NPR News Now – 11-29-2025, 6AM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now briefing, hosted by Louise Schiavone, covers the top headlines of the early morning on November 29, 2025. Key stories include a deadly attack on US military personnel in Washington, D.C., a devastating fire in Hong Kong, record-breaking online holiday shopping, an Israeli military raid in Syria, and updates on a high-profile Louvre jewelry heist.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Attack on US National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C.

[00:19-01:13]

• Incident Summary:
  President Trump announced the Thanksgiving Day death of US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, gunned down in an ambush alongside Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who remains in critical condition.
• Suspect:
  An Afghan asylee, accused of driving cross-country to commit the attack, faces first-degree murder charges.
• Community Reaction:
  State Senator Robby Morris, at Beckstrom’s Webster Springs, West Virginia, memorial, shared the town’s grief and anger.
  • Quote:
    “A shock, 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.”
    — Robby Morris [00:57]
• Policy Response:
  In response, the Trump administration halted all asylum decisions and paused visas for Afghan passport holders. Investigators are searching for a motive.

2. Catastrophic Fire in Hong Kong Housing Complex

[01:13-02:21]

• Death Toll & Damage:
  At least 121 are dead after a massive fire in a public housing complex, making it one of the deadliest in Hong Kong’s history.
• Contributing Factors:
  • Construction materials failed standards.
  • Inoperative fire alarms delayed response.
• Corruption Investigation:
  • Corruption probe launched into the renovation project.
  • Eight additional arrests Friday, following three construction company arrests Thursday.
    • Quote:
      “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 [01:41]
• Reporting:
  Charisse Pham provides updates for NPR News from Hong Kong.

3. Record US Online Holiday Shopping

[02:21-03:17]

• Spending Surge:
  • Thanksgiving Day online sales reached $6.4 billion, a more than 5% increase over last year (Adobe Analytics).
  • More consumers shopped before dinner than in prior years; retailers offered deeper and earlier discounts.
• Popular Purchases:
  • Big ticket home products: refrigerators, freezers, exercise equipment, TVs, home security.
  • Toys: Squishmallows, Miss Rachel learning toys, Pokémon cards, and classics like Legos and Hot Wheels.
    • Quote:
      “People on Thanksgiving spent $6.4 billion, which is an increase of more than 5% from last year... retailers rolling out some of the deepest discounts earlier than expected.”
      — Alina Selyuk [02:36]
• Reporting:
  Alina Selyuk for NPR News.

4. Israeli Raid in Southern Syria

[03:17-03:49]

• Event:
  • Israeli forces raided a Syrian village, reportedly killing at least 13, including women and children.
• Conflicting Reports:
  • Syria: Civilian casualties.
  • Israel: Operation targeted a militant group; return fire after being attacked.
• No on-air quotes; succinct headline coverage.

5. Louvre Museum Ticket Price Hike & Security Upgrades

[03:49-04:33]

• Ticket Increase:
  • From January 2026, ticket price for non-EU visitors rises from $25 to $37 to fund a six-year renovation.
• Security and Renovation Drivers:
  • Prompted by $102 million crown jewels heist last month.
  • Upgrades: 100 new exterior cameras by end of 2026, a new entrance, and a special Mona Lisa room.
    • Quote:
      “The urgency of renovations were exposed last month when four robbers took off with $102 million worth of crown jewels, which have still not been recovered.”
      — Rebecca Rossman [03:49]
• Reporting:
  Rebecca Rossman from Paris.

6. Update: Louvre Robbery Arrests

[04:33-04:58]

• Arrests:
  • All four suspected jewel thieves now in custody.
  • Final suspect has a record of six criminal convictions and faces new charges.
• Quote:
  No new direct quote, but Louise Schiavone presents the updates.

Memorable Quotes

• “A shock, the loss that we are all feeling, the anger, the devastation... it seems to hit harder around the holidays.”
  — Robby Morris, State Senator, [00:57]

• “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, [01:41]

• “People on Thanksgiving spent $6.4 billion, which is an increase of more than 5% from last year... retailers rolling out some of the deepest discounts earlier than expected.”
  — Alina Selyuk, [02:36]

• “The urgency of renovations were exposed last month when four robbers took off with $102 million worth of crown jewels, which have still not been recovered.”
  — Rebecca Rossman, [03:49]

Important Timestamps

• 00:19-01:13 – Deadly D.C. ambush of National Guardsmen; policy response
• 01:13-02:21 – Hong Kong fire disaster; corruption probe
• 02:21-03:17 – Holiday online sales boom in the US
• 03:17-03:49 – Israeli raid in Syria, civilian/militant casualties
• 03:49-04:33 – Louvre ticket price hike, museum improvements post-heist
• 04:33-04:58 – Arrest updates in Louvre crown jewels robbery

Tone & Style

• Factual, concise, and urgent, in keeping with NPR's brief news update format.
• Direct quotes from live reporting and notable voices maintained in original language.

This episode delivers a rapid, global snapshot: US tragedy and resultant policy, Asian disaster with systemic corruption, American consumerism, Middle Eastern conflict, and European cultural developments. Each story is succinct yet gives key context, critical details, and emotional resonance.