NPR News: 11-25-2025 4AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: 11-25-2025 4AM EST

Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Giles Snyder (B)
Duration: ~5 Minutes
Main Theme:
A concise overview of major national and international news: legal developments involving former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, new Pew research on Latino attitudes toward Trump policies, Jesse Jackson’s health update, a shift in Ukraine’s peace negotiations, South Africa’s move to regulate AI mental health tools, and a light feature on Thanksgiving dessert traditions.

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Key News Highlights & Discussion Points

1. Case Dismissed Against Ex-FBI Director and NY AG

• [00:11–00:39]

• A federal judge dismissed legal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and NY Attorney General Letitia James.

• Judge’s Reason: The prosecutor, appointed at President Trump’s urging, was found to be illegally appointed by the Justice Department.

• Comey’s Response:

  • Grateful for the dismissal but anticipates continued legal challenges.
  • Emphasizes belief in the judiciary’s independence.

• Notable Quote:

  • "I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again and my attitude is going to be the same. I'm innocent, I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary." —James Comey (C) [00:28]

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2. New Pew Study of Latino Opinions on Trump Policies

• [00:39–01:40]

• Poll of over 5,000 Latinos reveals deep concerns about US policies and their impact under the Trump Administration.

• Key Findings:

  • 70% disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy.
  • Four in five rate the economy negatively.
  • 61% say Trump’s policies have worsened things for Latinos.
  • 2/3 disapprove of Trump’s immigration policies; majority think deportation efforts are excessive.
  • One in three Latinos have contemplated leaving the country.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Overall, the majority say they have serious concerns about their place in America, and one in three say they've contemplated leaving the country." —Domenico Montanaro (D) [01:28]

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3. Jesse Jackson Health Update

• [01:40–02:27]
• Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, age 84, has been discharged from a Chicago hospital.
• Health Background:
  • Hospitalized for almost two weeks, previously diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (2013).
  • This year, his diagnosis shifted to progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder.
• Family Statement: He is stable, recovering at home.

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4. Shift in Ukraine Peace Talks – International Reactions

• [02:27–03:09]

• The US-backed 28-point peace plan, previously criticized for favoring Russia, is being abandoned.

• Details:

  • Plan originally crossed Ukrainian and broader European “red lines.”
  • German Chancellor Frederick Maers warned President Trump the European continent’s fate was at stake.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that revised negotiations now include more Ukrainian and European concerns.
  • Sensitive topics (including territorial concessions and NATO membership) are reserved for direct talks between Zelensky and President Trump.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Many of the right elements have been taken into account in the new framework. He [Zelensky] said he would discuss the most sensitive issues with President Trump." —Eleanor Beardsley (E) [02:40]

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5. South Africa Moves to Regulate AI Mental Health Tools

• [03:09–04:01]

• The South African government is developing regulations for AI tools involved in mental health (like chatbots and therapy apps).

• Agencies Involved:

  • The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, usually concerned with medicines and vaccines.

• International Collaboration:

  • Working with the nonprofit Path to set safety and efficacy standards.

• Timeline:

  • New regulatory system expected within 2–3 years.

• Notable Quote:

  • "We want to live in a world where clinicians can point at a series of tools and say they've met the mark right? We both know they are effective." —Bilal Mateen (G) [03:53]

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6. Thanksgiving Pie Debate: Pumpkin vs. Sweet Potato

• [04:08–04:54]

• As Thanksgiving approaches, a fun feature explores regional preferences for pumpkin versus sweet potato pie.

• Expert Voice:

  • Elizabeth Arnold, bakery owner from Mississippi, weighs in.
  • Sweet potato pie is characterized as sweeter and more popular in the South, while pumpkin pie is spicier and preferred in the North.

