NPR News Now – 8AM EST, November 28, 2025

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Podcast: NPR News Now
Format: Five-minute top-of-the-hour news summary

Overview

This episode provides an in-brief snapshot of major breaking news stories as of 8AM EST, including updates on the D.C. National Guard shooting near the White House, evolving US immigration policy, developments in Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations, the aftermath of a deadly fire in Hong Kong, a new scientific study about the origins of domestic cats, and major movements in financial markets.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Tragic Update: National Guard Shooting Near the White House

[00:14–01:19]

• Incident: Two West Virginia National Guard members were shot a few blocks from the White House on Wednesday.
• Victim Identification:
  • Sarah Beckstrom (20, Army Specialist, from Somersville, WV) has died.
  • Andrew Wolf (24) remains in critical condition.
• Suspect Details:
  • 29-year-old Afghan national, also hospitalized.
  • Former CIA collaborator in Afghanistan; entered the US after the 2021 withdrawal.
  • Drove from Washington State to D.C. for the attack; motive remains unknown.
• Presidential Response:
  • President Trump described Beckstrom as "an incredible person in every single way" [00:41] (Trump, via Brian Mann).
  • Announced Beckstrom’s death on a conference call with military leaders.

2. Immigration Policy Shake-Up After Shooting

[01:19–02:07]

• Trump’s Statement:
  • Announces his administration will work to “permanently pause migration from what he calls third world countries.”
  • Did not list specific nations.
  • Claimed move would “help fight crime and, quote, allow the US System to fully recover.” [01:23] (Matt Bloom reporting Trump’s words).
• Immediate Actions:
  • Paused all immigration requests relating to Afghans.
  • Ordered review of green card holders from 19 “high risk” countries.
  • Stated new policy goal: “major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations.”

3. Ukraine Peace Talks – US & Russia

[02:07–03:05]

• Active Process: Ukraine continues peace planning with the U.S. and Europeans.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
  • Said long-term US security guarantees for Ukraine would be discussed after a peace agreement, considered “another blow to Kyiv.” [02:25] (Eleanor Beardsley)
• Russia’s Position: President Putin insisted:
  • Hostilities will end “only if Ukrainian troops withdrew from the territory” (refers to Donbass region).
  • Otherwise, “Russia will seize the territory anyway.”
• Ukraine’s Stance: Sees Russia as “simply buying time” and claims Russia does not really wish to end the war.

4. Hong Kong Public Housing Fire – Deadliest in Decades

[03:05–04:06]

• Casualties: At least 128 dead, hundreds missing; toll expected to climb.
• Incident Details:
  • Fire broke out Wednesday in an apartment complex under repair.
  • Flammable construction materials found to be shrouding buildings.
  • Three executives from the construction firm have been arrested for manslaughter.
  • Comparatively, the deadliest fire since 1948 in Hong Kong.

5. New Science: Origins of Domestic Cats

[04:06–04:45]

• New Study Findings:
  • Ancient DNA analysis shows domestic cats originated in North Africa thousands of years ago.
  • Lead Author Marco DiMartino: Most surprising was “how recently cats moved from there.”
  • Domestic cat genomes arrived in Europe about 2,000 years ago, likely via traders and migrants.
  • Cats spread for both “utility—cats love killing rodents—and companionship, or possibly much like today for both.” [04:31] (Nate Rott)

6. Financial Markets and CME Halt

[04:45–04:56]

• Market Update:
  • Asian markets ended mixed.
  • Nikkei up 0.1%.
  • U.S. futures trading halted at Chicago Mercantile Exchange after a cooling issue at a key data center.

Memorable Quotes

• President Trump (via Brian Mann, 00:41):
  “She was an incredible person in every single way.”

• Statement on U.S. Immigration Policy (via Matt Bloom, 01:23):
  “…allow the US System to fully recover.”
  “These goals will be pursued with the aim of a major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations.”

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio (via Eleanor Beardsley, 02:25):
  “The US will discuss long term security guarantees for Ukraine after a peace agreement is signed.”

• Russian President Putin (reported via Eleanor Beardsley, 02:48):
  “Hostilities would only end if Ukrainian troops withdrew from the territory… If they don’t, Russia will seize the territory anyway.”

• Nate Rott, on cat domestication (04:31):
  “The earliest domestic genomes arrived in Europe roughly around 2,000 years ago, likely spread by traders and migrating people, either for utility—cats love killing rodents and mice—or companionship, or possibly much like today for both.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:14] – National Guard shooting update; Beckstrom’s death announced
• [01:19] – Trump announces migration pause and new immigration measures
• [02:07] – Ukraine-U.S.-Russia peace process developments
• [03:05] – Deadly Hong Kong fire details, arrests, and context
• [04:06] – Ancient DNA reveals North African origin of domestic cats
• [04:45] – Markets updates, CME trading halt

This concise news episode delivers a focused briefing on major global developments and evolving policies, emphasizing direct reporting and summary insights for listeners on the go.