NPR News Now: December 1, 2025 — 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh | Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a fast-paced summary of key global and national news, spanning topics like U.S. military actions abroad, updates on a recent D.C. shooting involving National Guard members, record-setting Cyber Monday spending, new WHO obesity treatment guidance, longevity research, and market news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strike on Venezuelan Drug Boat

[00:16–01:07]

• Incident Details:
  • The White House confirmed a second strike against a Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean on September 2.
  • Admiral Frank Bradley carried out the order following authorization from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
• Controversy & Official Defense:
  • The second strike targeted and killed all survivors aboard, raising legal and ethical questions.
  • White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt [00:49]:
    "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."
  • Bipartisan members of Congress have questioned whether the second strike could constitute a war crime.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have said that the second strike may have constituted a war crime." — Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR Reporter [01:07]

2. Shooting of National Guard Members in Washington, D.C.

[01:16–01:59]

• Victims:
  • U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf (24), remains in serious but responsive condition.
    • Governor Patrick Morrissey [01:27]:
      "Andrew remains in serious condition. We did have some positive news... Andrew was asked if he could hear the nurse... to give a thumbs up, and he did respond."
  • Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (20), was killed.
• Perpetrator & Policy Implications:
  • The shooter is described as an Afghan national resettled via a U.S. program for allies assisting American forces.
  • The Trump administration has reacted by halting all pending asylum requests from Afghan nationals.

3. Alina Habba Disqualified as New Jersey Prosecutor

[02:05–02:10]

• Summary:
  • President Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, was blocked by a U.S. appeals court from serving as New Jersey’s top prosecutor, upholding a lower court’s decision.

4. Record Cyber Monday and Holiday Retail Spending

[02:15–03:13]

• New Data:
  • MasterCard data indicate Black Friday sales up 4% year-over-year; total holiday spending could surpass $1 trillion for the first time.
    • Alina Solyuk [02:35]:
      "Online sales grew more than 10% compared to last year. There were big jumps in spending on clothes, jewelry and electronics."
• Economic Context:
  • Shoppers are anxious about tariffs, inflation, and uncertainty, but are lured by early, deeper retailer discounts.
  • Cyber Monday peak spending expected in late evening, with shoppers projected to spend $16 million every few minutes.

5. WHO Recommends GLP1 Drugs for Obesity Treatment

[03:17–03:44]

• Guidance:
  • The World Health Organization now endorses GLP1 medications (like semaglutide) for long-term obesity management in adults, alongside diet and exercise.
  • Pregnant women are excluded from the recommendation.
    • Lakshmi Singh [03:33]:
      "New guidelines...state that the GLP1 therapies can help address obesity and associated health risks. The WHO also notes more long-term data about the drug's efficacy and safety are needed."

6. Longevity Among U.S. Centenarians

[03:49–04:47]

• Survey Findings:
  • Number of U.S. centenarians expected to quadruple by mid-century.
    • Dr. Rhonda Randall, UnitedHealthcare [04:06]:
      "About four in five report frequent get-togethers with friends and family. And many also prioritize movement."
    • 46% do weekly strength training; 36% practice regular stress relief (meditation, etc).
    • Nearly one-third have tried AI platforms like ChatGPT.
• Memorable Moment:
  • The curiosity and adaptability of the centenarian demographic stand out, challenging stereotypes about aging and technology.

7. Market Closing Update

[04:47–04:51]

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 427 points, or nearly 1%.

Notable Quotes

• Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary [00:49]:
  "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."
• Governor Patrick Morrissey of West Virginia [01:27]:
  "Andrew remains in serious condition. We did have some positive news... Andrew was asked if he could hear the nurse... to give a thumbs up, and he did respond."
• Alina Solyuk, NPR [02:35]:
  "Online sales grew more than 10% compared to last year. There were big jumps in spending on clothes, jewelry and electronics."
• Dr. Rhonda Randall, UnitedHealthcare [04:06]:
  "About four in five report frequent get-togethers with friends and family. And many also prioritize movement."

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:16 – Military strikes in the Caribbean
• 01:16 – Update on D.C. shooting of National Guard members
• 02:05 – Alina Habba disqualification
• 02:15 – Holiday spending and retail data
• 03:17 – WHO’s new recommendations on obesity drugs
• 03:49 – Centenarians survey and findings
• 04:47 – Market summary

Summary compiled by NPR News Now.
This digest encapsulates all major news headlines in five minutes, balancing urgent global affairs, domestic updates, health and science, and economic insights, for listeners on the go.