NPR News Now – November 30, 2025, 11AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major national and international headlines from the morning of November 30, 2025. Key topics include U.S. military action near Venezuela, changes to SNAP food assistance requirements, Honduras' elections with U.S. political overtures, ongoing tragedy in Hong Kong after a deadly fire, a mass shooting in Stockton, California, new mental health research on social media use, and the end of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The tone remains fast-paced, factual, and authoritative.

Key News Segments & Discussion Points

1. U.S. Escalates Pressure on Venezuela

[00:15–01:04]

• U.S. Military Strikes: President Trump ordered several deadly strikes against boats near Venezuela, citing drug smuggling as the justification.
• Airspace Declaration: Trump declared Venezuelan airspace "closed" via social media, targeting "airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers" without elaboration.
• Policy Confusion: NPR’s Deepa Shivaram highlights the ambiguities: there’s no precedent or legal authority for a U.S. president to close another nation's airspace.
• Key Quote:

  "Bottom line, though, is that the president does not have the authority to close another country's airspace."
  — Deepa Shivaram [00:55]

2. SNAP: New Work Requirements Roll Out

[01:04–02:01]

• Expansion of Rules: Starting tomorrow, millions face stricter work requirements for SNAP (food aid), part of major federal budget cuts pushed by congressional Republicans.
• Eligibility Changes:
  • Cutoff age raised from 54 to 64 for able-bodied adults without dependents.
  • Parents of children aged 14+ now included.
  • Previously exempt groups—unhoused people, veterans, and those aging out of foster care—are now subject to requirements.
• Critics' Concerns: Little time to prepare; complications exacerbated by weeks of chaos when full SNAP benefits weren’t paid during a recent federal shutdown.
• Key Quote:

  "Critics say the new rules have been rushed with little time to prepare."
  — Jennifer Ludden [01:46]

3. Honduras Elections and U.S. Involvement

[02:01–02:45]

• Election Day: Hondurans vote for a new president and Congress.
• Trump’s Intervention: Via Truth Social, he backs conservative Tito Asfura and promises a pardon for ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez, convicted of drug trafficking in the U.S. and linked to corruption cases in Honduras.
• Conditional U.S. Aid: Trump threatens to withhold aid if Asfura loses, highlighting direct U.S. leverage.
• Tight Race: Three leading candidates, polls show a dead heat.
• Key Quote:

  "Trump threatened to pull USA to Honduras if Asfura doesn't win."
  — Eder Peralta [02:37]

4. Deadly Fire in Hong Kong High-Rise

[02:45–03:43]

• Tragic Update: Death toll reaches 146 in Wednesday’s fire, with dozens more missing.
• Rescue Details: Many victims found in stairwells or on rooftops, likely trying to escape flames.
• Cause & Accountability: Concerns raised about missing fire alarms and use of potentially unsafe renovation materials.

5. Mass Shooting in Stockton, California

[03:43–03:51]

• Incident: Police searching for a suspect after a shooting at a family event in a banquet hall.
• Casualties: Four killed, ten wounded (including children).
• Investigation: Authorities believe the shooting was targeted.

6. Social Media & Young Adult Mental Health: New Study

[03:51–04:29]

• Research Findings:
  • One week off social media significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in adults aged 18–24 (JAMA Network Open study).
  • Those with insomnia benefit most by limiting nighttime scrolling.
• Expert Advice: Dr. Amir Afkhami suggests practical steps: removing apps from the home screen, disabling notifications, and logging out after use to create barriers to impulsive engagement.
• Key Quotes:

  "So removing apps from the home screen and disabling notifications and logging out of the platform after use, which makes it a little bit harder to get back in."
  — Dr. Amir Afkhami [04:08] "Those who use social media when bored, he says, should try a walk or a run instead."
  — Ritu Chatterjee [04:21]

7. Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends

[04:29–04:54]

• Season Summary:
  • Officially ends today with 13 named storms and three Category 5 hurricanes.
  • For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the U.S.
  • Most destructive storm: Hurricane Melissa (185 mph), which struck Jamaica.
• Remarkable Statistic: No U.S. landfalls despite major storm activity.

Notable Quotes

• "Bottom line, though, is that the president does not have the authority to close another country's airspace."
  — Deepa Shivaram [00:55]
• "Critics say the new rules have been rushed with little time to prepare."
  — Jennifer Ludden [01:46]
• "Trump threatened to pull USA to Honduras if Asfura doesn't win."
  — Eder Peralta [02:37]
• "So removing apps from the home screen and disabling notifications and logging out of the platform after use, which makes it a little bit harder to get back in."
  — Dr. Amir Afkhami [04:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:15] Venezuela: U.S. strikes & Trump’s airspace declaration
• [01:04] SNAP food aid: new work requirements
• [02:01] Honduras election & Trump’s endorsement/intervention
• [02:45] Hong Kong fire tragedy & investigation
• [03:43] Stockton, CA: mass shooting
• [03:51] Social media detox study on mental health
• [04:29] End of hurricane season: summary and statistics

This concise but thorough news update provides listeners with a rapid, fact-based briefing on major headlines, including clear explanations and soundbites from NPR reporters and experts.