NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-21-2025 12PM EST

Episode Date: December 21, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm. The Venezuelan government is denouncing the U.S. interception of a second oil tanker, saying it will take the issue to the U.N. Security Council. The U.S. Coast Guard stopped the tanker yesterday. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports on the escalation of the Trump administration's pressure on President Nicholas Maduro. Secretary of Homeland Security, Christy Noam, posted video on social media of a Coast Guard helicopter landing on the tanker centuries, which she said was moving sanctioned oil. The ship does not appear on the Treasury Department's public list of sanctioned oil tankers, but the White House says it was carrying

Venezuelan oil and falsely flagged as Panamanian. President Trump declared a blockade on Venezuela's sanctioned oil, which he claimed without explanation was stolen from the U.S. A blockade is considered an act of war under international maritime law. The U.S. Navy currently has a fleet off the coast of Venezuela, and President Trump has suggested attacks inside Venezuelan territory may be imminent. Quill Lawrence NPR News. Turning Point USA is wrapping up its annual conference in Phoenix today. NPR's Elena Moore reports on the largest event the group has held since its founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated three months ago. Turning Point says more than 30,000 supporters are attending this year's conference known as America Fest. Roughly a 10,000 person boost,

from last year. A potential sign of continued momentum moving forward, despite losing Charlie Kirk. That said, for many attendees, his death remains gutting. 25-year-old Angie Perez credits the late activist with helping reinforce her conservative Christian beliefs. It makes me really emotional because I viewed him as, like, he's my hero, and I always saw him as like an older brother than I never had. Several of Kirk's close allies will close out the conference on Sunday, including Vice President J.D. Vance, who's expected to give the final address. Elena Moore, NPR News, Phoenix. The Israeli Security Cabinet today approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. This comes days after the U.N. said the expansion of

Israeli settlements there had reached its highest level in eight years. The BBC's Shima Khalil reports from Jerusalem. These decisions were announced by the far-right finance minister, Bezal Smotrich, who proposed this move alongside the defense minister, Israel, Katz. These latest approvals take the total number of settlements that have been approved in the last three years by the current government to 69. Mr. Smotrich, who's a settler himself, he's a big advocate of the expansion, has said that this aims to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, but also mentioned Israel's ancestral right. All settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under

international law. The BBC's Shima Khalil reporting from Jerusalem. This is NPR News in Washington. Today is a national day of reflection in Australia to honor the 15 people killed during a Jewish festival one week ago. Thousands of people gathered today at Bondi Beach in Sydney where the attack took place. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the officials. He was booed when his name was announced. He's been criticized for not doing enough to counter a rise. in anti-Semitism in Australia. An engineer from Germany made history this weekend 62 miles above the Earth.

NPR's Amy held reports on the first wheelchair user to go to space. From the edge of space, back down to the West Texas desert. Mihi Benthouse was still beaming as she emerged from the Blue Origin space capsule. It was the coolest experience ever. She joined five others on the 10-minute flight, seven years after suffering a spinal injury in a bike accident.

The aerospace engineer uses a wheelchair, but for a short time Saturday, she felt unconstrained, using a special strap to keep her legs bound in microgravity. Blue Origin sponsored her flight. The price tag is not made public, as space tourism today is largely for the wealthy and powerful. Benthouse says she hopes her story inspires others. I think you should never give up on your dreams. And she says, let's not stop here. Amy Held, NPR News.

Electricity is being restored after a major power outage in San Francisco yesterday. The utility reports 130,000 homes and businesses were affected. Power Outage USA says there are still some 20,000 customers in the dark. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News, in Washington.