NPR News Now — 11-23-2025, 3PM EST

Host: Nora Ram | Date: November 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update covers the latest global and national headlines, including US-backed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, military tensions near Venezuela, changes to Indiana’s higher education degree policies, Thanksgiving travel projections, an ancient canoe discovery in Wisconsin, and remarks from New York City's newly elected mayor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Backed Peace Talks on Ukraine

• Summary:
  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Geneva for negotiations with Ukrainian and European officials regarding a US-backed peace plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
• Key Details:
  • The 28-point proposal requires Ukraine to:
    • Relinquish land not currently occupied by Russia.
    • Limit its military capacities.
    • Abandon its ambitions to join NATO.
  • Ukraine and its allies are seeking revisions, arguing the plan strongly favors Russia.
  • Rubio described talks as "productive and meaningful, probably the most promising so far" (B, 00:53).
  • Final agreement would require sign-off by the respective presidents; progress is described as significant.
  • Rubio suggested Senators misunderstood the origins, claiming it’s not just a “Russian wish list.”
• Notable Quote:

  "This will ultimately have to be signed off by our presidents, although I feel very comfortable about that happening given the progress we've made. And then obviously there's the Russian side of the equation. But again, we think we have some pretty substantial insights over the last nine months into some of the things that are really important to them."
  — Marco Rubio (C, 00:58–01:13)

• Timestamps:
  • US-Ukraine negotiations: 00:16–01:13

2. US Military Presence Near Venezuela & G20 Concerns

• Summary:
  Brazilian President Lula da Silva voiced alarm at the US military buildup near Venezuela during the G20 summit.
• Key Details:
  • Lula warned against escalation, urging not to repeat the mistakes of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
  • He stated, “once a shot is fired, it is hard to predict how it will end.”
  • The US has conducted over 20 strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, citing anti-narcotics operations.
  • US forces include an aircraft carrier strike group, warships, and stealth aircraft.
  • Former President Trump accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a “terrorist drug cartel.”
• Notable Quote:

  "Once a shot is fired, it is hard to predict how it will end."
  — Lula da Silva (D, 01:34–02:15)

• Timestamps:
  • Lula's remarks and military developments: 01:34–02:15

3. New ‘American Values’ Requirement for Indiana University Degrees

• Summary:
  Indiana will require public higher education institutions to explain how new degree programs promote “American values.”
• Key Details:
  • State forms now ask schools to outline how proposed degrees foster civic responsibility and American core values.
  • The Indiana Commission for Higher Education says this follows the recent consolidation and elimination of lesser-subscribed degrees.
  • Closely follows the Trump administration’s plan to give federal funding preference to universities endorsing specific policy priorities, though Indiana schools haven't yet received the compact.
• Timestamps:
  • Indiana education policy update: 02:15–03:13

4. Thanksgiving Travel Projected to Break Records

• Summary:
  AAA anticipates over 80 million Americans will travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving, making it another record-breaking year.
• Key Details:
  • About 73 million are projected to travel by car.
  • Air travel will reach volumes not seen in 15 years, according to the FAA.
• Timestamps:
  • Holiday travel statistics: 03:13–03:37

5. Ancient Canoe Discovery in Wisconsin

• Summary:
  Archaeologists discovered a 5,200-year-old red oak canoe in Lake Mendota, believed to be the oldest in the Great Lakes and among the oldest in North America.
• Key Details:
  • 16 ancient canoes have been located in Lake Mendota.
  • The canoes were likely stashed and buried by indigenous people over millennia.
  • Tamara Thompson: The cluster resembles a “parking lot” for ancient boats.
• Notable Quote:

  "What we're seeing really is a parking lot."
  — Tamara Thompson, maritime archaeologist (F, 03:48–04:35)

• Timestamps:
  • Canoe discovery and archaeological insight: 03:37–04:35

6. NYC’s Next Mayor Discusses Trump, Economy

• Summary:
  Mayor-elect Zoran Wamdami described his meeting with President Trump as “very productive” regarding economic issues but still referred to Trump as a “fascist.”
• Key Details:
  • The meeting focused on the economy and affordability.
  • Despite collaboration, Wamdami maintains critical views of Trump.
• Notable Quote:

  "He [Wamdami] still believes that Trump is a fascist."
  — Narration (B, 04:35–04:56)

• Timestamps:
  • NYC politics and Trump exchange: 04:35–04:56

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “...productive and meaningful, probably the most promising so far.” — Marco Rubio (B, 00:53)
• “Once a shot is fired, it is hard to predict how it will end.” — Lula da Silva (D, 01:47)
• “What we're seeing really is a parking lot.” — Tamara Thompson (F, 04:17)
• “[Wamdami] still believes Trump is a fascist.” — Nora Ram (B, 04:50)

Segment Timestamps At a Glance

• [00:16–01:13] — Ukraine peace talks in Geneva
• [01:34–02:15] — US military buildup near Venezuela; Lula’s warning
• [02:15–03:13] — Indiana’s new higher ed "American values" criterion
• [03:13–03:37] — Thanksgiving travel projections
• [03:48–04:35] — Wisconsin’s ancient canoe discovery
• [04:35–04:56] — NYC mayor-elect meets Trump, mixed reactions

For more information and updates, visit NPR News Now.