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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear.

President Biden will now let Ukraine fire U.S. ballistic missiles deeper into Russia.

That's according to a U.S. official who spoke to NPR.

NPR's Greg Beir explains Ukraine has long sought that permission.

President Biden's decision will allow the Ukrainians to use the missiles, known as attackums,

against Russian and North Korean forces in ongoing heavy fighting.

Ukraine is trying to hold territory it captured inside Western Russia back in August.

Ukraine has long argued that Russia moves troops and weapons freely behind the front

lines on the Russian side of the border because Ukraine can attack from long distance.

Biden had resisted this move, saying Ukrainian attacks with U.S. weapons inside Russia could lead to

an escalation in the war. But the Biden administration has been

signaling that it wants to do what it can to help Ukraine during his final months in office.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be the next defense secretary paid a woman who

accused him of sexually assaulting her so that she would not

file a lawsuit that could harm his career. That's according to Pete Hedgeseth's attorney who spoke to NPR.

The 44-year-old Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has denied the woman's allegations.

His attorney, lawyer Timothy Parlatorre, says Hegseth reached a settlement with his accuser issuing a payment in return for a non-disclosure agreement.

A deal meant to stop her from filing a lawsuit and to protect his job.

The accuracy of quotes attributed to him first reported by the Washington Post was confirmed by Hegsaint's lawyer.

President-elect Trump has picked a new chief for the Federal Communications Commission.

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