NPR News Now: November 16, 2025, 5PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on major national and international news events, including heightened U.S.–Venezuela tensions, Congressional action over the Epstein files, the mental health crisis among children in Gaza, devastating bird flu impacts on South Georgia’s wildlife, and weekend box office results.

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. U.S.–Venezuela Tensions Escalate

[00:16–01:16]

• Deployment of USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group:
  The advanced aircraft carrier group, with a price tag exceeding $13 billion, arrived in the Caribbean Sunday as the U.S. increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
• Technological Advancements:
  Features include an electromagnetic aircraft launch system.
• Uncertainty Over U.S. Military Action:
  The Trump administration’s intentions remain unclear.
• Quote:
  • “The Ford has a number of technological advancements, including an electromagnetic system for launching aircraft.” — Joe Hernandez (00:40)
• Tone:
  Serious reporting with an emphasis on military and geopolitical stakes.

2. House to Vote on Epstein Files

[01:16–02:16]

• Discharge Petition Reached:
  Lawmakers secured 218 signatures to force a House vote this week to release the Epstein documents.
• Warnings from Within the GOP:
  Rep. Thomas Massie urges colleagues to consider long-term consequences.
  • Quote:
    • “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 (01:44)
• Concerns Over Last-Minute Cover-up:
  Allegations that new investigations by the Trump administration may delay or block release by labeling documents as part of ongoing probes.
  • Quote:
    • “If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released. So this might be a big smokescreen.” — Rep. Thomas Massie (02:00)
• Legislation's Uncertain Future:
  Even if the House passes the bill, prospects in the Senate and with the White House are dim.

3. Gaza’s Children Face Widespread Trauma

[02:16–03:11]

• UN Report Findings:
  Over 90% of children in Gaza are now displaying anxiety, aggression, sadness, and withdrawal.
• Contributors:
  Repeated displacement, collapsed infrastructure, and ongoing violence.
  • Quote:
    • “More than 90% of children in Gaza exhibit aggressive behavior or violence. Sadness and withdrawal, as well as disturbed sleep are also common.” — Kat Lansdorf (02:27)
• Humanitarian Response:
  Ongoing efforts to provide mental health services amid a fragile ceasefire.
• Continued Crisis:
  Bombardments continue daily, with Israel’s stated goal of dismantling militant infrastructure.

4. Bird Flu Devastates South Georgia Wildlife

[03:11–04:13]

• Outbreak Details:
  Bird flu (H5N1) discovered in South Georgia, a sub-Antarctic island, in 2023.
• Impact:
  Nearly half of the island’s breeding female elephant seals vanished, endangering long-term population health.
• Expert Perspective:
  • Quote:
    • “The loss of breeding females and the loss of the pups that they would have produced... will really cause this sort of double dip in the population.” — Marine Ecologist Connor Bamford (03:55)
• Outlook:
  Researchers hope for recovery, but current losses are staggering.

5. Weekend Box Office Recap

[04:13–04:56]

• Winners:
  • “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t”: $21 million, continues the magician heist franchise with its original cast and new additions.
  • “The Running Man”: Second place with $17 million; new adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, starring Glen Powell.
• Notable Details:
  The new “Running Man” is directed by Edgar Wright.
• Quote:
  • “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t... brings back the original cast and also introduces new magicians and comes 10 years after the original.” — Jeanine Herbst (04:16)

Notable Quotes by Segment

• Military Update:
  “The Ford has a number of technological advancements, including an electromagnetic system for launching aircraft.”
  — Joe Hernandez (00:40)

• Epstein Files Vote:
  “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 (01:44)

  “If they have ongoing investigations in certain areas, those documents can’t be released. So this might be a big smokescreen.”
  — Rep. Thomas Massie (02:00)

• Gaza Report:
  “More than 90% of children in Gaza exhibit aggressive behavior or violence. Sadness and withdrawal, as well as disturbed sleep are also common.”
  — Kat Lansdorf (02:27)

• Bird Flu Impact:
  “The loss of breeding females and the loss of the pups that they would have produced... will really cause this sort of double dip in the population.”
  — Connor Bamford (03:55)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:16] — U.S.–Venezuela Tensions, Aircraft Carrier Deployment
• [01:16] — House Epstein Files Vote and Political Fallout
• [02:16] — Gaza UN Report on Children’s Mental Health Crisis
• [03:11] — South Georgia Bird Flu Outbreak and Wildlife Impact
• [04:13] — Box Office Highlights: “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t” and “The Running Man”

Tone:
Direct, impartial, and urgent; the delivery is brisk and informative, reflecting NPR's concise and authoritative style.