NPR News Now – November 23, 2025, 11AM EST

Main Theme:
A concise round-up of the latest global and national news—including diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, climate conference outcomes, updates on political prosecutions, school abductions in Nigeria, a new civility campaign for air travel, and public safety in Los Angeles.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. Diplomacy: US-Backed Peace Plan for Ukraine

[00:15–01:12]

• Officials from Ukraine and the EU convene in Geneva to review a US-backed proposal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Controversy surrounds the plan, as some see it as favoring Russia—potentially requiring Ukraine to cede territory.
• Congressional skepticism:
  • Senator Mike Rounds (R–SD) and others are concerned and claim the proposal is Russian in origin, not American.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio's clarification:
  • Direct quote:
    “It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan. It is a proposal that was received as an intermediary. We have made arrangements to share it.” — Marco Rubio [00:44]
  • Rubio later walked back claims, stating the senators were mistaken and confirming US responsibility for the plan.
• Rubio and US officials are joining the Geneva talks.

2. Gaza Conflict: Ceasefire Struggles

[01:12–01:45]

• Hamas sends a delegation to Egypt for mediation amid continued violations of the Gaza ceasefire.
• Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of breaches.
• Humanitarian situation:
  • Over 300 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since the ceasefire began the previous month.

3. Global Climate: Modest Progress at COP30 Summit

[01:45–02:26]

• The UN Global Climate Change Conference concluded in Brazil with only incremental gains.
• Core disappointment:
  • No concrete pledge for a phase out of fossil fuels, despite demands from dozens of countries.
• Summit President Andre Aranja Correa Delago remarks:
  • Direct quote:
    “We need roadmaps so that humanity in a just and planned manner can overcome its dependence on fossil fuels.” — Andre Aranja Correa Delago [02:07]
• Some progress:
  • Countries agreed to triple adaptation funding for flood defenses and other hot-world adaptations.
• Reporter: Michael Copley.

4. US Politics: Arizona’s ‘Fake Electors’ Case

[02:26–03:12]

• Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will continue efforts against 11 Republican ‘fake electors’ accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election.
• The case encountered a legal hurdle:
  • County judge Sam Myers quashed the initial indictments due to procedural issues (failure to provide jurors with the text of an 1887 law central to the case).
• Mayes’ office will seek a review from the state Supreme Court.
• Reporter: Cameron Sanchez, KJCC.

5. Africa: Nigerian School Kidnapping

[03:12–03:49]

• Fifty schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic school escaped and are reunited with their families.
• Ongoing crisis: 253 children and 12 teachers remain captive.
• No group has claimed responsibility for the mass abduction.

6. Travel: Department of Transportation’s Civility Campaign

[03:49–04:36]

• DOT launches a “new civility campaign” encouraging airline passengers to “mind their manners and dress with respect.”
• A promotional video contrasts the so-called “golden age of travel” with today’s disruptive behavior.
• Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy:
  • Direct quote:
    “Let’s bring civility and manners back.” — Sean Duffy [04:07]
  • Also asks travelers: “Are you dressing with respect?”
• Passenger stress often relates to delays, not just passenger behavior.
• Notable policy shift:
  • DOT under Duffy moved away from Biden-era plans for compensating stranded passengers.
  • FAA data show unruly incidents have dropped since pandemic peaks.
• Reporter: Amy Held.

7. Public Safety: Port of Los Angeles Incident

[04:36–04:54]

• Normal operations resume at the Port of LA after a Friday fire aboard a hazardous-materials container ship triggered a shelter-in-place order.
• The order was lifted Saturday; no further incidents reported.

Memorable Quotes

• Marco Rubio on the Ukraine Peace Plan:
  “It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan. It is a proposal that was received as an intermediary.” [00:44]
• Andre Aranja Correa Delago on climate:
  “We need roadmaps so that humanity in a just and planned manner can overcome its dependence on fossil fuels.” [02:07]
• Sean Duffy on travel conduct:
  “Let’s bring civility and manners back.” [04:07]

Notable Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Plan: [00:15–01:12]
• Gaza Ceasefire: [01:12–01:45]
• Climate Summit: [01:45–02:26]
• Arizona Electors Case: [02:26–03:12]
• Nigeria School Kidnapping: [03:12–03:49]
• DOT Civility Campaign: [03:49–04:36]
• Port of LA Fire: [04:36–04:54]

Summary prepared to inform listeners and non-listeners alike, capturing the essential news and issues as reported in this NPR News Now episode.