NPR News Now – December 11, 2025, 12PM EST

Host: Luis Schiavone
Duration: ~5 minutes
Episode Summary:
This NPR News Now update delivers rapid coverage of major national and international stories as of midday, December 11, 2025. Key topics include the fate of enhanced Obamacare subsidies, Ukraine peace plan negotiations, trade deficit figures, concerns about predatory fees affecting disabled veterans, and a high-profile immigration case. Each news piece is concise, with direct reporting and quotes from impacted citizens and notable officials.

Main Themes and Segments

1. Obamacare Enhanced Premium Subsidies Crisis

[00:17 – 01:25]

• Context:
  • The US Senate is debating whether to extend enhanced premium subsidies for Obamacare as the existing boosts are close to expiration.
• Impacts:
  • 24 million Americans, including many small business owners and working-class citizens, rely on these subsidies.
  • Examples of real effects: Ellen Allen, a 64-year-old with pre-existing conditions from West Virginia, faces a quadrupling of her premiums.
  • "Without vision and dental with a monthly premium of $1,967.50." (Announcer, 01:03)
• Political Split:
  • Senate Democrats propose a three-year extension for subsidies.
  • Republicans suggest funding Health Savings Accounts instead, which doesn't address premium hikes.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Ellen Allen's premium costs are quadrupling...The Bronze plan, without vision and dental, with a monthly premium of $1,967.50." – Selena Simmons Duffin, [01:10]
• Reporter: Selena Simmons Duffin

2. Ukraine Peace Plan: Urgent European Negotiations

[01:25 – 02:19]

• Events:
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds an emergency video conference with leaders from about 30 nations, led by Britain, France, and Germany.
  • This meeting follows rounds of European travel aimed at revising the US-backed peace plan for Ukraine.
• Highlights:
  • Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasizes the sticking points: what territories and concessions Ukraine may offer.
  • European leaders urge finalizing proposals for former President Trump’s review in Europe.
  • Trump is reportedly awaiting specific responses before progressing further.
  • "A critical moment is how European leaders describe it." – Lauren Frayer, [02:14]
• Memorable Moment:
  • "There are a lot of things happening right now. A lot of people say it's closer than it's ever been." – Luis Schiavone, [02:09]
• Reporter: Lauren Frayer

3. US Trade Deficit Shrinks; Jobless Claims Rise; Oracle Stock Falls

[02:19 – 03:03]

• Economic Update:
  • September trade gap narrowed by nearly 11%—exports outpaced imports.
  • Unemployment claims spiked following a holiday lull, with 236,000 people seeking aid.
  • Oracle's stock tumbled due to weak earnings despite heavy AI investment, but Larry Ellison remains extremely wealthy.
  • "Despite the dip, co-founder Larry Ellison is still a very wealthy man." – Scott Horsley, [02:56]
• Stock Market Check:
  • Following a Fed quarter-point rate cut:
    • Dow up 559
    • Nasdaq off 227
    • S&P 500 down 18
• Reporter: Scott Horsley

4. Lawmakers Demand Crackdown on Fraudulent Fees Charged to Disabled Veterans

[03:17 – 04:12]

• Issue:
  • Over 40 lawmakers are urging regulators to act against companies exploiting disabled veterans with illegal fees for assistance on DIS claims—services they are entitled to free of charge.
• Details:
  • NPR uncovered instances where vets were charged $10,000–$20,000, often with minimal or no real aid.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "This is predatory in nature that veterans are forking over a huge amount of money for this. It's shameful, it's outrageous, and we've got to do something about it." – Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), [04:03]
• Action Sought:
  • Rep. Pappas wants the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other agencies to intervene.
• Reporter: Chris Arnold

5. High-Profile Immigration Case: Kilmar Abrego Garcia Released

[04:12 – 04:56]

• Case Background:
  • Federal judge Paula Zinnis grants release for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident and Salvadoran national.
  • Garcia became a symbol of Trump-era deportation when he was erroneously sent to a Salvadoran prison despite court orders.
  • Upon his return, US authorities charged him with human smuggling and attempted to deport him to multiple countries, even after Garcia expressed willingness to go to Costa Rica.
• Legal Status:
  • The court found no valid removal order; government actions in deporting Garcia were deemed inappropriate.

Notable Quotes

• "Ellen Allen's premium costs are quadrupling...without vision and dental with a monthly premium of $1,967.50." — Selena Simmons Duffin ([01:10])
• "There are a lot of things happening right now. A lot of people say it's closer than it's ever been." — Luis Schiavone ([02:09])
• "A critical moment is how European leaders describe it." — Lauren Frayer ([02:14])
• "This is predatory in nature that veterans are forking over a huge amount of money for this. It's shameful, it's outrageous, and we've got to do something about it." — Rep. Chris Pappas, via Chris Arnold ([04:03])
• "Despite the dip, co-founder Larry Ellison is still a very wealthy man." — Scott Horsley ([02:56])

Timestamps of Major Segments

• Obamacare Subsidies Debate: [00:17 – 01:25]
• Ukraine Peace Plan Negotiations: [01:25 – 02:19]
• Trade Deficit & Economic Update: [02:19 – 03:03]
• Veterans Fee Scandal: [03:17 – 04:12]
• Release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia: [04:12 – 04:56]

In Summary

This episode delivers a brisk yet in-depth sweep of urgent political, economic, international, and social issues dominating headlines on December 11, 2025. The original reporting style remains factual and tightly composed, with interview snippets and direct quotes highlighting both the stakes and the human impact behind the headlines.