NPR News Now – December 1, 2025, 10AM EST

Episode Overview

This brief news update, hosted by Korva Coleman, covers major global and national headlines in five minutes. Topics include Congressional inquiries into U.S. military actions, a Vatican diplomatic mission, economic and consumer news, international disaster updates, a new U.S.-UK trade deal, and the latest in space exploration.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Congressional Inquiries into US Military Actions (00:16–01:11)

• Context: Congressional committees in both the House and Senate are investigating deadly U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific North.
• Controversy: According to a Washington Post report, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered U.S. troops to kill all individuals aboard drug boats after an incident in September, including survivors.
• International Response: The UN declared the U.S. actions a violation of international law.
• Official Response: Hegseth denies the allegations. President Trump publicly supports Hegseth.
• Notable Quote:
  • John Otis: “US forces have destroyed more than 20 alleged drug boats, killing more than 80 people. … According to the Post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given an order to kill everyone aboard alleged drug boats and that this order led to a second strike in which those survivors were killed.” (00:43)

2. Judicial and Political Updates (01:11–01:23)

• Court Ruling: A U.S. appeals court panel found that President Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Haba, was “illegally installed” as the U.S. Prosecutor for New Jersey and is disqualified from the position.

3. Pope Leo’s Peace Mission in Lebanon (01:23–02:23)

• Diplomatic Visit: Pope Leo’s trip to Lebanon aims to foster Christian-Muslim relations in a historically conflicted region.
• Activities:
  • Visited Saint Charbel Makhlouf’s tomb, revered by both faiths.
  • Heard testimonies from local religious workers and migrants, including a Filipina domestic worker.
• Message: The Pope urged the Church to offer hope “even among the rubble of a world that has its own painful failures.”
• Notable Quote:
  • Ruth Sherlock: “Leo called on church workers to bring hope to their faithful, saying that even among the rubble of a world that has its own painful failures, it's important to offer prospects for rebirth.” (02:12)

4. Economic & Market Updates (02:23–03:13)

• Market Dip: The Dow fell 80 points as trading opened.
• Gas Prices:
  • Regular: Down to $3/gallon.
  • Diesel: Up to $3.74/gallon, 20 cents more than last year.
• Travel: Most Airbus A320s have finished software updates, ensuring smooth operation during the travel surge.
• Consumer Behavior: Strong in-store and online holiday shopping persists despite shaky confidence.
• Notable Quote:
  • Scott Horsley: “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.” (02:34)

5. U.S.-UK Pharmaceutical Trade Agreement (03:13–03:40)

• Deal Announced: U.S. officials confirmed a tentative pharmaceuticals pricing and tariff agreement with the UK—zero tariffs on British pharmaceutical imports and a commitment from the UK to buy more U.S.-made medicine.

6. Hong Kong Tragedy: Apartment Fire (03:40–04:06)

• Updated Numbers: Officials raised the fatality count to 151 after last week’s devastating apartment fire.
• Cause: Building netting failed to meet fire-resistance codes.
• Impact: Thousands are homeless.

7. Space & Science: Journey to Mercury (04:06–04:50)

• Mission: The BepiColombo spacecraft, a joint EU-Japan mission, begins its final year en route to Mercury.
• Challenge: Despite Mercury’s proximity to Earth, it takes longer to arrive due to the sun’s gravitational forces requiring multiple planetary flybys to slow the craft.
• Research Purpose: The mission will analyze Mercury's formation and investigate its polar ice.
• Notable Quote:
  • Joe Palka: “The trick is slowing down enough so you go into orbit around the sun instead of plunging into it—because BepiColombo flew by the Earth once, Venus twice, and Mercury itself six times to use those planets' gravity as a way of putting on the brakes.” (04:18)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• John Otis on military strikes: “According to the Post, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given an order to kill everyone aboard alleged drug boats and that this order led to a second strike in which those survivors were killed.” (00:52)
• Ruth Sherlock on Pope Leo’s mission: “Leo called on church workers to bring hope to their faithful, saying that even among the rubble of a world that has its own painful failures, it's important to offer prospects for rebirth.” (02:12)
• Scott Horsley on gas prices: “Truck drivers, however, are not enjoying lower prices. The average cost of diesel fuel is close to $3.74 a gallon, 20 cents more than this time last year.” (02:43)
• Joe Palka on Mercury mission: “The trick is slowing down enough so you go into orbit around the sun instead of plunging into it…” (04:18)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:16 – Congressional hearings into US military boat strikes
• 01:11 – Hegseth, Trump, and legal disqualification of Alina Haba
• 01:46 – Pope Leo’s visit to Lebanon (report from Ruth Sherlock)
• 02:23 – US stock market and fuel prices (report from Scott Horsley)
• 03:13 – US-UK pharma trade agreement
• 03:40 – Update on Hong Kong apartment fire
• 04:06 – Mercury mission explainer (report from Joe Palka)
• 04:50 – End of content

This concise newscast delivers a rapid yet detailed snapshot of global events, policy shifts, and scientific milestones as of December 1, 2025.