NPR News Now – November 29, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Nora Ramm
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now segment provides concise, hourly updates on major events as of late November 2025. The featured stories cover record-breaking holiday spending, a shooting involving members of the National Guard near the White House, heightened violence and political turmoil in Ukraine, a deadly high-rise fire in Hong Kong, harsh winter weather across the U.S., and widespread disruptions to air travel due to Airbus A320 software issues. The tone remains factual, sober, and urgent, reflecting significant global and national events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Record-Setting Black Friday Sales

• [00:18–01:16]
  • Reporter: Nora Ramm, Alina Selyuk
  • Main Points:
    • Online Black Friday sales are up over 9% compared to 2024, despite economic uncertainty.
    • Popular items: TVs, Nintendo Switch, Apple AirPods, appliances, toys, and gift cards.
    • Retailers are rolling out deeper and earlier discounts to entice consumers.
    • Underlying factors: inflation concerns, tariffs, low consumer sentiment.
    • Notably, spending is “propped up by wealthier shoppers this year.”
    • Notable Quote:
      • “The National Retail Federation forecasts overall holiday sales might top $1 trillion for the first time.” – Alina Selyuk [00:55]

2. Shooting Near the White House & Afghan Visa Implications

• [01:16–02:12]
  • Reporter: Nora Ramm, Dia Hadid
  • Main Points:
    • A National Guard member remains in critical condition following a shooting near the White House; another has died.
    • Suspect is an Afghan national who previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan.
    • Immediate policy: State Department halts visa issuance for Afghan passport holders.
    • Dia Hadid interviews Afghans in limbo, including a military whistleblower now in hiding:
      • Notable Quote:
        • “He was ashamed of the Afghan national behind the [attack].” – Roshangar, via Dia Hadid [01:55]
    • Context: 265,000 Afghans hoping to immigrate now face greater uncertainty.

3. Russian Attacks and Ukrainian Political Upheaval

• [02:12–02:59]

  • Reporter: Nora Ramm, Eleanor Beardsley

  • Main Points:

    • Deadly drone and missile strikes hit Kyiv; at least two killed, including a child.
    • Attacks reportedly included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
    • Increased violence as Ukrainian delegation heads to the U.S. for peace talks with President Trump.
    • Fears in Ukraine: Trump may rush a deal that concedes too much to Russia.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “Ukrainians fear in his haste to conclude a deal, Trump could propose ceding too much to Russia.” – Eleanor Beardsley [02:54]

  • Political Turmoil:

    • Ukrainian chief negotiator Andrei Yermak resigned ahead of U.S. peace talks and is under investigation for alleged energy sector fraud.
    • Delegation traveling without him.

4. Hong Kong High-Rise Fire

• [02:59–03:49]
  • Main Points:
    • At least 128 killed; 150 missing after a deadly fire in a Hong Kong high-rise.
    • Investigators are examining failures in fire alarm systems and building materials’ compliance with safety standards.

5. Thanksgiving Weekend Winter Weather

• [03:49–04:34]
  • Reporter: Eva Pukach
  • Main Points:
    • Widespread snow and frigid temperatures hit states from Montana to New York.
    • North Carolina temperatures plummeted into the 20s; shelters see increased need.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “For somebody that's out there in this type of weather can mean death because I mean, the cold is nothing to play with.” – Leon Davis [04:10]
    • The cold is expected to persist through Sunday.

6. Global Disruptions to Air Travel

• [04:34–04:56]
  • Main Points:
    • A software problem has led to the grounding of about 6,000 Airbus A320 jets globally.
    • Emerged after a JetBlue A320 incident; at least 10 passengers were injured when a plane lost altitude.
    • Represents about half the global A320 fleet.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Retailers are offering deeper discounts than anticipated and earlier in the season to get shoppers to spend.” – Alina Selyuk [00:41]
• “Consumer sentiment is near the lowest level since the pandemic struck.” – Alina Selyuk [00:49]
• “A member of the National Guard shot near the White House Wednesday remains in critical condition.” – Nora Ramm [01:16]
• “These are really dark days for the 265,000 Afghans who advocates say were in the pipeline to come to the US.” – Dia Hadid [01:48]
• “A child is among the dead amidst a mass combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital.” – Eleanor Beardsley [02:28]
• “Ukrainians fear in his haste to conclude a deal, Trump could propose ceding too much to Russia.” – Eleanor Beardsley [02:54]
• “For somebody that's out there in this type of weather can mean death because I mean, the cold is nothing to play with.” – Leon Davis [04:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Black Friday Sales Record: 00:18–01:16
• White House Shooting & Afghan Visa Fallout: 01:16–02:12
• Russian/Ukrainian Conflict & Peace Talks: 02:12–02:59
• Hong Kong High-Rise Fire: 02:59–03:49
• Thanksgiving Winter Weather: 03:49–04:34
• Global Air Travel Disrupted: 04:34–04:56

Summary

This concise news roundup touches on critical domestic and international events: record-breaking U.S. holiday consumerism amid economic anxieties, the tragic consequences and policy fallout from a deadly shooting involving Afghan nationals in Washington, renewed violence and major political changes in Ukraine on the eve of U.S.-brokered peace talks, ongoing humanitarian disaster in Hong Kong, severe winter weather impacting vulnerable populations and travel, and large-scale disruption in the airline industry due to technical recalls. The reporting is brisk, precise, and attentive to the evolving ripple effects of each story.