NPR News Now: November 23, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Dale Willman, NPR
Duration: 5 minutes
Summary Prepared for: Listeners seeking a concise, detailed overview of this 5-minute NPR news update

Episode Overview

This episode delivers NPR's signature five-minute roundup of breaking news and key events. Topics include major international and domestic developments: US-mediated Ukraine peace talks, a consequential US Supreme Court decision on Texas's congressional map, modest results from the Brazil COP30 climate conference, the commercial success of “Wicked for Good,” and updates from US sports. The reporting reflects NPR’s balanced and factual tone, with on-the-ground correspondents providing context and direct quotes.

Key News Stories & Discussion Points

1. International: Ukraine Peace Talks & US Involvement

[00:17 – 01:08]

• Event: Leaders from Ukraine, Europe, and the US are meeting in Switzerland to discuss a new 28-point peace plan from the Trump administration concerning the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Contentious Plan Details:
  • The plan, described by President Trump as “not his final offer,” is said to greatly favor Russia.
  • Key provisions:
    • No sanctions or punishment for Russia's invasion.
    • Sanctions on Russia would be lifted.
    • Joint US-Russia Arctic exploration deal highlighted for business gains (“rare earth minerals and all that”).
• Context & Reaction:
  • NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley comments:
    • “This is a terrible deal for Ukraine, which has fought so hard, and this sort of erases a lot of that.”
    • She describes Ukrainian President Zelensky’s predicament as “a choice between dignity and losing a key partner.”
    • [Quote] “Zelensky is in a terrible situation. He cannot fight Putin and Trump.” (Eleanor Beardsley, 00:54)
  • Memorable moment: The deal is characterized as erasing Ukraine's sacrifices and placing President Zelensky in a dire diplomatic bind.

2. Domestic: Supreme Court Halts Texas Redistricting Ruling

[01:08 – 02:14]

• Development: The US Supreme Court, via Justice Samuel Alito, temporarily restored a Republican-drawn Texas congressional map, pausing a lower federal court’s order that had blocked its implementation.
• Background:
  • The lower court suspected the map was an “unconstitutional racial gerrymander.”
  • Plaintiffs (represented by Gary Bledsoe, Texas NAACP) challenged the map on fairness grounds.
• Quote:
  • “The better and fairer practice has been to bring the whole court in on very important issues like this one.” (Gary Bledsoe, 02:01)
• Potential Impact: A final Supreme Court decision is expected soon, possibly as early as Monday.

3. International: COP30 Climate Change Conference Outcomes

[02:14 – 03:13]

• Event: COP30 conference in Brazil wraps up with limited advances on climate action.
• Main Points:
  • No agreement on phasing out fossil fuels despite demands from dozens of countries:
    • “The final deal doesn't say anything about phasing out fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming.” (Michael Copley, 02:32)
  • Conference president Andre Aranja Correa Delago commits to developing a “process and timetable for reducing fossil fuel use.”
  • A funding agreement aims to triple resources for climate adaptation (e.g., flood defenses).
• Quote:
  • “We need roadmaps so that humanity in a just and planned manner can overcome its dependence on fossil fuels.” (Andre Aranja Correa Delago, 02:54)

4. Entertainment: “Wicked for Good” Box Office Success

[03:13 – 04:13]

• Highlight: The film “Wicked for Good,” the conclusion to a two-part musical saga, posts a blockbuster opening day.
  • Figure: $68 million (including extended previews).
  • Over 5 million people reportedly have seen it already, a number expected to double by weekend’s end.
• Commentary from NPR’s Bob Mondello:
  • Lampoons the box office calculation system:
    • “That’s a serious stretch for an opening day.” (Bob Mondello, 03:58)
  • Despite the complex accounting, the film’s popularity is unquestioned.

5. Sports Updates & Briefs

[04:13 – 04:56]

• Football Incident:
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham player allegedly stabbed two teammates; both in stable condition, with suspect in custody. The game proceeded (“Seniors Day”), but resulted in a loss to South Florida (48–18).
• Golf:
  • Gino Tydical leads the LPGA event in Naples, Florida, after another strong round.
  • “The winner will receive $4 million. That’s one of the largest payoffs in women’s golf.” (Dale Willman, 04:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is a terrible deal for Ukraine, which has fought so hard, and this sort of erases a lot of that.”
  — Eleanor Beardsley, 00:46

• “Zelensky is in a terrible situation. He cannot fight Putin and Trump.”
  — Eleanor Beardsley, 00:54

• “The better and fairer practice has been to bring the whole court in on very important issues like this one.”
  — Gary Bledsoe, 02:01

• “The final deal doesn't say anything about phasing out fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming.”
  — Michael Copley, 02:32

• “We need roadmaps so that humanity in a just and planned manner can overcome its dependence on fossil fuels.”
  — Andre Aranja Correa Delago, 02:54

• “That’s a serious stretch for an opening day.”
  — Bob Mondello, 03:58

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Plan Discussion: 00:17–01:08
• Supreme Court & Texas Gerrymandering: 01:08–02:14
• COP30 & Climate Updates: 02:14–03:13
• Wicked for Good Box Office: 03:13–04:13
• Sports News: 04:13–04:56

Overall Tone:
Concise, impartial reporting, with occasional pointed analysis or wry commentary (notably on politics and entertainment), characteristic of NPR’s news delivery style.