Chapter 1: What recent developments are happening in the Ukraine conflict?
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 in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow today for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war with Ukraine.
NPR's Charles Maines says President Trump's special envoy will be discussing the latest U.S. peace plan.
This is the sixth time Witkoff has met in person with Putin since President Trump tasked him with resolving the Ukraine crisis back in January. This time, the billionaire businessman turned presidential envoy comes bearing a new draft peace plan, one initially criticized for being overly favorable to Russia and since revised with input from Ukraine and its European allies.
It remains unclear whether Putin will accept those changes. In comments last week, Putin said he remained open to the U.S. proposal in theory, But the Kremlin leader also conditioned any lasting peace on Ukraine withdrawing from territory claimed but not controlled by Moscow, despite more than three years of heavy fighting.
Chapter 2: What controversies surround the U.S. military's recent actions in the Caribbean?
Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.
The White House is defending a September missile attack by the U.S. military on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean as lawful. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is denying he ordered a second strike on survivors of the initial attack. NPR's Quill Lawrence says sources are disputing that.
One of the strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in September left survivors. They were killed by a second U.S. attack. Military experts say that would be a war crime or, with no declared war, simply murder. NPR and others reported that the second strike was authorized by HEGSETH.
President Trump said he knew nothing about it, and the White House says Navy Admiral Frank Bradley carried out the order, including the second strike that killed all survivors. But a U.S.
Chapter 3: What updates are there on the condition of the wounded National Guard member?
official who was not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Hegseth was the target engagement authority and gave an either verbal or written command to the admiral, ordering two strikes to kill and two additional strikes to sink the boat. Hegseth is expected to appear soon in Congress to defend the controversial strikes. Quill Lawrence, NPR News.
West Virginia's governor says the 24-year-old member of the state's National Guard who was wounded in Washington, D.C. last week remains in serious condition but is showing signs of improvement. Governor Patrick Morrissey says U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe was able to wiggle his toes and respond to a nurse's question with a thumbs-up.
Wolf survived the shooting not far from the White House. Another member of West Virginia's National Guard, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died of her injuries. A 29-year-old Afghan national is facing charges that include first-degree murder in what prosecutors are calling a targeted attack.
Authorities in Hong Kong say about 30 people are still missing following last week's fire that spread through a block of apartment buildings. The death toll has risen to at least 156.
Chapter 4: How is the recent fire in Hong Kong impacting the local community?
This is NPR News from Washington. Voters in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District are going to the polls today to choose a successor to Republican Congressman Mark Green. The GOP candidate Matt Van Epps is competing against Democrat Afton Bain in a race President Trump says the whole world is watching. The district includes Nashville. Green left Congress to take a job in the private sector.
Getting around will likely take longer today in much of the eastern U.S. Winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings extend from Tennessee to New England. The National Weather Service says Augusta, Maine could receive up to 10 inches of snow by tonight. Walmart is moving from the New York Stock Exchange to the NASDAQ.
NPR's Maria Aspin reports on what the nation's largest retailer is saying about the change.
For more than 50 years, Walmart's stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange. It's centuries old and the original power center of Wall Street.
Chapter 5: What is the significance of the special election in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District?
But now, Walmart is moving to the rival Nasdaq. It's a younger stock market, but it's where the shares of many big tech companies trade, like Google and Nvidia, and crucially, Walmart's mega rival, Amazon.
Chapter 6: Why is Walmart moving from the New York Stock Exchange to the NASDAQ?
Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey explained the Nasdaq change to investors using buzzwords like tech-powered and AI.
Walmart is setting a new standard for omnichannel retail by integrating automation and AI to build smarter, faster, and more connected experiences for customers.
In other words, at least for investors, Walmart is trying to rebrand as a tech company. Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York.
I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News in Washington.