Summary4 min read

NPR News Now — November 26, 2025 — 7AM EST

Host: Nora Ram
Episode Theme:
A concise, five-minute roundup of the morning’s top headlines, including updates on diplomatic efforts in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, housing policy lawsuits, a baby formula recall, the annual presidential turkey pardon, and anticipated holiday travel surges.

1. Ukraine Peace Talks Progress

Timestamps: 00:15 – 00:58

President Trump is sending top aides to Moscow and Kiev to work on a new agreement to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- The original U.S.-backed proposal was criticized for being too favorable to Russia, but is now being modified with Ukrainian and European input.
- Trump states the U.S. is “close to an agreement.”
Notable Quote:
- “Trump now says that there are only a few remaining points of disagreement.” — Franco Ordonez [00:42]
- “He’s dispatching his special envoy Steve Witkoff and maybe even his son-in-law to Moscow to meet with President Putin...sending Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet with the Ukrain[ians].” — Franco Ordonez [00:45]

2. Humanitarian Conditions & Ceasefire in Gaza

Timestamps: 00:58 – 02:16

Israeli Prime Minister confirms identification of a body released from Gaza as part of the ongoing US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire holds for a seventh week, but living conditions remain severe:
- 25% of Gazans survive on one meal per day.
- Hospitals are critically short of medicine.
- Essential supplies like antibiotics and fuel are largely blocked, though consumer goods come in.
Civil Defense vehicles are inoperable due to fuel shortages. Flooding leaves many residents without adequate shelter.
Aid is stalled by bureaucratic barriers, with only 32 trucks having entered Gaza in a week, despite larger promised deliveries.
Notable Quote:
- “On the surface, Gaza looks like it’s being restocked...But the Israeli government restricts the essentials from entering as antibiotics and fuel remain out of reach for most.” — Anas Bhabha [01:32]
- “The UN says tons of winter clothes, bedding, and shelter supplies are waiting for Israeli clearance. But the aid groups are facing bureaucratic obstacles.” — Anas Bhabha [01:50]

3. Lawsuit Over U.S. Homeless Housing Policy Changes

Timestamps: 02:16 – 03:13

20 states (mostly Democrat-led) are suing the Trump administration over newly announced restrictions on long-term housing for homeless populations.
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) aims to redirect billions from permanent to transitional housing, and adds restrictions:
- No funding for programs promoting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion),
- Restrictions affecting transgender/non-binary individuals,
- Mandates cooperation with immigration enforcement.
The states’ lawsuit claims these changes are unlawful, violating Congress’s mandate that funds be distributed based solely on need.
Homelessness advocates warn 170,000 people may lose housing as a result.
Notable Quote:
- “The lawsuit...says Congress mandated that homelessness funding be distributed based solely on need.” — Jennifer Ludden [02:48]
- “Advocates for ending homelessness say the overhaul could push 170,000 people back onto the streets.” — Jennifer Ludden [03:08]

4. Baby Formula Contamination Outbreak

Timestamps: 03:13 – 03:56

Buy Hard baby formula recalls all products amid botulism contamination fears:
- Out of 36 tested samples, 5 showed presence of the potentially deadly botulism bacteria.
- At least 31 babies across 15 states have fallen ill since August.
Memorable Moment:
- Notable for the swift company-wide recall and gravity of health risk for infants.

5. Annual Presidential Turkey Pardon

Timestamps: 03:56 – 04:41

President Trump pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys, Waddle and Gobble, in the White House Rose Garden.
The event was marked by lighthearted banter and a few gobbles from Gobble.
The turkeys are being relocated to North Carolina State University.
Notable Quote with Speaker:
- President Trump, speaking during the ceremony [04:11]:
  
  “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.”

6. Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Expected

Timestamps: 04:41 – 04:57

AAA predicts record numbers of people hitting the road for Thanksgiving; the majority will travel by car.
The FAA expects the biggest Thanksgiving air travel surge in 15 years.
Memorable Moment:
- Sets the scene for an exceptionally busy travel period countrywide.

