NPR News Now: November 25, 2025, 3AM EST — Episode Summary

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise coverage of major national and international headlines as of early morning, November 25, 2025. Key topics include a political firestorm over Senator Mark Kelly’s video to U.S. troops, accusations and legal actions involving high-profile officials, ongoing violence in Ukraine, press freedom in Gaza, updates to NASA’s Starliner program, and a lighter moment with the White House Christmas tradition.

Major Stories and Key Insights

1. Senator Mark Kelly Responds to Pentagon Probe

[00:11–01:08]

• Background: Arizona Senator Mark Kelly faces scrutiny from the Pentagon after he and several Congressional Democrats appeared in a video urging U.S. troops not to follow illegal orders.
• Key Developments:
  • Kelly states he learned of the Pentagon’s investigation via social media, notably a tweet from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and a post from President Trump.
  • President Trump publicly suggested that Kelly and others should be arrested and face the death penalty for “sedition.”
  • Kelly defiantly asserts that attempts to intimidate him or others will “not work.”
  • In what’s interpreted as a jab at Secretary Hegseth, Kelly posted a photo of himself in full dress uniform, highlighting his military accolades compared to Hegseth.

Notable Quote:

“…If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work.”
— Sen. Mark Kelly, read by Quill Lawrence [00:36]

2. Legal Dismissal of High-Profile Cases

[01:08–01:42]

• Key Points:
  • A federal judge dismissed criminal cases against ex-FBI Director James Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James, indicating the prosecutor was illegally appointed following pressure from President Trump.
• Significance: This ruling underscores ongoing tensions between the judiciary and executive branches regarding attempts to prosecute political adversaries.

3. Ukraine Endures Intensified Russian Attacks

[01:42–02:16]

• Context: Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, sustains extensive rocket and drone assaults; at least two apartment buildings are struck.
• Details:
  • Attacks involve drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles from various launch sites.
  • Ukraine responds with attacks in Russian border regions (Krasnodar and Rostov).
  • Recent violence follows diplomatic efforts by the U.S. to broker peace, but Russia’s actions signal continued military pressure.

Notable Quote:

“Large explosions were reported in Kyiv as air defence systems tried to protect the capital.”
— James Reid, BBC [01:42]

4. Israeli Press Access Restrictions in Gaza Challenged

[02:16–03:09]

• Background: Israel’s Supreme Court extends a deadline for the state to explain ongoing restrictions on independent press access to Gaza.
• Key Insights:
  • The Foreign Press Association (FPA), including NPR, asserts this ban violates free press principles, especially given changed conditions due to a ceasefire.
  • Israel maintains security concerns over journalist safety.
  • Most war reporting from inside Gaza has been by Palestinian journalists, many of whom have been killed.
• Implications: Ongoing limitations highlight issues of transparency and journalistic risk in war zones.

5. NASA Scales Back Boeing Starliner Contract

[03:09–04:18]

• Story Highlights:
  • NASA reduces its contract with Boeing for Starliner missions with crew—from six to four flights.
  • The shift follows technical failures during Starliner’s first crewed mission, which left astronauts stranded on the ISS for months (eventually returning via SpaceX).
  • Next Starliner flight will carry only cargo (earliest April), with possible crewed flights to follow if improvements succeed.

Notable Quote:

“Since then, Boeing and NASA have been working on system upgrades. NASA now says the next Starliner flight to the station will carry only cargo.”
— Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR [03:32]

6. Festive Tradition: The White House Christmas Tree

[04:18–04:54]

• Event: First Lady Melania Trump welcomes an 18.5-foot white fir from Michigan, delivered in classic style to the North Portico.
• Details: The tree, adorned by traditional fanfare (green carriage, Clydesdales, top hats), is set for display in the Blue Room.

Memorable Quotes

• Sen. Mark Kelly via Quill Lawrence [00:36]:
  “…If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work.”
• James Reid, BBC [01:42]:
  “Large explosions were reported in Kyiv as air defence systems tried to protect the capital.”
• Kat Lansdorf, NPR [02:25]:
  “…nearly all of the on the ground reporting from Gaza for the past two years has fallen to Palestinian journalists there living through the conflict themselves, many of whom have been killed by Israeli fire.”
• Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR [03:32]:
  “NASA now says the next Starliner flight to the station will carry only cargo. That flight is scheduled for no earlier than April.”

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 00:11 | Sen. Mark Kelly responds to Pentagon probe | | 01:08 | Judge dismisses cases against Comey & James | | 01:42 | Massive Russian attack on Kyiv | | 02:16 | Israel's Supreme Court, Gaza press dilemma | | 03:09 | NASA scales back Boeing Starliner crew missions | | 04:18 | White House Christmas tree arrival |

This summary provides a clear and comprehensive outline of the episode’s main stories, with direct speaker attributions, quotes, and timestamps for easy reference.