NPR News Now — November 26, 2025, 5PM EST

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of major national and international headlines as of late November 26th, 2025. Major stories include a shooting of National Guard members in D.C., President Trump’s new diplomatic maneuvers on Ukraine, dismissal of an election interference case, FBI investigations into Congressional Democrats, new scientific findings about lightning on Mars, updates from the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and the sentencing of Peru’s former president for corruption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shooting Near the White House

• [00:22] Two West Virginia National Guard members, deployed to D.C. by President Trump, are in critical condition after being shot near the White House.
• Suspect is in custody and was also shot. FBI Director Cash Patel confirms federal involvement with various agencies, thanking D.C. Mayor for assistance.
• White House was briefly locked down following the incident.
• D.C. police believe the Guard members were targeted.

Notable Quote:

"This will be treated at the federal level as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer. The FBI will lead out on that mission with our interagency partners..."
— FBI Director Cash Patel [00:40]

2. Trump’s Updated Ukraine Peace Plan

• [00:56] President Trump claims progress in his plan to end the war in Ukraine, with only minor disagreements remaining.
• Special envoy Steve Witkoff dispatched to Moscow, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet Ukrainians.
• Described as the latest attempt for a peacemaking legacy, though a former U.S. ambassador notes disconnect: the U.S. may have agreed to plans with both countries, but Russia and Ukraine have not reached mutual agreement.

Notable Quotes:

"All Trump wants is a deal. 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, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO [01:38]

3. Dismissal of Georgia Election Interference Case

• [01:57] Judge in Georgia dismisses the last existing state-level case prosecuting Trump for alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

4. FBI Investigation into Congressional Democrats

• [01:57] Six Democratic members of Congress are under FBI investigation after posting a video advising military personnel to refuse illegal orders.
• President Trump calls their message “seditious behavior punishable by death,” though the White House later downplays this.
• Pentagon has launched an investigation, and all six have been contacted by the FBI.
• Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Senator Alyssa Slotkin (MI) are among those under scrutiny.
• Slotkin claims these are intimidation tactics aimed at silencing criticism of Trump, especially over recent military actions and domestic deployments.

Notable Quote:

"This is a scare tactic by him. He is attempting to use the FBI to scare us out of continuing to talk."
— Senator Alyssa Slotkin [02:55]

5. Financial Markets

• [03:10] Major stock indices rose: Dow up 314 points, S&P 500 up 46 points.

6. Lightning Discovered on Mars

• [03:10] NASA’s Perseverance rover detects lightning produced by Martian dust devils.
• Discovery published in Nature; scientists confirm patterns of electrical arcs, raising questions about risks to future missions.

Notable Quote:

"...a microphone on NASA's Perseverance rover sometimes did more than just hear wind dozens of times. It registered a distinctive pattern of electrical interference followed by the acoustic signal of a shock wave."
— Nell Greenfield Boyce [03:34]

7. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Hostage Exchanges

• [04:19] Israel returns 15 Palestinian bodies as part of ongoing ceasefire; Hamas has also returned Israeli remains.
• Complete recovery of hostage remains is delayed due to Gaza’s war destruction.

8. Former Peru President Sentenced

• [04:19] Ex-President Martín Vizcarra sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption, immediately incarcerated, and barred from public office for 9 years.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On Trump’s Ukraine Diplomacy:
  "It's just the latest iteration of yo-yoing proposal that Trump has presented as he tries to cement his peacemaking legacy."
  — Franco Ordoñez [01:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• White House Guard Shooting: [00:22] – [00:56]
• Ukraine War Peace Plan: [00:56] – [01:57]
• Georgia Election Case Dismissal: [01:57] – [02:25]
• FBI/Democratic Congress Members: [02:25] – [03:10]
• Markets Update: [03:10]
• Mars Lightning Discovery: [03:10] – [04:19]
• Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: [04:19]
• Peruvian President Sentenced: [04:19]

Episode Tone and Language

The tone throughout is urgent, fact-based, and polished, reflecting NPR’s standard delivery. Direct quotes preserve the gravity of political developments and the excitement of scientific discovery.

For listeners seeking in-depth understanding, this episode provides a snapshot of fast-moving global events, U.S. politics, and scientific breakthroughs, delivered with the clarity and authority of NPR News.