NPR News Now — Summary
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: 10AM EST, November 26, 2025
Host: Nora Ram
Episode Overview
This concise NPR News Now update covers major international and domestic stories in under five minutes. Key topics include White House diplomacy with Russia, new U.S. National Park fees for international visitors, the state of the American economy leading into Thanksgiving, food insecurity in Nigeria, an alarming report on antibiotic resistance, and the holiday travel weather forecast.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. U.S.-Russia Diplomacy Over Ukraine
[00:16–01:19]
- Envoy Visit: White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Ukraine conflict.
- Controversial Transcripts: Ukrainian officials aren't surprised by leaked transcripts in which Witkoff allegedly expressed “deep respect” for Putin.
- Peace Plan Controversy: The transcript, reported by Bloomberg, reveals Witkoff urged a Putin adviser to have Putin call President Trump and praise him for his mideast peace deal, hoping to jumpstart Russia-Ukraine talks.
- Effect on Ukraine: The Putin call to Trump reportedly undermined Ukrainian President Zelensky's hopes for U.S. Tomahawk missiles during his White House visit.
- Russian-Backed Peace Plan: A second transcript suggests a recent 28-point peace plan, officially a U.S.-Russia proposal, was likely “entirely concocted by Russia.” This plan, which heavily favored Russian interests, has since been amended with input from Ukraine and European nations.
Eleanor Beardsley ([00:36]): “The plan, which favored Russia, has since been heavily amended by the Ukrainians and Europeans.”
2. National Park Service Fee Hikes for International Visitors
[01:19–02:12]
- New Fees: The U.S. is introducing “America First” entrance fees at 11 major national parks, like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, for international tourists.
- Fee Details: Non-U.S. visitors must pay a $100 supplemental entrance fee, plus standard fees. The annual pass for international tourists is raised from $80 to $250.
- Fee-Free Days: On certain holidays, free entry will now be for U.S. residents only.
- Reason: The fee increases aim to fund facility upgrades and maintenance after budget cuts and lost revenue from the government shutdown.
Kristen Wright ([01:32]): “The Department says the fees will help cover upgrades to visitor facilities and maintenance.”
3. Economic Update Before Thanksgiving
[02:12–03:04]
- Stocks: The Dow Jones opened up 140 points; later, Nora Ram updates with it up 181 points, and the S&P up 28 points.
- Gas Prices: 70 million Americans are expected to travel for the holiday. AAA reports gas prices down to $3.04 per gallon—cheaper than last week and last year.
- Durable Goods Orders: Orders rose 0.5% in September, mainly due to defense products.
- Jobless Claims: New unemployment claims dipped to 216,000, with roughly 1.7 million receiving benefits.
Scott Horsley ([02:22]): “The more than 70 million Americans expected to take road trips … will find some good prices on gasoline.”
4. Severe Food Insecurity in Nigeria Amid Instability
[03:04–03:50]
- UN Report: The World Food Program estimates nearly 35 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity in 2026.
- Context: Political instability is rising, marked by attacks from armed groups, including a recent kidnapping of over 300 girls from a Catholic school, with more than 250 still missing.
5. Growing Problem of Antibiotic Resistance
[03:50–04:36]
- Public Knowledge Gaps: A study in Clinical Microbiology and Infection finds that, while three-quarters globally know antibiotics treat bacterial infections, only 42% know they don’t work against viruses.
- Impact: Misuse leads to antibiotic resistance—where bacteria evolve to evade drugs—a growing global health threat.
Jonathan Lambert ([03:50]): “Globally, roughly three quarters of people knew that the drugs are effective against bacterial infections, but less than half knew that antibiotics don't work against viral colds or flu.”
6. Thanksgiving Holiday Weather Update
[04:36–04:54]
- Snow and Cold: Snow is forecast for Midwest and Great Lakes, potentially affecting millions of holiday travelers.
- New York Parade Weather: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC is expected to be dry but cold.
Notable Quotes
- Eleanor Beardsley ([00:36]): “The plan, which favored Russia, has since been heavily amended by the Ukrainians and Europeans.”
- Kristen Wright ([01:32]): “The Department says the fees will help cover upgrades to visitor facilities and maintenance.”
- Scott Horsley ([02:22]): “The more than 70 million Americans expected to take road trips … will find some good prices on gasoline.”
- Jonathan Lambert ([03:50]): “Globally, roughly three quarters of people knew that the drugs are effective against bacterial infections, but less than half knew that antibiotics don't work against viral colds or flu.”
Key Timestamps
- [00:16] White House envoy to Russia and Ukraine peace talks
- [01:19] National Park Service international fee hikes
- [02:12] Stock market and gasoline prices
- [03:04] Nigerian food insecurity and school kidnapping update
- [03:50] Antibiotic resistance and public understanding
- [04:36] Thanksgiving weather forecast
This episode delivers a rapid-fire, essential rundown of major national and global events as Americans head into the Thanksgiving holiday.