NPR News Now – November 29, 2025, 1AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: ~5 minutes
Description: This hourly update reports on key national and international news, covering a recent tragic shooting, immigration policy changes, tensions in the Middle East, a deadly fire in Hong Kong, a significant papal visit, and regional flooding.

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now edition presents a concise roundup of the hour's most pressing global and national events. The episode details the aftermath and policy consequences following a fatal shooting in Washington D.C., ongoing conflict in the Middle East including new statements from Hezbollah, a catastrophic fire in Hong Kong, a papal visit to significant Christian historical sites, and impactful flooding in Thailand.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Memorial for National Guard Specialist Killed in D.C. Shooting

[00:11–00:58]

• Event: Memorial service for Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old National Guard specialist killed Wednesday in Washington, D.C.; Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf critically injured.
• Suspect: Afghan national granted asylum in the U.S., now arrested and facing murder and multiple charges.
• Community Response:
  • West Virginia State Senator Robbie Morris:

    “The loss that we are all feeling, the anger, the devastation, it’s a lot. There’s never a good time for something like this to happen. But it seems to hit harder around the holidays.” (00:43)

  • Emphasis on communal grief and impact during the holiday season.

2. White House Tightens Immigration Rules Post-Shooting

[00:58–01:53]

• Policy Actions:

  • President Trump announced halting migration from all “Third World countries.”
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has stopped all asylum decisions to “better screen people entering the country.”
  • Immediate State Department pause on visa issuance for Afghan passport holders.
  • President Trump also called for denaturalizing some naturalized American citizens.

• Motivation:
  Actions taken in response to the recent shooting involving an Afghan asylum recipient.

• Notable Quote:

  • Danielle Kurtzleben (NPR):

    “Late Thursday night, President Trump posted that he wants to not only stop immigration from certain countries, but also to denaturalize some American immigrants who have become citizens.” (01:29)

3. Hezbollah’s Response to Israeli Strike in Lebanon

[01:53–02:48]

• Event:

  • Hezbollah vows retaliation after the assassination of its second in command, Haitham Ali Tab Taba'i, in Beirut.
  • The Lebanese government faces pressure to disarm Hezbollah amidst continuing Israeli strikes.

• Hezbollah's Stance:

  • Deputy Naim Qasim:

    “You, the servants of Israel, for God’s sake, be with the people of your country. You’ll achieve the goals.” (02:30)

  • Asserts that while Israel has killed leaders and destroyed homes, "they had not destroyed the resistance movement."

• Reporting:

  • Jane Araf (NPR): Provides analytical context regarding Lebanese government dynamics and Israeli incursions.

4. Deadly Fire in Hong Kong

[02:48–03:15]

• Toll: At least 128 confirmed dead in one of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires.
• Contributing Factors:
  • Fire alarms did not sound.
  • Many victims were elderly residents.
  • Dozens still unaccounted for.
• Status: Fire was fully extinguished Friday.

5. Israeli Raid in Southern Syria

[03:15–03:37]

• Incident: Israeli forces raided a Syrian village, killing at least 13 (including women and children).
• Significance:
  • Largest raid since Israel took southern Syrian territory after the ouster of Syria’s president.
  • Syria's government labeled the attack a “horrific massacre.”
• Aftermath: Pope Leo prays at the site.

6. Papal Visit to Nicene Creed Birthplace in Turkey

[03:37–04:30]

• Background: Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew make historic speeches on the shores of Lake Isnik—the site of the First Council of Nicaea (AD 325), where core Christian doctrine was established.
• Message:
  • Pope Leo's Call:
    • “Reject the use of religion for justifying war, violence or any form of fundamentalism. Instead, choose dialogue and cooperation.” (04:14)
• Reporting:
  • Ruth Sherlock (NPR): Describes the setting and unity between Catholic and Orthodox leaders.

7. Deadly Flooding in Southern Thailand

[04:30–04:53]

• Impact:
  • Confirms 145 dead; 3.5 million affected.
  • Significant destruction: overturned cars, debris-filled streets.
  • Area is a major tourist destination.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Robbie Morris (West Virginia), on loss and community:

  “The loss that we are all feeling, the anger, the devastation, it’s a lot. There’s never a good time... But it seems to hit harder around the holidays.” (00:43)

• Danielle Kurtzleben (NPR), on new U.S. immigration policy:

  “Late Thursday night, President Trump posted that he wants to not only stop immigration from certain countries, but also to denaturalize some American immigrants who have become citizens.” (01:29)

• Naim Qasim (Hezbollah), on resilience:

  “You, the servants of Israel, for God’s sake, be with the people of your country. You'll achieve the goals.” (02:30)

• Pope Leo, advocating for peace:

  “…Reject the use of religion for justifying war, violence or any form of fundamentalism. Instead, choose dialogue and cooperation.” (04:14)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:11: News begins—D.C. shooting and memorial in West Virginia
• 00:43: Senator Robbie Morris’ statement at the memorial
• 00:58: Immigration policy tightening after shooting (incl. Danielle Kurtzleben report)
• 01:53: Hezbollah vows response to Israel; analysis by Jane Araf
• 02:48: Deadly fire in Hong Kong, latest updates
• 03:15: Israeli raid in Syria—13 killed
• 03:51: Pope Leo visits Nicene Creed site with Ruth Sherlock reporting
• 04:30: Deadly flooding in southern Thailand

Summary

This edition of NPR News Now delivers a succinct yet comprehensive update on major global events. Top stories include the community response and federal policy changes following a deadly shooting in D.C., mounting tensions and retaliation threats in the Middle East, a tragic fire in Hong Kong, a call for global religious unity by Pope Leo, and destructive flooding in Thailand. The reports are poignant, often quoting key figures and providing listeners with crucial context on developing international situations.