NPR News Now — November 19, 2025, 9AM EST

Episode Overview

This brisk NPR News Now update, anchored by Korva Coleman, offers a concise yet comprehensive rundown of major headlines in U.S. politics, international affairs, and immigration. The top stories include President Trump’s activities at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, legal proceedings involving former FBI Director James Comey, deadly Russian strikes in Ukraine, developments surrounding Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, and growing concern over immigration enforcement and its impact on U.S. communities.

Key Stories & Insights

1. U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum & High-Profile Deals

[00:17]–[01:06]

• President Trump is hosting the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, joined by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and prominent U.S. business leaders.
• Deals Announced: Collaboration on nuclear energy, AI, a defense agreement facilitating U.S. defense firm activity in Saudi Arabia, sale of F-35 fighter jets, and a Saudi pledge to invest $1 trillion in the U.S.
• Caveat:
  • “That’s a lot of stuff that they say they signed, but also there just haven’t been a lot of details on those things yet.” – Danielle Kurtzleben [00:55]
• Context: Despite the grandeur of announcements, specifics remain vague.

Notable Moment

• [00:17] Trump’s ongoing association with the Saudi crown prince remains controversial due to the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which U.S. intelligence attributes to the Crown Prince.

2. Khashoggi’s Murder – Ongoing Fallout

[01:06]–[01:36]

• President Trump continues to defend the Saudi Crown Prince, labeling Khashoggi “controversial.”
  • Khashoggi’s widow has publicly criticized Trump’s stance.
• This aligns with the broader tension between U.S.-Saudi relations and human rights concerns.

3. Legal Fight: Former FBI Director James Comey

[01:36]–[02:21]

• Comey’s Legal Team: Seeking to dismiss his indictment (false statement, obstruction of Congress), claiming the prosecution is politically motivated.
• Backdrop:
  • Trump fired Comey in 2017 amid the Russia investigation.
  • DOJ stands by the charges.
• New Allegations of Investigative Missteps:
  • Judge criticized “profound investigative missteps” by Lindsey Halligan, the ex-White House aide assigned after a veteran prosecutor refused the case against Comey and NY AG Letitia James.

4. Russian Attacks on Ukraine

[02:21]–[03:12]

• Deadly Strikes: Three Ukrainian cities attacked overnight; 20 dead, major rescue and forensic operations underway.
• Russian Tactics: Use of 470 drones and 48 missiles, categorized by Ukraine as “terrorism.”
  • “Ihnat saying the use of such weapons as ballistic cruise missiles on cities is an act of terrorism that must be documented and reported to international legal institutions.” – Hanna Palamorenko [02:47]
• President Zelensky: Continues to urge global partners to step up pressure on Russia as the war approaches its fourth year.

5. Jeffrey Epstein Files – Push for Disclosure

[03:12]–[03:52]

• President Trump supports a new Congressional bill compelling the DOJ to release all files on Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days.
• Conditions: Victims’ names and details tied to active investigations will be redacted.
• Political Note: Republicans backed the bill following Trump’s reversal.

6. Pope Leo Defends Immigrant Rights

[03:52]–[04:31]

• Location: Outside Rome, Pope Leo denounces violence toward immigrants in the U.S., referencing a recent U.S. Bishops’ statement.
  • “We have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have. If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts. There's a system of justice.” – Pope Leo [04:02]
• Balanced View: The Pope stresses compatibility between human dignity and national security, urging thoughtful solutions.

7. Immigration Crackdown Disrupts North Carolina Schools

[04:31]–[04:53]

• Federal immigration authorities remain active in Charlotte.
• Impact: Over 30,000 students (about 20% of the district) were absent Monday, driven by fear in affected communities.
• Community voices are seeking protection at school board meetings.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On U.S–Saudi Deals:

  • “They agreed to cooperate on creating nuclear energy, to work together on AI... But also there just haven’t been a lot of details on those things yet.”
    — Danielle Kurtzleben [00:40–01:06]

• On Russian Strikes in Ukraine:

  • “Ihnat saying the use of such weapons as ballistic cruise missiles on cities is an act of terrorism that must be documented and reported to international legal institutions.”
    — Hanna Palamorenko [02:47]

• Pope Leo on Dignity of Immigrants:

  • “We have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have. If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts. There's a system of justice.”
    — Pope Leo [04:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum Announcements: [00:17–01:06]
• Trump Defends Saudi Prince Over Khashoggi: [01:06–01:36]
• James Comey Indictment Challenge: [01:36–02:21]
• Russian Attacks on Ukraine Update: [02:21–03:12]
• Trump & Congress Push DOJ to Publish Epstein Files: [03:12–03:52]
• Pope Leo on Immigration and Justice: [03:52–04:31]
• Immigration Enforcement Disrupts Charlotte Schools: [04:31–04:53]

This news update offers a snapshot of headline-making political events, international conflict, and the sharp domestic impact of immigration enforcement—delivered with NPR’s signature clarity and brevity.