NPR News Now: 11-25-2025 9PM EST

Host: Dan Ronan, NPR
Original Air Date: November 26, 2025
Episode Theme:
This rapid-fire, five-minute update covers major headlines from politics to public health, focusing on diplomatic maneuvers around the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a major lawsuit over homelessness funding, a high-profile jewel heist, the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, and a national recall of infant formula linked to botulism.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Developments

00:18–01:20

• Diplomatic Progress:
  The White House claims "tremendous progress" toward a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, though significant details remain unresolved.
• Current Negotiations:
  • Army Secretary Dan Driscoll holds separate meetings with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in the UAE.
  • President Trump sends his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow to meet Putin.
  • Trump's original "28 point plan" involves Ukraine ceding territory annexed but not controlled by Russia since the conflict began.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made adjustments to this plan, with further "fine tuning."
• Quote:
  • “There are a few delicate but not insurmountable details that need to be sorted out.” — Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary (00:35)

2. 20 States Sue Over Homelessness Funding Shift

01:20–02:15

• Legal Challenge:
  • 20 states (mostly Democratic-led) are suing the Trump administration over HUD's plans to redirect funds from permanent to transitional housing for the homeless.
  • New HUD restrictions include denying funding to programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), supporting transgender or non-binary people, or not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
• Controversy:
  • The plaintiffs argue these conditions are unlawful, claiming Congress mandated distribution based on need alone.
  • Advocates warn the move could push 170,000 people back onto the streets.
• Quote:
  • “HUD Secretary Scott Turner has said the funding changes are about promoting self sufficiency.” — Jennifer Ludden (01:32)

3. Louvre Museum Jewel Heist Arrests

02:15–03:02

• Criminal Investigation:
  • Four more arrests in Paris (two men, two women, ages 31–40) linked to October's $100 million royal jewel heist at the Louvre.
  • The method: The thieves arrived in a moving truck with a ladder, wore reflective vests as a disguise, and completed the theft in under 10 minutes.
  • Jewels remain unrecovered; a total of eight have been arrested so far.
• Security Concerns:
  • The audacity of the theft has spotlighted possible security flaws at the Louvre.
• Quote:
  • “They had on reflective vests to look like maintenance workers. The heist took less than 10 minutes.” — Kristen Wright (02:24)

4. White House Press Secretary’s Relative Arrested

03:02–03:31

• Incident:
  • A relative of current White House Press Secretary, Caroline Levitt, was taken into ICE custody outside Boston earlier this month.
• Details:
  • The situation was originally reported by WBUR (NPR’s Boston affiliate).

5. Thanksgiving Presidential Turkey Pardon

03:31–04:16

• The Tradition:
  • President Trump continues the tradition, pardoning two turkeys named Waddle and Gobble in the Rose Garden.
  • Ceremony notably interrupted by Gobble's vocal outburst.
• Quote:
  • (03:46) “Today we continue a time honored American tradition. Boy, that's a well trained turkey. See how happy he is. In a few moments, I will grant a full, absolute and unconditional presidential pardon to two handsome Thanksgiving turkeys.” — President Trump
• Aftermath:
  • The turkeys will retire to North Carolina State University in Raleigh; President Trump to Florida for the holiday.

6. By Heart Infant Formula Botulism Outbreak

04:16–04:55

• Health Crisis:
  • A recall has been issued for all By Heart infant formula products after lab testing found botulism in multiple samples.
  • Outbreak began in August; so far, 31 babies in 15 states have been sickened, possibly stretching back to November 2024.
• Key Details:
  • Botulism bacteria detected in 5 of 36 tested product samples.
  • Illness is rare but potentially deadly, especially in young children.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peace Deal Hopes:

  • “There are a few delicate but not insurmountable details that need to be sorted out.”
    — Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary (00:35)

• On Homelessness Funding:

  • “HUD Secretary Scott Turner has said the funding changes are about promoting self sufficiency.”
    — Jennifer Ludden, NPR (01:32)

• Daring Louvre Heist:

  • “They had on reflective vests to look like maintenance workers. The heist took less than 10 minutes.”
    — Kristen Wright, NPR (02:24)

• Turkey Pardon Humor:

  • “Boy, that's a well trained turkey. See how happy he is.”
    — President Trump (03:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Time | |--------------------------------------------------------|----------| | Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Updates | 00:18–01:20 | | 20-State Lawsuit Over Homelessness Funding | 01:20–02:15 | | Louvre Jewel Heist Arrests | 02:15–03:02 | | White House Press Secretary’s Relative Arrested by ICE | 03:02–03:31 | | Presidential Turkey Pardon | 03:31–04:16 | | By Heart Infant Formula Botulism Outbreak | 04:16–04:55 |

Summary Takeaway

This news update offers a high-level briefing on major national and international developments as the holiday season approaches, blending world diplomacy, legal disputes, public health alerts, crime investigations, and a moment of festive tradition at the White House.