Summary:
The episode effectively delivers a snapshot of urgent global and domestic stories, with a balanced mix of serious developments—in foreign diplomacy, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and U.S. policy shifts—alongside lighter Thanksgiving traditions and practical updates for holiday travelers. The tone remains factual and brisk, consistent with NPR’s news style.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:00]
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[00:16]
Nora Ram
NPR LIVE from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Ram. President Trump is sending top aides to Moscow and Kiev to try to work out an agreement to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The U. S backed proposal was seen as too favorable for Russia, but it's being modified with input from Ukrainian and European leaders. Trump says they're close to an agreement. NPR's Franco Ordonez has more.
[00:42]
Data IQ Announcer
Trump now says that there are only a few remaining points of disagreement. He said last night that he's dispatching his special envoy Steve Witkoff and maybe even his son in law to Moscow to meet with President Putin. And then he's sending Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet with the Ukrain.
[00:58]
Nora Ram
NPR's Franco Ordonez the office of the Israeli Prime Minister says Israel has positively identified the remains of a body released from Gaza. The release is part of the US Brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The remains were that of a 48 year old man who was killed at his home in the October 7 attack. The U. S backed ceasefire in Gaza is holding for the seventh week, but the UN says a quarter of people living there still only eat one meal a day and hospitals still lack basic medicines. NPR's Anas Bhabha reports.
[01:32]
Anas Bhabha
On the surface, Gaza looks like it's being restocked after months of deprivation. There is more food entering Gaza and trucks are bringing sodas, sweets, cosmetics and even the latest smartphones from Israeli merchants. But the Israeli government restricts the essentials from entering as antibiotics and fuel remain out of reach for most. And Gaza Civil Defense say their cars have run out of fuel for rescue operations. Meanwhile, people in Gaza are waking up cold and wet without tents to sleep under as streets flood with rain. The UN says tons of winter clothes, bidding and shelter supplies are waiting for Israeli clearance. But the aid groups are facing bureaucratic obstacles to getting supplies in. And only 32 trucks entered Gaza last week. Israel says it's facilitating aid in line with the ceasefire.
[02:17]
Nora Ram
Anas Baba and pyramid 20 states are suing the Trump administration over cuts to long term housing for homeless people. The shift comes with new restrictions that states say are illegal. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.
[02:31]
Jennifer Ludden
The federal housing agency HUD wants to shift billions of dollars away from permanent housing toward transitional housing, and it says it will deny funding to programs that promote DEI acknowledge people who are transgender or non binary or don't cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit by the mostly Democratic led states says those conditions are unlawful. And it says Congress mandated that homelessness funding be distributed based solely on need. HUD Secretary Scott Turner has said the funding changes are about promoting self sufficiency. Advocates for ending homelessness say the overhaul could push 170,000 people back onto the streets. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.
[03:14]
Nora Ram
This is NPR News. The makers of Buy Hard baby formula say all of its products may be contaminated with botulism. It tested 36 samples from three different lots and found five samples contained the type of bacteria and that can lead to the rare and potentially deadly illness. At least 31 babies in 15 states who consumed Bihart formula fell ill since the botulism outbreak began in August. Ahead of Thanksgiving, President Trump utilized a power only he has the presidential pardon. Yesterday he took part in the time honored White House tradition and pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys. NPR's Deepa Shivaram has more.
[03:56]
Deepa Shivaram
The two turkeys, Waddle and Gobble, were spared a future of being eaten at a cere in the Rose Garden. President Trump said the turkeys weighed about 50 pounds each. His remarks were interrupted a few times by a gobble from Gobble.
[04:11]
President Trump
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.
[04:31]
Deepa Shivaram
The turkeys will spend the rest of their lives at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. The president, for his part, will spend his holiday in Florida. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the White House.
[04:41]
Nora Ram
AAA expects the number of Americans traveling this week will set a new record, with most of them traveling by car. The FAA says this could be the biggest Thanksgiving for air travel in 15 years. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.
[04:57]
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