NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-21-2025 11AM EST

Episode Date: December 21, 2025

NPR News: 12-21-2025 11AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. President Trump is ratcheting up the pressure on Venezuelan President Nicholas Sutmurro. Yesterday, the U.S. intercepted another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, the second time that's happened in the past two weeks. NPR's Deepa Chivaram reports. This second incident stopping an oil tanker comes after Trump announced a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of Venezuela. Venezuela has responded and called the U.S. action.

on the second oil tanker, quote, criminal. It comes as more than 100 people have been killed in U.S. strikes on boats off the coast of Venezuela that the Trump administration says are smuggling drugs. To complicate matters, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, told Vanity Fair that Trump, quote, wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle, implying that Trump wants Maduro out of office. Deepa Chivaram, NPR News. Apple and Google are telling employees on visas not to leave the U.S.

during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. NPR's Bobby Allen reports. In internal memos reviewed by NPR that Apple and Google recently sent to employees, the message is clear. If you're on a visa and can avoid leaving the country, you should do that. And that's because of reports that some visa holders are having renewal appointments canceled, leaving them stuck in their home countries for months. The Trump administration's recently increased vetting for visa applications

includes a review of up to five years of an applicant's social media history. That has caused long delays and cancellations over what used to be routine visa appointments. Apple and Google, which together employ more than 300,000 people, both rely heavily on highly skilled foreign-born workers. The companies and the White House declined to comment. Bobby Allen, NPR News. Apple and Google are financial supporters of NPR. Thousands of people gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia today,

to honor the 15 people killed when two gunmen fired on a Jewish celebration one week ago. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended and was booed by the crowd. The BBC's Phil Mercer has more. One person shouted to Anthony Albanese that he had blood on his hands and that is the sentiment that we have heard repeatedly down here. There has been stinging criticism of the Prime Minister and his centre-left government over what they believe is their failure to stem a rising tide of anti-Semitism. The Prime Minister rejects that. but he did say this week that he wasn't perfect. And we've seen some significant political announcements

as he seeks to gain a more steady footing in this debate. The BBC's Phil Mercer, the Israeli security cabinet today approved a plan for another 19 Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The finance minister says this brings to 69 the number of new settlements there with the past few years. They're widely viewed as illegal under international law. This is NPR News.

Lawmakers left Washington for the holiday without reaching an agreement on extending subsidies for people who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. This means premiums will be much higher starting New Year's Day. Analysts say some 22 million people will be affected. There was no big jackpot winner for the Power Bowl lottery last night, giving would-be job quitters another shot of the prize. It's now worth an estimated $1.6 billion. NPR's Marie Andrusovich reports. Powerball's largest prize ever was more than $2 billion, which was won in November 2022. That was also the largest lottery prize in U.S. history.

The next Powerball drawing will be the 46th of this current jackpot run, a record for the most drawings with no big winners, according to Powerball officials. Since its launch in 1992, Powerball says ticket sales have generally. generated $37 billion for state's public service initiatives, including education and seniors programs. The odds of winning the jackpot are won in $292.2 million. The next powerball drawing is Monday night. Marie Andrewsovich NPR News. The conservative youth group Turning Point USA wraps up its convention in Phoenix today. Organizers say more than 30,000 people attended. This comes after the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk three months ago. His widow, Erica Kirk, is now its leader.

She announced she's endorsing Vice President J.D. Vance is to speak to the convention this afternoon. I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.