NPR News Now – 11-18-2025, 3PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: November 18, 2025
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major national and international news, highlighting legislative actions in Washington, court rulings on tech and election maps, escalating tensions in the West Bank, public health developments in Texas, and advancements in robo-taxi services.

Key News Stories and Insights

1. House Passage of the Epstein Documents Bill

[00:16–01:17]

• Context: The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a bill requiring the Justice Department to release all documents relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• Vote: 427 to 1—an unusual instance of unity between Republicans and Democrats.
• Significance: Considered a milestone for Epstein's accusers in their long pursuit of justice.
• Political Tension: Jenna Lisa Jones, a former Trump supporter and vocal advocate for transparency, publicly criticized the President for politicizing the issue.

Notable Quote:

"I beg you, President Trump, please stop making this political. It is not about you, President Trump. You are our president. Please start acting like it. Show some class, show some real leadership. Show that you actually care about the people other than yourself. I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment."
— Jenna Lisa Jones [00:53]

• Follow-up: The measure will now go to the Senate, where there is debate over adding guardrails to limit what information is released.
• Presidential Response: President Trump continues to deny any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

2. Meta Antitrust Lawsuit Dismissed

[01:17–01:52]

• Development: A U.S. District judge ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did not prove its case that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram (2012) and WhatsApp (2014) were anti-competitive.
• Outcome: The victory allows Meta (Facebook’s parent company) to avoid being broken up.
• Regulatory Efforts: The FTC’s goal was to strengthen competition and challenge Big Tech dominance.

3. Texas Congressional Map Blocked

[01:52–02:31]

• Ruling: A federal court struck down Texas’s newly drawn congressional map, which was designed to favor Republicans with five additional House seats.
• Implications: The block is a significant setback for President Trump and GOP efforts to maintain a slim House majority in next year's midterms.

4. Rising Settler Violence in West Bank

[02:31–03:13]
Reporter: Kat Lonsdorf, Tel Aviv

• Incident: Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian village near Bethlehem, setting cars and homes on fire and, in another town, firing live ammunition at civilians.
• Frequency: The UN reports an average of eight settler attacks per day — an all-time high, coinciding with the Palestinian olive harvest.
• Official Response: Israeli Defense Minister and PM Netanyahu both condemned the violence and voiced support for law enforcement actions—but, per NPR, such attacks are rarely prosecuted.

Notable Quote:

"Israeli settlers stormed a village outside the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, torching cars and homes Monday evening… such settler violence is rarely prosecuted."
— Kat Lonsdorf [02:31]

5. Measles Vaccine Uptake in Texas

[03:13–04:22]
Reporter: Maria Godoy

• Health Alert: Amid a significant measles outbreak, Texas authorities and the CDC recommended infants get their first measles shot earlier than usual (between 6 and 11 months old, instead of 12–15).
• Impact: Following this recommendation, early vaccinations jumped by 20% in Texas, compared to under 1% in prior years.
• Epidemiological Outcome: Analysts believe this rapid response helped slow measles transmission statewide by May 2025.

6. Amazon's Zoox Robo-Taxis in San Francisco

[04:22–04:55]

• Business Launch: Amazon’s robo-taxi unit, Zoox, will offer free rides in select neighborhoods of San Francisco in an attempt to compete with Waymo.
• Access: Service is limited to users on a waiting list; Zoox previously launched in Las Vegas three months ago.
• Market Context: This move reflects intensifying competition in the autonomous vehicle ride-hailing space.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Jenna Lisa Jones’s emotional appeal to President Trump on Epstein:

  "I beg you, President Trump, please stop making this political... I voted for you, but your behavior on this issue has been a national embarrassment." [00:53]

• Kat Lonsdorf on the frequency and consequences of settler violence:

  "The UN says [there is] now an average of eight settler attacks a day in the territory, an all-time high..." [02:31]

• Maria Godoy on the rapid response to a measles outbreak:

  "...early vaccinations among Texas children spiked by 20%. By contrast, less than 1% of kids in the state got an early first dose in prior years." [03:33]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:16] — Epstein Documents Bill Passes House
• [01:17] — Meta Wins Antitrust Case
• [01:52] — Texas GOP Map Blocked
• [02:31] — West Bank Settler Violence
• [03:13] — Measles Vaccination Surge in Texas
• [04:22] — Zoox Robo-Taxis Launch in San Francisco

This episode delivers a whirlwind yet nuanced survey of today's pressing headlines—spanning politics, law, public health, and technology—underscored by objective reporting and compelling voices from those affected.