NPR News: 12-02-2025 11PM EST
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What recent military actions did Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discuss?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org.
Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he did not see two survivors on an alleged drug boat that was struck in September by the U.S. military. But NPR's Franco Ordonez reports that Hegseth says the Navy admiral who made the call made the correct decision to sink the boat.
Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting, the defense secretary said that he had authorized Admiral Frank Bradley to execute the operation. but that he himself was not in the room when the second strike occurred. I watched that first strike live. As you can imagine, at the Department of War, we've got a lot of things to do.
What are the implications of President Trump's congratulatory message?
So I didn't stick around for the hour and two hours, whatever, where all the sensitive site exploitation digitally occurs. So I moved on to my next meeting. The original attack killed nine people on the boat, leaving two survivors, who, according to the Washington Post, were clinging to the boat. Hegseth said he learned later of the additional strike, killing the survivors, an act that critics say in a time of war would constitute a war crime.
Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House. President Trump is congratulating Matt Van Abs. 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, Van Epp's lead was in the high single digits in a congressional district Trump won by 22 percentage points in 2024. An NPR investigation found companies are charging veterans millions for help with VA disability claims. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports that's even after the VA warned that it's probably illegal.
How are veterans being charged for VA disability claims assistance?
Filing a new claim for disability with the Department of Veterans Affairs can be complicated, and some veterans turn to for-profit companies to help. But it's illegal to charge veterans to file an initial claim. The loophole is that Congress removed the criminal penalties for breaking that law 20 years ago. Since then, an entire industry has grown, sometimes charging vets tens of thousands of dollars from their newly awarded benefits. An NPR investigation spoke with dozens of veterans who've used claims companies. While some vets said the service was worth it, many described charges for work they had to do themselves and being hounded by companies to pay up. Two competing bills in Congress aim to fix the loophole, but neither is expected to pass soon.
Quill Lawrence, NPR News.
Winter weather advisories remain in place in the Northeast, the region being hit by the first major storm of the season. Weather Prediction Center forecaster Ashton Robinson-Cook in Portland, Maine,
What weather events are impacting the Northeast right now?
says it should taper off by tomorrow. This system will sweep off to the east and the snow from it will finally die down very early Wednesday. Up to 10 inches of snow expected in parts of central New England. The storm led to hundreds of flight delays and dangerous roads. In West Virginia, a tractor-trailer driver had to be rescued from his cab after his truck dangled from a bridge for hours. This is NPR News. The man accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members near the White House last week has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and assault charges. Robin Hula-Lacombeau made his initial court appearance by video from his hospital bed. He was shot during the confrontation. His attorney entered his plea on his behalf.
What new military technologies is Israel deploying?
Israel says it will soon deploy a new laser beam that can intercept missiles and drones mid-air. It's among the new weaponry Israel developed over the past two years that Israel has been at war. That's Empire's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.
You may have heard about Israel's Iron Dome system that launches interceptors at rockets from Gaza and Lebanon. Now Israel has developed a laser to do the same thing. The iron beam is set for deployment by the end of the month.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What recent military actions did Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discuss?
0:00–0:54
2
What are the implications of President Trump's congratulatory message?
0:54–1:56
3
How are veterans being charged for VA disability claims assistance?
1:56–2:49
4
What weather events are impacting the Northeast right now?
2:49–3:36
5
What new military technologies is Israel deploying?
3:36–4:30
6
What record-breaking auction item was sold recently?
4:30–4:54