Trump’s plan for Ukraine; Marjorie Taylor Greene : NPR
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Today’s best stories
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he is optimistic that a deal can be reached between Russia and Ukraine. Yesterday, U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva to discuss President Trump’s peace plan. The president set Thursday as the deadline for Ukraine to accept the 28-point plan. European leaders are skeptical and say the plan needs to be developed further.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds a news conference following closed-door discussions on the U.S. plan to end the war in Ukraine, at the U.S. mission in Geneva, November 23, 2025.
Fabrice Cofrini/AFP via Getty Images
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Fabrice Cofrini/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 Europeans feel excluded, even if they participated in certain meetings in Geneva. Indeed, when the peace plan was drafted, European heads of state were not consulted, says NPR’s Rob Schmitz. First. This is a significant oversight on the part of these leaders, given that the plan included numerous commitments on their part, including billions of dollars for Ukraine’s reconstruction, as well as participation in a contingency plan if the proposal was violated. The Kremlin did not influence the Geneva negotiations. The United States should hold separate negotiations with Russia.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, abruptly announced Friday that she would resign from Congress. starting January 5. The congresswoman has emerged as one of Trump’s biggest defenders, but she recently became one of his biggest critics, saying he has abandoned his own agenda.
- 🎧 From Greene’s perspective, her political position has not changed.says NPR’s Stephen Fowler. It is Trump and others in their party who have failed to maintain consistency in their “America First” conservatism. Fowler notes that it is critical to recognize that the president is not a traditional conservative and that his return to office has relied on the need to convince diverse groups and demographics with varying ideologies and policies to unite under the America First banner and defer to his interpretation of what conservatism means.
Over the weekend, Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire has lasted for just over six weeks. Yesterday, Israel also struck the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for the first time since June, killing a Hezbollah commander. This action has led many people to express concern about the ceasefire that has been in effect for almost a year.
- 🎧 Much of the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been completed. The next phase involves establishing an international stabilization force in Gaza, according to NPR’s Kat Lonsdorf. But many questions remain about who will make up this force and how it will be formed. Lonsdorf says it may seem contradictory to continue discussing a ceasefire when so many people are being killed and both sides are accusing each other of violations, but the agreement stands and there has been no full return to war.
Cost of living
After adjusting for inflation, tuition has nearly doubled at private and public colleges over the past 30 years.
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Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR
The NPR series Cost of living: the price we pay examines the causes of rising prices and how people are coping with years of stubborn inflation.
Over the past 30 years, average tuition at public and private four-year colleges has roughly doubled when adjusted for inflation. Many families do not pay the full amount of tuition because students receive financial or merit aid. This reduced cost is called net price. But even the net price is higher than twenty years ago. What is causing the cost of college to rise so quickly?
- 💰 The reduction in state funding has been an important issue for public institutions. As legislatures cut funding, colleges were forced to raise tuition to make up the shortfall.
- 💰 A high price can dictate prestige, and some wealthy families are willing to pay it. For example, 40% of Harvard’s new students pay full tuition.
- 💰 College prices vary from institution to institution and state to state. Families often don’t know the total cost of a school until after the admissions process, making it difficult to compare options.
Hear why the cost of college has increased so dramatically. This week the series will explore the cost of holiday shopping. Stay up to date with the latest stories here.
How are rising prices changing the way you live? Fill this form to share your story with NPR.
Live better
A woman’s hair falls out in a comb, hair falls out every day, a serious problem. Girl’s hair is falling out with comb and problem hair isolated on white background
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Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
By some estimates, half of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Although there are scientifically-backed solutions for hair loss, not all remedies are effective for everyone or every type of hair loss. Here’s what you need to know and how to find help:
- 💇♀️ Hair falls in a staggered pattern, so a clump in the drain doesn’t mean you should worry about bald spots.
- 💇♀️ The most common cause of permanent hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, which usually begins at the crown of the head in women. If you part your hair, you may notice that the area widens, showing more of your scalp.
- 💇♀️ If you are unsure what type of hair loss you have, an in-person visit may be your best option to get started. However, telehealth companies can be a good alternative when a dermatologist has a long wait list for appointments.
3 things to know before you leave
Tatiana Schlossberg is pictured at her book signing in 2019 in Richmond, California. Schlossberg says she suffers from a rare form of cancer.
Amber De Vos/Getty Images for Goop
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Amber De Vos/Getty Images for Goop
- Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as acute myeloid leukemia. In an essay in The New Yorker, she revealed that her cancer was terminal.
- NPR’s Books We Love returns with more than 380 titles from this year, selected by NPR staff and trusted reviewers. From cookbooks to mysteries and thrillers, check out the full list for your next read.
- A homeless advocacy organization within the Cincinnati public school system will help more than 4,000 homeless students and their families by providing them with designated land so they can sleep in their cars while they wait for housing. The program launches in March 2026. (via WBUR)
This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.
