NPR News Now – Nov. 29, 2025, 2AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Length: ~5 minutes
Episode Theme:
A concise rundown of major world and U.S. news, including U.S. immigration policy shifts following a high-profile crime, an international response, a deadly fire in Hong Kong, NASA’s Mars mission update, and political turmoil in Ukraine and the Philippines.

1. U.S. Immigration Policy and National Guard Shooting

[00:14 – 02:20]

Incident Overview

• Two National Guard troops shot in Washington, D.C.; the shooter, an Afghan asylum recipient, moved to the U.S. in 2021.

Administration Response

• Policy Halt:
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stops all asylum decisions.
    • “…the agency has halted all asylum decisions.” (Vanessa Romo, [00:33])
• Presidential Reaction:
  • President Trump posts on Truth Social, pledging to:
    • End all federal benefits and subsidies to non-citizens.
    • Remove anyone deemed “not a net asset.”
    • Freeze migration from “Third world countries.”
    • Trump falsely claims, “refugee burden is the leading cause of social dysfunction in America.” (Vanessa Romo, [00:33])
  • Notably, President blames even legal green card holders for using government support.

International and Advocacy Response

• UN Urges Reconsideration:
  • The UN highlights asylum seekers’ rights under international law.
    • “…asylum seekers were entitled to protection under international law and that they should be given due process.” (Jeremy Lawrence, UN Human Rights Office, quoted by Pierre's Dia Hadid, [01:31])
• Further Restrictions:
  • U.S. pauses Afghan migration applications.
  • Pre-existing plans for re-interviews and tighter Biden-era rescindment echoed.
  • Reduction in annual refugee acceptance; priority reportedly given to white South Africans.
    • “…the administration also limited the number of refugees it allows into the US every year, with priority given to white South Africans.” (Pierre's Dia Hadid, [01:31])

2. Deadly Hong Kong Fire

[02:20 – 03:09]

Scale and Response

• 128 confirmed dead after a catastrophic fire in a public housing complex.
• Fire burned for 40+ hours; some areas still too hot for rescue.
• Officials warn the death toll may rise.

Underlying Causes & Investigation

• Building under renovation; construction materials did not meet safety standards.
• Fire alarm system malfunctioned.
• Corruption probe launched; 8 arrested Friday, 3 construction company employees arrested Thursday.

“Government officials said temperatures on some floors were still too hot for rescuers to enter, warning that the death toll could climb even higher.”
(Charisse Pham, [02:28])

3. NASA’s Mars Twin Spacecraft Launch

[03:09 – 04:03]

Mission Plan

• NASA’s “ESCAPADE” twin spacecraft launched, beginning a year-long wait in near-Earth orbit.
• Due to planetary alignment, actual Mars transfer not possible until Fall 2026.
• Probes will slingshot from Earth’s gravity, aiming for Mars arrival in 2027.

Scientific Goals

• Study how solar wind interacts with Mars’s atmosphere.
• Collect crucial ionospheric data.

“They’ll then use Earth’s gravity as a kind of slingshot to actually begin the ten-month cruise to Mars.”
(Joe Palka, [03:23])

4. Political Developments: Ukraine and Philippines

[04:03 – 04:54]

Ukraine – Resignation amid Corruption Probe

• Andrei Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelensky, resigns after a home search by anti-corruption investigators.
• Yermak, a crucial peace negotiator, is not a formal suspect but is a target in an ongoing inquiry.
• Concerns over the impact on U.S.-Ukraine-Russia peace talks.

“Yermak is a target of those investigators, but they say he’s not yet a suspect in the inquiry.”
(Dale Willman, [04:03])

Philippines – Duterte’s ICC Detention

• Former President Rodrigo Duterte remains in ICC custody; request for medical release denied.
• Legal team cites infirmity, but the court cites flight risk.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump’s Immigration Rhetoric:
  “His administration would, quote, end all federal benefits and subsidies to non-citizens and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States.”
  (Vanessa Romo, [00:33])

• UN’s International Law Reminder:
  “Asylum seekers were entitled to protection under international law and that they should be given due process.”
  (UN Spokesman Jeremy Lawrence via Pierre's Dia Hadid, [01:31])

• Fire’s Aftermath in Hong Kong:
  “The apartment complex had been under renovation, and police said construction material at the site was not up to standard.”
  (Charisse Pham, [02:28])

• NASA’s Long Mars Wait:
  “The escapade probes will wait in a kidney-shaped orbit near Earth. They’ll then use Earth’s gravity as a kind of slingshot…”
  (Joe Palka, [03:23])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S. Immigration & National Guard Shooting: 00:14 – 02:20
• Hong Kong Fire: 02:20 – 03:09
• NASA Mars Missions: 03:09 – 04:03
• Ukraine Resignation & Duterte ICC Ruling: 04:03 – 04:54

This episode delivers a rapid-fire overview of major international and domestic stories, with a strong focus on U.S. policy shifts, international legal norms, disaster and corruption response, and global political developments. The tone is factual and urgent, fitting NPR’s style of high-density news delivery for listeners seeking the latest headlines.