• Notable Quote:

  • "I would say the main difference is like the spice. So sweet potato is a lot sweeter. It has white sugar, brown sugar. And then the pumpkin pie is less sweet and more spicy." —Elizabeth Arnold (H) [04:23]

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Segment Timestamps Guide

• 00:11 – Main newscast begins, Comey case update
• 00:28 – James Comey speaks on the dismissal (Quote)
• 01:05 – Domenico Montanaro presents Pew study findings (Latino concerns, Trump policies)
• 01:28 – Key quote on Latinos’ sense of belonging
• 01:40 – Jesse Jackson release, health update
• 02:27 – Ukraine peace plan changes, international perspectives (Eleanor Beardsley)
• 03:09 – South Africa to regulate AI-based mental health tools
• 03:53 – Bilal Mateen on AI regulation (Quote)
• 04:08 – Thanksgiving pie traditions (Elizabeth Arnold)
• 04:23 – Elizabeth Arnold on flavor differences (Quote)
• 04:54 – Newscast wraps up

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Memorable Moments

• Comey’s defiant statement regarding the legal case and Trump’s persistence.
• Sharp statistics and personal impact highlighted from the Pew Latino study.
• Updates on Jesse Jackson’s health journey.
• Ukraine peace negotiations taking a dramatic new direction with European and US stakes.
• South Africa embracing global leadership in health AI regulation.
• A warm, regional slice-of-life with the Thanksgiving dessert debate.

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This NPR News episode delivers a distilled yet vivid sweep through high-stakes politics, community sentiment, global diplomacy, emerging technology governance, and festive cultural quirks—encapsulated in just five engaging minutes.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Capital One with the Capital One Saver card. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply.

[B]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Former FBI Director James Comey says he's grateful that the case against him has been dismissed by a federal judge, but he believes it won't end there.

[C]

I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again and my attitude is going to be the same. I'm innocent, I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary.

[B]

US District Judge Cameron McGowan Curry dismissed the case against Comey as well as the case against New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday, saying the prosecutor who brought the charges at President Trump's urging was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. A new Pew study of Latinos finds big concerns over the and immigration, and NPR's Domenico Montanaro reports they blame President Trump's policies.

[D]

The Pew Research center polled more than 5,000 Latinos in the past two months, which is more than 10 times the average of a national poll, and what they found was significant. 70% disapprove of the job that Trump is doing on the economy, four in five view it negatively and 61% say Trump's policies have made things worse. On immigration, two thirds disapprove of how Trump's handling it. More than that say that he's doing too much when it comes to deportations. Overall, the majority say they have serious concerns about their place in America, and one in three say they've contemplated leaving the country. Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington.

[B]

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has been released from a Chicago hospital. A family statement issued through his Rainbow Push coalition says he was released Monday and remains in stable condition. Jackson is 84. He was hospitalized nearly two weeks ago. Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2013. His family says his diagnosis changed in April to progress supranuclear palsy, a neurological disorder. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on social media that the original U S. Backed 28 point peace plan viewed as favoring Russia is no more. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that Ukraine's European allies weighed in during talks in Geneva to alter what has been seen as an unacceptable plan.

[E]

The original plan drawn up by Russia and the US Crossed nearly every one of the red lines set down by Ukraine and Europe. German Chancellor Frederick Maers told President Trump the entire European continent was at stake in the negotiations. Zelensky wrote on telegram that after difficult work. Many of the right elements have been taken into account in the new framework. He said he would discuss the most sensitive issues with President Trump. Zelenskyy's statement seems consistent with reports that issues such as Ukraine ceding its occupied territories and agreeing to forgo NATO membership have been set aside for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Trump. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

[B]

And you're listening to NPR News. The South African government is developing a new system to regulate mental health tools that use artificial intelligence. Officials hope this will be a model for other countries. NPR's Gabriella Manuel reports.

[F]

People are increasingly using AI chatbots for things like emotional support and even talk therapy. Now, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, which usually approves medications and vaccines, says it will study these AI tools for their safety and efficacy and then develop a regulatory framework. Bilal Mateen works for Path, the nonprofit South Africa is partnering with we want.

[G]

To live in a world where clinicians can point at a series of tools and say they've met the mark right? We both know they are effective.

[F]

He anticipates the new regulatory system will be up and running in South Africa in two to three years. Gabriela Emanuel, NPR News.

[B]

As Americans prepare to gather around the Thanksgiving table this week, the choice of dessert may end up being a point of debate between pumpkin or sweet potato pie. Elizabeth Arnold owns a bakery in Flow of Mississippi. She makes both.

[H]

I would say the main difference is like the spice. So sweet potato is a lot sweeter. It has white sugar, brown sugar. And then the pumpkin pie is less sweet and more spicy.

[B]

Both are ingrained in American culture and both are Thanksgiving favorites. But your preference may stem from where you're from. Food experts say sweet potato pie especially popular in the south, pumpkin pie more often associated with the northern part of the country. This is NPR News.

[I]

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