NPR News: November 12, 2025, 2AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens | Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This compact NPR News Now update delivers the latest headlines as of early November 12, 2025. Major themes include efforts to end the historic U.S. government shutdown, legal updates on high-profile pardons and the Georgia RICO case, climate talks in Brazil, a nationwide infant formula recall, and developments in Israel regarding a soldier's long-held remains. The episode features insights and statements from political leaders and NPR correspondents, capturing significant global and national events.

Key Topics & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Developments

[00:18 - 01:06]

• House Rules Committee: Finalized amendments to a bill to end the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown.

  • A full House vote is imminent following Senate passage with support from seven Democrats and one independent who joined Republicans.

• Democratic Concerns: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries voices opposition unless health insurance tax subsidies are restored.

  • Quote [00:47]:

    “Our strong expectation is that Democrats will be strongly opposed. Many have issued statements — the New Dem coalition, that's the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, opposed to this Republican spending bill because it fails to address the health care crisis that Republicans have created.”
    – House Democratic Representative

• Senate Leadership Response:

  • Majority Leader John Thune commits to a Senate vote by mid-December on extending healthcare subsidies.

2. Supreme Court & SNAP Benefits

[01:06 - 01:16]

• Supreme Court postpones its order to restore full SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for two days to allow time for passing a short-term spending bill.

3. Trump Pardons & Georgia RICO Case

[01:16 - 02:16]

• Pardons Issued: President Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and other figures involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election; however, these do not apply to state-level charges in Georgia.
• Georgia Case Update:

  • District Attorney Fani Willis has been removed from the case due to an appearance of impropriety; replacement deadline looms (November 14, or indictments dismissed).

  • Quote [01:39]:

    "The massive RICO case...still does not have a prosecuting attorney...The prosecuting attorney’s counsel of Georgia has to name her replacement by November 14th or the indictments are dismissed."
    – Alex Helmick

  • The case remains in limbo, with the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council “working on their assigned task without being influenced by outside actions.”

4. Climate Talks in Brazil (COP30)

[02:16 - 03:12]

• No Official U.S. Delegation: Federal government absent, but local leaders participate.

  • California Governor Gavin Newsom, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and city representatives attend to represent U.S. climate interests.

  • Quote [02:40]:

    “I’m here because I don’t want the United States of America to be a footnote at this conference.”
    – Gov. Gavin Newsom

  • Quote [02:50]:

    “California is a stable and reliable partner in low carbon green growth and will remain a stable and reliable partner in low carbon green growth.”
    – Gov. Gavin Newsom

  • The message: many subnational U.S. leaders remain committed to climate action.

5. Infant Formula Recall

[03:12 - 04:05]

• Bihart Inc. expands its voluntary recall of infant formula after cases of infant botulism are linked to the product.
  • At least 15 infants in a dozen states sick since August; no deaths reported.
  • Bihart sells roughly 200,000 cans monthly.
  • All products now recalled nationwide.

6. Return and Burial of Israeli Soldier’s Remains

[04:05 - 04:48]

• In Israel, thousands attend the funeral for Adar Goldin, a soldier whose body had been held in Gaza since 2014.

  • Context: Body returned by Hamas under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

  • Family’s long public campaign for return; emotional burial.

  • Quote [04:05]:

    “Adar Goldin was killed during an Israeli military operation in Gaza in 2014. His family waged a long public campaign to bring home his body. On Tuesday, it was finally buried in central Israel.”
    – Itay Stern

  • Goldin’s twin brother delivers a eulogy, sharing that Hamas’ hostage-taking aims to “break Israeli society.”

  • Four hostages’ bodies remain in Gaza (three Israelis, one Thai national).

  • Jared Kushner meets Israeli leadership to discuss next ceasefire phase.

7. Market Update (Asia Pacific)

[04:48 - 04:56]

• Asia Pacific markets are mostly higher.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• “Our strong expectation is that Democrats will be strongly opposed...”
  — House Democratic Representative [00:47]
• “The prosecuting attorney’s counsel of Georgia has to name her replacement by November 14th or the indictments are dismissed.”
  — Alex Helmick [01:39]
• “I’m here because I don’t want the United States of America to be a footnote at this conference.”
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom [02:40]
• “California is a stable and reliable partner in low carbon green growth and will remain a stable and reliable partner in low carbon green growth.”
  — Gov. Gavin Newsom [02:50]
• “Adar Goldin was killed during an Israeli military operation in Gaza in 2014. His family waged a long public campaign to bring home his body...”
  — Itay Stern [04:05]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Historic US government shutdown update: 00:18–01:06
• SNAP benefits order delayed: 01:06–01:16
• Trump pardons/Georgia RICO case: 01:16–02:16
• COP30 climate talks and US delegation: 02:16–03:12
• Infant formula recall expands: 03:12–04:05
• Return and burial of Adar Goldin: 04:05–04:48
• Asia Pacific market update: 04:48–04:56

This episode captures a pivotal moment in U.S. legislative maneuvering, the complexities of federal versus state legal jurisdiction, global climate diplomacy, public health urgency, and deeply personal international developments, providing a concise yet textured picture of world affairs as of November 12, 2025.