NPR News Now: December 21, 2025, 6PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Runtime: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now bulletin delivers the latest updates on domestic and international news, highlighting U.S.-Venezuela tensions over oil sanctions, the political aftermath of a high-profile shooting at a right-wing youth conference, reactions to a mass shooting in Australia, a multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration over EV charger funds, the surge in 3D-printed firearms at crime scenes, and the weekend box office results.

Key Discussion Points

1. U.S. Coast Guard Pursuit of Venezuelan Vessel

[00:19]

• The U.S. Coast Guard is actively pursuing a vessel described as part of Venezuela’s “illegal sanctions evasion” fleet.
• Uncertainty: The specific vessel has not been named.
• Venezuelan Response: Venezuela condemns the action, announcing it will address the issue at the UN Security Council.

2. Turning Point USA Conference & Intraparty Tensions

[00:19–01:34]

• Conference Finale: Vice President JD Vance concluded Turning Point USA's Phoenix conference, the largest since the organization’s founder Charlie Kirk was killed in September.
• Call to Action: Vance emphasizes unity amid right-wing divisions:

  • “We have far more important work to do than canceling each other. We have got to build.”
    — JD Vance (via Elena Moore) [01:06]

• Misinformation & Anti-Semitism:
  • Ben Shapiro criticized several right-wing figures for spreading conspiracies about Kirk's death, singling out Tucker Carlson for interviewing white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
  • Carlson disputed the anti-Semitism accusation.
• Larger Issue: Conservative leaders contend with the amplification of misinformation and anti-Semitic views.

3. Memorial After Australia’s Deadly Shooting

[01:34–02:16]

• Sydney Memorial: Thousands gathered at Bondi Beach to honor victims of Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in 30 years.

  • “A day of reflection came at the end of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.”
    — Phil Mercer [01:48]

• Leadership Backlash:
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was booed due to criticism of the government’s response to rising anti-Semitism.
  • Albanese vows to tackle extremism and review intelligence and law enforcement procedures.

4. States Sue Trump Administration Over EV Charger Funding

[02:16–03:13]

• Lawsuit Filed: Over a dozen predominantly Democratic states allege that the Trump administration’s freeze on electric vehicle charger funds is unconstitutional.

  • “These programs were created by statute. Federal agencies have a duty to faithfully execute those statutes.”
    — Rob Bonta, California Attorney General [02:48]

• Scope: Lawsuit covers not just highway chargers, but also neighborhood, heavy truck chargers, and charger maintenance.
• Legal History: Previous suit led to funds being unfrozen for highway chargers.

5. Surge in 3D-Printed Guns at Crime Scenes

[03:13–04:18]

• Report Findings: Everytown for Gun Safety identifies a dramatic increase in 3D-printed guns at crime scenes in 20 major cities:
  • 2020: ~30 guns
  • 2024: >300 guns
• Implications: These firearms are untraceable and easily made at home.
• Expert Solutions:

  • “We are at the beginning of this crisis of 3D printed firearms, but we do have, I think, a good sense of how we can address it.”
    — Nick Ciplina, Everytown (via Camila Dominosky) [03:53]

  • Suggestions include algorithmic restrictions by printer companies and legal bans on publishing gun blueprints.

6. Weekend Box Office Results

[04:18–04:56]

• Fire and Ash: Tops the box office with $88 million (US), $345 million globally—second best debut of the year. It’s the third entry in James Cameron’s franchise.
• David: Animated retelling of David & Goliath brings in $22 million—best ever opening for Angel Studios.
• The Housemaid: Psychological thriller premieres with $19 million.

Notable Quotes

• JD Vance (on party unity):

  “We have far more important work to do than canceling each other. We have got to build.”
  — [01:06]

• Rob Bonta (on EV charger suit):

  “These programs were created by statute. Federal agencies have a duty to faithfully execute those statutes.”
  — [02:48]

• Nick Ciplina (on 3D-printed guns crisis):

  “We are at the beginning of this crisis of 3D printed firearms, but we do have, I think, a good sense of how we can address it.”
  — [03:53]

• Phil Mercer (on Australian memorial):

  “A day of reflection came at the end of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.”
  — [01:48]

Important Timestamps & Segments

• [00:19] — U.S.-Venezuela Vessel Pursuit & UN Challenges
• [00:55–01:34] — TPUSA Conference, Kirk’s Death, Conservative Infighting
• [01:34–02:16] — Sydney Shooting Memorial, Government Backlash
• [02:16–03:13] — Lawsuit over EV Charger Funding
• [03:13–04:18] — 3D-Printed Guns Crisis and Solutions
• [04:18–04:56] — Box Office Results: Fire and Ash, David, The Housemaid

This NPR News Now update covers key domestic and global developments with insight into political, legal, public safety, and cultural topics. Each headline is succinctly reported, providing listeners with a comprehensive snapshot of the latest events.