NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-17-2025 11PM EST

Episode Date: December 18, 2025

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This message comes from Bayer. Science is a rigorous process that requires questions, testing, transparency, and results that can be proven. This approach is integral to every breakthrough Bayer brings forward. Innovations that save lives and feed the world. Science Delivers.com Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens. President Trump delivered a televised primetime address tonight as his approval rating sits below 40%. As NPR's Daniel Kirchleben reports, the speech had little news when it comes to reassuring

Americans who are worried about the cost of living. Trump opened his speech with a succinct message the White House has been trying to hammer home amid discontent over the economy. Good evening, America. 11 months ago, I inherited a mess, and I'm fixing it. However, he broke little new ground during his roughly 18-minute address. Trump took a defensive tone at times, blaming former President Joe Biden for current economic problems and casting his own current term as a massive success. Trump's economic approval rating hit a new low in the latest NPR PBS News Marist poll, and the White House has been attempting to refocus on the topic as Democrats push their own affordability message. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

Four House Republicans have joined Democrats in supporting a petition that would force a vote on extending health care subsidies for Obamacare recipients. But the Chamber goes in to recess in two days, and the enhanced subsidies where the Affordable Care Act expire in less than two weeks. Venezuelans are carefully monitoring the rising tensions between Caracas and Washington. This after President Trump threatened to impose a total blockade on sanctioned oil tankers heading to and from Venezuelan ports. Gary Kahn has more. Long lines at gas stations and water distribution centers are nothing new in the Venezuelan capital.

Residents queued up as usual in stores and Caracas, after years of financial hardship, many are taking the latest moves by the Trump administration in stride. Officials, however, flooded the airwaves. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez says Trump has made it clear the U.S. is after Venezuela's oil and natural resources. We are not intimidated by your taunts and threats, he said. Carrey-Conn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro. The search continues for an unidentified suspect in Saturday's mass shooting at Brown University. Investigators are also trying to find a second person of interest from Ocean State Media Ben Burke reports.

Investigators are imploring the public to review blurry footage of a heavyset man wearing a dark medical mask walking casually through the east side of Providence. That's their suspected shooter. And now, authorities released a photo of a second person. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez says they were seen in close proximity to of the suspect before the shooting. How close? Close, close enough that we feel that we need to speak with them. Investigators say they still don't have any leads on a potential motive for the shooting, which killed two students. Another eight students were hospitalized.

For NPR News, I'm Ben Burke in Providence. You're listening to NPR. Nick Reiner has been arraigned on first-degree murder charges stemming from the killings of his parents. Actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, were found in their Los Angeles home on Sunday. 32-year-old Nick Reiner's siblings have issued a statement saying they're feeling unimaginable pain at the loss of their parents who were also their best friends. A network television staple for over 70 years is moving to streaming, as NPR's Netta Uliubi reports, the Academy Awards will be live-streamed on YouTube, starting in 2029.

The deal right now between the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC expires in 2028, and YouTube has secured exclusive rights to the show. ABC has broadcast the Oscars since 1976, and the news is being reported as a shocker in Hollywood industry publications. Oscar ratings have faltered over the past few decades, but last year saw a 4% increase from the year before. Almost 20 million people tuned in. Academy leaders in a statement said this new partnership will expand access to the largest worldwide audience possible. Netta Ulippi, NPR News. In a post on X, Dan Bongino says he's stepping down as deputy director of the FBI next month.

Bongino has clashed with the Justice Department over its handling of the files on Jeffrey Epstein. He's a former police officer and Secret Service agent who gained prominence as a far-right podcaster and Trump supporter. Neither von Gnote nor his boss Cash Patel have any prior FBI experience. This is NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees. Join millions of customers and visit Wise.com. Tease and Cs apply.