NPR News Now: December 9, 2025, 6AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: A concise rundown of the top U.S. and world news headlines, with special focus on developments in technology policy, media industry shakeups, U.S. politics, severe weather, international diplomacy, and space exploration.

Main Stories & Highlights

1. U.S. to Ease Nvidia Chip Export Restrictions to China

Speaker: Korva Coleman, John Ruich
Time: 00:18–01:17

• President Trump announced a relaxation in restrictions, now allowing Nvidia to sell its advanced H200 AI chips to select customers in China.
• Trump’s statement: U.S. will permit sales "under conditions that allow for continued strong national security" and implied the U.S. government will receive a cut of sales.
  • Quote (00:41, John Ruich):
    “Trump says on social media the US will allow Nvidia to sell H2 hundreds to approved customers in China, quote, under conditions that allow for continued strong national security.”
• Trump informed Chinese president Xi Jinping, who reacted positively.
• The notably more advanced Blackwell series chips remain embargoed.
• Background context: Previous bans stem from concerns over maintaining U.S. leadership in AI technology amid fears about tech transfer.
• Quote (01:13, John Ruich):
  “The US has imposed a virtual embargo on cutting edge chips and chip making equipment going to China out of fear that the US could lose its lead in the AI race.”

2. Paramount’s Hostile Takeover Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

Speaker: Korva Coleman, Maria Aspen
Time: 01:17–02:19

• Paramount is launching a hostile $108 billion bid to gain control over all of Warner Bros. Discovery.
  • The move follows Netflix’s partial acquisition of Warner Bros. assets the previous week.
• The bid is backed with significant foreign capital from the governments of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar.
  • Quote (01:40, Maria Aspen):
    “Paramount wants to control all of them and is offering Warner Bros. Shareholders a deal worth $108 billion.”
• Notably, Jared Kushner (President Trump’s son-in-law) is linked via an investment firm.
  • Quote (02:05, Maria Aspen):
    “Another investor has ties to and another was founded by President Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner.”
• Paramount affirms that foreign governments and Kushner’s firm would not have operational roles if the deal succeeds.
• Context: Larry Ellison and his son David head Paramount but are not the exclusive financiers.

3. Jasmine Crockett’s U.S. Senate Run in Texas

Speaker: Korva Coleman, Jasmine Crockett
Time: 02:19–02:54

• Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, against Republican incumbent John Cornyn.
  • Crockett is an outspoken lawmaker known for sharp exchanges with Republicans.
  • First elected to the U.S. House in 2022.
• Quote (02:40, Jasmine Crockett):
  “There are a lot of people that said you gotta stay in the House. We need our voice. We need you there. And I understand.”
• Quote (02:51, Jasmine Crockett):
  “But what we need is for me to have a bigger voice.”
• If successful, she would make history as the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Texas.

4. Miami Mayoral Election

Speaker: Korva Coleman
Time: 02:54–03:09

• City elections are underway in Miami.
  • Republicans back Emilio Gonzale, former City Manager.
  • Democrats support Eileen Higgins, former County Commissioner.
• Local context with potential national implications, but details not further discussed.

5. Extreme Weather in Alaska

Speaker: Korva Coleman
Time: 03:09–03:38

• Thousands lose power near Anchorage after three days of hurricane-strength winds.
• The National Weather Service issues cold weather advisories around Juneau; temperatures plunge below zero.

6. Nobel Peace Prize Uncertainty: Maria Corina Machado

Speaker: Korva Coleman, Julia Carneiro
Time: 03:38–04:37

• Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, may miss the Oslo ceremony due to being in hiding.
• Her mother prays daily for her safe travel; several high-profile South American right-wing leaders are attending the ceremony.
• Machado is at risk of arrest, accused by Venezuelan authorities of conspiracy and terrorism.
  • Quote (04:16, Julia Carneiro):
    “Venezuela's attorney general said she would be considered a fugitive if she left Venezuela, where the regime accuses her of conspiracy and inciting terrorism.”
• She is recognized for her fight for democracy and as a main challenger to President Nicolás Maduro’s rule.

7. NASA Update: Astronaut Jonny Kim Returns to Earth

Speaker: Korva Coleman
Time: 04:37–04:53

• Jonny Kim, astronaut, Navy SEAL, and Harvard-educated doctor, returns after eight months on the International Space Station with two Russian cosmonauts, landing in Kazakhstan.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On AI chip exports:
  “Trump says on social media the US will allow Nvidia to sell H2 hundreds to approved customers in China, quote, under conditions that allow for continued strong national security.” (John Ruich, 00:41)
• On congressional ambition:
  “But what we need is for me to have a bigger voice.” (Jasmine Crockett, 02:51)
• On risk for Maria Corina Machado:
  “Venezuela's attorney general said she would be considered a fugitive if she left Venezuela, where the regime accuses her of conspiracy and inciting terrorism.” (Julia Carneiro, 04:16)

Structured Timeline

| Time | Segment Description | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:18–01:17 | US chip policy shift: Nvidia and China | | 01:17–02:19 | Paramount’s takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery | | 02:19–02:54 | Jasmine Crockett’s Senate campaign in Texas | | 02:54–03:09 | Miami mayoral election | | 03:09–03:38 | Alaska storm and weather update | | 03:38–04:37 | Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize dilemma | | 04:37–04:53 | Jonny Kim’s return from the International Space Station |

Summary

In this NPR News Now episode, the headlines spotlight major developments in U.S. technology policy, a multibillion-dollar Hollywood merger with international intrigue, political campaigns in Texas and Miami, severe weather disruptions in Alaska, and the high-stakes Nobel Peace Prize controversy surrounding Venezuela’s democratic opposition. The quick, informative format brings listeners up to speed with global events shaping politics, tech, and society in just under five minutes.