NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-01-2025 6PM EST

Episode Date: December 1, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. The White House is acknowledging that a second strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean happened on September 2nd and specified that Navy Admiral Frank Bradley carried out the order. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has more. Defense Secretary Pete Higgseth ordered the first strike on the boat and a subsequent strike that killed all survivors on board, as NPR has previously reported. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt defended that second strike at her last. latest briefing. With respect to the strikes in question on September 2nd, Secretary Hegeseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked well within his authority and the law directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat

to the United States of America was eliminated. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have said that the second strike may have constituted a war crime. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House. The White House says President Trump's most recent medical examination confirmed that the president remains in excellent health. NPR's Rob Stein has more on new information about the president's scan. The White House released a statement from the president's physician stating that Trump remains, quote, in excellent overall health. Questions about the president's health have been swirling since he underwent another exam in October, that included a test known as an MRI. MRIs are sometimes used to assess the health of vital organs.

The White House physician's statement says the president's imaging showed his heart, arteries, blood vessels, and other major organs all appear normal. Trump is 79, making him the oldest person ever elected as president. Rob Stein, NPR News. Gasoline prices have dipped to their lowest level in four years, but as NPR's Scott Horsley reports, the discount don't extend to the diesel pumps. AAA says the average price of regular gas nationwide has dropped to $3 a gallon, even as tens of millions of people hit the road over the holiday weekend. Truck drivers, however, are not enjoying lower prices.

The average cost of diesel fuels close to $3.74 a gallon, 20 cents more than this time last year. Airbus says most of its A320 passenger jets have now completed a software fix that was ordered on Friday. U.S. Airlines scrambled to make the update during the busy travel weekend. It was also a busy shopping weekend, both in stores and online. Despite shaky consumer-confident, shoppers are hoping to take advantage of holiday bargains. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

West Virginia's governor says a National Guard member who was shot last week in Washington, D.C. is still in serious condition, but has shown some positive signs. Governor Patrick Morrissey says 24-year-old Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf gave a thumbs up and that he could hear a nurse's question and wiggled his toes. Another National Guard member, 20-year-old Sarah Bexstrom, died after the shooting. U.S. stocks dropped today after last week's rally. This is NPR News. More than 800 people are still missing after devastating floods killed over 1,000 people last week in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Indonesia's president says more action needs to be taken to confront climate change.

Flooding and landslides killed more than 600 in Indonesia alone. As delegations from the U.S. and Russia prepare to meet in Moscow to discuss the latest proposal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was buttressed by allies in Paris. Zelensky was welcomed by an honor guard at the Elysee presidential palace. President Emmanuel Macron said the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe want peace, but there are doubts Russia is serious. He said the Kremlin had turned down four proposals and continues. to bomb Ukraine nightly. The two leaders spoke by video to dozens of European leaders and allies in the coalition of the willing. The force committed to guaranteeing peace in Ukraine once the fighting stops. Macron and Zelensky also spoke to U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff and President Trump.

Their message, Ukraine and Europe must be at the negotiating table for a robust and lasting peace. It's their territory and security at stake. Eleanor Beardsley in PR News, Keeve. A federal antitrust trial against NASCAR is opened with Michael Jordan in attendance. The retired NBRA star co-owns a team that's suing the racing organization. They allege NASCAR is monopolistic and forces teams to comply with rules and financing they oppose. Several potential jurors were dismissed due to their admiration of Jordan. This is NPR News from Washington.