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Top News
Tragic Update from Washington, D.C.: A West Virginia National Guard member, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, has succumbed to injuries from a recent shooting near the White House. President Trump confirmed her passing during a Thanksgiving call with service members. Beckstrom and another guard member, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, were on duty when Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly opened fire. Wolfe remains in critical condition. Following the incident, the administration is set to reassess the vetting of refugees and migrants holding green cards in the U.S.
This photo combination shows West Virginia National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (left) and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who were injured in Wednesday’s shooting in Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office/AP
- 🎧 Lakanwal, the alleged shooter, has a history of serving with U.S. forces in Afghanistan in a CIA-linked unit. According to NPR’s Brian Mann, Lakanwal sought asylum under the Biden administration and received protection earlier this year. The Trump administration is now advocating for a crackdown on migrant naturalization processes, citing potential vetting oversights, suggesting a systemic issue. However, sources like AfghanEvac argue that Lakanwal’s vetting was thorough, emphasizing that most Afghan refugees have integrated peacefully into the U.S.
Hong Kong Tragedy: A devastating fire in a Hong Kong high-rise has resulted in at least 128 fatalities. The building housed approximately 4,600 residents, marking one of the deadliest incidents in recent decades. Authorities have apprehended three individuals on manslaughter charges linked to the blaze. For more details, click here.
Books We Love
Andrew Limbong, host of NPR’s Book of the Day podcast, highlights the annual Books We Love feature. With over 380 recommendations, there’s a read for everyone. For more literary discussions, subscribe to the books newsletter.
Among the extensive list, some notable mentions include:
- 📚 The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami — A dystopian narrative exploring themes of surveillance and societal risks. Emily Kwong from NPR’s Short Wave describes it as “instructive for navigating a society beset by mass surveillance.”
- 📚 King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby — A gritty crime fiction revolving around a crematorium entangled with a local drug gang. NPR’s Melissa Gray calls it a “dark and satisfying conclusion.”
- 📚 Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy — A memoir delving into complex familial ties. Leila Fadel from Morning Edition refers to it as “a story of turbulent love and liberation.”
- 📚 Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green — A comprehensive look at TB’s history and current impact. James Perkins Mastromarino from Here & Now praises its “witty, cogent and achingly beautiful” narrative.
For a deeper dive into these and other titles, explore the full Books We Love collection.
Black Friday Highlights
It’s gift-giving season, and some consumer and child advocacy groups are raising concerns about the latest buzz-worthy AI toys Elva Etienne/Getty Images
As Black Friday approaches, Fairplay, a child safety organization, advises against buying AI toys for children, citing potential risks such as trust exploitation and disruption of personal relationships. For more on this topic, learn more here.
In San Diego, muralist Maxx Moses is hosting the Black Friday Artists Market at Graffiti Gardens, celebrating Black culture and community. The event features local artists and aims to highlight the intersection of art and economics. More details are available on KPBS.
This shopping season, expect substantial discounts as retailers encourage spending. The National Retail Federation anticipates a record-breaking season, with consumer spending projected to surpass $1 trillion, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 4% compared to last year. Explore more on these sales forecasts here.
For those experiencing post-Thanksgiving travel sickness, NPR’s How To Do Everything podcast offers valuable tips to improve your journey. Discover helpful advice to make your trip more comfortable.
Weekend Recommendations
Renate Reinsve in Sentimental Value. Neon
Explore what NPR is engaging with this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Sentimental Value presents a filmmaker’s journey as he reconciles with his estranged daughters, exploring the intricate relationship between art and parenthood. More insights from Pop Culture Happy Hour.
📺 TV: With the final season of Stranger Things underway, NPR critic Eric Deggans reviews whether the series concludes satisfactorily. Read more (spoilers ahead).
📚 Books: Already intrigued by Andrew Limbong’s book recommendations? Discover this week’s new releases, including diverse genres from crosswords to posthumous short stories.
🎵 Music: Post-Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start your holiday playlist. Access NPR’s exclusive holiday music streams, offering everything from festive tunes to holiday jazz.
🍽️ Food: Overwhelmed by leftovers? Chef Kathy Gunst provides creative recipes to repurpose them into delightful dishes.
Curated by Suzanne Nuyen.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
