NPR News Now — November 26, 2025, 1PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh & NPR News Team
Length: ~5 Minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise coverage of major national and international stories as of November 26, 2025. Topics include the dismissal of Georgia’s election interference case against President Trump, ongoing political tension over military obedience and accusations of treason among lawmakers, the latest developments in Trump’s Ukraine peace proposal, a coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau, and planned increases in government-backed home loan limits.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Georgia Election Interference Case Dismissed

[00:19 – 01:13]

• Story Summary:

  • A Georgia judge has dismissed the election interference criminal case against President Trump and allies. The decision was at the special prosecutor's request, after the prior DA Fani Willis was removed.
  • The prosecutor cited improbability of progress while Trump is president, acting "in the interest of justice".
  • The case stemmed from the 2020 election, with Trump narrowly losing Georgia to Biden and making a controversial call seeking "11,780 votes".

• Quote:

  • “It was unlikely that legal action against Trump could have moved forward while he's president.” — Alex Helmick ([00:48])
  • “Trump's attorney said the case should never have been brought.” — Alex Helmick ([01:06])

2. Senator Mark Kelly Rebukes Pentagon Inquiry

[01:13 – 02:01]

• Story Summary:

  • Senator Mark Kelly appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live as he and other Democrats face a Pentagon investigation, following accusations from President Trump that they are "traitors" for telling service members not to follow illegal orders.
  • The FBI is contacting other lawmakers, including Senator Eliza Slatkin.
  • All targeted lawmakers have military or intelligence backgrounds.

• Quote:

  • “The minute I saw the president said they should be hanged, in effect, I knew that our security situation was going to change precipitously. Obviously, I'm worried about my family. I'm worried about my staff. You know, I've served three tours in Iraq. I've done dangerous things. I signed up for this, but my family didn't.” — Sen. Mark Kelly ([01:41])

3. Ukraine War: Trump Claims Peace Plan Progress

[02:01 – 03:07]

• Story Summary:

  • President Trump updates his "28-point plan" for ending the war in Ukraine, citing only “a few remaining points of disagreement.”
  • He dispatches two envoys: one to Moscow to meet Putin, the other to Ukraine to negotiate with Kyiv.
  • Former NATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder voices skepticism about the substance or feasibility of any plan that satisfies both Kyiv and Moscow.

• Quote:

  • “He doesn't care what the terms of the deal are. He just wants it to end and to be seen as the person who ended it.” — Ivo Daalder ([02:47])

4. Military Coup Attempt in Guinea-Bissau

[03:15 – 04:24]

• Story Summary:

  • Reports emerge of a coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau, with heavy gunfire near the presidential palace and claims the president has been arrested (not yet independently verified by NPR).
  • The capital, Bissau, experiences violence near the election office after a contested presidential vote in which both candidates have declared victory and the main opposition was barred.
  • Guinea-Bissau has a long history of military coups since independence in 1974.

• Quote:

  • “Witnesses in the capital, Bissau, have reported heavy gunfire, including at the electoral body where provisional results were due to be announced on Thursday.” — Emmanuel Akinwotu ([03:43])
  • “The tiny coastal nation...is one of the poorest countries in the world with a history of military coups since independence from Portugal in 1974.” — Emmanuel Akinwotu ([04:12])

5. US Raises Backed Mortgage Loan Limits

[04:24 – 04:47]

• Story Summary:
  • The Federal Housing Finance Agency will significantly raise the limit on home loans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can guarantee, up to $832,750 for most single-family homes, starting next year.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Legal Tactics:
  “It was unlikely that legal action against Trump could have moved forward while he's president.” — Alex Helmick ([00:48])
• On Political Threats:
  “The minute I saw the president said they should be hanged, in effect, I knew that our security situation was going to change precipitously.” — Sen. Mark Kelly ([01:41])
• On Ukraine Peace Talks:
  “He doesn't care what the terms of the deal are. He just wants it to end and to be seen as the person who ended it.” — Ivo Daalder ([02:47])
• On Guinea-Bissau Unrest:
  “The tiny coastal nation...is one of the poorest countries in the world with a history of military coups since independence from Portugal in 1974.” — Emmanuel Akinwotu ([04:12])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Georgia Case Against Trump Dismissed: 00:19 – 01:13
• Sen. Mark Kelly on Pentagon Inquiry: 01:13 – 02:01
• Ukraine Peace Proposals: 02:01 – 03:07
• Guinea-Bissau Coup Attempt: 03:15 – 04:24
• Mortgage Limit Increase: 04:24 – 04:47

Tone & Style

The episode maintains NPR’s signature calm, clear, and impartial tone, delivering complex developments with concise analysis and direct quotes from key figures.