NPR News Now – 11-29-2025 3AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Date: November 29, 2025
Runtime: 5 Minutes
Theme: Fast-paced update on key global and national news, from war and corruption to aviation, pharmaceuticals, and college football.

1. Major Ukrainian Corruption Scandal [00:17–00:58]

• Chief of Staff Resigns: Chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky resigns hours after his home was searched by anti-corruption investigators.
  • Corruption Details: NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports this is fallout from a mid-November scandal involving the theft of at least $100 million in energy contract funds, uncovered by Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Bureau.
  • Scope and Scale: Eight officials are currently under investigation, including close associates of Zelensky. Two have fled the country, and further high-profile resignations are possible.
  • Zelensky's Position: Zelensky himself is not implicated, but his top aide, Andrey Yermak, faces “huge suspicions.”
    • Memorable Quote:

      “Zelensky himself is not implicated, but there are huge suspicions around his right hand man, Andrey Yermak.” – Eleanor Beardsley [00:46]

  • Potential Impact: Yermak’s resignation could impact ongoing peace talks with the US and other nations, though it’s unclear how.

2. Airbus Orders Urgent Software Fix Due to Solar Radiation [00:58–01:59]

• Incident Trigger: Following an October 30 JetBlue flight’s sudden altitude loss (several injuries), Airbus discovers strong solar radiation can corrupt key flight control system data.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “Airbus now says that this was likely the result of intense solar radiation corrupting data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” – Sarah Ventri [01:23]

• Immediate Measures: Software updates are now mandatory on thousands of A320 aircraft, affecting the world’s most-used plane model (over 9,000 in use).
• Travel Disruption: The timing threatens major delays and cancellations during a busy travel weekend.

3. Israeli Military Shooting in West Bank – Accusations of Execution [01:59–02:56]

• Incident: Two Palestinian men shot and killed by Israeli forces in Jenin after appearing to surrender; UN labels act “an execution.”
• Visual Evidence: Video reportedly shows the men—hands raised, shirts lifted—complying before being shot. One Israeli soldier is seen firing.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “They're ordered to their knees and comply before gunshots ring out and the men slump to the ground, apparently dead.” – Kat Lansdorf [02:23]

• Accountability Issues: Israeli military says both men were "wanted individuals" and promises an investigation. However, Palestinian and human rights groups express skepticism, noting such probes rarely lead to accountability.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “Palestinian and human rights groups point out such investigations are often lacking and Israeli troops rarely prosecuted.” – Kat Lansdorf [02:48]

4. Diplomacy: Congo–Rwanda Peace Agreement Prospects [02:56–03:31]

• Upcoming Talks: Congo’s president set to visit the US next week for a peace agreement signing with Rwanda, aimed at ending unrest in eastern Congo.
• Conditionality: The deal relies on Rwanda withdrawing support from the M23 rebels, a key sticking point amid prolonged conflict.

5. FDA Set to Approve New Obesity Pill [03:31–04:13]

• Context: In the wake of popular injectables like Wegovy and Zepbound, Novo Nordisk is readying a pill featuring the same active ingredient (in higher doses than prior diabetes medication).
• Pricing: Announced cost for uninsured users is $149/month, as negotiated with the Trump administration, though final insurance pricing is yet to be determined.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “Studies show the new pill's efficacy is similar to Wegovy's. If approved, the company says it will offer a discounted price of $149 a month for people not using their health insurance.” – Sydney Lupkin [03:43]

• Accessibility: Company is working with the supply chain to expand access, but insurance and coverage details remain outstanding.

6. College Football Highlights – Rivalries and Upsets [04:13–04:55]

• Key Performances:
  • Arch Manning leads Texas (#16) to a victory over undefeated Texas A&M (#3), 27–17. This knocks A&M out of the SEC championship.
    • Memorable Quote:

      “Arch Manning threw for one touchdown and ran for the last score late in the fourth quarter Friday night as number 16 Texas beat number three Texas A&M 27–17. The win spoils the Aggies undefeated season and knocks them out of the Southeastern Conference championship game.” – Dale Willman [04:13]

  • Georgia (#4) survives a close in-state rivalry with Georgia Tech (#23), 16–9.
  • Ole Miss (#6) beats Mississippi State by 38–19.

Notable Quotes (with Speaker & Timestamp)

• “Zelensky himself is not implicated, but there are huge suspicions around his right hand man, Andrey Yermak.”
  — Eleanor Beardsley [00:46]
• “Airbus now says that this was likely the result of intense solar radiation corrupting data critical to the functioning of flight controls.”
  — Sarah Ventri [01:23]
• “They're ordered to their knees and comply before gunshots ring out and the men slump to the ground, apparently dead.”
  — Kat Lansdorf [02:23]
• “Palestinian and human rights groups point out such investigations are often lacking and Israeli troops rarely prosecuted.”
  — Kat Lansdorf [02:48]
• “Studies show the new pill's efficacy is similar to Wegovy's. If approved, the company says it will offer a discounted price of $149 a month for people not using their health insurance.”
  — Sydney Lupkin [03:43]

This episode delivered concise updates on major international developments (Ukraine, Middle East, Africa), public health, technology, and sports—balancing urgent breaking news with ongoing trends and events. The coverage provides context, ramifications, and direct testimony from each beat, making it a useful catch-up for anyone with five minutes.