NPR News Now — 11-24-2025, 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh (NPR)
Date: November 24, 2025
Episode Purpose:
A concise, five-minute rundown of major news stories in U.S. politics, international relations, legal developments, cultural memory, and climate policy.

Key News Stories & Discussion Points

1. Dismissal of Criminal Indictments Against Trump Critics

[00:16–01:40]

• Event: A federal court dismissed criminal indictments against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, both vocal critics of President Trump.
• Reason: Judge ruled the appointment of U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan was unconstitutional and therefore any indictments she brought are invalid.
  • “The Trump administration installed Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney in Virginia in late September, soon after the prosecutor already in that job expressed doubts about moving forward with charges against prominent critics of President Trump. Now a federal judge has found Halligan's appointment defective under the Constitution.” — Kerry Johnson [01:01]
  • The Justice Department may appeal; other legal challenges remain pending.
• Response: James Comey spoke out on Instagram, expressing resilience:
  • “I think Trump will come after me again, but I'm not afraid.” — James Comey (paraphrased by Lakshmi Singh) [00:34]
• Notable Commentary:
  • “The message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. I don't care what your politics are. You have to see that as fundamentally un-American and a threat to the rule of law that keeps all of us free.” — James Comey (clip) [00:34]
• White House Reaction: Press Secretary Caroline Levitt (via Fox News), indicating a swift appeal:
  • “Maybe James Comey should pump the brakes on his victory lap.” [01:40]

2. Diplomatic Update: U.S.–China Presidential Call

[02:01–02:44]

• Context: President Trump and President Xi Jinping held talks on trade, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
• Backdrop: Leaders met in South Korea last month, where they announced a trade breakthrough.
• Key Points:
  • Xi Jinping stressed the significance of Taiwan’s “return to China” as part of the postwar order.
  • The statement follows recent Japanese concerns over possible Chinese intervention in Taiwan.
  • China calls for “quality, respect and mutual benefit” in the bilateral relationship and urges both countries to “reduce their list of issues.”
  • “Xi said Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the post war international order.” — Franco Ordoñez [02:01]

3. Press Freedom Dispute: AP v. Trump Administration

[02:44–03:38]

• Legal Development: AP’s First Amendment dispute against the Trump administration returned to the appeals court.
• Details: Concerns over whether President Trump retaliated against AP after they refused to use “Gulf of America” rather than Gulf of Mexico, following a presidential naming announcement.
• Quote: “The Associated Press's First Amendment-related dispute with the administration was back in court today… The dispute began last winter when Trump announced he had renamed the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, but the Associated Press had not altered its style.” — Lakshmi Singh [02:44]

4. Cultural Memory: Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff Dies

[03:38–04:08]

• Headline: Grammy-winning reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff has passed away at age 81 after suffering a seizure and pneumonia.
• Legacy Highlights:
  • Gained global fame from the film and soundtrack “The Harder They Come” (1972).
  • Celebrated for uplifting songs such as “You Can Get It If You Really Want.”
  • Clip: “It's always good to revisit the past to know where we are today.” — Jimmy Cliff [03:38]
  • Reminiscent performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk concert recalled.

5. Climate Diplomacy: COP30 in Brazil Ends Without Emissions Deal

[04:08–04:45]

• Outcome: The UN Climate Conference in Brazil closed without an agreement on the main driver of climate change—fossil fuels.
• Announcement: A new conference, specifically for phasing out fossil fuels, will be co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.
• Memorable Dialogue:
  • “We all said, okay, we have this ambition…” — Sophie Hermans, Dutch Climate Minister [04:35]
  • “But after you have said you have the ambition, you also have to come to action. And that's what we are doing now.” — Sophie Hermans/Julia Simon [04:39–04:45]

6. Market Update

[04:50]

• Nasdaq: Closed up 2.5%.

Notable Quotes

• James Comey:
  • “The message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. I don't care what your politics are. You have to see that as fundamentally un-American and a threat to the rule of law that keeps all of us free.” [00:34]
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:
  • “Maybe James Comey should pump the brakes on his victory lap.” [01:40]
• Franco Ordoñez (on Xi Jinping):
  • “Xi said Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the post war international order.” [02:01]
• Jimmy Cliff:
  • “It's always good to revisit the past to know where we are today.” [03:38]
• Sophie Hermans, Climate Minister:
  • “We all said, okay, we have this ambition… But after you have said you have the ambition, you also have to come to action. And that's what we are doing now.” [04:35–04:45]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:16: Top news — Trump critics' indictments dismissed
• 01:40: DOJ response & White House comment
• 02:01: U.S.–China call on Taiwan, trade, Ukraine
• 02:44: AP v. Trump administration First Amendment case
• 03:38: Remembering Jimmy Cliff
• 04:08: UN Climate Conference outcome & announcement
• 04:50: Stock market update

This episode delivers a compact but information-rich overview of the day’s headline stories, reflecting NPR’s signature focus on legal integrity, international diplomacy, press freedom, cultural legacy, and climate urgency.