NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-21-2025 5PM EST

Episode Date: November 21, 2025

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This week on the NPR Politics Podcast, a new NPR poll shows the president's approval at a new low, and Democrats up 14 points on the question of who should control Congress next year. The last time the gap was this wide, a year later, Democrats won 40 seats. But Democrats aren't exactly popular either. We'll break it all down on the NPR Politics Podcast. Listen this week on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. President Trump and New York mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani set aside their political differences and discuss their shared goals. During an Oval Office meeting today, Trump says he expects to help Mamdani not hurt him.

We had a meeting today that actually surprised me. He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down, all things that I agree with. Now, we may disagree how we get there. When it comes to their differences on immigration enforcement, Trump said they could work them out. The meeting came after Trump called Mamdani a communist lunatic. Mamdani has called Trump an authoritarian.

But the sit down offered Mamdani an opportunity to talk with the most powerful person in the world. And it gave Trump a high-profile chance to talk about affordability at a time when he's trying to show he's addressing the cost of living. Most air traffic controllers will not qualify for $10,000 bonuses for perfect attendance during the federal government shutdown. NPR's Joel Rose reports. Only 311 air traffic controllers out of more than 10,000. 10,000 will qualify for the cash bonuses, according to the controllers' union. Controllers were required to work without pay during the 43-day shutdown. Some took on second jobs, and many called out sick, as they dealt with the financial pressure of missing two full paychecks

and part of a third. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the bonuses, originally suggested by President Trump, are intended to reward the patriotic men and women who did not miss a single shift during the shutdown. But some controllers called the bonuses unfair and a betrayal. Their union said quote, more than 311 of these dedicated professionals were instrumental in keeping America moving. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington. Russian President Vladimir Putin is giving his first public comments on a U.S. peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine. Putin says the plan could be an important step towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict, though he suggested much remains to be worked out, as NPR's at Charles Mainz reports.

At a meeting with his Security Council, Putin was asked to comment on widespread media reports of the U.S. peace plan. The Kremlin leader confirmed Russia had received the U.S. proposal, adding he thought it could be the basis for a lasting settlement. Yet Putin cautioned that the U.S. had not discussed its ideas substantively with Russia, arguing it likely meant the White House had yet to convince Ukraine to accept terms. Putin also insisted Moscow would achieve its objectives in Ukraine either way, pointing to recent Russian gains on the battlefield. Critics of the U.S. plans say it tilts heavily in Russia's favor, with calls for Ukraine to see territory to cap its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO.

Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow. Rain is drenching parts of Southern California leading to new flash flood warnings. The heavy rains also threatened to bring mudslides in areas recently ravaged by wildfire. After a day of wild swings, major U.S. stock index is closed up. The S&P 500, Dow and NASDAQ,

all gained around 1%. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. France is taking action against Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok after it generated posts questioning the use of gas chambers at Auschwitz. Officials say Grok used language associated with Holocaust denial. The Auschwitz Memorial highlighted the issue, saying it distorted historical fact. France has strict Holocaust denial laws. The flight restrictions that were imposed during the government shutdown have lifted in time for one of the busiest travel times of the year.

But some travel snags are still in store for many Americans on the go for football. Food and Family, NPR's Amy Held, reports. If you have travel plans early to midweek leading up to Thanksgiving, there could be some issues. Meteorologist William Churchill says the system behind flooding rains in Southern California is also on the move, bringing potential flooding to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and rain elsewhere. Like places from the mid-south, Memphis, St. Louis, Eastford. For the return trip, Americans will be giving thanks for milder weather. Traveler numbers are reaching new heights, though, according to AAA.

It projects a record near 82 million people are getting away for the week starting Tuesday, mostly by car. Leftovers from the shutdown, AAA says recent flight cancellations could be motivating even more motorists. Amy Held and PR News. The U.S. government has released a new crash test dummy design that advocates believe will help make cars safer for women. Women are 73% more likely than men to be injured in a head-on crash and 17% more likely than men to be killed. killed in any car crash. I'm Rylan Barton. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.