NPR News Now – November 27, 2025, 6PM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Theme:
A concise update on major national and international news—focusing this hour on the targeted shooting of National Guard members in Washington D.C., a deadly fire in Hong Kong, record U.S. holiday sales, Israeli-Palestinian tensions, Americans' political divides at Thanksgiving, a new space station crew, and the Pope’s first international trip.

1. Shooting of National Guard Members in D.C.

[00:17–01:12]

• Incident Details:

  • Two National Guard members—Andrew Wolfe (24) and Sarah Beckstrom (20)—were shot in Washington, D.C.
  • Both remain in critical condition after surgery.
  • Authorities describe the incident as a "targeted attack" under investigation as an act of terrorism.

• Personal Backgrounds:

  • Beckstrom is an Army specialist from Summersville, WV, joined in 2023.
  • Wolfe is an Air Force staff sergeant from Martinsburg, WV, entered service in 2019.
  • Both have been deployed to D.C. since August.

• Notable Quote:

  "Authorities have described the shooting as a targeted attack and it's being investigated as an act of terrorism."
  – Juliana Kim [01:07]

2. Deadly Fire in Hong Kong Housing Complex

[01:12–02:10]

• Casualties and Efforts:

  • At least 65 dead, hundreds missing after a fire at a massive public housing complex.
  • Firefighters are searching for survivors floor-by-floor.

• Survivor Stories:

  • Elderly man rescued from the 31st floor; another survivor found in a staircase over 24 hours after the fire began.

• Contributing Factors:

  • The complex housed about 4,600 people, was under renovation, encased in bamboo scaffolding.
  • Construction materials "did not meet safety standards" and may have accelerated the fire’s spread.

• Accountability:

  • Three people from the renovation company arrested on manslaughter suspicions.

• Notable Quotes:

  "Firefighters are going through the wreckage... searching for survivors."
  – Charisse Pham [01:21]

  "Police said the construction material found around the buildings did not meet safety standards and may have been the reason the fire spread so quickly."
  – Charisse Pham [01:45]

3. U.S. Holiday Retail Sales to Hit Record

[02:10–02:51]

• Key Data:

  • The National Retail Federation projects holiday sales to exceed $1 trillion for the first time.
  • Expected 3.7–4.2% increase over 2024.

• Analysis:

  • Growth attributed to a combination of President Trump's tariffs and increased consumer enthusiasm.
  • Shift in shopping habits: More people are buying earlier, online, and throughout the weekend.

• Notable Quote:

  “This weekend in a shopping context, used to be about, you know, in store on Black Friday. That's changed, right? People are shopping earlier than before, and they're shopping across the holiday weekend, not just in store, but but online.”
  – Mark Matthews [02:35]

4. Israeli-Palestinian Tensions Escalate

[02:51–03:34]

• Incident:
  • TV footage shows Israeli soldiers killing two Palestinian men in the West Bank after their surrender.
  • Palestinian officials called the incident "murder in cold blood."
  • Israeli military says men were wanted militants who had thrown explosives; investigation underway.

5. Political Divisions at Thanksgiving

[03:34–04:16]

• Poll Results:

  • NPR/PBS News/Marist poll: Majorities of both Democrats and Republicans see the other side as "mostly close minded" (words used by respondents).
  • 72% of Republicans, 65% of Democrats believe the opposite party is "mostly dishonest."

• Personal Perspective:

  • Democratic voter Teresa Tucker (Michigan) describes worsening political polarization:

    “I think it's definitely gotten worse. I think, unfortunately, this administration has pitted people against each other.”
    – Teresa Tucker [03:55]

  • She stresses the importance of personal connections over politics during the holidays:

    “If we would have more conversations, I think we would find we have a lot more in common than we don't.”
    – Teresa Tucker [04:01]

• Holiday Approach:

  • Tucker's family will avoid politics, focusing on “family and festivities.” (Elena Moore [04:08])

6. International & Science Updates

[04:16–04:56]

• Space:

  • A new joint US-Russian crew reached the International Space Station after launch from Kazakhstan.
  • The three are expected to stay eight months, joining seven astronauts already on board (from US, Russia, and Japan).

• Papal Visit:

  • Pope Leo XIV visited Turkey for his first foreign trip, lauding Turkey as a "bridge between the west and the East" and a source of "stability and dialogue."
  • He delivered a message of peace in a world "torn by conflict."

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Authorities have described the shooting as a targeted attack and it's being investigated as an act of terrorism.”
  – Juliana Kim [01:07]

• "Police said the construction material found around the buildings did not meet safety standards and may have been the reason the fire spread so quickly."
  – Charisse Pham [01:45]

• “People are shopping earlier than before, and they're shopping across the holiday weekend, not just in store, but but online.”
  – Mark Matthews [02:42]

• "Vast majorities of both Democrats and Republicans say that folks who support the other party are, quote, mostly close minded."
  – Elena Moore [03:34]

• “If we would have more conversations, I think we would find we have a lot more in common than we don't.”
  – Teresa Tucker [04:01]

For Listeners

This episode offers a rapid yet thorough update on significant news: from terrorism investigations and tragic disasters to economic optimism, international conflict, growing political divides, a milestone space mission, and the Pope's outreach for peace. Each segment encapsulates key facts and prevailing concerns, providing a snapshot of a complex, interconnected world.