NPR News Now — 11-24-2025 9AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR)
Date: November 24, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now bulletin delivers updates on several major news stories of the day, including the latest on Ukraine-Russia peace talks, record Thanksgiving travel forecasts, U.S. immigration policy changes affecting Somali migrants, the conclusion of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, and a legal battle between the Associated Press and the White House over press freedoms. The episode captures significant political, social, and international developments as they unfold.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Draw European Scrutiny

[00:11 – 01:18]

• European leaders convene to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia, focusing on a U.S. proposal criticized as "too favorable to Moscow."
• Rob Schmitz (NPR, Berlin): Explains evolving U.S. proposals, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump presenting a 28-point plan that European allies find problematic.
• Key concerns: European leaders strongly oppose any requirement for Ukraine to cede territory or reduce military size—a central part of Trump’s framework—fearing it "would undermine security for all of Europe."
• German Foreign Minister Johan Vadapoel: Characterizes talks as a "decisive success for Europeans," signaling pushback against U.S. concessions to Russia.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: Stresses the continental security risks of the U.S. plan.

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Schmitz [00:56]:
  "European leaders are insisting that Ukraine not give up any territory that it currently holds and that it must not reduce the size of its army as Trump's plan proposes."

• Ursula von der Leyen (summarized):
  "Doing so would undermine security for all of Europe." [01:12]

2. President Trump Signals Optimism on Peace Talks

[01:18 – 01:40]

• President Trump's social media post claims "big progress" on peace talks, adding:
  "Something good just may be happening." [01:22]
• The statement is presented as a counterpoint to European skepticism, reflecting the U.S. administration's positive spin.

3. Thanksgiving Travel to Break New Records

[01:40 – 02:20]

• Joel Rose (NPR, Washington): Reports AAA projects nearly 82 million Americans—1.6 million more than last year—will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving period.
• Breakdown: 73 million by car, about 6 million by air, though flight disruption during the recent government shutdown may affect final numbers.
• FAA: This will be the busiest Thanksgiving travel season in 15 years, with over 52,000 flights scheduled at peak.

Notable Quotes:

• Joel Rose [01:48]:
  "AAA is projecting that nearly 82 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Monday after the holiday."

4. U.S. Ends Temporary Protected Status for Somali Migrants in Minnesota

[02:20 – 03:08]

• President Trump announces the end to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali migrants in Minnesota, citing unsubstantiated charges of fraud and gang violence.
• Community Response: Somali community and allies gather in Minneapolis in protest.
• Khalid Omar (community organizer):
  "What we saw from our president was an attack, a direct attack to our community here in Minnesota, especially our Somali community. So what we decided is that we're greater than fear." [02:49]
• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem states the program will be reviewed for possible changes.

5. G20 Summit Wraps Without U.S. Involvement

[03:08 – 04:20]

• Kate Bartlett (NPR, Johannesburg): Reports on the close of the G20 summit, noting the U.S. boycotted the event over allegations against South Africa and objections to summit themes (debt relief and climate).
• Ceremonial Moment: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is cheered as he declares the summit closed, “officially” passing the G20 presidency to the U.S.—though Trump’s absence prevents the customary handover.
• Despite U.S. absence, all other nations attend and the summit achieves a joint declaration.

Notable Quotes:

• Kate Bartlett [03:49]:
  "Usually, the outgoing President of the G20 hands over formally to the incoming one. But as President Trump was not in attendance, that didn't happen."
• South African Official [03:36]:
  "The scovel of this G20 summit formally closes this summit and now moves on to the next president of the G20, which is the United States."

6. Associated Press Sues White House Over Press Access

[04:20 – 04:54]

• AP v. Trump Administration: The AP is in court fighting a government ban on its reporters from covering certain presidential events, a move officials say is tied to AP’s refusal to use the term "Gulf of America" for the Gulf of Mexico.
• AP Executive Director: Defends the right to report freely, highlights chilling precedent for press freedom.

Notable Quotes:

• Windsor Johnston [04:20]:
  "The executive director of the Associated Press says the news organization is fighting for the right to report without being targeted by the White House."

Memorable Moments and Tone

• The tenor of the episode is factual, urgent, and global, covering stories with national and international implications in rapid succession.
• Notable for:
  • The sharp tensions evident in the Ukraine peace talks segment.
  • Trump’s highly charged comments on Somali migrants.
  • The rare U.S. boycott of the G20 and its diplomatic ripple effects.
  • The defense of press freedom at a time of governmental restrictions.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Talks / European Response – [00:11 – 01:18]
• Trump on Peace Talks – [01:18 – 01:40]
• Thanksgiving Travel Record – [01:40 – 02:20]
• TPS for Somali Migrants Ends – [02:20 – 03:08]
• G20 Summit Wrap-up – [03:08 – 04:20]
• AP Sues White House – [04:20 – 04:54]

This concise briefing underscores emerging global flashpoints, the scale of U.S. holiday travel, evolving migration policy, and press freedom challenges—all within NPR’s trusted, even-handed reporting voice.