furloughed federal workers.
  • New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen says:

    "Waiting another week or another month wouldn't deliver a better outcome. It would only mean more harm for families in New Hampshire and all across the country." (Claudia Goussales reporting, 01:12)

3. Court Orders Restoration of Food Aid Benefits

• Timestamps: 01:35 – 02:09
• A late-night federal appeals court ruling requires the Trump administration to pay full benefits to those receiving federal food aid impacted by the shutdown.
  • The decision may still be appealed to the Supreme Court.
  • Julia LaFontaine, food pantry director, explains the turmoil:

    "People are experiencing whiplash. It seems like the information about the SNAP benefits changes by the hour, by the minute." (Jane Araf reporting, 02:01)

4. Historic Visit: Syrian President Meets Trump at White House

• Timestamps: 02:09 – 03:09
• Syrian President Ahmad Ashara is set to meet with President Trump, marking the first Syrian head of state visit to the White House in nearly 80 years.
  • Ashara, a former al Qaeda in Iraq leader, overthrew Bashar al Assad last year.
  • Most sanctions on Ashara and Syria have been dropped, but some remain.
  • Trump is expected to invite Syria to join US-led operations against ISIS.
  • Jane Araf underlines the significance:

    "President Ahmad Ashara will be the first Syrian head of state at the White House in almost 80 years. But it's also a big deal because of Ashara's own history. He's a former al Qaeda in Iraq militant leader." (02:27)

5. Coca Cola Faces Backlash for AI-Generated Holiday Ad

• Timestamps: 03:09 – 04:18
• Coca Cola debuts new “Holidays Are Coming” commercial using generative AI.
  • Viewers criticize the ad for unnatural, “eerie, dreamlike” visuals and lack of emotional warmth.
  • Coca Cola insists the campaign “combines technology with human creativity.”
  • Reporter Windsor Johnston notes:

    "Viewers say the ad looks off with stiff characters and eerie, dreamlike scenes that lack the warmth of Coke ads in the past.” (03:36)

  • Context: Up to one third of ads are now AI-generated.

6. FDA Recall of Infant Formula Due to Botulism Risk

• Timestamps: 04:18 – 04:55
• The FDA urges parents to stop using certain batches of ByHeart’s Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.
  • Cases of infant botulism have been linked to the product.
  • ByHeart has recalled two lots.
  • Critical safety alert for parents and caregivers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jeanne Shaheen (Senator, paraphrased):

  “Waiting another week or another month wouldn't deliver a better outcome. It would only mean more harm for families…” (01:12)

• Julia LaFontaine (Food Pantry Director):

  “People are experiencing whiplash. It seems like the information about the SNAP benefits changes by the hour, by the minute.” (02:01)

• Jane Araf (NPR, on Syrian President’s visit):

  “President Ahmad Ashara will be the first Syrian head of state at the White House in almost 80 years. But it's also a big deal because of Ashara's own history. He's a former al Qaeda in Iraq militant leader.” (02:27)

• Windsor Johnston (NPR, on Coke ad):

  “Viewers say the ad looks off with stiff characters and eerie, dreamlike scenes that lack the warmth of Coke ads in the past.” (03:36)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:16 — Trump Pardons Announced
• 00:57 — Senate Ends Government Shutdown (Claudia Goussales)
• 01:35 — Court Restores Food Aid; SNAP Uncertainty (Jane Araf)
• 02:27 — Syrian President’s Historic U.S. Visit (Jane Araf)
• 03:36 — Coca Cola’s AI Ad Faces Backlash (Windsor Johnston)
• 04:18 — FDA Issues Baby Formula Recall

Closing Notes

This episode delivers a rapid-fire update on key national and international events, blending high-stakes political actions, urgent legal decisions, global diplomacy, technological controversies, and critical health advisories — all in five minutes, with clarity and immediacy in the signature NPR style.