Summary4 min read

NPR News Now — December 23, 2025, 6AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: This episode delivers a concise national and international news update, covering US-Venezuela tensions, a key immigration court ruling, weather emergencies in California, pharmaceutical news, holiday travel forecasts, and the Powerball jackpot.

1. US-Venezuela Tensions Escalate

[00:14 – 00:44]
- President Trump Issues Warning:
  President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro amid rising tensions and increased US military activity in the Caribbean.
  
  "He could do whatever he wants. I mean, we have a massive armada formed, the biggest we've ever had and by far the biggest we've ever had in South America. He could do whatever he wants... If he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough." — President Donald Trump [00:24]
- Naval Operations:
  The US military intercepted two oil tankers near Venezuela and is tracking a third vessel. These actions are part of an effort to cut off Venezuela's oil revenue.

2. Court Ruling on Migrants' Rights

[00:44 – 02:02]
- Court Orders Return of Deported Migrants:
  A federal judge determined that migrants deported to a Salvadoran detention center in March were not granted due process.
  
  "A federal judge has now ordered the government facilitate six of these men's ability to obtain a hearing, writing quote, 'our law requires no less.'"
  — Jasmine Gardz [01:32]
- Case Details:
  - The Trump administration invoked the 1798 Civilian Enemies Act, an obscure wartime law, to deport these migrants.
  - The judge certified their case as a class action, potentially affecting all migrants deported on March 15.
  - The government must comply by January 5.

3. Severe Storms Hit San Francisco Bay Area

[02:02 – 02:58]
- Widespread Flooding and Power Outages:
  Ongoing severe storms in the Bay Area are causing flooding and necessitating rescue efforts. Forecasters predict continued rain, high winds (up to 80 mph), and additional power outages.
- On-the-Ground Report:
  
  "We did have a couple vehicles get stuck in the flooded waters overnight to where Sonoma County's public safety had to come out and do two different water rescues."
  — Jeff Duvall, Sonoma County Emergency Management [02:32]
- Meteorological Outlook:
  Jan Knoll (Golden Gate Weather Services) notes that strong winds following heavy rain pose dangers from falling trees and downed power lines.
  
  "That always poses problems after we've had significant rains with trees coming down with 30 or 40, some places maybe 50 mile an hour gusts."
  — Jeff Duvall [02:50]

4. Pharmaceutical News: Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Approved

[03:04 – 04:00]
- Oral Wegovy Coming Soon:
  Federal regulators approved a pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy, previously only available by injection. The pill is expected to be less expensive and easier to access.
  - Manufacturer Novo Nordisk faces competition from Eli Lilly.
  - Clinical trials showed an average weight loss of nearly 17%.
  - Pills could reach the market by early 2026.

5. Holiday Travel Surge

[04:00 – 04:34]
- Record Travel Expected:
  - Over 122 million Americans are expected to travel 50+ miles for the holidays, a slight increase over last year.
  - More than 109 million will travel by car, making roadways busy.
  - TSA is preparing to screen over 44 million air travelers, possibly setting new records.
  "AAA predicts more than 122 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home during the peak end of year travel period."
  — Joel Rose [04:03]

6. Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.7 Billion

[04:34 – 04:53]
- No winner in the latest drawing brings the jackpot to the fourth largest in US history. The next drawing is Wednesday.

Notable Quotes

President Donald Trump:

"He could do whatever he wants... If he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough." [00:24]
Jasmine Gardz on Migrant Ruling:

"A federal judge has now ordered the government facilitate six of these men's ability to obtain a hearing, writing, quote, 'our law requires no less.'" [01:32]
Jeff Duvall on Storms:

"We did have a couple vehicles get stuck in the flooded waters overnight..." [02:32]
"That always poses problems after we've had significant rains..." [02:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

US-Venezuela Tensions: 00:14 – 00:44
Migrant Due Process Ruling: 00:44 – 02:02
San Francisco Bay Area Storms: 02:02 – 02:58
Wegovy Pill Approval: 03:04 – 04:00
Holiday Travel: 04:00 – 04:34
Powerball Update: 04:34 – 04:53

Summary:
This NPR News Now episode covers major developments in international relations, US legal rulings on immigration, severe weather threats, pharmaceutical industry advances, anticipated holiday travel surges, and record lottery news—offering listeners a brisk and comprehensive briefing on the day's top headlines.

