NPR News Now: November 26, 2025 – 3PM EST

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a brisk, five-minute update on the top global and national headlines as of November 26, 2025. Main topics include diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war, controversy over U.S. military loyalty, the dismissal of a major election interference case, a new Israeli military operation in the West Bank, deadly violence on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and an uplifting story about rescue turkeys in Tennessee.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S.-Russia Peace Negotiations on Ukraine (00:18–01:15)

• Summary: President Trump is sending envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to pursue a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. The process is fraught, with a draft plan initially favoring Moscow but revised after European and Ukrainian input—leading Russian officials to push back.
• Leaked Transcript Controversy: Witkoff was implicated in a leak, allegedly advising a Putin aide on how to handle Trump. Trump downplayed its significance, calling Witkoff’s actions “standard negotiation.”
• Quote:
  • “Witkoff seeks approval for a draft peace plan that initially offered terms favorable to Moscow, but has since been fine-tuned with input from Europe and Ukraine.” — Charles Mainz (00:33)

2. Senator Mark Kelly Rebukes Pentagon Investigation (01:15–01:59)

• Summary: Senator Mark Kelly continues to publicly object to a Pentagon investigation targeting him and other Democrats who warned service members against obeying unlawful orders. He argues this investigation threatens free speech and principled military service.
• Presidential Accusations: Trump labeled the lawmakers “traitors,” accusing them of unlawful undermining of his authority as Commander in Chief.
• Quote:
  • “Every one of us has First Amendment speech rights and I think the president is infringing on those and he is sending a pretty strong message. You do not want to cross him and your loyalty should be to him. It should always be to the Constitution.” — Senator Mark Kelly (01:28)

3. Dismissal of Georgia Election Interference Case (01:59–02:12)

• Summary: The landmark legal case accusing Trump and allies of trying to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results has been dismissed by a judge.
• Significance: This decision marks the end of a historically significant attempt to hold former and sitting leaders accountable for election subversion.

4. Israeli Military Operation in West Bank (02:12–03:06)

• Summary: Israel launches a large-scale raid in Tubas, West Bank, following a Gaza ceasefire. Reports from the scene detail injuries and displacement—the most since recent major refugee camp operations.
• Humanitarian Impact: The Palestinian Red Crescent cites brutality and difficulty in accessing medical care.
• Quote:
  • “The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams were treating 10 people for, quote, brutal beatings and that 30 patients total were transferred to hospitals as a result of the raid.” — Kat Lansdorf (02:27)

5. Violence on Afghanistan-Pakistan Border (03:06–04:16)

• Summary: In Pakistan's Kurram district, a strike kills five children—allegedly originating from the Pakistani military. Meanwhile, tensions escalate amid mutual accusations of cross-border attacks between Pakistan and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
• Local Response: Community protests arise, with small coffins placed at a paramilitary HQ.
• Quote:
  • “Elders were gathered around wooden coffins, some of them small. They had placed them in front of a paramilitary headquarter to protest the deaths of the children, whose ages ranged from 17 to 6.” — Omkar Khandekar (03:32)

6. Thanksgiving Feature: Rescue Turkeys (04:16–04:45)

• Summary: A lighter segment spotlights the Gentle Barn animal sanctuary in Tennessee, where people find solace by cuddling with rescue turkeys. The founder emphasizes the therapeutic value of animals for humans.
• Memorable Moment:
  • “Oh, my goodness, you’re so snuggly.” — Associated Press coverage at Gentle Barn (04:22)
  • “The world has started to recognize that dogs, cats, horses have a therapeutic value to them. It’s a place of refuge for anyone.” — Ellie Lack, founder of Gentle Barn (04:37)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ukraine Peace Negotiations – 00:18–01:15
• Pentagon Investigation and Senator Kelly – 01:15–01:59
• Georgia Election Interference Case Dismissal – 01:59–02:12
• New West Bank Israeli Operation – 02:12–03:06
• Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Violence – 03:06–04:16
• Rescue Turkeys Feature – 04:16–04:45

Notable Quotes

• “Every one of us has First Amendment speech rights and I think the president is infringing on those and he is sending a pretty strong message. You do not want to cross him and your loyalty should be to him. It should always be to the Constitution.”
  — Senator Mark Kelly, 01:28

• “The world has started to recognize that dogs, cats, horses have a therapeutic value to them. It’s a place of refuge for anyone.”
  — Ellie Lack, 04:37

Summary

This news roundup spans sobering coverage of diplomatic, political, and military events shaping the globe, contrasted with a heartwarming Thanksgiving feature highlighting resilience and kindness. The episode maintains a steady, authoritative tone, balancing urgent reports on international conflict with a moment of hope and reflection.