NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-01-2025 8AM EST

Episode Date: December 1, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, on Corva Coleman, both the House and Senate Armed Services Committee say they'll open inquiries into deadly boat strikes carried out by the Pentagon. President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth say they're targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean, but they've never provided evidence of their claims. NPR's Luke Garrett reports there are questions about specific orders given by Hegseth. A source familiar but not authorized to speak publicly tells NPR's Tom Bowman that HECSeth ordered the first strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean on September 2nd and then a follow-up strike that killed all survivors on board. The Washington Post first reported this story that is raising serious questions about the legality of these strikes and whether they are war crimes. The Pentagon has denied these reports and Hegss himself posted on X that these strikes are, quote, lawful under both

U.S. and international law. And Pierre's Luke Garrett reporting. President Trump's envoy, Steve Whitkoff, is headed for Moscow today as part of efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian met Whitkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Florida this weekend. Rubio says the talks were productive. A court hearing is set for today in New York for the man charged with killing United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson. And Pierre Serra Ventry reports this begins multiple days of hearings for the suspect, Luigi Mangione. The three suppression hearings will determine whether certain pieces of evidence will be admissible during Mangione's New York State trial. The defense argues that the alleged contents of Mangione's backpack, including a journal, should be inadmissible

because law enforcement did not have a search warrant at the time of his arrest. This is Mangione's first court appearance in September, and the hearings are expected to last throughout the week. His state charges include murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangioni also faces federal charges, which, if convicted, could include a death sentence. That case is moving on a parallel track, though no trial date has been set yet in either case. Sarah Ventry and P.R. News, New York. The Food and Drug Administration is claiming at least 10 children have died because of the COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, the FDA plans to impose new requirements for approving vaccines.

NPR's Rob Stein has details. FDA officials say the deaths occur 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 how children are vaccinated against infectious diseases, like measles, mumps, and hepatitis. Rob Stein and PR News.

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Authorities in Stockton, California are urging anyone with information to come forward about a deadly weekend shooting. Three children, aged 8, 9, and 14 were shot to death, along with a 21-year-old. Authorities say nearly a dozen other people were wounded. No one has been arrested. Stockton is about 80 miles east of San Francisco. The U.S. Supreme Court hears a billion-dollar case today. asks whether internet providers are liable when their users commit copyright violations online.

Sony and a coalition of music companies are suing Cox communications. They say the internet provider has been well-informed of serial copyright abusers. Cox says its terms of service ban illegal activity, and it doesn't make money when its users infringe copyrights. It is Cyber Monday, the biggest online shopping day of the year, NPR's Matt Bloom has more. Shoppers are expected to spend more than $14 billion online during Cyber Monday. That's according to Data Tracker Adobe Analytics, which looks at retail trends. The forecast states that's a 6% jump over last year. It comes on the heels of a busy Black Friday.

Despite economic uncertainty around tariffs and cost of living increases, U.S. customers spent almost 12 billion online shopping, a record. Video game, consoles, electronics, and home appliances saw uptick in sales, and shopping services powered by AI and mobile apps also saw a big jump in use. Companies that measure traffic at physical stores, meanwhile, saw a slight drop in in-person spending. This is NPR.