NPR News Now – November 17, 2025, 11PM EST
Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: 5 minutes
Date: November 18, 2025
Episode Overview
This concise news update covers major domestic and international headlines, including U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a UN-backed Gaza peace plan, shifts in the tech investment landscape, federal environmental policy changes, FEMA leadership, and Thanksgiving holiday travel. The tone is direct and informative, characteristic of NPR's neutral and fact-focused reporting.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. U.S. to Sell F35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia
- [00:18–01:24]
- Announcement: President Trump confirms plans to sell F35 jets to Saudi Arabia.
- Context: Upcoming White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Discussion Points:
- Talks to include regional security and potential normalization of Saudi-Israeli relations.
- This sale could significantly alter the Middle Eastern military balance.
- Raises concerns over maintaining Israel’s "qualitative military edge"—a standard enshrined in U.S. law since 2008.
- Notable Quotes:
- President Trump:
"They want to bomb. You've been a great ally. They've got to like us very much. Look at the Iran situation. What we did in terms of obliterating, you know, their—we obliterated their nuclear capability. Yeah, I will say that we will be doing that. We'll be selling F35s."
(01:46) - Franco Ordonez:
"Experts say the sale of F35s would change the military balance in the region while raising questions about Washington's long held position of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge, which was signed into a 2008 law."
(01:04)
- President Trump:
2. UN Security Council Endorses Gaza Peace Plan
- [01:24–02:22]
- Announcement: UN approves an international stabilization force for Gaza for two years.
- Context: U.S. is portraying the move as a "significant step" for the Middle East.
- Discussion Points:
- A board of peace will be established, led by President Trump, to coordinate with Egypt and Israel.
- The plan provides structure for troop-contributing countries and defines pathways for international investment.
- Russia abstained from the vote, after offering an alternate proposal.
- Notable Quotes:
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz:
"The world has the power to, quote, douse the flames and light the path to peace."
(01:37) - NPR’s Franco Ordonez:
"The resolution today provides troop contributing countries with the framework they need for moving forward with the international stabilization force and global financial institutions the mechanisms they need for channeling investment."
(01:55) - Michelle Kellerman:
"The U.S. Ambassador calls this resolution just the beginning."
(02:11)
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz:
3. AI Bubble Worries after Nvidia Sell-off
- [02:22–03:14]
- Announcement: Peter Thiel's investment company sells its $100M stake in Nvidia.
- Context: Follows a similar move from SoftBank, creating unease in financial markets.
- Discussion Points:
- Signals mounting fears of a speculative bubble in the AI tech sector.
- Tech companies are heavily investing in AI, but returns remain uncertain.
- Noted investor Michael Burry (of "The Big Short" fame) is betting against Nvidia, adding to the skepticism.
- Notable Quotes:
- Bobby Allen:
"Peter Thiel's hedge fund selling off a massive investment in Nvidia came after SoftBank did the same last week. Together, the moves are stoking investor concern that the AI industry is in a speculative bubble that could soon pop."
(02:35) - On Michael Burry:
"He wrote on X: sometimes we see bubbles."
(03:08)
- Bobby Allen:
4. FEMA Leadership Change Amid Criticism
- [03:14–03:48]
- Announcement: Acting FEMA head David Richardson resigns after six months.
- Context: Departure follows criticism of FEMA's disaster response.
- Details:
- Richardson, a former Marine and ex-head of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office at DHS, had replaced Cameron Hamilton.
- Notable Quotes:
- Shea Stevens:
"David Richardson's departure comes amid criticism of FEMA's response to natural disasters."
(03:14)
- Shea Stevens:
5. Trump Administration to Scale Back Waterway Protections
- [03:48–04:32]
- Announcement: Proposal to limit federal protections under the Clean Water Act.
- Context: Ongoing debates over the definition and extent of federally protected waterways.
- Discussion Points:
- Industry groups claim protections are overly broad; EPA says new definitions will provide relief.
- Critics, including the NRDC, warn that 85% of U.S. wetlands could lose protection, risking drinking water, flood prevention, and wildlife habitats.
- Notable Quotes:
- Nate Rott:
"An analysis by the Natural Resources Defense council finds that 85% of the country's wetlands will no longer be protected under the new proposal."
(04:15)
- Nate Rott:
6. Thanksgiving Travel & Government Shutdown Updates
- [04:32–04:56]
- Announcement: AAA expects near-record holiday travel—82 million people traveling at least 50 miles.
- Context: U.S. flights rebound after delays caused by a government shutdown.
- Discussion Points:
- Air travel had been disrupted by air traffic controller sick-outs, many forced to take on second jobs due to financial strain.
- Notable Quotes:
- Shea Stevens:
"Thousands of flights were delayed or cancelled as air traffic controllers called in sick while taking on second jobs in order to pay their bills."
(04:46)
- Shea Stevens:
Memorable Moments & Quotes by Timestamp
-
"We'll be selling F35s."
– President Trump (01:04) -
"The world has the power to, quote, douse the flames and light the path to peace."
– Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador (01:37) -
"Sometimes we see bubbles."
– Michael Burry (via X, quoted by Bobby Allen) (03:08)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:18 — Major headlines begin
- 00:35 — U.S.-Saudi arms deal context
- 01:24 — UN Gaza peace deal reported
- 02:22 — AI industry/bubble concerns
- 03:14 — FEMA leadership resignation
- 03:48 — Environmental policy updates
- 04:32 — Thanksgiving travel news
- 04:56 — End of content section
Tone & Style
The reporting is clear, succinct, and objective, delivering critical updates without sensationalism.
Summary Takeaway
This NPR News Now segment delivers a rapid-fire—but thorough—rundown of the day’s major stories with a focus on policy decisions (arms sales, environmental protection), world affairs (Gaza peace plan), economic anxiety (AI bubble), and public life issues (holiday travel, FEMA changes). Listeners receive actionable context and critical developments in just five minutes.