NPR News Now — November 23, 2025, 12PM EST

Host: Nora Ram (NPR)
Duration: 5 minutes

Main Theme

A concise, five-minute rundown of current international and national news, spotlighting US political tensions around the Russian invasion of Ukraine, international aviation warnings over Venezuela, new higher education laws in Indiana, the aftermath of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, updates from the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix, and the passing of former NBA player Rodney Rodgers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Political Tensions Over Ukraine Peace Plan

[00:00–01:21]

• Bipartisan Pushback: Lawmakers are criticizing President Trump's approach to ending the Russian invasion of Ukraine, arguing that the administration's peace plan is indistinguishable from Russia's demands.
• Secretary of State Rubio’s Role: Rubio is allegedly pushing a plan viewed by some senators as a "Russian wish list," not a balanced proposal. He has denied this characterization publicly.
• State Department Response: The department rejects the senators’ account; Rubio asserts online that the senators "were mistaken."
• Notable Quote:
  • "The plan was not the Trump administration's plan but a wish list of the Russians." — Angus King (Senator, ME) [00:43]
• Diplomacy in Geneva: Ukrainian and European envoys are already seeking revisions to the plan ahead of Rubio's arrival.

2. Global Aviation Warnings Amid Venezuela Tensions

[01:21–02:11]

• Flight Cancellations: Multiple European and Latin American airlines, including Avianca and Iberia, have canceled flights to/from Venezuela after the US FAA warned of “potentially dangerous situations” in its airspace.
• US Military Buildup: Heightened American military activity cited as the immediate cause for the warning.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Avianca, the Colombian airline, has suggested that it will not fly more airplanes for the rest of the weekend." — Luis Fajardo, BBC [01:44]

3. Indiana’s Higher Education Law Demands 'American Values'

[02:11–03:13]

• New Law Requirements: Public colleges in Indiana must now show how new degrees promote “American values” and “civic responsibility.”
• State Reforms: The law follows statewide cuts of low-enrollment degrees and a trend toward program consolidation.
• Federal Incentives: The Trump administration will offer preferential funding to universities signing policy compacts (not yet distributed in Indiana).
• Notable Quote:
  • "The new degree proposal form issued by state government asks how programs cultivate civic responsibility and commitment to the core values of American society." — Ethan Sandweiss, WFIU [02:29]

4. G20 Recap: US Absent, Summit Ends in Johannesburg

[03:13–03:53]

• US Absence: The US skipped the G20 in Johannesburg, with President Trump citing alleged discrimination against white farmers by host South Africa.
• Upcoming G20: The 2026 summit will be held at a Trump golf club in Florida.
• Context: This marks a notable point of international tension and US isolation from global economic forums.

5. Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix: Championship Drama

[03:53–04:35]

• Race Summary: Max Verstappen wins in Las Vegas, keeping his championship hopes alive.
• Championship Standings:
  • Landon Norris was disqualified post-race, but retains a 24-point lead.
  • Both Norris’s and Piastri’s points affected by technical infringements.
• Next Race: The championship continues in Qatar, with the title still undecided.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Under the bright lights of Las Vegas, the biggest star shined. Defending four time champion Max Verstappen kept his title hopes alive with a commanding victory in Saturday's race." — Hai J. Mai, NPR [03:53]

6. Obituary: Rodney Rodgers

[04:35–04:56]

• Passing of a Sports Figure: Former Wake Forest and NBA player Rodney Rodgers passed away at 54 from complications tied to a spinal cord injury.
• Legacy: Rodgers had been paralyzed since a 2008 accident after a 12-year NBA career.
• Notable Quote:
  • "He had been paralyzed since an accident in 2008. Rodney Rogers was 54." — Nora Ram [04:35]

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• "The plan was not the Trump administration's plan but a wish list of the Russians." — Senator Angus King [00:43]
• "Avianca, the Colombian airline, has suggested that it will not fly more airplanes for the rest of the weekend." — Luis Fajardo, BBC [01:44]
• "The new degree proposal form issued by state government asks how programs cultivate civic responsibility and commitment to the core values of American society." — Ethan Sandweiss, WFIU [02:29]
• "Under the bright lights of Las Vegas, the biggest star shined. Defending four time champion Max Verstappen kept his title hopes alive with a commanding victory in Saturday's race." — Hai J. Mai, NPR [03:53]
• "He had been paralyzed since an accident in 2008. Rodney Rogers was 54." — Nora Ram [04:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Plan & Lawmaker Criticism: 00:00–01:21
• Venezuela Aviation Warnings: 01:21–02:11
• Indiana Higher Education Law: 02:11–03:13
• G20 Summit Recap: 03:13–03:53
• F1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas: 03:53–04:35
• Rodney Rodgers Obituary: 04:35–04:56

This episode succinctly covers fast-evolving political, educational, international, and sports stories, with notable tension between branches of the US government on Ukraine, travel chaos in Venezuela, new state education mandates, global diplomatic reshuffling, and dramatic F1 title competition.