NPR News Now – November 28, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Podcast: NPR News Now
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This fast-paced NPR News Now episode covers the latest significant headlines, with a focus on U.S. national security news, global politics, public safety, and the kickoff of the U.S. holiday shopping season. The episode addresses key developments such as a fatal attack on National Guard members in Washington, D.C., U.S.-Russia negotiations and controversy, political turmoil in Peru, a deadly fire in Hong Kong, and Thanksgiving travel and shopping trends.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Fatal Attack on West Virginia National Guard Members (00:20–01:21)

• President Trump's Announcement:
  President Trump publicly confirms the death of Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member, during his Thanksgiving call with U.S. troops.
  • "President Trump says West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom is dead." (Giles Snyder, 00:20)
• Details of the Incident:
  • Both Beckstrom and 24-year-old Andrew Wolf were shot in what officials describe as a "targeted attack" in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
  • Wolf remains in critical condition post-surgery.
  • The suspect is identified as an Afghan national who arrived in the U.S. under President Biden’s administration and was granted asylum earlier in the year.
  • Investigation is ongoing, with statements sourced from U.S. military leaders globally.

2. Controversy Over U.S.-Russia Negotiations (01:21–02:06)

• Leaked Recording Fallout:
  • President Trump’s chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, faces backlash after a leaked recording allegedly reveals coaching of a Russian official on deal-making with Trump.
  • Trump defends the negotiator, calling the move “standard practice."
• Criticism from Diplomats:
  • Aaron David Miller, a veteran negotiator, questions the prospects for progress, noting:
    • “My experience in negotiations, they work. That is to say, deals are cut when there is urgency. And urgency is a function of two things, how much pain the parties are under and what are the prospects for gain.” (Aaron David Miller, 01:41)
  • Miller is doubtful about Moscow’s motivation to bargain or make concessions.
• Putin’s Response:
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin tells reporters talks with the U.S. are about “sets of issues,” not a draft agreement. He maintains his demand that Ukrainian forces pull back or “be overrun.” (Giles Snyder, 02:06)

3. Political Crisis and Corruption in Peru (02:06–03:17)

• Former Presidents Imprisoned:
  • Pedro Castillo, leftist former president, sentenced to 11 years and 5 months for his attempted self-coup in December 2022.
  • Just a day earlier, centrist former president Martin Vizcarra received a 14-year term for corruption.
• Ongoing Unrest and Corruption:
  • Peru’s democracy remains shaky amid lawmakers facing corruption probes and efforts to oust the nation’s chief prosecutor.
  • “Meanwhile, Peru's democratic meltdown continues. Lawmakers, dozens of whom are under investigation for corruption and have been accused of favoring organized crime, are on the cusp of ousting the country's chief prosecutor.” (Simeon Tegel, 03:04)
• Reported by: Simeon Tegel (Lima, Peru).

4. Hong Kong Fire Disaster Update (03:17–03:57)

• Search and Rescue Nears End:
  • A catastrophic fire in a Hong Kong apartment complex leaves at least 94 people dead; dozens still missing.
  • Seven out of eight apartment towers were engulfed.
  • Officials expect rescue operations to end on Friday.

5. Thanksgiving Road Safety and Traffic Risks (03:57–04:31)

• Thanksgiving Travel Dangers:
  • The National Safety Council predicts a slight improvement in traffic fatality numbers compared to last year but still expects over 400 deaths nationally.
  • Seatbelt use could prevent over 100 additional fatalities.
• “Sunday After Thanksgiving” Crash Spike:
  • Worst day for commercial vehicle crashes, with a 65% week-over-week spike.
  • “According to the technology company Samsara, which tracks safety in large fleets of vehicles, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most dangerous day of the holiday season, with commercial crash rates spiking 65% week over week.” (Camila Domonosky, 04:24)
• Reported by: Camila Domonosky.

6. Black Friday Economic Stakes (04:31–04:59)

• Holiday Shopping Season Begins:
  • Black Friday remains the largest single shopping day in the U.S., kicking off a season vital to retail profits (~one-third of annual totals).
  • This year’s sales are affected by President Trump’s tariffs, raising costs for retailers and consumers.
  • “This year's kickoff comes as President Trump's tariffs on imported goods have raised costs for both retailers and consumers.” (Giles Snyder, 04:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “President Trump says West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom is dead.”
  — Giles Snyder, 00:20
• “My experience in negotiations, they work. That is to say, deals are cut when there is urgency. And urgency is a function of two things, how much pain the parties are under and what are the prospects for gain.”
  — Aaron David Miller, 01:41
• “Meanwhile, Peru's democratic meltdown continues...”
  — Simeon Tegel, 03:04
• “The Sunday after Thanksgiving is the most dangerous day of the holiday season, with commercial crash rates spiking 65% week over week.”
  — Camila Domonosky, 04:24

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:20 – Announcement on fatal shooting of U.S. National Guard members
• 01:21 – U.S.-Russia negotiation controversy and reactions
• 02:36 – Peru jails former presidents; broader democratic crisis
• 03:17 – Hong Kong fire rescue update
• 03:57 – Thanksgiving travel risks and crash statistics
• 04:31 – Black Friday shopping outlook and impact of tariffs

Summary

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on developing stories in U.S. national security, international politics, public safety, and consumer trends, with reporting that underscores the significance and potential repercussions of each headline. The news is delivered in a direct, factual style, highlighting both hard facts and the voices of subject matter experts and correspondents on the ground.