NPR News Now – 11-27-2025 10AM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: November 27, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news update delivers the latest headlines from the U.S. and abroad, covering critical developments in Washington D.C., Hong Kong, holiday retail predictions, and the latest from the International Space Station. Each story covers breaking news events, providing context, live updates, and expert insights.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Shooting of West Virginia National Guard Members Near White House

[00:21 – 01:23]

• Incident Details:
  Two National Guardsmen, Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolf (24), were shot near the White House, both are in critical condition following surgery.

  • Jeanine Herbst: "The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, says the two West Virginia National Guard members shot yesterday blocks from the White House are both both in critical condition after undergoing surgery." [00:21]
  • Both were uniformed members assigned to help keep D.C. safe.

• Suspect Information and Response:

  • The suspect traveled from Washington state, armed with a .357 revolver, charged with three counts of intent to kill. He is hospitalized.
  • President Trump denounces the incident as an "ambush" and deploys an additional 500 Guard members to the city.
  • The shooter, Ramanula Lockhinwal (29), previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan; arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 after the American military withdrawal.
  • Greg Myre: "CIA Director Ratcliffe said the suspect came to the US in September 2021. This was the month after the American military completed its pullout from Afghanistan and the Taliban took control..." [01:23]

• Political Implications:

  • President Trump is calling to review all Afghan evacuees who entered under President Biden.

2. Deadly Hong Kong Apartment Fire

[02:06 – 03:05]

• Current Status:

  • At least 60 people are dead and hundreds missing after a fire ripped through a public housing complex housing about 4,600 residents.

• Details and Ongoing Rescue:

  • The fire, lasting over 24 hours, left residents trapped; firefighters continue to contain isolated blazes, rescuers retrieved an elderly man from the 31st floor.
  • The buildings were under renovation, enclosed in bamboo scaffolding.

• Cause and Arrests:

  • Three construction company workers arrested for manslaughter; construction materials were non-compliant and highly flammable, likely accelerating the blaze.
  • Charisse Pham: "Hong Kong police said that construction material found around the buildings did not meet safety standards, were highly flammable, and may have been the reason the fire spread so quickly." [02:39]

3. Thanksgiving Holiday and Black Friday Economic Outlook

[03:05 – 04:19]

• Wall Street Closure:

  • Markets are closed for Thanksgiving; reopening for a half day tomorrow.

• Record Holiday Spending:

  • Retailers anticipate a record-breaking $1 trillion in holiday sales.
  • Adobe Analytics predicts the best online deals for electronics, clothes, and computers on Cyber Monday, with Black Friday favored for TVs, toys, and appliances.

• Consumer Trends:

  • Higher spending is seen from wealthier shoppers, but discount retailers are attracting budget-conscious higher-income customers.
  • Shoppers increasingly "trade up" for higher-end versions of big-ticket items.
  • Alina Selyuk: "Both Home Depot and Best Buy say that when they do sell big ticket items, a growing share of them are the most expensive option." [04:01]

4. U.S.-Russia Crew Dock at the International Space Station

[04:19 – 04:58]

• Mission Details:

  • NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russians Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kudk Sverkov have arrived at the ISS after launch from Kazakhstan.
  • They join seven others onboard, aiming for an eight-month mission focused on scientific research and exploration.
  • It is the first spaceflight for both Williams and Mikayev.

• Jeanine Herbst: "The Soyuz rocket is carrying NASA astronaut Chris Williams, along with two Russian crewmates, Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kudk Sverkov. They're expected to spend about eight months at the orbiting outpost..." [04:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the D.C. Shooting:

  • Jeanine Herbst [00:21]: "The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia... says the two West Virginia National Guard members shot yesterday blocks from the White House are both in critical condition after undergoing surgery."
  • Greg Myre [01:23]: "CIA Director Ratcliffe said the suspect came to the US in September 2021... worked with the US government, including the CIA, in the southern city of Kandahar."

• Hong Kong Fire:

  • Charisse Pham [02:39]: "Hong Kong police said that construction material found around the buildings did not meet safety standards, were highly flammable, and may have been the reason the fire spread so quickly."

• Black Friday Spending:

  • Alina Selyuk [04:01]: "Both Home Depot and Best Buy say that when they do sell big ticket items, a growing share of them are the most expensive option."

Important Timestamps

• [00:21] Update on shooting of National Guard members near White House
• [01:23] Suspect's background and White House response (Greg Myre)
• [02:17] Hong Kong apartment fire update and arrests (Charisse Pham)
• [03:32] Black Friday & holiday sales forecast (Alina Selyuk)
• [04:19] ISS new crew arrival and mission outline

Tone: Direct, informative, and urgent in keeping with the NPR News style.

This summary captures all major headlines, investigative details, expert commentary, and memorable moments for listeners who missed this NPR News Now edition.