NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-22-2025 5AM EST

Episode Date: November 22, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Winter Johnston. Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Green says she's resigning from Congress on January 5th. In a video posted online Friday night, Green said her decision follows months of political infighting and controversy over the release of the Epstein files. Standing up for American women who were raped at 14 years old, trafficked in use by rich, powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States, whom I fought for. Green was elected in 2020 to represent Georgia's 14th district. Her departure is raising new questions about the future of the GOP's hard right wing. Political analysts say the move could shift the balance inside the party heading into the 2026 midterms.

President Trump hosted New York City Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani at the White. White House on Friday. NPR's Franco Ordonia's reports on the surprisingly gracious meeting that came after weeks of heated rhetoric between the two men. President Trump had threatened to cut funding if Mondani was elected and called him as little communist mayor. Mondani had described himself as Donald Trump's worst nightmare. But on Friday, they were both full of smiles and promises to partner together on lowering the cost of housing and groceries for New Yorkers. I expect to be helping him not hurting him. A big help, because I want New York City to be great. Look, I love New York City. It's where I come from. I spent a lot of years there now I'm right here. Both have a mutual interest

in playing nice. Mondani wants to protect federal funding for New York City. And Trump is looking to get in on Mondani's affordability message. Franco, Ordoñez, and PR News, the White House. 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 toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict, but he also suggested that much remains to be worked out. NPR's Charles Mainz reports from Moscow. At a meeting with his security counsel, 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 cap its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow. This is NPR News.

Scientists at COP 30 say billions of lives are at risk without rapid cuts to fossil fuels. 80 nations are pushing for a global phase-out treaty. The annual climate conference was set to wrap up on Friday in Brazil, but delegates say they'll keep negotiating until an agreement is reached. As Americans start traveling for the holidays, fewer people have gotten their annual flu in COVID-19. 19 vaccinations. NPR's Rob Stein reports the numbers remain low and flu is on the rise. Only about 14% of adults and less than 6% of children have gotten one of the updated COVID-19 vaccines,

according to the CDC, and only about one-third of adults and kids have gotten their annual flu shot. That's despite the fact that the U.S. is less than a week away from Thanksgiving, when many people will travel and gather with friends and family. The good news is that so far, there aren't a lot of people catching COVID in flu right now. But flu is on the rise, and COVID is expected to also pick up soon. Rob Stein and Peer News. A third storm in just over a week has drenched parts of Southern California. The system moved east after dropping heavy rain across Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service are warning of possible flash flooding and mudslides, including in downtown Los Angeles and Huntington Beach. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.