NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-01-2025 2PM EST

Episode Date: December 1, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Bipartisan calls are mounting for congressional inquiries into U.S. military strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific suspected of drug trafficking. Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth ordered a follow-up strike on a vessel September 2nd, an encounter now raising questions about violations of the Geneva Conventions. from NPR's Frank Ordonez. NPR has confirmed that Hexif did order the first strike on the alleged drug boat in the Caribbean and then a follow-up strike that killed all the survivors. Now, according

to the Washington Post, that first strike initially left two survivors clinging to the boat, which is raising a lot of questions about the legality of those strikes. Critics are pointing to the fact that under the Geneva Conventions, wounded combatants are to be cared for by either side in a conflict. NPR's Frank Ordonez reporting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was in Paris today where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron in what's being described as a show of support from European allies. U.S. officials have been pressuring Zelensky to agree to a peace plan with Russia. Rebecca Rosman has more from Paris. Zelensky told reporters that he still needs strong security guarantees that will prevent any new Russian aggression. Macron agreed, adding

that security guarantees for Ukraine are essential for Europe's own security. He also called Russia an obstacle to peace. The visit comes as U.S. officials prepare to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday after meeting with Ukrainian officials in Florida over the weekend to go over details of a U.S.-backed peace proposal. Both sides said those talks were constructive, but more work is needed. European officials have voiced concern that the White House is putting too much pressure on Kyiv. Macron said it's time to put more pressure on Russia. For NPR news, I'm Rebecca Roseman in Paris. The U.S. Congress returns from Thanksgiving recess to a long to-do list. That's after a historic government shutdown was unable to resolve a debate over expiring

health care subsidies. Here's NPR Sam Greenglass. For 43 days, Democrats withheld their votes on a short-term funding bill because Republicans would not agree to extend expiring subsidies for health plans purchased on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Democrats extracted the promise of a Senate vote on the matter, but the outcome is far from clear. Some House Republicans want to join Democrats in extending the subsidies. But many Republicans who have been deeply critical of the ACA subsidies are pushing for sweeping health care reforms. President Trump has talked about ditching the subsidies in favor of putting money in health savings accounts. The subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, spiking premiums for many Americans. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.

It's NPR. The man charged with the murder of health insurance executive Brian Thompson in New York City last year was back in court today for a pre-trial hearing. Luigi Mangione's attorneys are trying to get certain evidence excluded, including a 9-millimeter handgun and notebook entries that authorities they were found in Mangione's possession when he was arrested. They argue those and other items should not be admitted because police did not have a warrant to search the backpack in which they were found. In September, Mangeoni's attorneys were successful in getting state terrorism charges thrown out. The Food and Drug Administration is claiming that at least 10 children have died because of the COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, the federal agency

plans to impose new requirements for approving vaccines. NPR's Rob Stein, has details. FDA officials say the deaths occurred between 2021 and 2024, and going forward, the agency will require more evidence of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, including the annual flu shots. The agency hasn't revealed details of its investigation, so independent experts are skeptical that the deaths were due to the vaccines. The claim comes just days before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering changes to have. children are vaccinated against infectious diseases like measles, mumps, and hepatitis. Rob Stein, NPR News.

At last check on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 223 points. This is NPR News.