NPR News Now: November 21, 2025, 7AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman (NPR)
Date: 11-21-2025
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Focus:
This episode offers a rapid-fire update on major U.S. and global news stories, spotlighting developments in U.S.-Ukraine-Russia relations, President Trump’s tariff moves, the U.S. housing market, a deadly UPS plane crash, Texas redistricting legal battle, and the legality of National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C.

Key News Highlights & Insights

1. U.S. Peace Proposal for Russia-Ukraine War

[00:18 – 01:11]

• Army Secretary Dan Driskill met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
• Driskill presented a U.S. draft peace plan crafted by President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, with input from a Russian businessman.
• Plan details: Ukraine would cede all of its eastern territory to Russia (even beyond what Russia currently controls).
• European skepticism:
  • Plan excludes earlier notions of European/British peacekeeping troops.
  • French Foreign Minister objects: “Peace cannot be a capitulation.”
  • Other European allies expected to reject the plan.
• Notable Quote:
  • Tom Bowman, NPR:

    “The proposal appears to give Russia everything they want and more.” [00:42]

2. Changing U.S.-Brazil Tariff Policy

[01:11 – 02:10]

• President Trump lifted tariffs on Brazilian agricultural goods, reversing a recent executive order imposing steep tariffs (up to 50%).
• Earlier justification for tariffs: prosecution of ex-President Bolsonaro (for his alleged attempt to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election).
• The move comes as Trump’s tariffs drive U.S. inflation higher and intensify affordability concerns.
• Notable Insight:
  • 30% of U.S. coffee imports come from Brazil; coffee prices were specifically impacted.
• Notable Quote:
  • Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR:

    “The Brazil tariffs particularly affected coffee. Around 30% of US coffee imports come from Brazil.” [01:51]

3. Politics: Trump-Mamdani White House Meeting

[02:10]

• President Trump set to meet NYC Mayor-Elect Zoran Mamdani at the White House.
• Both have previously exchanged strong criticism.

4. Existing Home Sales Up Despite Market Uncertainty

[02:10 – 03:14]

• Existing home sales increased more than 1% in October, per National Association of Realtors.
• Regional variations:
  • Increase: Midwest and South (lowest home prices)
  • Flat: Northeast
  • Decrease: West (most expensive)
• Median U.S. existing home price: $415,200
• Year-over-year sales: up 1.7%
• Average 30-year mortgage rate: 6.25%
• Notable Quote:
  • Scott Newman, NPR:

    “About nine out of ten sales in the US are of existing homes, not new builds. So the latest data, which shows a slight slowdown from September, is a key indicator of where the housing market is heading.” [02:54]

5. UPS Plane Crash Investigation Update

[03:14 – 03:54]

• Federal officials: Evidence of cracks in engine mounts on a UPS charter plane that crashed in Louisville two weeks ago, killing 14.
• NTSB findings: Jet’s left engine fell off during takeoff attempt.

6. Texas Redistricting Legal Battle

[03:54 – 04:25]

• Federal appellate panel blocked Texas’s redistricting map (affecting Republican House control and President Trump’s goals).
• Judge Jerry E. Smith issued a “blistering” 100+ page dissent, criticizing his colleagues for “judicial activism.”
• Notable Quote:
  • Josh Blackmon, South Texas College of Law:

    “It’s unusual for a judge to talk about politics so much, but the basic claim is this is about politics.” [04:13]

• Case expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

7. National Guard Deployment in D.C. Ruled Unlawful

[04:31 – 04:57]

• Federal judge ruled President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. is unlawful.
• Order: Troop deployment blocked, but enforcement delayed for three weeks to allow Trump’s appeal.
• About 2,000 National Guard troops from several states currently in D.C.; Trump says they’re needed “to fight crime.”

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Tom Bowman (NPR), on U.S. Ukraine Plan:

  “The proposal appears to give Russia everything they want and more.” [00:42]

• Danielle Kurtzleben (NPR), on Brazil Tariffs:

  “The Brazil tariffs particularly affected coffee. Around 30% of US coffee imports come from Brazil.” [01:51]

• Scott Newman (NPR), on U.S. Home Sales:

  “About nine out of ten sales in the US are of existing homes, not new builds. So the latest data, which shows a slight slowdown from September, is a key indicator of where the housing market is heading.” [02:54]

• Josh Blackmon (South Texas College of Law), on Redistricting Ruling:

  “It’s unusual for a judge to talk about politics so much, but the basic claim is this is about politics.” [04:13]

Episode Flow by Timestamp

• 00:18 | U.S. proposes controversial peace plan for Ukraine-Russia war (Tom Bowman)
• 01:11 | Trump lifts Brazil tariffs; impact on U.S. inflation and coffee prices (Danielle Kurtzleben)
• 02:10 | Trump to meet NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani, previously mutual critics
• 02:30 | Existing home sales rise, with geographic variations (Scott Newman)
• 03:14 | UPS plane crash tied to engine mount cracks; 14 dead
• 03:54 | Federal appellate dissent slams political motives in Texas redistricting block (Andrew Schneider, Josh Blackmon)
• 04:31 | Judge rules Trump’s D.C. National Guard deployment unlawful, but suspends her own order for three weeks

This concise but comprehensive NPR episode delivers critical updates on international diplomacy, domestic politics, economy, aviation safety, legal battles over redistricting, and governance—all in a brisk five-minute format.