NPR News Now – November 11, 2025, 1AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Length: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise update on significant national and global developments, focusing on U.S. politics (the government shutdown standoff), international affairs, legal decisions, sports controversies, and severe weather.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Progress Toward Ending the U.S. Government Shutdown

[00:19]

• Senate Action: The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill (60-40) after a late-night session, potentially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history (42 days).
• Details of the Deal:
  • The stopgap measure funds the government through the end of January.
  • Brokered by a coalition of Democrats, an independent, and Republicans.
  • Does not include the health care subsidy extension sought by Democrats.
• Next Steps:
  • The House is expected to vote as early as Wednesday.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson is calling lawmakers back to Washington.
• White House Response:
  • President Trump supports the Senate deal.

Notable Quotes:

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune:
  • “After six excruciating weeks, I will stop talking and let all of you get some rest.” (00:22)
• President Donald Trump (via Deepa Shivram):
  • “Based on everything I’m hearing, they haven’t changed anything and we have support from enough Democrats and we’re going to be opening up our country.” (01:29)
  • Describes Senate deal as “very good” and pledges to abide by its provisions, including reversal of mass government employee firings. (01:38)

2. Congressional Updates and the Epstein Files

[01:50]

• Adelita Grahalba:
  • Arizona representative-elect to be sworn in after a month's delay.
  • Expected to play a crucial role in forcing a vote to release the Epstein files.

3. BBC Fallout Over Trump Documentary

[02:17]

• Apology and Resignations:
  • BBC Chairman Samir Shah apologizes for an error in a Trump documentary that misleadingly implied he issued a “violent directive” regarding the 2020 election protests.
  • President Trump requested compensation from the BBC.
  • BBC Director General and News CEO Deborah Turness both resigned; Turness denies institutional bias claims.
• Transparency and Criticism:
  • BBC faces scrutiny over its response to criticism from an external adviser; those critiques were leaked to the press.

4. Deadly Explosion in New Delhi, India

[02:56]

• Incident Details:
  • Explosion occurred near a busy Metro station and the historic Red Fort, a major tourist destination.
  • A car bomb at a traffic signal caused flames that spread to other vehicles.
  • At least 8 fatalities and multiple injuries.
  • Indian authorities continue to investigate.

5. U.S. Supreme Court and Same-Sex Marriage

[03:23]

• Supreme Court Action:
  • Justices declined to hear an appeal from a former Kentucky clerk who refused same-sex marriage licenses post-2015’s landmark ruling.
  • The legal precedent supporting same-sex marriage nationwide remains intact.

6. Major League Baseball and Gambling Scandal

[03:55]

• Policy Changes:
  • MLB will now cap single-pitch bets at $200, disallowing them from parlays.
  • Move follows indictments of two Cleveland Guardians pitchers (Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz) for colluding with gamblers to influence pitch outcomes.
• Sports Integrity at Risk:
  • Both players accused of intentionally throwing certain pitches for profit.

Quote (Becky Sullivan, 03:55):

• “Now, those bets at nearly all authorized gambling sites will be capped at $200, and they can’t be part of a parlay.”

7. Weather: Record Lows and Winter Conditions

[04:35]

• Frigid Air in the East:
  • Coldest air of the season across the Eastern U.S.; record lows forecasted in the Southeast, especially Florida.
  • Snow expected through Tuesday in Great Lakes and New England; several inches possible.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• John Thune: “After six excruciating weeks, I will stop talking and let all of you get some rest.” (re: government shutdown, 00:22)
• Donald Trump: “We’re going to be opening up our country.” (about government resuming, 01:29)
• BBC Fallout: The simultaneous resignation of both the Director General and CEO of BBC News (02:17) following documentary controversy.
• Becky Sullivan: “MLB is the latest major professional league to deal with players accused of secretly working with gamblers.” (regarding gambling scandal, 03:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Senate Passes Shutdown Deal – 00:19 to 01:19
• President Trump Reaction – 01:19 to 01:50
• Congressional Update / Epstein Files – 01:50 to 02:17
• BBC Apology & Resignations – 02:17 to 02:56
• Deadly New Delhi Explosion – 02:56 to 03:23
• Supreme Court Denies Same-Sex Marriage Challenge – 03:23 to 03:55
• MLB Gambling Limitation & Scandal – 03:55 to 04:35
• Extreme Cold Weather Forecast – 04:35 to 04:58

Summary

This NPR News Now episode covered swift-moving U.S. political developments as a Senate stopgap spending measure attempts to end a historic 42-day government shutdown, with supportive remarks from President Trump, while the House prepares for a crucial vote. Elsewhere, congressional attention shifts to the possible release of the Epstein files. Internationally, the BBC faces high-profile resignations amid backlash over a misrepresentative Trump documentary, and India reels from a deadly car bombing near New Delhi’s Red Fort. The Supreme Court upholds the national legality of same-sex marriage by turning away a challenge from a former Kentucky clerk. In sports, Major League Baseball responds to a gambling scandal involving indicted Cleveland pitchers by enforcing new betting restrictions. The show closes with warnings of record-cold temperatures and wintry weather in the U.S. East.