Transcript
Podcast Host (0:00)
It's been a fantastic year for movies, and we know you can't see them all. So we're recommending some great films that might have flown under the radar. To add to your watch list, listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Doualisai Kowtel (0:16)
Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Doualisai Kowtel. The White House says President Trump will hold an event today about the Navy, but offered no details. NPR's Deepa Shivram reports. The announcement comes as the U.S. has ramped up its posture towards Venezuela over the weekend.
Deepa Shivaram (0:35)
The US Seized a second Venezuelan oil tanker after Trump announced a blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of the South American country. Then the US Announced it's pursuing the seizure of a third tanker. Venezuela has disputed the U.S. s actions and called them criminal. The seizures come as the Trump administration also continues to launch strikes on boats off the shore of Venezuela that they say are carrying drugs. More than 100 people have died in those strikes. Trump, who's spending the rest of the year in Florida, is holding the event with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.
Doualisai Kowtel (1:14)
More than a dozen staff members at the Heritage foundation have left the influential conservative organization. They're joining a think tank founded by President Trump's first VP. NPR Sarah McCammon reports.
Sarah McCammon (1:27)
The Heritage foundation has recently had to grapple with the boundaries of the conservative movement and the role of right wing influencers who promote anti Semitic and other extremist ideas. Advancing American Freedom, a group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, says it's hired more than a dozen former Heritage staffers, including leaders of the group's legal, economic and data teams. In a statement, Pence says they bring a, quote, deep commitment to the Constitution and conservative movement. Heritage, meanwhile, issued a statement accusing some of the staff members who left of disloyalty. A task force focused on fighting antisemitism recently cut ties with Heritage over related concerns. Sarah McCammon, NPR News.
Doualisai Kowtel (2:10)
The nation's oldest active park ranger, Betty Reed Soskin, has died long before she began working at the World War II Homefront National Historical Park. In her 80s, she worked for an all black boilermakers union in Richmond. Later, she got involved with the civil rights movement. Here she is telling NPR about her outlook has evolved.