NPR News Now: 11-25-2025 11AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Date: November 25, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news episode covers major global and US headlines, touching on Ukraine-Russia peace efforts, a US farm labor lawsuit, a dramatic jewel heist in Paris, US retail sales data, a high-profile land appropriation in the West Bank, and an exciting development at the National Zoo. The coverage features direct reports from journalists and analysis from expert sources, providing listeners with a rapid yet authoritative briefing on current events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Plan Negotiations

• [00:20] Windsor Johnston reports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may soon travel to the US for talks on a renewed Ukraine-Russia peace plan.

• Previous proposals were criticized as too favorable to Russia.

• Kurt Volker, former US diplomat, emphasizes ongoing Russian aggression and skepticism about a quick resolution:

  • Quote [00:43]:

    “The fundamentals have not changed. So everyone's looking for some easy way out where we negotiate. Putin's reasonable and we have a deal. There isn't going to be an easy way out. Putin wants to wage this war and he has to be stopped.”
    —Kurt Volker

• Key unresolved issues: release of prisoners of war and abducted Ukrainian children.

2. Lawsuit Over US Farm Worker Wages

• [01:25] The Trump administration faces a lawsuit from farm worker unions over proposed wage cuts for foreign guest workers under the H2A visa program.

• The cuts intended to alleviate farm labor shortages by reducing wage rates, but unions argue this would depress wages across agriculture and harm American workers.

• Teresa Romero, President of United Farm Workers, criticizes the approach:

  • Quote [01:47]:

    "There is nothing America first about extending exploitative guest worker programs of undercutting American wages. So that is what this lawsuit is about."
    —Teresa Romero

• The lawsuit claims proper regulatory procedures were ignored and warns of broader impacts on domestic workers.

3. Paris Louvre Jewel Heist Investigation

• [02:11] Four new arrests bring the total to eight in the high-profile October Louvre Museum heist.
• Over $100 million in royal jewels stolen in under ten minutes using a moving truck, a ladder, and reflective vests (posing as maintenance workers).
• Kristen Wright outlines the event's magnitude and security implications:
  • Quote [02:22]:

    "More than $100 million worth of royal jewels were stolen in broad daylight and still haven't been recovered. The thieves pulled up in a moving truck with a ladder and climbed up to a balcony to break in. ... The heist took less than 10 minutes. It's raised questions about security at the Louvre, the world's most visited museum."
    —Kristen Wright

4. US Retail Sales & Economic Outlook

• [03:00] The US Commerce Department reports September retail sales rose by just 0.21%, a slowdown from August.
• Weaker retail numbers increase speculation that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates in December.

5. Israeli Seizure of West Bank Archaeological Site

• [03:35] Israel announces the expropriation of the Sebastia archaeological site from Palestinian landowners, provoking controversy.
• The move marks the largest antiquities land seizure in West Bank history (per watchdog group PeaceNow).
• Daniel Estrin details the site's historical and political importance:
  • The site is tied to the biblical Kingdom of Israel and includes multi-era remains.
  • Israel claims the aim is site development; Palestinians and advocacy groups see it as a land grab.
  • Site tourism is vital income for the local Palestinian community.

6. National Zoo Prepares for Asian Elephant Calf

• [04:19] Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo anticipates the birth of its first Asian elephant calf in nearly 25 years.
• 12-year-old elephant 'NI Lind' expected to deliver between mid-January and early March; Asian elephants remain highly endangered (<50,000 in the wild).
• Zoo will provide updates and opportunities to observe the herd via its Elephant Trails exhibit.

7. Market Update

• [04:50] The Dow Jones Industrial Average rises by 328 points.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kurt Volker on Ukraine peace prospects [00:43]:

  “There isn’t going to be an easy way out. Putin wants to wage this war and he has to be stopped.”

• Teresa Romero on guest worker wage cuts [01:47]:

  "There is nothing America first about extending exploitative guest worker programs of undercutting American wages."

• Kristen Wright summarizes the daring Louvre heist [02:22]:

  "The heist took less than 10 minutes. It's raised questions about security at the Louvre, the world's most visited museum."

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Start Time | |------------------------------------|------------| | Ukraine peace plan update | 00:20 | | Farm worker wage lawsuit | 01:25 | | Louvre jewel heist arrests | 02:11 | | US retail sales & Fed outlook | 03:00 | | Israeli land seizure in West Bank | 03:35 | | National Zoo elephant calf news | 04:19 | | Market update | 04:50 |

This summary presents the central themes and details from NPR News Now’s November 25, 2025, 11 AM EST update, highlighting the rapid-fire delivery and nuanced reporting that define the podcast.