NPR News Now – December 7, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Nora Ram, NPR
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This concise news update covers major international and national developments: U.S. military action in the Caribbean, changes in U.S. foreign policy, political and military updates in Israel, an attempted coup in Benin, a deadly fire in India, and the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The episode delivers authoritative on-the-ground insights and direct quotes from public figures, maintaining NPR’s factual and measured tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes in the Caribbean

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended recent American military actions targeting alleged drug cartel boats.
• Controversy: Some Congressional members, including Senator Mark Warner, question the legality and international law violations of these strikes.
  • Warner criticized Hegseth’s approach as “constant, careless, sloppy.”
  • Warner called for Hegseth to resign.
• Quote:

  "I'm not making drawing any conclusions here because when you make the make the accusation about war crimes, that is a accusation once made cannot be retracted. But we are in those waters or in that area because again, I think this constant, careless, sloppy approach from Pete Hegseth."
  – Senator Mark Warner (00:48)

2. Shift in U.S. National Security Strategy

• Kremlin Reaction: Russia praised President Trump’s new security strategy, noting it aligns with Moscow’s priorities.
• Major Shifts:
  • Russia is no longer labeled a U.S. threat.
  • The strategy aims to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict (“expeditious cessation of hostilities”).
  • Explicit U.S. opposition to NATO’s “perpetually expanding alliance”.
  • Harsh criticism of Europe, warning of “civilizational erasure.”
• European Alarm: The strategy unsettled European governments; some politicians now wonder if the U.S. is turning from ally to adversary.
• Quote:

  "The strategy contains wording harshly critical of much of Europe, suggesting it faces what it calls civilizational erasure. The through migration and EU integration. The amended US Security strategy set alarm bells ringing loudly in many European capitals."
  – Danny Eberhard, BBC (01:31)

3. Israeli Politics & Gaza Negotiations

• Netanyahu stands firm: At a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the idea of leaving office in return for a pardon from his ongoing corruption trial.
  • “No” was his direct response to this suggestion.
• Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations: Netanyahu expects progress soon, including discussions with President Trump about the next phases.
  • Israel remains focused on recovering the last hostage and ending Hamas rule in Gaza.
• Memorable Exchange:

  Reporter: Would you leave public life if pardoned?
  Netanyahu: “No.” (02:41)
  Netanyahu: “Second stage is achieved. We're about to finish the first stage…We’re there almost.” (02:53, 02:57)

4. Attempted Coup in Benin

• Government Response: The West African state of Benin claims to have thwarted a coup attempt after soldiers appeared on TV to announce the dissolution of government.
  • Gunfire reported near the presidential palace; state TV briefly went off-air.
• Historical Context: Benin’s turbulent political history since independence in 1960 is noted.

5. India Nightclub Fire

• Incident: A fire in Arpora, Goa killed at least 25 in a popular club visited by tourists.
  • Suspected cause: exploding gas cylinder.
  • Rescue was hindered by the club’s remote, marshy location, and only one narrow access route.
  • Allegations the club was illegally constructed with inadequate safety measures.
• Quote:

  “Village council members also wrote on social media they believed the club was illegally built and did not have basic safety features in place.”
  – Shweta Desai, NPR (03:47)

6. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

• Context: December 7 marks the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Ceremony: For the first time, no survivors are present at the annual Hawaii event due to age and health; the youngest survivor is 100.
• Quote:

  "Today is December 7, a day President Franklin Roosevelt said which would live in infamy."
  – Nora Ram (04:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Mark Warner (on Hegseth):
  “...this constant, careless, sloppy approach from Pete Hegseth.” (00:48)
• Danny Eberhard, BBC (on U.S. Security Shift):
  “…set alarm bells ringing loudly in many European capitals.” (01:31)
• Netanyahu (on leaving office):
  “No.” (02:41)
• Netanyahu:
  “We're there almost.” (02:57)
• Shweta Desai (on Goa fire):
  "Village council members also wrote on social media they believed the club was illegally built and did not have basic safety features in place." (03:47)
• Nora Ram (on Pearl Harbor):
  "A day President Franklin Roosevelt said which would live in infamy." (04:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:16] US military strikes and Congressional concerns
• [01:08] Senator Warner’s critique and resignation call
• [01:31] Analysis of Trump's national security strategy (with BBC’s Eberhard)
• [02:12] Israeli politics, Netanyahu’s press conference
• [03:13] Attempted coup in Benin
• [03:47] India nightclub fire
• [04:25] Pearl Harbor remembrance

This NPR News Now edition delivers a rapid yet detailed snapshot of key developments worldwide for December 7, 2025.