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Jeanine Hurst
This message comes from Carvana. The Carvana Value Tracker shows you your car's worth. Check it anytime, track changes and sell when the timing feels right. Use Carvana Value Tracker to track your car's value today. Live from NPR News, I'm Jeanine Hurst. Now that the Justice Department has released some of the files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, questions are emerging about what hasn't been released. NPR Stephen Fowler has more.
Stephen Fowler
Only a small fraction of the Epstein files released Friday is information that was not made public before in court filings, open records request or turned over to Congress by Epstein's estate. Even in the new records, many people and pages are heavily redacted. And lawmakers who push for the law to force disclosure of the documents say the DOJ is not complying with their intention by planning to release more later. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna are among those who argue there's missing information and including about powerful people near Epstein also accused of crimes. Stephen Fowler, NPR News.
Jeanine Hurst
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have left for their holiday break without addressing premium subsidies for Obamacare. As NPR Selena Simmons Duffin reports. Open enrollment runs until January 15th.
Selena Simmons Duffin
On average, premium costs are doubling in Affordable Care act plans. Congressional Democrats have been pushing for months to extend enhanced subsidies that helped keep premiums low, but Republicans have blocked those efforts, offering alternative health bills that are not likely to become law. Instead, however, a bipartisan effort called a discharge petition reached the required number of signatures this week. That process can force the House to consider a bill that would extend the subsidies for three years, but it likely won't be voted on until January. Millions of enrollees are expected to become uninsured. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.
Jeanine Hurst
A U.S. official not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to NPR that the Coast Guard was in the process of seizing a tanker in international waters off Venezuela today. This is Tensions mount between the Trump administration and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. An Israeli strike in northern Gaza has left at least six Palestinians dead. That happened yesterday, and that's according to local health officials. The Israeli strikes continue even after a ceasefire deal was brokered in October. NPR's Hadil Al Shulci has more.
Hadil Al Shalchi
Gaza health officials say at least one child was killed in the Israeli strike on a school in the eastern neighborhood of Gaza City. Al Tufa. The Israel Israeli military said it had identified some, quote, suspicious individuals west of the yellow line and that the incident was under review drawn during the ceasefire deal. The yellow line divides the Israeli held part of Gaza from the rest of the enclave across the line. Palestinians have been sheltering in schools after being displaced several times during the war. Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed over 390 Palestinians since the ceasefire deal came into effect in October, according to local health officials. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Jeanine Hurst
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Ukraine says Russia launched a ballistic missile strike on Odessa, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens of others. The attack late yesterday hit the port's infrastructure and damaged vehicles. Meanwhile, a Kremlin envoy is in Florida this weekend for talks on a US Proposed plan to end Russia's nearly four year old war on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky is emphasizing the importance of the US Response after discussions with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Poland have signed an agreement to jointly produce maritime drones to enhance defense cooperation. Pope Leo is naming a pro immigrant priest as the new head of the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida, where Mar A Lago is located. And Pierre's Jason derose has more.
Jason DeRose
Leo is appointing Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez to lead the church in Southeast Florida. He's currently a priest in Queens, New York, serving a mostly Latino congregation there. Rodriguez is himself originally from the Dominican Republic. His appointment to the diocese in which President Trump's home is located is the latest indication that Pope Leo is willing to go toe to toe with the administration's crackdown on immigration. Earlier this year, the U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling out the Trump administration for mass deportations and creating a climate fear in migrant Communities throughout the U.S. according to Pew Research, more than 4 in 10 U.S. catholics are immigrants or the children of immigrants. Jason DeRose, NPR News.
Jeanine Hurst
Earlier this week, Leo appointed an Illinois bishop to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan. In New York, I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News.
Stephen Fowler
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Host: Jeanine Hurst
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: Rapid, up-to-date news update on major events in U.S. politics, international affairs, health policy, the Middle East, and the Catholic Church.
This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on several pressing global and national news items: the partial release of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the Department of Justice; the congressional stalemate on Obamacare premium subsidies; mounting U.S.-Venezuela tensions; ongoing Israeli military action in Gaza; significant developments in Ukraine amid the Russia conflict; and notable Catholic Church appointments amid U.S. immigration policy debates.
Redacted Epstein files frustrate lawmakers:
“Lawmakers who push for the law to force disclosure of the documents say the DOJ is not complying with their intention by planning to release more later.”
— Stephen Fowler (00:50)
Obamacare subsidy impasse:
“Millions of enrollees are expected to become uninsured.”
— Selena Simmons Duffin (01:28)
Israeli strikes continue in Gaza after a ceasefire:
“Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed over 390 Palestinians since the ceasefire deal came into effect in October, according to local health officials.”
— Hadil Al Shalchi (02:48)
Pope’s appointment seen as standoff with Trump administration:
“Pope Leo is willing to go toe to toe with the administration's crackdown on immigration.”
— Jason DeRose (04:23)
The episode delivers a tightly packed, fast-moving bulletin, echoing NPR’s signature tone: factual, balanced, and urgent, with special attention to accountability in government, ongoing global conflict, and major shifts in domestic policy and religious leadership. Each story is contextualized within broader political and humanitarian trends, offering listeners a clear understanding of why these headlines matter right now.