NPR News Now — 11-28-2025, 4AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder | Date: November 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise five-minute newscast from NPR delivers the latest national and international headlines as of November 28, 2025, 4AM EST. The episode covers breaking updates on a deadly incident near the White House, the release of a U.S. teen from Israeli custody, the aftermath of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, new research on the origins of domestic cats, and the economic backdrop of Black Friday in the U.S.

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. Shooting Near the White House (00:15–01:52)

• Incident & Fatality: President Trump announced that one of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot near the White House has died.
  • “One of the guardsmen that we're talking about, highly respected, young, magnificent person, started service in June of 2023. Outstanding in every way. She's just passed away.” — President Trump (00:27)
• Victims:
  • 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (deceased)
  • 24-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf (hospitalized, fighting for his life)
• Suspect and Context:
  • The suspect, Ramanula Lockhinwal, age 29, previously worked with the CIA in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
  • He arrived in the U.S. in September 2021, following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
  • President Trump demanded scrutiny for all Afghans admitted under President Biden.
• Background: Approximately 200,000 Afghan immigrants and refugees have entered the U.S. since 2021.

2. Release of U.S. Citizen Teen from Israeli Custody (02:18–03:10)

• Background: Mohamed Ibrahim, a U.S. citizen, was detained by Israeli forces in February at age 15, accused of throwing stones in the West Bank.
• Detention Details:
  • Family alleges forced confession through coercion and abuse.
  • Released in a plea bargain with a suspended sentence after nine and a half months.
  • “We're very happy, we are upset or sad that it took nine and a half months for a child, a minor, a US citizen who was blindfolded and zip tied and beaten into a confession for something he didn't do.” — Ziaed Kadour, Ibrahim's uncle (02:42)
  • His health deteriorated: lost a third of his body weight, contracted scabies, now hospitalized.
• Response: U.S. State Department welcomed his release.

3. Hong Kong Tower Fire — Disaster Update (03:10–03:49)

• Incident: Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades consumed seven of eight towers in a large apartment complex.
• Impact:
  • At least 128 confirmed dead.
  • Dozens still missing.
• Investigation: Three men arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

4. Study on Origins of Domestic Cats (03:49–04:26)

• Research Findings:
  • Ancient DNA analysis traces domestication to North Africa thousands of years ago.
  • “The earliest domest[icated cat] genomes arrived in Europe roughly around 2,000 years ago, likely spread by traders and migrating people…” — Marco DiMartino, lead author (via Greg Myhre, 04:07)
  • Cats valued for pest control and companionship, much like today.

5. Black Friday and Retail Economy (04:26–04:54)

• Economic Significance:
  • Black Friday — the biggest U.S. shopping day, accounting for about a third of retail profits.
  • Retailers and consumers face higher prices due to President Trump's tariffs on imported goods.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on the Fallen Guard:
  • “One of the guardsmen that we're talking about…she's just passed away.” (00:27)
• Uncle’s Reaction to Teen Release in Israel:
  • “We are upset or sad that it took nine and a half months for a child, a minor, a US Citizen who was blindfolded and zip tied and beaten into a confession for something he didn't do.” — Ziaed Kadour (02:42)
• Researcher on Domestic Cats:
  • “The earliest domest[icated cat] genomes arrived in Europe roughly around 2,000 years ago, likely spread by traders and migrating people…” — Marco DiMartino (as quoted, 04:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• White House Shooting Update: 00:15–01:52
• Ibrahim Released from Israeli Jail: 02:18–03:10
• Hong Kong Fire Disaster & Arrests: 03:10–03:49
• Origin of Domestic Cats Research: 03:49–04:26
• Black Friday & Retail Economy Outlook: 04:26–04:54

Tone and Style

The tone remains authoritative but empathetic, with direct attributions to officials and affected family members, echoing NPR’s commitment to factual, concise, and humane reporting.

End of summary.