NPR News Now — November 17, 2025, 7PM EST — Episode Summary
Episode Overview
This concise NPR News Now episode covers key global and national developments within a five-minute news roundup format. Main topics include the U.N. Security Council's new Gaza peace plan and deployment of an international stabilization force, President Trump’s reversal on Jeffrey Epstein file disclosures, a price reduction for the obesity drug Wegovy, updates on federal aviation restrictions, a mass abduction in Nigeria, changes to U.S. waterway protections, and a court ruling on a 2023 airline disruption.
Key Story Summaries
1. U.N. Security Council Backs Gaza Peace Plan
[00:18–01:05]
- Background: The U.N. Security Council has approved a peace initiative for Gaza, authorizing an international force to be deployed for the next two years.
- U.S. Perspective: U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz described the decision as an opportunity to "douse the flames and light the path to peace." He highlighted the establishment of a “Board of Peace” led by President Trump and the coordination with Egypt and Israel.
- Quote, Mike Waltz: “The world has the power to, quote, douse the flames and light the path to peace.” [00:32]
- Framework Provided: The resolution supplies essential guidelines and financial channels for the troop-contributing countries and global financial institutions.
- Quote, Security Council official: “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.” [00:49]
- Council Dynamics: The U.S. sees this as just a start; Russia abstained after floating an alternative proposal.
2. Trump Reverses — Epstein Files to Be Released
[01:17–02:05]
- Turnaround: President Trump now urges Republican lawmakers to release files tied to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation after previously opposing the effort.
- Context: This comes amidst legislative efforts to force the Justice Department to release the records, with a crucial vote looming.
- Bipartisan Coalition: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who worked with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), comments on the momentum shift.
- Quote, Ro Khanna: “It did surprise me, but he saw the math. He caved to the coalition that Massie and I have built over the past five months. Look, this is one of the most horrific crimes in American history. You had Jeffrey Epstein, who had a rape island. You had rich and powerful men who basically abused underage girls or knew about that abuse and said nothing.” [01:41]
- Rationale: Supporters believe full disclosure could reveal additional perpetrators or complicit parties.
3. Novo Nordisk Drops Wegovy Price for Uninsured Buyers
[02:05–03:04]
- Price Cut Details: Novo Nordisk will sell its obesity drug Wegovy for $350/month (down from $500) for uninsured consumers until March next year; the first two months cost just $200/month.
- Availability: The price applies directly via Novo Nordisk as well as through Costco, Goodrx, Weight Watchers, and Ro.
- Insurance Caveat: This discount is not available to those using health insurance.
- Administrative Context: The move follows new drug pricing deals between the Trump administration, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly.
- Quote, Sydney Lupkin: “…even the discounted prices will still be too many patients.” [03:04]
4. FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions Post-Government Shutdown
[03:04–03:13]
- Development: All restrictions on commercial air travel imposed during the U.S. government shutdown (since November 7) have now been lifted by the FAA.
5. Mass Abduction at Nigerian School
[03:13–03:43]
- Incident: Gunmen abducted 25 girls from a high school in northwest Nigeria, killing a staff member. The targeted region has suffered repeated attacks on students since 2014.
6. Clean Water Act Protections Scaled Back
[03:43–04:28]
- Proposal: The Trump administration plans to reduce the number of U.S. waterways protected under the Clean Water Act.
- Debate: The EPA suggests the new rules will benefit farms, ranches, and developers who see current regulations as overreaching.
- Environmental Concerns: The NRDC estimates that 85% of U.S. wetlands could lose protection, threatening drinking water, flood mitigation, and habitats.
- Quote, Nate Rott: “Wetlands, the environmental group points out, provide drinking water, flood protection and wildlife habitat.” [04:19]
7. Ex-Pilot in Cockpit Incident Sentenced to Time Served
[04:28–04:56]
- Case: Joseph Emerson, a former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut engines mid-flight in 2023, received a sentence of time served plus three years of supervised release.
- Incident Details: Emerson, an off-duty pilot, was subdued by crew on a flight from Everett, WA, to San Francisco.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Mike Waltz (U.S. Ambassador), on Gaza Resolution: “The world has the power to, quote, douse the flames and light the path to peace.” [00:32]
- Security Council Official, on next steps: “The resolution today provides troop contributing countries with the framework they need…” [00:49]
- Rep. Ro Khanna, on the Epstein Files: “He caved to the coalition that Massie and I have built…one of the most horrific crimes in American history.” [01:41]
- Sydney Lupkin, on Wegovy Pricing: “…even the discounted prices will still be too many patients.” [03:04]
- Nate Rott, on Environmental Impact: “Wetlands … provide drinking water, flood protection and wildlife habitat.” [04:19]
Segment Timestamps
- 00:18 — Gaza U.N. Resolution & International Force
- 01:17 — Trump and Epstein Investigation Files
- 02:05 — Wegovy Price Cut Announcement
- 03:04 — FAA Ends Government Shutdown Flight Restrictions
- 03:13 — Mass Abduction in Nigeria
- 03:43 — Clean Water Act Protections Reduced
- 04:28 — Court Sentencing on Alaska Airlines Cockpit Incident
- 04:56 — [News Wrap and Sign-off]
This NPR News Now episode delivers a tightly packed overview of key world events and U.S. policy moves as of November 17, 2025.