NPR News Now – 11-25-2025, 8PM EST

Host: NPR
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News episode delivers the top headlines and updates in five minutes, focusing on significant global political developments, U.S. fiscal news, Thanksgiving travel trends, D.C. political change, immigration enforcement tied to the White House, and global population news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine Peace Talks & U.S. Diplomatic Moves

Segment Start: [00:13]

• President Trump announced "great progress" towards ending the war in Ukraine and is dispatching envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow.
• U.S. Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll, goes to Ukraine to address Ukrainian officials.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded positively to Geneva talks, calling the proposed peace framework "acceptable" and expressing willingness to meet President Trump with European leaders involved.
  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

    "There are sensitive points to discuss, and we think that the presence of European leaders could be helpful." ([00:50])

• Sensitive issues: Status of Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine regions and future security guarantees.
• Zelenskyy stated Ukraine's air defense managed to shoot down 22 Russian missiles and over 400 drones the previous night.
• Zelenskyy voiced skepticism regarding Russian intentions:
  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

    "And as long as Russia has not taken real steps to shut down its [war machine], no one can take its claims to want peace seriously." ([01:15])

2. U.S. Federal Deficit Update

Segment Start: [01:27]

• The U.S. government reported a $284 billion deficit for October.
• Factors involved:
  • Higher tax collections due to deferred filings after the LA wildfires.
  • Federal spending increased nevertheless, despite a government shutdown.
  • Interest on the national debt exceeded $100 billion—more than military spending.
  • Tariff collections skyrocketed to $33 billion but did not narrow the deficit.
  • Corporate tax collections fell short, attributed to the summer's Republican-backed tax cut and spending bill.
  • Scott Horsley (NPR):

    "Interest on the federal debt... topped $100 billion in October, more than the government spent on the military." ([01:38])

3. Thanksgiving Travel Surge

Segment Start: [02:20]

• Holiday travel expected to reach record heights:
  • AAA forecasts 82 million travelers (up 1.6 million from last year).
  • FAA predicts busiest Thanksgiving air travel in 15 years.
  • Charlotte Douglas International Airport alone expects nearly 2 million travelers between now and Monday.
• Ralph Lopez Manass (American Airlines):

  "Our flight crews to our customer service agents to our technical operations team caring for our fleet, it's all hands on deck. We prepare for holiday periods like this for an entire year." ([02:52])

• U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy reports air traffic control is stabilized after the government shutdown.

4. Washington, D.C. Mayoral Announcement

Segment Start: [03:05]

• Mayor Muriel Bowser announces she will not seek a fourth term (in office since 2015).
• Her term ends January 2, 2027.
• Bowser cited achievements:
  • Education system improvements
  • Billions invested in infrastructure
  • Collaboration with city workers

5. White House Connection to ICE Arrests

Segment Start: [04:05]

• White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt’s family is directly touched by recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
• Her nephew's mother, Bruna Ferreira, a Brazilian national, was detained for overstaying her visa and has a prior record (arrested for battery).
• Tricia McLaughlin (DHS Spokeswoman):

  "All individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation." ([04:28])

• Ferreira’s family asserts she has deferred action immigration status and highlights her community contributions.

6. Jakarta Becomes Most Populated City

Segment Start: [04:44]

• Jakarta, Indonesia, recognized by the UN as the world’s most populated city (42 million residents).

Notable Quotes

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

  "There are sensitive points to discuss, and we think that the presence of European leaders could be helpful." ([00:50])

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

  "And as long as Russia has not taken real steps to shut down its [war machine], no one can take its claims to want peace seriously." ([01:15])

• Scott Horsley (NPR):

  "Interest on the federal debt... topped $100 billion in October, more than the government spent on the military." ([01:38])

• Ralph Lopez Manass (American Airlines):

  "It's all hands on deck. We prepare for holiday periods like this for an entire year." ([02:52])

• Tricia McLaughlin (DHS):

  "All individuals unlawfully present in the United States are subject to deportation." ([04:28])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Peace Talks & U.S. Diplomacy: [00:13] – [01:27]
• U.S. Federal Deficit: [01:27] – [02:20]
• Thanksgiving Travel: [02:20] – [03:05]
• D.C. Mayor Announcement: [03:05] – [04:05]
• ICE Arrests & White House Connection: [04:05] – [04:44]
• Jakarta Population News: [04:44] – [04:56]

This episode offers a concise but comprehensive sweep of major political, economic, and social headlines relevant to the U.S. and the world on November 25, 2025.