NPR News Now: December 10, 2025 - 1PM EST

Brief Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of major national and international news stories. Key topics include a significant federal court ruling on National Guard deployments in California, expectations for another Federal Reserve interest rate cut, the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, the passing of author Madeleine Wickham (also known as Sophie Kinsella), and advancements in bionic hand technology.

1. Federal Judge Rules Against Trump Administration’s Control of National Guard

Summary:
A U.S. District Judge in California has ordered the Trump administration to cease its federalization of California’s National Guard and restore control to the state, marking another legal setback for the administration’s controversial troop deployments.

Key Points:

• President Trump had seized control of California's National Guard in June 2025, against Governor Gavin Newsom's wishes.
• Over 4,000 troops were initially deployed to Los Angeles to protect federal immigration sites, though that number had since decreased to around 100.
• The administration recently extended the federal deployment through February and had attempted to transfer California troops to Portland, Oregon.
• Judge Charles Breyer’s ruling pushed back on unchecked federal power, citing federalism as core to the nation's governance.

Notable Quote:

• “[The administration’s argument to] ‘hold unchecked power to control state troops would wholly upend the federalism that is at the heart of our system of government.’”
  (Kat Lonsdorf quoting Judge Breyer, 00:59)

2. Federal Reserve Expected to Cut Interest Rates Again

Summary:
The Federal Reserve is anticipated to approve a third interest rate cut in 2025, aiming to counter a weakening job market by making borrowing more affordable.

Key Points:

• The job market slowed significantly over the preceding months, with net job losses in both June and August.
• The unemployment rate has been inching upward, raising concerns among Fed policymakers.
• Fed Governor Chris Waller has called for rate reductions multiple times, warning of clear signs of economic distress.

Notable Quote:

• “The warning signs are flashing on the job market, and the central bank should lower interest rates to prevent a further deterioration.”
  (Scott Horsley, 01:54)

3. Nobel Peace Prize Accepted for Maria Corina Machado

Summary:
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado could not attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony due to her ongoing safety concerns, but her daughter, Anacorina Sosa Machado, accepted the prize and delivered her mother's speech in Oslo.

Key Points:

• Machado has been in hiding for 16 months, unable to attend the ceremony in person.
• Her speech cited state terrorism forcing millions to flee Venezuela and hailed the resilience of dissidents and political prisoners.
• She expressed hope for Venezuela’s future and honored those "risking their lives" for freedom.

Memorable Moments:

• “Venezuela will breathe again. We will open prison doors and watch thousands who were unjustly detained step into the warm sun, embraced at last by those who never stopped fighting for them.”
  (Maria Corina Machado, via her daughter, 02:39)

• “The prize and the future belongs to them.”
  (Julia Carneiro summarizing, 02:54)

4. Wall Street Update

Quick Look:

• As of the report, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 219 points, about half a percent.
  (Lakshmi Singh, 03:05 & updated at 04:47: Dow up 234 points, Nasdaq down 54 points)

5. Passing of Author Madeleine Wickham (Sophie Kinsella)

Summary:
Madeleine Wickham, globally known by her pen name Sophie Kinsella and author of the popular "Confessions of a Shopaholic" series, passed away at age 55 after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

Key Points:

• Wickham’s books sold worldwide and inspired a 2009 film adaptation.
• Her family shared that Wickham’s final days were filled with her favorite things: family, music, warmth, Christmas, and joy.

Notable Quote:

• “Her final days were filled with her true loves, family, music, warmth, Christmas and joy.”
  (Lakshmi Singh, 03:38)

6. Breakthrough: AI-Driven Bionic Hand

Summary:
Scientists have unveiled a bionic hand that uses artificial intelligence to interpret and assist users' intended movements, as reported in Nature Communications.

Key Points:

• Developed by University of Utah researchers, the bionic hand uses machine learning to replicate the nuanced movements of a natural hand.
• In trials, users struggled to perform simple tasks without the AI system, often crushing or dropping objects.
• With the AI active, test subjects could pick up and drink from a cup smoothly.

Memorable Moments:

• “The person just crushed it or dropped it every single time.”
  (Lakshmi Singh recounting study findings, 04:35)

• “When participants got help from the system's machine learning function, they were able to bring cup to lip without a hitch.”
  (John Hamilton, 04:38)

Notable Quotes (with Attribution and Timestamps)

• “Hold unchecked power to control state troops would wholly upend the federalism that is at the heart of our system of government.”
  (Judge Charles Breyer, via Kat Lonsdorf, 00:59)

• “The warning signs are flashing on the job market and the central bank should lower interest rates to prevent a further deterioration.”
  (Scott Horsley, 01:54)

• “Venezuela will breathe again. We will open prison doors and watch thousands who were unjustly detained step into the warm sun, embraced at last by those who never stopped fighting for them.”
  (Maria Corina Machado via her daughter, 02:39)

• “Her final days were filled with her true loves, family, music, warmth, Christmas and joy.”
  (Lakshmi Singh, 03:38)

• “The person just crushed it or dropped it every single time.”
  (Lakshmi Singh, 04:35)

For More:
Stay tuned to NPR News for ongoing updates and in-depth reporting on the above stories.