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NPR News Now

NPR News: 12-04-2025 5PM EST

04 Dec 2025

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0.098 - 13.976 Unknown

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.

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15.158 - 31.792 Ryland Barton

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is downplaying concerns about a second strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean that killed two survivors. But NPR's Franco Ordonez reports the administration is aware of the potential fallout and is working to contain it.

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President Trump insists that he didn't know about the survivors. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cites the fog of war in defending the follow-up strike. Presidential historian Tevi Troy says the White House is clearly trying to distance itself from responsibility for killing the survivors.

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48.479 - 55.068 Unknown

He points to the briefing where the press secretary read a statement naming Admiral Bradley as the one who ordered the strike.

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55.208 - 62.879 Tevi Troy

When a press secretary who usually speaks off the cuff reads a very carefully written statement, it usually suggests that the lawyers were involved.

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Troy says there are clear legal questions, and the lawyers are trying to make sure they walk a careful line to protect the president and the presidency. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

74.517 - 88.543 Ryland Barton

Congress is working on a deal that could possibly extend financial help for people enrolled in Obamacare plans for next year. A new survey of people enrolled in those plans finds the majority across party lines wants lawmakers to act. NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports.

88.591 - 107.35 Selena Simmons-Duffin

The so-called enhanced subsidies first passed in 2021 are popular, but they will go away at the end of December without congressional action. The new survey by KFF, a nonpartisan health research organization, finds that more than 8 in 10 marketplace enrollees say lawmakers should extend the enhanced tax credits.

107.951 - 116.86 Selena Simmons-Duffin

If they do expire, most enrollees who say they want the credits extended think either President Trump or congressional Republicans deserve most of the blame.

Chapter 2: What concerns did President Trump downplay regarding the drug boat incident?

116.84 - 129.663 Selena Simmons-Duffin

KFF surveyed 1,300 enrollees starting November 1st. Lawmakers are working on a tight deadline, with a vote in the Senate on this issue planned for next week. Selina Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

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129.904 - 138.78 Ryland Barton

The leader of a Palestinian militia that opposes Hamas and is backed and armed by Israel in southern Gaza has been killed. NPR's Aya Batraoui has more.

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138.76 - 157.766 Aya Batrawi

Yasser Abu Shabab is known locally as a notorious criminal who was in prison for drug smuggling when the war in Gaza began. Later, he became known as the leader of the Abu Shabab militia, named after him. Palestinian aid workers say his militia was behind deadly attacks on aid trucks and the single biggest theft of UN aid globally, when around 100 trucks were looted late last year.

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158.127 - 176.753 Aya Batrawi

The lootings plunged Gaza into starvation as UN bakeries ran out of flour. Hamez militants tried to kill Yeser Abu Shabeb, but he fled with his militia to southern Gaza under the protection of Israeli forces, where he was being tapped to lead an armed resistance against Hamez. Palestinian reports say he was killed Thursday in a dispute with a local family.

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177.154 - 185.085 Aya Batrawi

NPR couldn't reach Abu Shabeb's deputy for comment, but an Israeli defense official told NPR Israel believes he's been killed. Aya Batrawi, NPR News, Dubai.

185.065 - 207.799 Ryland Barton

The World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. The tournament next year features 48 teams up from 32. This is NPR News. At least four countries have announced they are pulling out of next year's Eurovision Song Contest. The decisions come after organizers said they would allow Israel to compete, despite concerns over its war against Hamas in Gaza.

208.083 - 227.982 Ryland Barton

Dutch, Spanish, Irish, and Slovenian broadcasters announced plans to sit out of the contest in Vienna next May. The leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a historic peace agreement in Washington today. President Trump says it will end the longstanding conflict in eastern Congo and unlock economic investments.

228.248 - 231.231 Ryland Barton

But fighting on the ground continues, Emmett Livingstone reports.

231.471 - 245.846 Emmett Livingstone

The Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan leader Paul Kagame signed a peace deal at what's been renamed the Donald J. Trump Institute for Peace. Both African leaders thanked Trump and said the deal offers the strongest yet chance for peace.

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