NPR News Now: 11-15-2025 2AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Date: November 15, 2025

Overview

This concise five-minute news update covers major national and international headlines. Key topics include a disputed Border Patrol operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, new federal regulations on THC products, developments in Israel and the West Bank, competing recovery plans for Gaza at the UN, the UK court ruling on the BHP Brazil dam disaster, updates on US flight restrictions, and the latest stock market movements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Border Patrol Operation in Charlotte, NC

Timestamps: 00:17 – 01:10

• Situation: City leaders in Charlotte remain uninformed about a planned Border Patrol operation expected to begin soon.
• Law Enforcement Stance: The county sheriff and city police state they are not involved in federal immigration enforcement.
• Political Tension: Local Democrats condemn the operation, suggesting it is not rooted in public safety concerns.
  • Quote:
    • JD Mazuera Arias (City Councilman Elect):

      "This is not about public safety. It is not about finding criminals. It is about fear. It is about quotas and and it's about control." (00:51)

• State-Level Concerns: State Rep. Aisha Dew questions the need for a border operation in Charlotte, noting the actual state border is with South Carolina rather than a national border.

2. Federal Ban on THC-Infused Products

Timestamps: 01:10 – 01:35

• Provision Enacted: A provision in the recent federal spending bill, signed by President Trump, bans many THC-infused products (gummies, drinks, vapes, topicals).
• Industry Reaction: Jim Higdon, owner of Cornbread Hemp (Kentucky), is actively lobbying in Washington to overturn the ban.
  • Quote:
    • Jim Higdon:

      "D.C. talking to legislators and staff, trying to figure out what we can do in the next 364 days to right this wrong that Congress has given us." (01:27)

• Legal Backing: 39 state attorneys general support the ban, particularly on synthetic THC products.

3. Executive Order Lifting Tariffs

Timestamps: 01:35 – 01:55

• Action: President Trump signed an order removing tariffs on commodities like beef, coffee, and tropical fruits.
• Context: The move follows recent election gains by Democrats, attributed to economic concerns among voters.

4. Israeli Military Action in the West Bank

Timestamps: 01:55 – 02:54

• Incident: Israeli forces killed two Palestinian teenagers near Hebron, claiming they were planning an attack.
• Ongoing Crisis: Over 45 Palestinian minors have been killed in the West Bank this year amid a major Israeli military operation.
• Displacement: The operation has displaced tens of thousands, marking the largest such crisis in decades.
• Surge in Settler Violence: Incidents of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians have reached all-time highs.
  • Reporting: Kat Lonsdorf provides context from Tel Aviv.

5. UN Debates Competing Plans for Gaza

Timestamps: 02:54 – 03:36

• US Plan: Would create a transitional authority in Gaza, intended to be headed by President Trump.
• Russian Plan: Proposes eliminating the transitional authority.
• Upcoming Vote: UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on both plans early next week.

6. BHP Found Liable in Brazil Dam Disaster

Timestamps: 03:36 – 04:17

• London Ruling: UK court finds BHP liable for the 2015 mining dam collapse in Mariana, Brazil, which killed 19 and devastated the region.
  • Quote:
    • Julia Carneiro (Reporting):

      "Ten years ago, the dam collapse in Mariana released a tsunami of sludge, killing 19 people, destroying villages and devastating hundreds of miles along the Dosi river in northeast Brazil." (03:36)

• Compensation: Damages are to be determined in a future ruling. Victims see this as a landmark legal victory.

7. FAA Eases Flight Restrictions

Timestamps: 04:17 – 04:38

• Update: Restrictions on commercial flights at 40 US airports are being reduced from 6% to 3% cuts, starting Saturday, following disruptions linked to a government shutdown.
• Impact: Thousands of flights have already been affected.

8. Financial Markets Wrap-Up

Timestamps: 04:38 – 04:56

• Wall Street Fluctuations:
  • The Dow was down nearly 600 points but recovered to close 309 points lower.
  • S&P 500 ended down 0.1%.
  • NASDAQ composite finished with a 0.1% gain.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "This is not about public safety. It is not about finding criminals. It is about fear. It is about quotas and and it's about control."
  — JD Mazuera Arias (00:51)

• "D.C. talking to legislators and staff, trying to figure out what we can do in the next 364 days to right this wrong that Congress has given us."
  — Jim Higdon (01:27)

• "Ten years ago, the dam collapse in Mariana released a tsunami of sludge, killing 19 people, destroying villages and devastating hundreds of miles along the Dosi river in northeast Brazil."
  — Julia Carneiro (03:36)

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:17 | Charlotte Border Patrol operation controversy | | 01:10 | Federal ban on THC-infused products | | 01:35 | Tariff removals signed by President Trump | | 01:55 | Israeli forces kill two teens in West Bank | | 02:54 | UN debates Gaza recovery plans | | 03:36 | BHP liable in Brazil dam collapse | | 04:17 | FAA eases US flight restrictions | | 04:38 | Markets close after volatile trading day |

This news update captures the most urgent developments in US politics, global conflict and humanitarian issues, legal accountability for environmental disasters, and transportation and financial market trends of November 15, 2025.