NPR News Now – 11-23-2025 10PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: November 24, 2025

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now bulletin covers the latest developments in international diplomacy, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, a diplomatic dispute between China and Japan, a remarkable archaeological discovery in Wisconsin, and highlights from the weekend box office. The episode provides concise updates on complex geopolitical situations alongside lighter cultural news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Talks in Geneva

• Summary: U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva to discuss a new peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The proposed plan has ignited controversy among U.S. lawmakers.
• Details:
  • The plan would have Ukraine cede land to Russia, shrink its military by 30%, and bar further NATO expansion. (00:33)
  • Democratic Concerns: Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) decried the proposal:
    • Quote: "I think it would go down, frankly, as a historically bad deal." (00:43)
  • Republican Views:
    • Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) advised against Ukraine signing:
      • Quote: "I would not advise Ukraine to sign." (00:51)
    • Conversely, Rep. Eric Schmidt (R-MO) endorsed the plan, criticizing alternatives:
      • Quote: "They live in this fantasy world that another round of sanctions or another round of weapons or another round of cash is going to solve the problem, and it won't." (00:53)

2. Ceasefire Developments in Gaza

• Summary: Hamas and Israel accuse each other of violating a fragile ceasefire; high civilian casualties continue amidst stalled peace talks.
• Details:
  • Over 300 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect. (01:17)
  • Quote (Anon. Hamas Official): The talks in Cairo addressed "Israeli violations of the ceasefire." (01:32)
  • The ceasefire is technically holding, but with repeated skirmishes and no progress towards lasting peace.
  • Recent Israeli strikes killed more than 20 people, including alleged Hamas officials and over 60 children since the ceasefire began. (02:10 – 02:17)

3. China-Japan Diplomatic Tensions over Taiwan

• Summary: China reacted strongly to remarks by Japan’s prime minister regarding Taiwan, escalating a diplomatic spat.
• Details:
  • China’s Stance: Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused Japan of having "stolen Taiwan from China" and insisted that "Taiwan was...an inseparable part of China." (02:28)
  • Beijing retaliated by suspending some flights, tour groups, and reportedly blocking Japanese food imports.

4. Historic Canoe Discovery in Wisconsin

• Summary: Archaeologists uncovered a 5,200-year-old canoe in Lake Mendota, marking a significant finding in North American archaeology.
• Details:
  • 16 ancient canoes have been discovered at the lake bottom. (03:26)
  • Archaeologist Tamara Thompson suggested indigenous peoples repeatedly used the area as a canoe "parking lot," with boats intentionally buried under sediment. (03:36)
  • This canoe is now the oldest found in the Great Lakes region. (03:49)

5. Weekend Box Office Update

• Summary: Notable success for the musical adaptation "Wicked for Good," breaking records in its debut.
• Details:
  • "Wicked for Good" earned $150 million, the highest for a Broadway adaptation and second-highest of the year. (04:13)
  • Other box office rankings:
    • "Now You See Me, Now You Don’t" – $9 million
    • "Badlands" – $6 million
    • Upcoming: "Zootopia 2" is anticipated to draw big holiday crowds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mark Warner (00:43):
  “I think it would go down, frankly, as a historically bad deal.”

• Michael McCaul (00:51):
  “I would not advise Ukraine to sign.”

• Eric Schmidt (00:53):
  “They live in this fantasy world that another round of sanctions or another round of weapons or another round of cash is going to solve the problem, and it won’t.”

• Tamara Thompson (03:36):
  "What we're seeing really is a parking lot."

• Wang Yi, via Emily Fang (02:28):
  Japan had "stolen Taiwan from China" and Taiwan was "an inseparable part of China."

Important Timestamps

• 00:16 — Ukraine peace talks and US lawmaker reactions
• 01:17 — Hamas-Israel ceasefire updates
• 02:17 — China-Japan dispute over Taiwan
• 03:26 — Discovery of 5,000-year-old canoe in Wisconsin
• 04:13 — Box office highlights

This episode offers a succinct but comprehensive look at global affairs—driven by direct quotes and clear context—with a sprinkle of cultural and scientific discovery to round out a well-informed five minutes of news.