NPR News Now — November 12, 2025, 9PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton

Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise update on the day's biggest stories: the U.S. government shutdown ends, looming tariffs threaten Italian pasta imports, U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, a global rise in tuberculosis, the discontinuation of the U.S. penny, and a unique art auction involving the CIA’s famous Kryptos sculpture. Each segment is brief but packed with critical developments from Washington, international affairs, and culture.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. End of the Longest U.S. Government Shutdown

• [00:18] Ryland Barton reports Congress passed a bill to reopen the government, and President Trump is expected to sign it.
• [00:36] Sam Greenglass details the package after a 43-day shutdown (the longest in U.S. history), affecting federal employees and services like air travel and food assistance.
  • The bill will fund most government operations through January, and some agencies through next September.
  • Includes back pay and rehiring for affected federal workers.
  • Key Insight: Most House Democrats opposed the bill, citing failure to extend expiring health insurance subsidies.
• [01:15] Senate Republican leader John Thune promises a December vote to address Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Notable Quote:

"The record long shutdown has resulted in federal employees going without pay, airport delays and pauses to food assistance."
— Sam Greenglass ([00:36])

2. Tariffs Threaten Italian Pasta Imports

• [01:15] Heavy new duties by the U.S. Commerce Department could eliminate Italian pasta from U.S. shelves by January due to ongoing anti-dumping investigations.
• [01:36] Ruth Sherlock reports tariffs could hit 107%, unprecedented even among routine anti-dumping actions.
  • Italy’s Caldiretti agribusiness group warns these tariffs would “practically wipe out” their exports to the U.S.

Notable Quote:

"Italy's influential agribusiness association Caldiretti warns this barrier is so high that it would practically wipe out Italy's pasta exports to the United States."
— Ruth Sherlock ([01:59])

3. US–Europe Relations and Caribbean Military Moves

• [02:20] European countries express concerns over U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean.
• [02:32] NPR’s Michelle Kellerman covers Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s response after a G7 meeting in Canada:
  • Rubio dismisses claims that the UK withheld intelligence over deadly U.S. strikes on Venezuelan drug boats.
  • Affirms strong partnerships, says no change in intelligence sharing or military cooperation.
  • The military campaign is described as “counter-narcotics.”

Notable Quotes:

"We have very strong partnerships with the UK and other countries. Again, nothing has changed or happened that has impeded in any way our ability to do what we're doing, nor are we asking anyone to help us with what we're doing in any realm. And that includes military."
— Secretary Marco Rubio ([02:44])

4. Global Health: Tuberculosis Cases Rise

• [03:14] New TB cases globally rose to 8.3 million in 2024, but deaths have declined.
  • In the U.S., the majority of cases are among people born abroad.

5. Farewell to the Penny

• [03:14] The U.S. Mint discontinues the penny, citing a production cost of nearly 4 cents per coin and potential savings of over $50 million annually.
• [03:51] Rafael Nam reports retailers and banks face transitional challenges, as pennies remain legal tender.

Notable Quote:

"Chances are, though, many of them will stay where they've probably been for years — in big jars, coffee cans or somewhere under the cushion of your couch."
— Rafael Nam ([04:18])

6. Cultural Moment: CIA’s Kryptos Sculpture on Auction

• [04:32] An artist is auctioning the full archive of the “Kryptos” sculpture—famous among codebreakers and installed at CIA headquarters.
  • The 10-foot copper screen features encrypted messages, and remains partially unsolved.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |------------------------------------------------|-------| | Government shutdown bill update | 00:18 | | Details on the shutdown package | 00:36 | | ACA subsidies vote promise | 01:15 | | Italian pasta tariffs | 01:36 | | U.S.–EU military tensions/G7 remarks | 02:20 | | Secretary Rubio’s statement | 02:44 | | Global TB update & penny discontinued | 03:14 | | Rafael Nam on penny transition | 03:51 | | Kryptos art auction | 04:32 |

Memorable Moments

• House Democrats’ principled stand on health insurance ([00:36])
• The projected disappearance of Italian pasta from U.S. shelves ([01:59])
• Rubio’s direct denial of rifts with European allies ([02:44])
• The penny’s sentimental but economic departure ([03:51], [04:18])
• A nod to the enduring mystery of CIA’s Kryptos sculpture ([04:32])

This episode delivers high-impact reporting on national politics, global economics, diplomacy, public health, and even cryptographic art—exemplifying NPR’s sharp, succinct news round-up style.