NPR News Now — Summary

Episode: NPR News: 11-28-2025 11AM EST
Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst (NPR)

Episode Overview

This concise five-minute news update delivers the latest headlines from around the world. Major stories in this edition include breaking updates on a deadly shooting involving National Guard members in Washington, D.C., President Trump’s immigration response, Pope Leo’s historic visit to Turkey, robust U.S. holiday shopping projections despite economic concerns, ticket price increases at the Louvre for non-European visitors, and a record-setting Fabergé egg going to auction in Paris.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Upgraded Charges in National Guard Shooting (00:20)

• Incident Update:
  Charges are being upgraded against the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting of two National Guard members after 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom died.

  • The other victim, Andrew Wolf (24), remains hospitalized in critical condition.
  • The suspect is a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously collaborated with the CIA before the U.S. withdrawal.

• Legal Update:
  U.S. attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, outlined pending and upgraded charges.

  "There are certainly many more charges to come, but we are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree."
  — U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro [00:44]

• Political Response:
  President Trump announced tightened immigration measures, vowing to:

  • Pause all immigration from what he calls “third world countries”
  • Review Afghan immigrants admitted during the Biden administration
  • Consider stripping citizenship from certain legal immigrants

2. Pope Leo’s Pilgrimage to Turkey and Appeal for Peace (01:31)

• Historic Visit:
  Pope Leo, accompanied by Orthodox leader Patriarch Bartholomew, visited the archaeological ruins at Lake Isnik—the site of the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.

• Message for Unity:
  Pope Leo called for the rejection of religious extremism and violence.

  "[Leo] called on the world to reject the use of religion for justifying war, violence or any form of fundamentalism. Instead, he said, choose dialogue and cooperation."
  — Ruth Sherlock reporting [01:31–02:11]

3. Holiday Shopping Outlook Despite Economic Anxiety (02:11)

• Retail Forecasts:
  Despite persistent shopper anxiety over tariffs, inflation, and economic uncertainty, retailers anticipate record-breaking sales over Black Friday weekend and into Cyber Monday.

  • National Retail Federation projects sales to exceed $1 trillion (a 4% increase over last year).
  • Deloitte’s forecast is more conservative, at 3% growth.

• Contributing Factors:
  Delayed implementation of tariffs allowed retailers to stock up, cushioning prices.

  • Upswing in sales driven primarily by wealthier consumers.

  "This promises a shopping season that's far from the flop many feared earlier in the year..."
  — Alina Selyuk [02:29]

4. Louvre Raising Prices for Non-EU Visitors (03:13)

• Price Hike:
  Starting January, ticket prices for non-EU visitors to the Louvre will rise from $25 to $37.

  • The increase will help fund a six-year renovation, prompted by a recent $102 million jewelry theft.
  • Renovations include 100 new security cameras, a redesigned entrance, and a new “Mona Lisa” exhibit room.

  "...most visitors from outside the European Union should be prepared to shell out $37 for an entry ticket to the Lou[vre], up from the current $25 rate."
  — Rebecca Rossman [03:31]

5. Fabergé Egg Heads to Auction in Paris (04:14)

• Auction Highlight:
  A rare Fabergé “Winter Egg,” made in 1913 for Czar Nicholas II with platinum and 4,500 tiny diamonds, is expected to fetch over $26 million.

  • One of only seven privately owned Fabergé eggs; believed lost until 1994.

  "The rock crystal winter egg with a snowflake motif in platinum and 4,500 tiny diamonds is expected to go for more than $26 million."
  — Jeanine Herbst [04:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro on legal consequences:
  “We are upgrading the initial charges of assault to murder in the first degree.” [00:44]

• Ruth Sherlock on Pope Leo’s call for peace:
  “Leo called on the world to reject the use of religion for justifying war, violence or any form of fundamentalism. Instead, he said, choose dialogue and cooperation.” [01:31]

• Alina Selyuk on Black Friday resilience:
  “This promises a shopping season that's far from the flop many feared earlier in the year…” [02:29]

• Rebecca Rossman on the Louvre’s renovations:
  “The urgency of renovations were exposed last month when four robbers took off with $102 million worth of crown jewels, which have still not been recovered.” [03:31]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• National Guard Shooting & Charges: 00:20–00:53
• President Trump’s Immigration Response: 00:53–01:31
• Pope Leo’s Turkey Visit & Appeal: 01:31–02:11
• Black Friday Retail Outlook: 02:11–03:13
• Louvre Admission Price Increase: 03:13–04:14
• Fabergé Egg Auction: 04:14–04:56

This summary offers a rich briefing for those who didn’t listen, touching on top news stories, political and cultural developments, and global affairs of note as covered in this NPR News Now episode.