NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-03-2025 2AM EST

Episode Date: December 3, 2025

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Do you have a question you just don't feel like Googling? We're Ian and Mike, hosts of How to Do Everything. We can help answer all of your most pressing questions, like, can I cook lasagna in my dishwasher? Where do you park your blimp? Or the timeless classic, what's that smell? I, ooh. Listen to the How to Do Everything podcast on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder.

In Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro has pledged to never fail his country and to serve the people forever. His remarks come days after news emerged that he and President Trump had a recent phone call, and Trump reportedly called for him to resign. Reporter Julia Carnaro reports. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pumps his fists in the air while dancing to a remix of his own words, saying no war, yes, peace. He spoke to crowds of supporters outside the presidential palace on Monday in a show that he was not about to resign,

despite building military pressure from the U.S. and an ultimatum allegedly made by President Trump in a recent phone call. Maduro swore on his life, absolute loyalty to his country. He said Venezuela wants peace, but not, quote, a slave's peace, maintaining sovereignty and freedom. On Tuesday, he gave the go-ahead for an incoming flight, deporting migrants from the U.S. Days after his government said it was freezing repatriation flights.

For NPR news, I'm Julie Carnero. Defense Secretary Pete Hegas says the decision to launch a second strike against a suspected drug boat in September was not his call. During Tuesday's cabinet meeting at the White House, Hegs said he left the room before the mission was over. The Trump administration says Admiral Mitch Bradley ordered the second strike. He's to meet with members of Congress this week. President Trump says he'll be announcing his choice for a new Federal Reserve chair early next year.

And P.R. Franco Ordonez reports. President Trump told reporters at a cabinet meeting that his team has considered a number of candidates to replace the current Fed chair, Jerome Powell, who steps down next year. Trump said some of those were brought forward by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and others brought forward by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik. We probably look to 10 and we have it down to one. Trump says the pick won't be Bessent, though, but many market observers expect Trump to pick Kevin Hassett, the National Economic Council Director. Trump has sought a more loyal chair after months of complaining about Powell. Hassett himself has played down suggestions that he's the leading candidate, but has said he'd be happy to serve. Franco, Ordonez. NPR News, the White House.

Winter weather advisories remain in place in the northeast, the region being hit by the first major story. of the season. Weather Prediction Center forecaster Ashton Robinson Cook in Portland, Maine, says it should taper off by Wednesday. This system will sweep off to the east, and the snow from it will finally die down very early Wednesday. The National Weather Service says parts of New York and Central New England have as much as 10 inches on the ground.

The storm led to hundreds of flight delays and dangerous road conditions. You're listening to NPR News. President Trump is congratulating Matt Van Ebbs. Trump posted a message on social media shortly after the Associated Press called today's hotly contested special election for a Tennessee House seat. According to the AP, with most votes counted, VanEpps' lead was in the high single digits in a congressional district Trump won by 22 percentage points in 2024. Costco is the latest company to sue the Trump administration over tariffs.

it's one of the largest companies to launch such a lawsuit, which asked for a refund of tariffs already paid if the Supreme Court declares President Trump's import duties illegal. Here's NPR's Alina Siloak reporting. President Trump's tariffs on nearly all imports are pending at the Supreme Court, where justices last month seemed skeptical about their legality during oral arguments. Lower courts previously found that Trump set new rules by improperly using emergency economic power, and dozens of companies have now filed lawsuits trying to secure tariff refunds in the event that the Supreme Court agrees. That includes cosmetics company

Revlon, canned foodsmaker, bumblebee, and now Costco. Costco's filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade does not say how much the retailer has paid in tariffs, but earlier this year, executives said imported goods make up about a third of what Costco sells in the U.S. Alina Selhu, NPR News. A rare Faberger eggcrafted for Russian royalty has sold at auction for a record $30.2 million. The egg was auctioned today by Christie's in London as one of seven that remain in private hands. It was commissioned by Zard Nicholas II as a present for his mother. This is NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden

fees. Join millions of customers and visit Wise.com. Tease and Cs apply.