NPR News Now – November 16, 2025, 10PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Podcast: NPR News Now
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This 5-minute NPR News Now episode highlights the latest headlines from U.S. politics, international affairs, and global markets. Main topics include President Trump urging release of the Epstein files, California’s National Guard troop dynamics, a critical runoff election in Chile, controversy over a Holocaust-related auction in Germany, and the midpoint of the COP30 UN climate negotiations in Brazil.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump Reverses on Epstein Files Release

00:17 – 01:35

• President Trump’s new stance: Trump is now urging House Republicans to vote for the release of the Epstein files, calling for the party to “move on” from what he describes as a Democrat “hoax.”

• House moves towards a vote: The House is preparing to vote after a successful discharge petition forced the issue onto the floor.

• Rep. Thomas Massie’s warning: Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, urges transparency, warning colleagues that their votes to block release will be recorded for posterity.

• Potential cover-up fears: Massie raises concerns about new Trump administration investigations being used to indefinitely delay the files’ release, calling them “a big smokescreen.”

• Senate and White House resistance: Even if successful in the House, the bill faces tough odds in the upper chamber and with the administration.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “He’s not going to be the president and you will have voted to protect pedophiles if you don’t vote to release these files and the president can’t protect you.”
    — Rep. Thomas Massie (01:03)
  • “If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released. So this might be a big smokescreen.”
    — Rep. Thomas Massie (01:19)

2. California National Guard Returns After Federal Deployment

01:35 – 02:16

• Background: About 200 California National Guard troops, previously federalized by President Trump for immigration-related deployments, are coming home after a protracted period away.
• Legal and political complications: Troops were originally sent to respond to protests, later redeployed to Portland, Oregon, until a federal judge blocked the move.
• Governor Newsom’s reaction: California’s governor’s office described the soldiers’ return as “long overdue.”

3. Chile’s Presidential Runoff Sets Up Hard-Left vs. Far-Right Contest

02:16 – 03:09

• First round results: Communist Jeanette Hadda is in first with 27% of the vote—narrower than expected—while far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast follows with 24%.
• Kast’s campaign: Described as “Trump-like,” focusing on crime, border security, and anti-immigration rhetoric.
• Prospects for runoff: The upcoming December 14 runoff is expected to be fiercely competitive, with Kast likely to consolidate the right-wing vote.
• Compulsory voting in effect for both rounds.

4. German Auction of Holocaust Artifacts Canceled Amid Outrage

03:09 – 04:17

• Details of the auction: Items included a yellow Star of David from Buchenwald, prisoners’ letters, and Gestapo documents.

• International backlash: Jewish groups, survivors, and Germany’s foreign minister condemned the sale as profiting from the Holocaust.

• Call for proper handling: The International Auschwitz Committee insists such artifacts belong with families or museums, not private collectors.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Any attempt to profit from the crimes of the Shoah is abhorrent.”
    — Johann War, German foreign minister (03:47)
  • “The artifacts belong to the victims’ families or to museums and should not be degraded to mere commodities.”
    — Report on International Auschwitz Committee’s statement (04:11)

5. COP30 UN Climate Talks Reach Midpoint

04:17 – 04:55

• Location: Brazil, hosting the major climate conference.
• Key issues: Nations are debating stricter emissions targets, climate aid, and phasing out fossil fuels.
• Shift to high-level talks: Ministers will take over negotiations for the final, decisive week.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• [01:03] Thomas Massie: “He’s not going to be the president and you will have voted to protect pedophiles if you don’t vote to release these files and the president can’t protect you.”
• [01:19] Thomas Massie: “If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released. So this might be a big smokescreen.”
• [03:47] German FM Johann War: “Any attempt to profit from the crimes of the Shoah is abhorrent.”
• [04:11] International Auschwitz Committee (reported): “The artifacts belong to the victims’ families or to museums and should not be degraded to mere commodities.”

Markets & Brief Updates

• US futures: Trading higher; Dow futures up slightly. (03:09)
• Asian markets: Trading lower; Nikkei down about 0.7%. (04:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump/House Epstein Files Reversal: 00:17 – 01:35
• CA National Guard Troops Return: 01:35 – 02:16
• Chilean Election Runoff: 02:16 – 03:09
• Holocaust Auction Cancellation: 03:09 – 04:17
• UN Climate Talks (COP30): 04:17 – 04:55

This episode packs significant developments in U.S. politics, Latin American elections, European history, and climate diplomacy into just five minutes, providing listeners with urgent context on several ongoing and high-stakes stories.