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Transcript15 lines

[00:00]
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[00:15]
Windsor Johnston
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump has issued a new warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
[00:24]
President Donald Trump
He could do whatever he wants. I mean, we have a massive armada formed, the biggest we've ever had and by far the biggest we've ever had in South America. He could do whatever he wants. It's all right. Whatever he wants to do, if he wants to do something. If he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough.
[00:45]
Windsor Johnston
The US Military has intercepted two oil tankers off the coast of Venezuela and is actively tracking a third ship linked to the country. The operations come amid a growing US Naval buildup in the Caribbean after as the Trump administration ramps up efforts to cut off Venezuela's oil revenue, a federal judge has ruled that migrants who were deported in March to a Salvadoran detention center were not given due process. NPR's Jasmine Gardz reports. The court is ordering the Trump administration to facilitate their return.
[01:18]
Jasmine Gardz
In March of this year, migrants who were being held in a detention center in Texas were sent to seekot a notorious prison in El Salvador. In order to send them, the Trump administration invoked the 1798 A law Civilian enemies Act, a rarely used wartime power. They were accused without evidence of being members of Venezuelan gang trend. A federal judge has now ordered the government facilitate six of these men's ability to obtain a hearing, writing quote, our law requires no less. He also certified the group as a class so the case brought by the six men could represent all of those who were removed on March 15. He gave the administration until January 5 to comply. Jasmine Garsden, NPR News.
[02:03]
Windsor Johnston
Powerful storms moving through the San Francisco Bay Area continue to bring flooding to the area, forcing some rescues. Samantha Kennedy from member station KQED reports. Forecasters say more rain is on the way.
[02:17]
Samantha Kennedy
Meteorologists expect there to be winds of up to 80mph and widespread power outages across the Bay Area this week. The North Bay is expected to get some of the worst of it. Jeff Duvall of Sonoma County's Emergency Management Department is isn't aware of any damages to the North Bay county so far.
[02:33]
Jeff Duvall
But we did have a couple vehicles get stuck in the flooded waters overnight to where Sonoma County's public safety had to come out and do two different water rescues.
[02:43]
Samantha Kennedy
Jan Knoll, a consulting meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Services says winds will pick up, which could topple trees and power lines.
[02:51]
Jeff Duvall
That always poses problems after we've had significant rains with trees coming down with 30 or 40, some places maybe 50 mile an hour gusts.
[02:58]
Samantha Kennedy
Officials say they're prepared for whatever the week brings. For NPR News, I'm Samantha Kennedy in San Francisco.
[03:04]
Windsor Johnston
Stocks across Asia close mix today on Wall Street. Dow futures are trading higher this hour. This is NPR News. Federal regulators have approved a pill version of the popular weight loss drug Wegovy, which is currently only available as an injection. The pills could hit the market by early next year. Experts say the oral form may be more affordable and EAs for patients to access. The drug's manufacturer, Novo Nordisc has faced increased competition from rival drug makers, including Eli Lilly. The company says the pill form of Wegovy showed an average weight loss of nearly 17% during clinical trials. Millions of Americans are on the move during the holiday season. NPR's Joel Rose reports. More than 120 million people are expected to travel by plane, train and automobile.
[04:00]
Joel Rose
If you're heading over the river and through the woods today, you are not alone. AAA predicts more than 122 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home during the peak end of year travel period that started last weekend. The vast majority, more than 109 million, will drive, according to AAA, slight increase over last year's record total air travel may set records as well. The tsa, the Transportation Security Administration, says it's preparing to screen More than 44 million passengers during this holiday season and could set a record for passenger volume for Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.
[04:35]
Windsor Johnston
The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $1.7 billion. After no winner in last night's drawing, it's now the fourth largest jackpot in US Lottery history. The next drawing is on Wednesday. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.
[04:54]
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