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Giles Snyder
In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is responding to the blow up with President Trump telling CNN today that he could be putting her the most hurtful thing.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
He said, which is absolutely untrue, is he called me a traitor. And that is that is so extremely wrong. And those are the types of words used that can radicalize people against me and put my life in danger.
Giles Snyder
Greene has recently been critical of President Trump's focus on foreign affairs, and she's taken on GOP leadership over the government shutdown. But she says it's the Epstein files that prompted Trump to begin attacking her on social media. Greene is one of four House Republicans who joined Democrats in signing a petition that forces a House vote on the Epstein files release. Trump officially rescinded his support in a post on Friday. North Carolina's largest city now the latest to be targeted by a surge in federal immigration agents. The Homeland Security Department confirmed the surge in Charlotte last night, prompting several hundred protesters to gather in a city park to denounce the surge. Charlotte's Democratic mayor says the agents are causing unnecessary fear. US Aviation system is gradually returning to normal following the government shutdown, but some effects will remain through the weekend. Here's NPR's Joel Rose reporting.
Joel Rose
Aviation regulators say there's been a rapid decline in staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities over the past week. That's given the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration the confidence that more air traffic controllers are coming to work. Regulators lowered air traffic reductions at dozens of major airports from 6% of flights to 3% through the weekend, but they did not lift them entirely. The FAA said the restrictions were necessary to keep the airspace safe as the agency grappled with widespread staffing. Shortages of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown but with the government reopened, air traffic controllers have finally received some of the back pay they earned, and most are now back on the job. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.
Giles Snyder
Mortgage experts are skeptical about the Trump administration's plan to offer home buyers a 50, 50 year mortgage. NPR's Bill Chappell reports.
Bill Chappell
Backers of the 50 year mortgage say it would help buyers get into a home they might not otherwise afford. But Bruce Marks, the CEO of the nonprofit Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America says the longer loan would take decades to build equity.
Giles Snyder
The 30 year term has always been the sweet spot in this country, but.
Bill Chappell
The affordability crisis is real, Mark says. And in Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Hendricks of NBKC bank agrees.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
What else is staggering is the median for that first time home buyer is 40 years old right now.
Bill Chappell
Hendricks says he wants the government to find ways to boost housing supply and help first time homebuyers. Bill Chappell, NPR News.
Giles Snyder
And you're listening to NPR News. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and one of the rebel groups in the country, the M23, have signed a framework agreement for a peace deal. Michael Koloki has more fighting in the.
Michael Koloki
Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwandan backed M23 rebels and Congolese forces has been going on for decades now under a mediation effort hosted by the Qatari government and backed by the United States. Both sides yesterday signed the framework agreement for a peace deal in the Qatari capital, Doha. According to Massad Boulos, President Trump's senior adviser for Africa, the deal covers eight protocols, which include the exchange of prisoners and the monitoring of a ceasefire. Boulos added that more still needs to be done to reach an agreement on how a number of the protocols will be implemented, according to the nations. Since the start of this year, thousands have been killed in the conflict in eastern Congo. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.
Giles Snyder
President Trump has signed two pardons linked to the investigation into the January 6th riot at the US Capitol. One is for a woman convicted of threatening to shoot FBI agents who were investigating a tip that she may have been at the Capitol. Trump issued the second pardon for a January 6th defendant who had remained behind bars despite the president's clemency grant issued when he regained the White House. He had been convicted on separate charges. Southern California has been getting us soaking this weekend and the National Weather Service says even more rain is on the way. The forecast is calling for additional heavy rain for tomorrow, prompting concerns for additional flash flooding and rock slides. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.
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Host: Giles Snyder, NPR
This five-minute news update delivers concise coverage of major breaking news and current events in the U.S. and abroad as of the morning of November 16, 2025. Reporting includes high-profile political disputes, immigration enforcement, post-shutdown disruptions, new federal mortgage proposals, international peace efforts, presidential pardons, and severe weather.
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| Time | Topic | |--------|------------------------------------------| | 00:20 | Greene-Trump Fallout & Epstein Files | | 01:12 | Immigration Surge in Charlotte, NC | | 01:43 | Post-Shutdown Air Travel Update | | 02:23 | Trump 50-Year Mortgage Plan Debate | | 03:13 | D.R. Congo Peace Agreement | | 04:12 | January 6th Pardons | | 04:40 | California Heavy Rain & Flooding Risk |
The news is delivered with NPR’s signature calm, measured reporting—concise but rich with critical details. It blends first-hand statements with contextual analysis, featuring direct attributions and balanced perspectives.
This episode offers a brisk yet substantial overview of key U.S. political, economic, and international issues as of mid-November 2025, highlighting both immediate events and longer-term developments.