NPR News Now – November 13, 2025, 11AM EST

Overview

In this tight five-minute episode, NPR News Now—hosted by Korva Coleman—delivers the latest headlines on the federal government shutdown's conclusion, changes to air traffic restrictions, a new FDA pathway for rare disease treatments, international intelligence tensions, updates on civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, and survey data showing growing American disillusionment. The episode deftly packs key updates with nuanced reporting and brief but revealing official reactions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown Ends

• [00:16] Korva Coleman announces that the shutdown is over after the House passed, and President Trump signed, a short-term spending bill.
  • The bill funds government operations through the end of January and extends SNAP and some other programs to September.
• Flight Reductions: While normal operations are resuming, temporary air traffic reductions (6%) remain in place due to staffing shortages.
  • Joel Rose [00:54]: "The Federal Aviation Administration has said the cuts were necessary to keep the airspace safe as the agency grappled with a staffing shortage of air traffic controllers during the federal government shutdown."

2. FAA & Air Traffic Controller Staffing

• [00:54] Joel Rose explains the ongoing impact on commercial aviation.
  • Planned flight reductions were to rise to 10% but stayed at 6% as controllers return.
  • No timetable for when full flight schedules resume; regulators await improved safety data.

3. FDA’s New Approval Pathway for Rare Diseases

• [01:31] Rob Stein reports on an FDA innovation:
  • The "plausible mechanism pathway" allows for approval based on evidence targeting the root cause (e.g., genetic defect) instead of large patient trials.
  • Rob Stein [01:40]: "The approach is aimed at making it more practical to use cutting edge technologies like gene editing to treat patients suffering from rare diseases."
  • Could expedite development and approval of advanced therapies for rare conditions.

4. UK-US Intelligence Tensions

• [02:23] Korva Coleman reveals that Britain is withholding some intelligence from the US military over concerns about strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats.
  • 75 people killed; claims of drug ties remain unproven.
  • At the G7 summit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplays the rift:
    • Marco Rubio [02:45]: "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."

5. Other Headlines

• [02:57] Update on the Trump administration’s continued strikes in the Caribbean/eastern Pacific, noting the lack of public evidence for drug allegations.

• Wall Street: Dow Jones down 330 points.

• Civil Rights: Reverend Jesse Jackson hospitalized in Chicago due to a long-standing neurodegenerative disease.

• Thailand-China Relations

  • [03:43] Emily Feng reports on the Thai King's state visit to China—his first since diplomatic ties began in 1975.
  • China's influence grows; an art show was closed due to Beijing’s objections.
  • On the eve of the visit, Thailand extradited tycoon Shou Zhijiang to China, a move criticized by his lawyers:
    • Emily Feng [03:43]: "His lawyers say in a statement that, quote, we regret that the Thai authorities did not further resist and protect our client's integrity."

6. Gallup Survey: Americans’ Desire to Emigrate

• [04:24] New Gallup data: one in five Americans say they’d leave the US for good if they could, rising to 40% among young women.
  • Tenfold increase over a decade; trend began during Trump's first term.
    • Insight: American women losing confidence in national institutions, seeing life abroad as increasingly attractive.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Korva Coleman [00:16]: "The federal government shutdown is over. The House passed a short term spending bill and sent the measure to President Trump. He signed it last night."
• Joel Rose [00:54]: "The Federal Aviation Administration has said the cuts were necessary to keep the airspace safe as the agency grappled with a staffing shortage of air traffic controllers during the federal government shutdown."
• Rob Stein [01:40]: "The approach is aimed at making it more practical to use cutting edge technologies like gene editing to treat patients suffering from rare diseases."
• Marco Rubio [02:45]: "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."
• Emily Feng [03:43]: "His lawyers say in a statement that, quote, we regret that the Thai authorities did not further resist and protect our client's integrity."
• Korva Coleman [04:24]: "About one in five Americans would leave the US for good if they were able. But that number rises to 40% among young women... The figure is 10 times higher than what Gallup found a decade ago."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] – Federal shutdown ends; details of the funding bill and impacts.
• [00:54] – Joel Rose on FAA staffing and impact on aviation.
• [01:31] – Rob Stein on FDA’s new pathway for drug approval.
• [02:23] – UK withholding intelligence over US military strikes; Marco Rubio responds at G7.
• [03:43] – Emily Feng on Thailand-China relations and extradition controversy.
• [04:24] – Gallup survey highlights Americans’ growing desire to emigrate.

This episode delivers concise, authoritative reporting on major policy decisions and their ripple effects nationally and globally, highlighting voices from the NPR team and key officials. The tone remains direct, informative, and anchored in factual reporting throughout.