NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-19-2025 9AM EST

Episode Date: November 19, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. President Trump will attend the U.S. Saudi Investment Forum today in Washington. He'll be joined by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom Trump is hosting. Several CEOs of large companies are expected to join them. The summit comes, as the U.S. and Saudi Arabia say they're working on several deals. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben says there are a few details. They agreed to cooperate on creating nuclear energy to work together on AI. there was a defense agreement which the White House said would make it easier for U.S. defense firms to operate in Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. agreed to sell the Saudis F-35 fighter jets, and the White House announced Saudi Arabia is pledging to invest a trillion dollars in the U.S. Now, 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. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reporting. U.S. intelligence says the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince approved the murder of journalist Jamal Khashou. in 2018. Talking to journalists yesterday, President Trump defended the crown prince saying Khashoggi was controversial. Koshoggi's widow has criticized the president's comments. Lawyers for former FBI director James Comey will be in a Virginia courtroom today. They're seeking to persuade a federal judge to toss out his indictment, as NPR's Giles Snyder reports.

Comey's lawyers argue that the indictment accusing him of making a false statement and obstructing Congress should be dismissed because it's vindictive that he's been singled out for prosecution by President Trump. Trump fired Comey in 2017 during his first term when Trump's campaign was being investigated by the FBI over potential ties to Russia. Comey has pleaded not guilty. The Justice Department is standing behind the allegations, however, on Monday. A different judge found what he said were profound investigative missteps by Lindsey Halligan. The former White House aide tapped to replace a veteran prosecutor who declined to bring charges against Comey and another prominent Trump critic. New York Attorney General Letitia James. Trial Snyder, NPR News. Russia attacked three

Ukrainian cities overnight. NPR's Hanna Palomerenko reports from Kiev, 20 people were killed. The State Emergency Service is clearing the rubble and the forensic laboratory is also working on the site to identify the victims. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat says, Russia used about 470 drones and 48 missiles. If not saying, the use of such weapons as ballistic and cruise missiles on cities is an act of terrorism that must be documented and reported to international legal institutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to urge allies to increase pressure on Russia to end its nearly four-year war on Ukraine.

Hannah Pallamarenko, NPR News, Kyiv. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. President Trump says he will sign the bill that is backed by Congress that requires the Justice Department to publish all its files on the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The bill says the disclosure must be done within 30 days. The names of sexual assault victims and information about ongoing federal investigations can be redacted. Republicans supported the measure after Trump reversed course and said they should vote for it. Pope Leo is speaking out against the treatment of immigrants in the United States, and P.R.'s Jason D. Rose has more.

Talking to reporters just outside Rome, Leo drew attention to a statement passed by U.S. bishops last week. The pontiff said violence against immigrants is troubling. 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. He pointed to immigrants in the U.S. who've lived what he called good lives in the country for decades. Leo said that while there are many problems in the U.S. immigration system, the protection of human dignity and national security are compatible.

Jason DeRose, NPR News. Federal immigration authorities are still in Charlotte, North Carolina. school officials in the area say that more than 30,000 students did not show up on Monday morning. That's about 20% of the school district's enrollment. Some community members turned out for a school board meeting in the Charlotte area last night. Many are pleading for protection. This is NPR.