NPR News Now: November 24, 2025, 8AM EST

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Windsor Johnston, covers escalating international negotiations surrounding Russia’s war in Ukraine, a major development in Lebanon following an Israeli strike on Hezbollah leadership, an evolving debate on the future and power of FEMA in the U.S., the weekend box office hit “Wicked for Good,” and a lighthearted local story about a runaway goat in Detroit. Market updates from Asia round out the concise newscast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russia-Ukraine Peace Negotiations (00:11–01:19)

• Another day of talks is planned in Geneva between American, Ukrainian, Russian, and European negotiators.

• Stakes: The talks are aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, with recent negotiations considered “productive” by U.S. and Ukrainian officials.

• Tensions: European allies were “stunned” by an initial peace draft that heavily favored Russia, a proposal led by US Mideast Ukraine envoy Steve Witkoff and a Russian envoy.

• Europeans seek to revise the draft without antagonizing the Trump administration.

• President Zelensky’s Message: Via video, Zelensky asserted Ukraine “never wanted this war” and will not obstruct peace, but emphasized the necessity of a peace that guarantees “security, respect for our people and respect for everyone who gave their life defending Ukraine against Russian aggression.”

  “A real peace must guarantee security, respect for our people and respect for everyone who gave their life defending Ukraine against Russian aggression.”
  — President Volodymyr Zelensky (01:08)

2. Israeli Strike on Hezbollah Leadership (01:19–02:12)

• Israel has killed the second-in-command of Hezbollah, risking renewed conflict despite a year-old ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

• On the Ground: The attack destroyed two apartments and badly damaged a residential area, injuring at least two dozen people, including women and children.

• Response Anticipated: Hezbollah called the strike “a red line” during the current ceasefire and has not announced its response yet.

  “Hezbollah has not yet said how it's going to respond, but an official on Sunday said this strike in the middle of what is supposed to be a ceasefire is a red line.”
  — Jane Araf, NPR Correspondent (01:56)

3. FEMA’s Future: Expanding Power vs. Scaling Back (02:12–03:05)

• A White House task force missed its deadline on reassessing FEMA’s mission.

• Context: President Trump had advocated for scaling back FEMA, but growing climate disasters have spurred reconsideration.

• Debate Focus: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, also head of the task force, has edited the group’s report. There’s an internal dispute about whether FEMA should become a cabinet-level agency.

  “There is a disagreement between the members of the task force and Kristi Noem, who is the Homeland Security secretary and she's also the chairwoman of this task force.”
  — Scott Dance, New York Times (02:38) “What we're hearing is there is a disagreement over that idea that FEMA should be a cabinet level agency.”
  — Scott Dance, reporting (02:56)

4. Entertainment: “Wicked for Good” Box Office Success (03:23–04:10)

• The “Wizard of Oz” prequel, “Wicked for Good,” leads the North American box office with a $150 million opening.

• The film opened strongly overseas ($75 million) despite the story being less familiar abroad.

• Projections indicate “Wicked for Good” and its predecessor will jointly reach a billion dollars in global box office revenue within days.

  “Wicked for Good, opening to more than $75 million overseas, even with stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo doing extensive publicity tours, was not a given.”
  — Bob Mondello, NPR (03:36) “…their combined box office will reach a billion dollars in the next few days.”
  — Bob Mondello (04:01)

5. Runaway Goat Causes Mayhem in Detroit (04:10–04:54)

• A goat named Smoke escaped a backyard enclosure and has been terrorizing a Detroit neighborhood.
• Smoke’s antics: chasing delivery drivers, headbutting cans, and startling residents.
• Animal Control’s approach involves food, fencing, and patience to catch him safely.

6. Asian Market Updates (04:45–04:54)

• Markets closed mixed across Asia.
• Japan: Nikkei dropped sharply (over 1,100 points).
• China and Hong Kong: Markets closed higher.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ukraine Diplomacy:
  “The U.S. and Ukraine issued a joint statement saying the discussions so far have been productive.”
  — Windsor Johnston, NPR Anchor (00:30)

• Lebanon Tensions:
  “But this was also a residential area with shops on the bottom and there were at least two dozen others who were injured, including women and children.”
  — Jane Araf (01:42)

• FEMA Disagreement:
  “The administration says she has not altered the contents of the report at all. But what we're hearing is there is a disagreement over that idea that FEMA should be a cabinet level agency.”
  — Scott Dance (02:52)

• Box Office Prognosis:
  “…their combined box office will reach a billion dollars in the next few days.”
  — Bob Mondello (04:01)

• Goat Antics:
  “Neighbors say Smoke has chased delivery drivers, headbutted cans and startled people taking out the garbage.”
  — Windsor Johnston (04:30)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:11] Ukraine-Russia peace talks progress; Zelensky’s statement
• [01:19] Israeli strike on Hezbollah; Beirut on edge
• [02:12] White House / FEMA task force disagreement
• [03:23] “Wicked for Good” dominates box office
• [04:10] Runaway goat Smoke wreaks havoc in Detroit
• [04:45] Asian market roundup

The episode succinctly covers major international conflicts, domestic policy debates, pop culture milestones, and quirky local news, delivering key facts and vivid on-the-ground details within a tight five-minute window.