NPR News Now – 1AM EST, November 28, 2025

Host: Giles Snyder | Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now segment delivers a concise roundup of major global and national news as of November 28, 2025, at 1AM EST. Featured topics include a targeted attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., new U.S. anti-drug operations in the Dominican Republic, a deadly high-rise fire in Hong Kong, devastating floods in Southeast Asia, environmental regulatory rollbacks in Brazil, and the passing of golf champion Fuzzy Zeller.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Targeted Attack on U.S. National Guard Troops in Washington, D.C.

• [00:20] President Trump announced the death of Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member, during his Thanksgiving call to U.S. troops.

• Beckstrom was one of two Guard members shot in a targeted attack; the second remains in critical condition.

• The incident occurred during their deployment in Washington, D.C.—part of President Trump's ongoing deployment of National Guard troops to the capital and other Democratic-led cities.

• [00:53] Kat Lahnsdorf, NPR:

  • Over 2,000 National Guard troops from several states have been stationed in D.C. since August, in response to concerns about violent crime.
  • The deployments have been controversial, often opposed by local governments and embroiled in legal battles.
  • A recent federal court ruling found the deployment unlawful, ordering it to end, but this is paused pending appeal by Trump's administration.

  Notable Quote:

  • "Trump's deployments of the Guard have been controversial and faced a litany of legal battles and blocks." — Kat Lahnsdorf [01:12]

2. U.S.–Dominican Republic Anti-Drug Trafficking Agreement

• [01:32] Dominican Republic President Luis Avenadar authorized U.S. operations within the San Ysidro air base and international airport near Santo Domingo to fight drug trafficking.

• The announcement came during a joint appearance with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth.

  Notable Quote:

  • "The purpose is clear: to strengthen the air and maritime protection ring maintained by our armed forces, a crucial effort to prevent the entry of narcotics and to strike a more decisive blow against transnational organized crime." — President Luis Avenadar (interpreted) [01:50]

• This marks the first major public security agreement between the countries, as the U.S. intensifies counter-narcotic operations in the Caribbean.

3. Deadly Hong Kong High-Rise Fire

• [02:04] Death toll rises to at least 94 after a massive fire in a public housing complex; the tragedy is now one of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong’s history.

• [02:31] Cherise Pham, NPR:

  • Fire spanned seven high rises, with some units burning more than 40 hours after ignition.
  • Renovation materials, including netting and bamboo scaffolding, were not up to safety standards and contributed to the disaster.
  • Falling debris blocked emergency vehicles. Three construction company workers arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

  Notable Quote:

  • "As they caught fire, some scaffolding collapsed and turned into falling debris, blocking emergency vehicles in the early hours of the fire." — Cherise Pham [02:51]

4. Southeast Asia Flooding Crisis

• [03:16] Ongoing search and rescue after torrential monsoon rains in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
• At least 69 dead and dozens missing in Sumatra, Indonesia.

5. Brazil’s Congressional Overturn of Environmental Vetoes

• [03:16] Brazil's Congress overturned President Lula’s key vetoes on an environmental licensing bill, weakening environmental protections.

• [03:56] Julia Carneiro, NPR:

  • The new law, dubbed the “Devastation Bill,” allows controversial self-declared licensing and reduces oversight for companies exploiting natural resources.
  • 56 of 63 vetoed provisions were re-instated, against the government's warnings of environmental harm.
  • The move is a significant setback for President Lula amid political crisis and right-wing opposition.

  Notable Quote:

  • "Congress had passed the bill in July, but Lula had vetoed 63 key provisions. Lawmakers have now overturned 56 of these, including a controversial self-declared licensing provision." — Julia Carneiro [04:12]

6. Obituary: Fuzzy Zeller, Major Golf Champion

• [04:39] Two-time major winner Fuzzy Zeller has died at age 74.
• Zeller was a fan favorite on the PGA tour but was also known for facing backlash after making a racist joke about Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• "Trump’s deployments of the Guard have been controversial and faced a litany of legal battles and blocks."
  — Kat Lahnsdorf [01:12]

• "The purpose is clear: to strengthen the air and maritime protection ring maintained by our armed forces..."
  — President Luis Avenadar (interpreted) [01:50]

• "As they caught fire, some scaffolding collapsed and turned into falling debris, blocking emergency vehicles in the early hours of the fire."
  — Cherise Pham [02:51]

• "Lawmakers have now overturned 56 of these, including a controversial self-declared licensing provision."
  — Julia Carneiro [04:12]

Segment Timestamps

• 00:20: Breaking news—National Guard member killed in D.C.
• 00:53: Context and controversy over National Guard deployments—Kat Lahnsdorf
• 01:32: U.S.–Dominican Republic security agreement—President Avenadar's remarks
• 02:04: Hong Kong fire update and investigation
• 02:31: Reporter Cherise Pham details the fire aftermath
• 03:16: Southeast Asia flood disaster update
• 03:56: Brazil environmental rollback—Julia Carneiro's analysis
• 04:39: Death of Fuzzy Zeller

This summary captures the essence and urgency of the latest hourly news update, with clear attributions and direct quotes from correspondents and key figures.