NPR News: 11-22-2025 9AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: November 22, 2025, 9AM EST

Main Theme

This episode delivers the day's top headlines in just five minutes, covering major political developments in the U.S., updates on the war in Ukraine, a significant immigration court ruling, global health funding challenges, and a tragic school attack in Nigeria.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigns from Congress

• [00:11] Windsor Johnston reports Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) will step down from her Congressional seat on January 5, 2026. Her resignation follows intense political infighting and controversy tied to the release of the "Epstein files."
• [00:37] In her own words, Greene highlights personal and political pressures:

  • "Standing up for American women who were raped at 14 years old, trafficked and used by rich, powerful men should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States whom I fought for."
    — Marjorie Taylor Greene ([00:37])

• Her exit raises questions about the future of the GOP’s hard-right faction, especially with the 2026 midterms approaching.

2. Putin Responds to US Peace Proposal on Ukraine

• [01:09] Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly addresses a U.S. peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, describing it as potentially a step toward peace but expressing skepticism over the lack of substantive discussion.
• [01:32] Reporter Charles Maynes explains Putin’s stance:
  • Putin said, “the US had not discussed its ideas substantively with Russia,” and implied Ukraine had not yet agreed to the terms.
  • He insisted, “Moscow would achieve its objectives in Ukraine either way,” referencing recent Russian battlefield gains ([01:53]).
• Critics argue the plan favors Russia by potentially forcing Ukraine to cede territory, cap its military, and forgo NATO aspirations.

3. Federal Judge Blocks IRS from Sharing Taxpayer Addresses with ICE

• [02:13] A court ruling halts the IRS practice of providing immigrant address data to U.S. immigration enforcement.
• [02:27] Jude Joffe Block reports:
  • In August, the IRS handed over 47,000 addresses to ICE, a move now found unlawful.

  • “The order bars Treasury Secretary Scott Besant from sharing confidential taxpayer information with the Department of Homeland Security or its sub agencies unless the government is directly engaged in a relevant criminal investigation.” ([02:37])

• The judgment is seen as a significant win for immigrant rights groups and small businesses.

4. Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Falls Short

• [03:09] Jonathan Lambert reports on the Global Fund's fundraising gap:
  • The fund sought $18 billion for a three-year budget but secured just $11 billion.
  • U.S. support dropped to $4.6 billion, down from $6 billion in 2022, with cuts also seen from other nations.

  • “Still, the organization’s coffers will likely be less equipped to fight these deadly diseases.” ([04:02])

• This shortfall may hamper progress against TB, malaria, and AIDS globally.

5. Mass Kidnapping at Northern Nigerian School

• [04:11] Reports from Nigeria detail a violent attack on a Catholic school where over 300 children and a dozen teachers were kidnapped.
• Security forces are involved in rescue efforts, and some region schools closed following the abduction—the second such mass kidnapping in a week.
• UNICEF notes only 37% of schools in conflict-affected states have systems to detect imminent threats.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Marjorie Taylor Greene on Political Fallout ([00:37]):

  • “Standing up for American women who were raped at 14 years old, trafficked and used by rich, powerful men should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States whom I fought for.”

• Putin’s Pragmatic Yet Defiant Stance ([01:53]):

  • “Moscow would achieve its objectives in Ukraine either way,” Charles Maynes summarizes Putin’s message.

• IRS Ruling on Data Sharing ([02:37]):

  • “The order bars Treasury Secretary Scott Besant from sharing confidential taxpayer information with the Department of Homeland Security or its sub agencies unless the government is directly engaged in a relevant criminal investigation.”

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Important Timestamps

• 00:11: Greene’s resignation and context
• 00:37: Greene’s personal statement
• 01:32: Putin’s response to US Ukraine proposal
• 02:27: Details of IRS-ICE data sharing court ruling
• 03:26: Global Fund fundraising shortfall explained
• 04:11: Nigerian school mass abduction

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This episode concisely covers pressing news, offering key context and direct perspectives from those involved, useful for any listener wanting to stay informed on global and domestic developments.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Capital One with the Capital One Saver card. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply.

[B]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene says she's stepping down from her seat in Congress. Her resignation takes effect on January 5th. In a video posted online Friday night, Greene said her decision follows of political infighting and controversy over the release of the Epstein files.

[C]

Standing up for American women who were raped at 14 years old, trafficked and used by rich, powerful men should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States whom I fought for.

[B]

Greene was elected in 2020 to represent Georgia's 14th district. Her departure is raising new questions about the future of the GOP's hard right wing PL. Political analysts say the move could shift the balance inside of the party heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Russian President Vladimir Putin is giving his first public comments on a US Peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine. Putin says the plan could be an important step toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict, but he also suggested that much remains to be worked out. NPR's Charles mainnes reports from Moscow.

[D]

At a meeting with his Security Council, Putin was asked to comment on widespread media reports of the US Peace plan. The Kremlin leader confirmed Russia had received the US Proposal, adding he thought it could be the basis for a lasting settlement. Yet Putin cautioned that the US had not discussed its ideas substantively with Russia, arguing it likely meant the White House had yet to convince Ukraine to accept terms. Putin also insisted Moscow would achieve its objectives in Ukraine either way, pointing to recent Russian gains on the battle battlefield. Critics of the US Plan say it tilts heavily in Russia's favor with calls for Ukraine to cede territory, cap its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[B]

A federal judge has blocked the Internal Revenue Service from sharing taxpayers addresses with immigration officials. NPR's Ju Joffe block reports the decision is a significant victory for immigrant rights groups.

[E]

The court order blocks one of the ways the Trump administration has been taking unprecedented steps to share personal data with ICE to boost deportations. Back in August, the IRS turned over the addresses of 47,000 people to ICE. The judge found that data sharing was unlawful. The order bars Treasury Secretary Scott Besant from sharing confidential taxpayer information with the Department of Homeland Security or its sub agencies unless the government is directly engaged in a relevant criminal investigation. The orders of victory for the small businesses, unions and tax assistance nonprofit that brought the suit. It's unclear whether the administration will appeal. Jude Joffe Block, NPR News.

[B]

This is NPR News in Washington. The Global Fund to fight aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria has fallen billions of dollars short of its goal. NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports.

[F]

The Global Fund is a major player in global health. It provides roughly three quarters of all international financing for TB and more than half for malaria. It was hoping to raise $18 billion for its three year budget, but on Friday it announced it only raised a bit more than 11 billion. Part of the shortfall reflects a drop from the U.S. its biggest funder. Their new pledge is 4.6 billion, down from 6 billion in 2022. But given the Trump administration's foreign aid cuts, advocates had feared a greater decrease. Many countries also shrunk their pledges, though several major contributors like France and Japan, haven't announced pledges yet. Still, the organization's coffers will likely be less equipped to fight these deadly diseases. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[B]

Gunmen have attacked a Catholic school in northern Nigeria, kidnapping more than 300 children and about a dozen teachers. Security forces have been sent to the region to rescue the children. It's the country's second mass abduction in a week. Authorities announced some federal and state run schools in northern Nigeria have temporarily closed following Friday's attack. UNICEF says only 37% of schools across conflicted states have early warning systems in place to detect threats. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[G]

This message comes from KeyBank. This year, Key for Women is celebrating 20 years, two decades of empowering business leaders and strengthening communities together. Key for Women made an impact, and they're just getting started. Learn [e-mail] women.