NPR News Now – November 17, 2025, 8PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: November 18, 2025

Overview

This fast-moving NPR News Now episode covers key headlines in U.S. politics, international relations, technology, medical research, and media mergers. Major stories include proposed U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the Trump administration's new anti-drug strategy, signs of turbulence in the AI investment sector, impacts of NIH funding cuts, a significant TV station merger bid, and the expected peak of the Leonid meteor shower.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. to Sell F35 Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia

• [00:11–00:58]
• Reporter: Franco Ordonez
• Context: President Trump's announcement of plans to sell advanced fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, with an expected meeting at the White House between Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince.
• Discussion:
  • Trump confirms the intent to proceed with the sale, referencing Saudi Arabia as a strong U.S. ally and mentioning actions taken against Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
  • Experts worry the sale could alter the regional balance of military power and possibly undermine the U.S. commitment to Israel’s military edge established by a 2008 law.
• Notable Quotes:
  • President Trump (on U.S.–Saudi relations):
    “They'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… their nuclear capability… Yeah, I will say that. We will be doing that. We'll be selling F35s.” [00:41]
  • 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…” [00:58]

2. Trump Administration Military Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats

• [01:18–02:16]
• Reporter: Ryan Lucas
• Context: A new, aggressive U.S. policy targeting drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, shifting from long-standing approaches against drug trafficking.
• Discussion:
  • Strikes are controversial, with multiple experts and former officials raising legal and ethical concerns, especially regarding due process.
  • The Trump administration defends the strikes as lawful, citing Article 2 powers and self-defense.
  • The Justice Department frames criticism as coming from “disgruntled employees.”
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ryan Lucas:
    “They all question the legality of the Trump administration's military strikes. Many of them refer to the strikes as murder. And they point out there's no due process here for the folks who are being killed now.” [01:52]

3. Fears of an AI Market Bubble after Major Sell-Offs

• [02:16–03:10]
• Reporter: Bob Allen
• Context: Peter Thiel's investment firm and Japan's SoftBank both sold significant stakes in Nvidia, fueling anxiety about a possible AI industry bubble.
• Discussion:
  • Intensive capital pours into AI infrastructure, but future profits remain uncertain.
  • Michael Burry, famous for the "Big Short," is now betting against Nvidia, heightening market fears.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Bob 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.” [02:32]

4. NIH Funding Cuts Disrupt Clinical Studies

• [03:10–03:55]
• Host: Ryland Barton
• Context: A new report reveals over 74,000 research participants impacted by NIH budget lapses, interrupting hundreds of medical studies.
• Discussion:
  • 383 studies for critical conditions like cancer and heart disease lost funding, leaving participants without access to medications or proper monitoring.
  • The abrupt halt could compromise ongoing research and patient safety.

5. Sinclair Makes a Bid for Scripps TV Stations

• [03:55–04:39]
• Reporter: Tana Weingartner (WVXU, Cincinnati)
• Context: Sinclair Broadcasting acquires a stake in Scripps, signaling intent to merge, while Scripps rebuffs the move.
• Discussion:
  • Sinclair claims to have acquired an 8.2% stake and seeks a merger within a year.
  • Scripps' official response is to protect itself from “opportunistic actions.”
  • The FCC is already evaluating a similar industry merger.
• Notable Quotes:
  • John Keeswetter (Cincinnati media reporter):
    "Calling it an opportunistic action doesn't sound like Scripps and Sinclair are all that close to coming to a deal..." [04:14]

6. Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks

• [04:39–04:54]
• Host: Ryland Barton
• Context: Astronomical highlight, with the Leonid meteor shower expected to produce up to 15 meteors per hour under optimal dark-sky conditions.
• Details:
  • The moon is only 7% illuminated, making for ideal meteor-viewing.
  • No quote, but enthusiastic mention of viewing conditions.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• President Trump:
  “They've been a great ally… we'll be selling F35s.” [00:41]
• Ryan Lucas:
  “Many of them refer to the strikes as murder. And they point out that there's no due process here for the folks who are being killed now.” [01:52]
• Bob Allen:
  “These moves are stoking investor concern that the AI industry is in a speculative bubble that could soon pop.” [02:32]
• John Keeswetter:
  “Calling it an opportunistic action doesn't sound like Scripps and Sinclair are all that close to coming to a deal…” [04:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• F35 Sale to Saudi Arabia: 00:11–00:58
• Drug Boat Military Strikes: 01:18–02:16
• AI Bubble Fears: 02:16–03:10
• NIH Study Funding Cuts: 03:10–03:55
• Sinclair Bids for Scripps: 03:55–04:39
• Leonid Meteor Shower Announcement: 04:39–04:54