NPR News Now – November 27, 2025, 11AM EST

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This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers concise coverage of major breaking news and global events as of Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2025. Key topics include a terrorism investigation in Washington, D.C., a judicial decision on North Carolina’s congressional map, Pope Leo’s peace mission to Turkey and Lebanon, a military coup in Guinea Bissau, dire news for African forest elephants, and the start of the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Terror Investigation in Washington, D.C.

[00:20–01:21]

• Incident: A man described as a refugee from Afghanistan shot two National Guards soldiers—Sarah Beckstrom (20) and Andrew Wolf (24)—while they were patrolling a street in Washington, D.C. Both soldiers remain in critical condition after surgery.
• Suspect: The alleged shooter drove across the country from Washington state to carry out the attack.
• Investigation: FBI Director Kash Patel has described this as an international terrorism investigation. Authorities are conducting search warrants and interviews in Washington state and California.
• Quote:
  • “We will continue to hit the streets and hit every town and every house and talk to every witness.”
    —FBI Director Kash Patel [01:06]
• Key Insight: The attack is being taken very seriously at a federal and international level, with rapid investigative action underway.

2. North Carolina Congressional Map Decision

[01:21–02:19]

• Judgement: A federal panel of three judges will allow North Carolina’s new congressional map—favoring Republicans in 11 of 14 districts—to be used for the 2026 elections.
• Challenges: NAACP and Common Cause argue the map dilutes Black voter power but the court said there was insufficient proof of intent to discriminate.
• Political Context: Legislators were candid about aiming for maximum GOP advantage in a broader national effort for secure partisan seats.
• Notable Moment:
  • “Legislators have said repeatedly their focus was gaining the maximum possible advantage for Republicans amid a national race to secure safe seats.”
    —Adam Wagner [01:43]
• Next Steps: Candidate filing begins Monday.

3. Pope Leo’s First Foreign Trip: Peace Mission

[02:19–03:12]

• Journey: Pope Leo visits Turkey and Lebanon on his first foreign trip as pope, using it as a platform to call for global peace and unity.
• Context: Visit comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon’s ongoing post-war trauma.
• Papal Message:
  • “We hope to also announce, transmit and proclaim how important peace is throughout the world and to invite all people to come together to search for greater unity, greater harmony.”
    —Pope Leo [02:38]
• Purpose: The Pope seeks to inspire regional and international leaders to double down on efforts for peace.

4. Coup in Guinea Bissau

[03:12–04:02]

• Development: Soldiers claim, on state TV, to have seized power days after national elections, citing a response to a plot involving domestic and foreign actors.
• Aftermath: President reports being deposed and arrested; military high command suspends the electoral process and closes the borders.
• Key Insight: Another blow to political stability in West Africa following a string of coups in the region.

5. Crisis for African Forest Elephants

[04:02–04:41]

• Findings: Fewer than 150,000 African forest elephants remain globally—a new genetic assessment puts the figure just above 135,000.
• Threats: Poaching and habitat destruction (mining, development) are decimating populations.
• Hopeful Note:
  • “The new data provides crucial information to help focus conservation efforts and give the species a chance to recover.”
    —Nate Rott [04:35]
• Importance: Updated numbers guide urgent conservation initiatives.

6. Thanksgiving Day Highlights

[04:41–04:58]

• Parade: The 99th Macy’s Day Parade is in full swing in New York City:
  • 34 giant balloons
  • 28 floats
  • 33 clown crews
  • Marching bands and thousands of volunteers
• Wall Street: Closed for the holiday.

Memorable Quotes

• “We will continue to hit the streets and hit every town and every house and talk to every witness.”
  —FBI Director Kash Patel [01:06]
• “Legislators have said repeatedly their focus was gaining the maximum possible advantage for Republicans amid a national race to secure safe seats.”
  —Adam Wagner [01:43]
• “We hope to also announce, transmit and proclaim how important peace is throughout the world and to invite all people to come together to search for greater unity, greater harmony.”
  —Pope Leo [02:38]
• “The new data provides crucial information to help focus conservation efforts and give the species a chance to recover.”
  —Nate Rott [04:35]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:20] – Shooting and terrorism investigation in Washington, D.C.
• [01:21] – North Carolina congressional map court ruling
• [02:19] – Pope Leo’s peace pilgrimage; calls for harmony
• [03:12] – Military coup in Guinea Bissau
• [04:02] – African forest elephant population crisis
• [04:41] – Macy’s Parade and Thanksgiving celebrations

This episode offers a fast-paced snapshot of pressing U.S. and global news for Thanksgiving Day 2025, maintaining NPR's direct, focused reporting style while highlighting both urgent crises and moments of tradition.