NPR News Now: December 1, 2025 – 1PM EST

Main Theme

This episode delivers concise coverage of major national and international stories. Main topics include the U.S. government's reevaluation of Afghan refugee cases after a recent D.C. attack, the Honduran presidential elections and U.S. political interference, significant improvements in the ozone layer, legal developments in the Trump administration, and new research on children's smartphone use and health.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Reevaluates Afghan Refugee Vetting After D.C. Attack

• Background: Following an attack in Washington, D.C. involving an Afghan national resettled in the U.S., the Trump administration is revisiting its vetting process for Afghan refugees.
• Policy Shift:
  • NPR’s Jimena Bustillo notes a recent memo from the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
  • The memo calls for reviews of all refugees admitted under the Biden administration, possibly reopening their cases for reinterviews and status reconsideration.
  • Emphasis on admitting only those "that can fully and appropriately assimilate."
• Impact: Immigration advocates warn that the reviews and changes are destabilizing for affected families.
• Quote:
  • Bustillo: “Immigration advocates have called the recent changes on refugee reviews, visa and green card applications deeply destabilizing to families already in.” [00:49]

2. Honduran Presidential Election – U.S. Endorsement and Political Tensions

• Current Standing: Two opposition candidates, conservative Titoas Fura and centrist Salvador Nasrala, lead in early results. Incumbent leftist President Xiomara Castro’s party trails in third.
• U.S. Involvement:
  • President Trump publicly threatened to reconsider U.S. aid if the conservative candidate wasn’t elected.
  • Mirrors similar U.S. moves in Argentina’s recent elections.
  • Tense relations persist between Trump and President Castro, an ally of Venezuela and Cuba.
• Quote:
  • Ada Peralta: “President Trump jumped right in the middle of Honduran politics last week, saying if anyone other than conservative candidate Dasfura won the elections, the US Would rethink its aid contributions.” [01:41]
  • “Early results show Hondurans are choosing a new way forward, with Castro's party in a distant third place.” [02:14]

3. Ozone Layer Recovery Continues

• Progress Report: Scientists announce the ozone hole is the fifth smallest since 1992.
• Background:
  • Ozone layer shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
  • Damage in the 1980s traced to refrigerant chemicals.
  • International efforts in 1992 to phase out these chemicals have led to steady recovery.
• Looking Forward: NASA and NOAA expect the layer to be largely restored by mid-century.
• Quote:
  • Lauren Sommer: “So scientists at NASA and NOAA say the improving ozone hole shows those policies are working and they expect the hole in the ozone layer to be mostly repaired by mid century.” [02:43]

4. Legal Ruling on Trump Administration Appointments

• Court Decision: An appeals court rules that President Trump’s former personal lawyer, Alina Habba, was illegally appointed Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
• Ramifications: Similar unlawful appointment of Lindsay Halligan in Virginia led to dismissal of criminal indictments against both New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.
  • [03:08]

5. Study Links Early Smartphone Ownership to Poorer Adolescent Health

• Key Findings:
  • Half of U.S. children own smartphones by age 11.
  • Those given phones at age 12 showed higher risks of obesity, depression, and poor sleep.
  • The earlier the ownership, the stronger the association.
• Implications: Data to help inform age-appropriate guidelines for smartphone use.
• Quote:
  • Marie Godoy: “They found that tweens who had their own smartphone at age 12 were more likely to have obesity, symptoms of depression and and report insufficient sleep compared to their peers without phones. And the younger they got their phones, the higher their risk for some of these conditions.” [04:09]

6. Markets Update

• Status: Stocks are trading lower at the hour; Dow down over 200 points, NASDAQ and S&P also falling.
  • [03:08, 04:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Afghan Vetting Changes:
  • Jimena Bustillo [00:49]: "Immigration advocates have called the recent changes on refugee reviews, visa and green card applications deeply destabilizing to families already in."
• On U.S. Interference in Honduran Politics:
  • Ada Peralta [01:41]: "President Trump jumped right in the middle of Honduran politics last week, saying if anyone other than conservative candidate Dasfura won the elections, the US Would rethink its aid contributions."
• On Ozone Layer Recovery:
  • Lauren Sommer [02:43]: "Scientists at NASA and NOAA say the improving ozone hole shows those policies are working and they expect the hole in the ozone layer to be mostly repaired by mid-century."
• On Smartphones and Adolescent Health:
  • Marie Godoy [04:09]: "Tweens who had their own smartphone at age 12 were more likely to have obesity, symptoms of depression and report insufficient sleep compared to their peers without phones."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Afghan Vetting Policy Change – 00:18–01:27
• Honduras Election & U.S. Influence – 01:27–02:22
• Ozone Layer Update – 02:22–03:08
• Court Rulings on Appointments – 03:08–04:04
• Children & Smartphone Health Study – 04:04–04:48
• Stock Market Update – 04:48

This five-minute news segment delivers a substantive recap of urgent international developments, key scientific progress, domestic legal shifts, and new research shaping public health guidance—presented in NPR’s hallmark direct and informative style.