NPR News Now: November 29, 2025, 4PM EST

Episode Summary

Main Theme:
A concise round-up of the day’s top national and international news, including updates on a White House shooting involving Afghan nationals, U.S. intervention in Honduran elections, a major university funding agreement, new vaccine safety concerns, and obituaries of influential cultural figures.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. White House Shooting & U.S. Visa Suspensions

[00:16-01:11]

• Incident Update:

  • A National Guard member shot near the White House remains in critical condition; his colleague has died.
  • The suspect is an Afghan national formerly employed by the CIA in Afghanistan.
  • In response, the U.S. State Department has suspended issuing visas to all travelers with Afghan passports.

• Human Impact:

  • Many Afghans previously cleared to immigrate are now stranded in limbo.
  • Example: "Roshangar," a former Afghan military member involved in anti-Taliban efforts, remains in hiding and fears for his life.
  • Diya Hadid reports from Mumbai, stating:

    “These are really dark days for the sub 265,000 Afghans who advocates say were in the pipeline to come to the US.” (Diya Hadid, 00:47)

2. U.S. Involvement in Honduran Elections

[01:11-02:00]

• Election Update:

  • Hondurans go to the polls with U.S. politics strongly influencing the process.
  • On Truth Social, President Trump endorsed conservative candidate Tito Asfura and promised to pardon ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted of drug trafficking.
  • Trump threatened to pull U.S. aid if Asfura does not win.

• Political Tensions:

  • Asfura, associated with the controversial National Party, faces a close race.
  • Eder Peralta notes:

    “The most recent polls show candidates are in a dead heat for the presidency.” (Eder Peralta, 01:57)

3. Northwestern University Settlement Over Discrimination Claims

[02:00-02:51]

• Agreement Details:

  • Northwestern to pay $75 million to the federal government over three years in exchange for the release of $790 million in previously blocked research funding.
  • The freeze came amidst accusations of racial discrimination and anti-Semitism.
  • The Trump administration will drop all ongoing investigations related to the issue.

• Context:

  • Similar settlements have recently been reached with Cornell, Brown, and Columbia Universities.
  • Alyssa Nadworny highlights the return of academic freedom as an important part of the deal:

    “The agreement allows the college to retain full academic freedom and says the Trump administration will end all open investigations into the school.” (Alyssa Nadworny, 02:36)

4. FDA Announces Tougher Vaccine Regulation Amidst New Concerns

[02:51-03:51]

• New Approach:
  • FDA officials signal stricter oversight on vaccines after reports citing at least 10 child deaths linked to COVID-19 vaccinations.
  • Independent public health experts dispute the administration’s prior vaccine-related statements as unsupported and misleading.

5. Holiday Shopping Record & Economic Outlook

[03:51-04:16]

• Holiday Sales:
  • The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales may surpass $1 trillion for the first time.
  • Despite tariffs and inflation, consumer spending remains strong: Black Friday online sales rose by over 9% compared to last year.

6. Obituaries: Dorothy Vogel & Tom Stoppard

[03:51-04:55]

• Dorothy Vogel [03:51-04:36]:

  • Civil servant, art collector, dies at 90.
  • With her late husband Herb, built an iconic contemporary and conceptual art collection, donated major works nationwide.
  • Memorable moment:

    “If you want to buy art, the only thing that we could afford would be the minimal.” (Dorothy Vogel, 04:03)

• Tom Stoppard [04:36-04:55]:

  • Renowned British playwright and Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Shakespeare in Love” passes away at 88.
  • Tributes highlight his major contributions to modern theater and film.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Afghan Visa Ban:

  “These are really dark days for the sub 265,000 Afghans who advocates say were in the pipeline to come to the US.”
  — Diya Hadid, 00:47

• On U.S. Interference in Honduras:

  “In his post, Trump threatened to pull USAID to Honduras if Asfura doesn't win.”
  — Eder Peralta, 01:47

• On University Settlements:

  “The agreement allows the college to retain full academic freedom and says the Trump administration will end all open investigations into the school.”
  — Alyssa Nadworny, 02:36

• On Art Collecting:

  “If you want to buy art, the only thing that we could afford would be the minimal.”
  — Dorothy Vogel, 04:03

Timestamps for Important Segments

• White House Shooting, Afghan Visa Ban – 00:16–01:11
• Honduran Election, U.S. Involvement – 01:11–02:00
• Northwestern University Settlement – 02:00–02:51
• FDA & Vaccine Oversight – 02:51–03:51
• Holiday Shopping, Economic Update – 03:51–04:16
• Dorothy Vogel Obituary – 03:51–04:36
• Tom Stoppard Obituary – 04:36–04:55

Tone & Delivery

The reporting remains factual, concise, and balanced, in line with NPR’s standard news brief style—delivering national and global events in a clear, matter-of-fact tone with occasional poignant moments, especially in the obituaries.

Listen for:

• International implications of U.S. actions (visas, elections)
• Institutional accountability in education and public health
• Cultural legacy through individual achievement in art and literature