NPR News Now — 11-23-2025 1PM EST

Host: Nora Rahm
Date: November 23, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes
Format: Hourly news recap

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode provides updates on key global and U.S. events: Ukraine peace negotiations in Geneva, the G20 summit in Johannesburg, New York City's mayor-elect meeting with President Trump, a significant Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, a new UK study on puberty blockers for transgender youth, and an update on schoolchildren abducted in Nigeria. The episode briskly covers each story, highlighting major quotes, context, and developments.

Key Discussion Points & Headlines

1. Geneva Talks on Ukraine Peace Plan

• Summary: Representatives from Ukraine and European allies meet over a U.S.-backed peace plan to end Russia’s war; concerns surface about Ukraine being asked to cede territory.
• Controversy: Accusations arise that the plan is a “wish list of the Russians” and not a true U.S. position.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:47] Angus King:
  "According to Secretary Rubio, it is not the administration's position. It is essentially the wish list of the Russians."

• Fact Check:
  Secretary of State Marco Rubio and State Department officials deny the plan represents U.S. policy. Rubio later suggests senators misunderstood his position.

2. G20 Summit Closes in Johannesburg without U.S. Leaders

• Summary: The G20 summit concludes with upbeat local reaction. Notably, U.S. leaders boycott the event, objecting to themes and leveling accusations against South Africa.
• Details:
  • Normal presidential handover doesn't occur due to President Trump’s absence.
  • Despite this, countries reach a joint declaration.
  • South Africa hailed the event a success.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:23] Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa):
  "Of this G20 summit, formally closes this summit and now moves on to the next president of the G20, which is the United States, where we shall see each other again next year."

Memorable Moment:

• The summit is formally closed with cheers; U.S. boycott underscores ongoing diplomatic tension.

3. New York City’s Mayor-Elect Mamdani Meets Trump

• Summary: Zoran Mamdani meets President Trump in a productive, if surprising, Oval Office encounter. White House now reassures no federal funding will be withheld from NYC.
• Details:
  • Mamdani maintains critical stance, calling Trump a “fascist” post-meeting but admits common ground on key campaign issues.
  • The decision to retain current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch reportedly reassures the Trump administration.

Notable Quotes:

• [02:35] Zoran Mamdani (via Angus King voice audio):
  "That's something that I've said in the past. I say it today."
  (on Trump being a fascist)

• [02:42] Zoran Mamdani:
  "I found in the meeting that I had with the president a productive one and a meeting that came back again and again to the central themes of the campaign that we ran."

• [02:57] Kevin Hassett (Trump’s Economic Adviser):
  "Well, it feels like he doesn't mean it now. And I guess we'll have to wait and see what Mamdani does."
  (on Trump’s threat to cut NYC federal funds)

4. Israeli Airstrike in Lebanon

• Summary:
  Israel launches a rare airstrike near Beirut, killing a Hezbollah official. Israeli officials allege Hezbollah is rebuilding militarily; Lebanon disputes these claims.
• Context:
  • First such strike in months.
  • Occurs about a year after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Segment Timestamps:

• [03:10] Nora Rahm introduces the announcement.
• Details quickly summarized; no direct quotes from combatants or officials.

5. UK Launches Clinical Trial on Puberty Blockers in Transgender Children

• Summary:
  The NHS in the UK starts a major randomized trial to assess the safety and efficacy of puberty-blocking drugs in transgender youth, after previously banning their use due to lack of evidence.
• Details:
  • Led by King’s College London.
  • Will recruit 220 children for a two-year study.
  • Examines effects on physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:18] Emily Simonoff (Trial Lead, King’s College London):
  "This study is really aiming to provide the same level of evidence for young people with gender incongruence as we provide for any other disorder for people attending NHS services."

6. Nigeria Schoolchildren Abduction Update

• Summary:
  50 abducted Catholic schoolchildren in Nigeria escape and return home. Hundreds more remain captives.
• Details:
  • 253 children and 12 teachers still held by kidnappers.

Segment Timestamp:

• [04:40] Brief update delivered by Nora Rahm.

Segment Timestamps Overview

• Ukraine Peace Talks: [00:19] – [01:10]
• G20 Summit: [01:16] – [02:10]
• NYC/Trump-Mamdani Meeting: [02:10] – [03:10]
• Israeli Airstrike: [03:10] – [03:53]
• UK Puberty Blocker Study: [03:53] – [04:40]
• Nigeria Abduction Update: [04:40] – [04:57]

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Honest political assessments (“wish list of the Russians” and “Trump is a fascist”) underscore candid reporting.
• The G20’s drama—applause and the missing U.S. handover—shows the shifting landscape of global politics.
• Personal stories (schoolchildren in Nigeria, children’s clinical trials in UK) add an urgent human dimension.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a rapid, unsparing look at world and U.S. affairs, highlighting dramatic shifts in diplomacy, ongoing humanitarian crises, and rigorous debate over policy and science. The tone is factual and direct, with unfiltered perspectives from key figures. Essential listening for staying sharply updated on global events.