NPR News Now – December 12, 2025, 8PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton, NPR
Episode: NPR News: 12-11-2025 8PM EST

Overview

This five-minute episode delivers the latest top news stories, including U.S. actions on sanctions enforcement, notable Congressional developments, advances in obesity medicine, a Disney–OpenAI deal, and new entries to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. The tone is brisk and informative, providing concise updates on each topic.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Seizure of Venezuelan-Linked Oil Tanker

[00:19–00:59]

• Background: The Trump administration announced the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, citing the violation of U.S. sanctions due to the tanker's delivery of oil to Iran.
• White House Statement: Caroline Levitt, Press Secretary, clarifies that the seizure follows a Department of Justice warrant targeting a “sanctioned shadow vessel” supplying Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

  “The Department of Justice requested and was approved for a warrant to seize a vessel because it’s a sanctioned shadow vessel known for carrying black market sanctioned oil to the IRGC, which you know is a sanctioned entity.” — Caroline Levitt [00:34] “The president is committed to stopping the illegal flow of drugs into our country. He’s also fully committed to effectuating this administration’s sanction policy. And that’s what you saw and the world saw take place yesterday.” — Caroline Levitt [00:45]

• International Response: Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado praised the move, saying it weakened President Maduro’s government to an “all-time low.”

2. Congressional Response to Collective Bargaining Executive Order

[00:59–02:14]

• House Action: The House voted to oppose President Trump's executive order that ended federal workers’ collective bargaining rights; 20 Republicans joined Democrats.
• Union Contracts: Agencies like FEMA, the VA, and EPA had canceled union contracts, affecting policies on telework, discipline, and leave.
• Senate Prospects: The bill, reported on by Andrea Hsu, faces long odds in the Senate with only one Republican cosponsor.

  “The House bill would vacate Trump’s executive order, restoring those contracts and employees’ rights to be represented by a union. But it faces long odds in the Senate.” — Andrea Hsu [01:41]

3. New Experimental Obesity Drug by Eli Lilly

[02:14–03:12]

• Drug Development: Eli Lilly, maker of Zepbound, is testing a next-generation obesity drug named Retatrutide.
• Study Results: Highest-dose trial participants lost an average of 72 pounds over 68 weeks; participants had knee arthritis, and the drug notably reduced knee pain as well.
• Side Effects: Reported effects included nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

  “New study results show that patients taking the highest dose of the drug lost an average of 72 pounds over 68 weeks.” — Sydney Lupkin [02:37]

• Next Steps: Results to be presented at a future medical meeting and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

4. Stock Market Update

[03:12]

• Brief Note: U.S. stocks hit new records for the day.

5. Congressional Debate Over Military Flight Transparency

[03:12–03:59]

• Safety Concern: Bipartisan push to alter a defense policy bill that, as written, would allow military helicopters to again fly without broadcasting their locations.
• Context: Safety reforms had followed a deadly January collision in Washington, D.C. that killed 67.
• Response: Investigators and victims’ families fear the bill would roll back key reforms.

6. Disney’s Billion-Dollar Deal with OpenAI

[03:59–04:30]

• Agreement Overview: Disney will allow over 200 of its characters—including from Star Wars and Marvel—on OpenAI’s video platform, Sora, starting 2026.

  “Starting in 2026, users will be able to use Sora to gin up their own videos using Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Captain America, Luke Skywalker and 200 other characters from Disney, Star Wars and Marvel worlds…” — Andrew Limbong [04:05]

• Talent Limitation: The deal excludes use of real actor likenesses or voices.
• Corporate Use: Disney will use OpenAI’s tech to build new products, and select Sora videos will be streamable on Disney platforms.

7. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Additions

[04:30–04:58]

• Switzerland's Yodeling: Added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, described as a vibrant singing tradition beyond stereotypical mountain cries.
• Other Traditions: Italian cooking, Haitian compa music, and Kyrgyz beverage Maxim also honored.

Notable Quotes

• Caroline Levitt, Press Secretary:

  “The president is committed to stopping the illegal flow of drugs into our country. He’s also fully committed to effectuating this administration’s sanction policy.” [00:45]

• Andrea Hsu, NPR:

  “The House bill would vacate Trump’s executive order, restoring those contracts and employees’ rights to be represented by a union. But it faces long odds in the Senate.” [01:41]

• Sydney Lupkin, NPR:

  “Patients taking the highest dose of the drug lost an average of 72 pounds over 68 weeks.” [02:37]

• Andrew Limbong, NPR:

  “Users will be able to use Sora to gin up their own videos using Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Captain America, Luke Skywalker, and 200 other characters from Disney, Star Wars and Marvel worlds…” [04:05]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Oil Tanker Seizure & Sanctions: 00:19 – 00:59
• Nobel Peace Prize Winner Machado’s Reaction: 00:59
• House Collective Bargaining Vote: 00:59 – 02:14
• Obesity Drug Development: 02:14 – 03:12
• Stock Market Update: 03:12
• Military Flight Safety Bill: 03:12 – 03:59
• Disney–OpenAI Deal: 03:59 – 04:30
• UNESCO Heritage Additions: 04:30 – 04:58

Memorable Moments

• Historic bipartisan House vote opposing White House effort to end federal collective bargaining rights [00:59–02:14]
• Notable medical advance with Eli Lilly’s Retatrutide showing potential for record-setting weight loss [02:25–03:12]
• Major tech and media partnership with Disney licensing characters to OpenAI’s Sora platform [03:59–04:30]
• Cultural celebration with UNESCO’s recognition of yodeling and global traditions [04:30–04:58]

This concise yet packed episode touches on weighty national and international affairs, breakthrough medical news, a landmark tech–media partnership, and moments of global cultural recognition—all in the signature reliable NPR tone.