NPR News Now – November 25, 2025, 10PM EST

Host: Dan Ronan
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, hosted by Dan Ronan, delivers the latest headlines from Washington, Brazil, and cities across the U.S. Topics range from escalating diplomatic efforts to mediate the war in Ukraine, to domestic political tension and legal investigations, to international news about Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro. The episode also covers local politics in Washington, D.C., and developments in federal healthcare policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diplomatic Efforts in the Russia-Ukraine War

• President Trump’s Directive:
  President Trump has commanded members of his administration to initiate meetings aimed at achieving a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
  • Steve Witkoff, special envoy, will engage with Putin in Moscow.
  • Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army, will meet with Ukrainian officials.
  • Trump will not meet directly with Putin or Zelenskyy until a deal is near completion.
• Background:
  Previous plans for Trump to meet with Putin in Hungary fell through, with Trump enacting new sanctions on Russia instead.
• Context:
  Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration over the ongoing war and claims to have resolved other global conflicts this year.
• Notable Quote:

  "[Trump] repeatedly says the war between Ukraine and Russia should have been easier to end."
  — Deepa Shivaram (00:35-01:14)

2. Investigation into Senator Mark Kelly

• Overview of the Investigation:
  Democratic Senator Mark Kelly is under Pentagon review after appearing in a video with other lawmakers, calling for U.S. troops to defy "illegal orders."
  • The probe was initiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
  • The Pentagon seeks a review by December 10th.
• Kelly’s Response:
  Kelly refutes the allegations, emphasizing that they quoted from the actual Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
• Notable Quote:

  "He's certainly outrageous and unpredictable. I don't think he understands the Constitution. I'm not so sure Pete Hegseth does either... now he wants to court martial me under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It just doesn't make any sense."
  — Senator Mark Kelly (01:43-02:05)

3. Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro Begins Prison Sentence

• Bolsonaro’s Arrest and Sentence:
  Former president Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup following his 2022 election defeat.
• Legal and Political Context:
  • Supreme Court Justice Alejandro Jimoraes confirmed the sentence after all appeals were exhausted.
  • Bolsonaro is confined in federal police headquarters in Brasilia.
  • His legal team sought house arrest due to health, but the court denied the request.
  • The conviction was condemned by the Trump administration and led to U.S. sanctions.
• Notable Quote:

  "This closes a turbulent chapter after a historic trial in Brazil, which was condemned by the Trump administration and led to US sanctions and the unprecedented conviction of a former president for trying to overthrow the government."
  — Julie Canaro (02:26-03:14)

4. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Will Not Seek Reelection

• Announcement:
  After a decade as mayor, Muriel Bowser revealed she will not run for reelection, citing both her achievements and strains from confrontations with President Trump.
• Achievements Highlighted:
  • New stadium deal for the Commanders.
  • Surge in local housing construction.
  • Leadership through the pandemic.
  • Defending D.C. autonomy from federal encroachment.
• Notable Quote:

  "We also brought our city back from the ravages of a global pandemic and summoned our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy."
  — Muriel Bowser (via video, 03:47-03:56)

• Factors in Decision:
  Advisers say exhaustion from Trump's interventions, including his takeover of the D.C. police force in summer, influenced her decision.

5. Health Care Legislation and ACA Subsidies

• Upcoming ACA Subsidies Expiration:
  President Trump suggested it "may be necessary" to extend ACA (Affordable Care Act) subsidies to secure a new health care agreement, even though he's not in favor of prolonging the program.
• Policy Preference:
  Trump favors direct cash for individuals to purchase their own health plans.
• Health Care Talks:
  Trump has communicated with unnamed Democrats as health care negotiations continue.
• Market Update:
  All major stock indexes—Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq—gained ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Notable Quote:

  "[Trump] says he's not in favor of extending the ACA subsidies, but an extension may be needed to get something else done."
  — Dan Ronan (04:06-04:56)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Trump’s peace envoy assignments: 00:18–01:14
• Mark Kelly responds to Pentagon investigation: 01:43–02:05
• Julie Canaro on Bolsonaro’s imprisonment: 02:26–03:14
• Bowser’s farewell quote and rationale: 03:47–03:56
• Trump on ACA subsidies and health care strategy: 04:06–04:56

Tone & Language

The episode maintains NPR’s signature tone: concise, factual, and measured, with a focus on clarity and directness from both hosts and correspondents.

This summary delivers all key policy, political, and international updates from the episode—providing listeners with a clear and comprehensive grasp of the news, even without listening to the original broadcast.