NPR News Now – December 23, 2025, 8AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This fast-paced NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headlines and developments around the world as of December 23, 2025. Topics include intensifying U.S. actions against Venezuela, a major legal battle over the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, new media restrictions in Israel, Rome’s plan to charge for Trevi Fountain access, and a cyberattack hitting France’s postal service.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Pressure on Venezuela & Escalating Caribbean Tensions

Reported by: Quil Lawrence

• President Trump is increasing pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as regional tensions rise.

• The U.S. has ramped up deadly strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats, raising questions about the ultimate goal ("endgame") of the campaign.

• The escalation now targets larger vessels, such as oil tankers, not just smaller boats. Over two dozen strikes have resulted in more than 100 deaths.

• Insight: Comparisons are drawn between the uncertainty of the current strategy and the lack of a clear post-invasion plan during the early 2000s Iraq war.

  "Trump didn't answer when journalists asked what his end game was. What happens if Maduro does fall? ... it was reminiscent of moments 20 some years ago when people were asking what the end game plan was for Iraq post invasion."
  — Quil Lawrence (00:44)

2. States Sue Trump Administration over CFPB Funding

Reported by: Rafael Nam

• A coalition of 21 states and DC has sued the Trump administration regarding the funding mechanism for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

• Context: The CFPB, by law, is funded by the Federal Reserve's "combined earnings."

• Controversy: Acting CFPB Director Russell Vogt interprets "combined earnings" as only "profits," arguing that because the Fed is losing money, the agency cannot request funding.

• States’ Argument: This definition is unlawful. They insist "combined earnings" should refer to all money coming in, not just profits, warning that the CFPB could run out of money by January if the funding isn’t accepted.

  "The states, however, say that's an unlawful definition and combined earnings really means the wider money coming into the Fed. Therefore, the states say the CFPB has to accept the funding because otherwise it's on course to run out of money in January."
  — Rafael Nam (01:33)

3. Israel Expands Authority to Shut Down Foreign News Outlets

Reported by: Itay Stern

• Israel's parliament passed a law giving the government more power to shutter foreign news outlets over national security concerns, notably targeting Al Jazeera.

• Law Powers: The government can now close offices, block websites, and cut satellite transmissions of foreign broadcasters labeled as national security threats.

• Sunset Clause: The measure lasts two years before review.

• Domestically, the government is also curbing Israeli critical media, moving to shut down Israel's military radio station—a 75-year-old independent broadcaster that even criticized the army.

  "The law authorizes the government to close a foreign broadcaster's offices, block its website and prevent its satellite transmissions if the prime minister determines that the media outlet poses a threat to national security."
  — Itay Stern (02:30)

4. Rome to Charge Non-Residents for Trevi Fountain Access

Reported by: Ruth Sherlock

• Visitors to the Trevi Fountain, a top tourist site in Rome, will soon pay a 2 Euro fee to access the area, starting in February.

• The tax is expected to yield $7.6 million annually and addresses overcrowding, with the site drawing 9 million visitors this year.

• It's part of a broader Italian initiative to monetize famous heritage spots, echoing similar moves in cities like Verona (charging tourists to visit the Romeo and Juliet balcony).

  "Rome plans to charge from February a 2 Euro tourist tax for any non resident wanting access to the fountain. It estimates it will make some $7.6 million in annual revenue."
  — Ruth Sherlock (03:33)

5. Cyberattack Disrupts French Postal Service

Summarized by: Windsor Johnston

• France's postal service (La Poste) suffered a suspected cyberattack, knocking out online payment systems during the busy holiday shipping period.
• The postal service assures no customer data was compromised, but package deliveries and services at some post offices remain disrupted.

6. Brief Financial Update

Summarized by: Windsor Johnston

• Asian financial markets closed mixed: both Japan and China markets were up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On U.S. policy parallels to Iraq:

  "...it was reminiscent of moments 20 some years ago when people were asking what the end game plan was for Iraq post invasion."
  (Quil Lawrence, 00:44)

• On CFPB's funding dilemma:

  "...the agency is supposed to be funded by the combined earnings at the Federal Reserve. But under acting Director Russell Vogt, the CFPB is defining that to mean profits and arguing that since the Fed is losing money, the agency cannot request the funding."
  (Rafael Nam, 01:33)

• On Israel’s media crackdown:

  "...the government moved to shut down Israel's military radio station, a public broadcaster that has operated for 75 years. The army radio operates under the responsibility of the military, yet maintains journalistic independence and also criticizes the Israeli army."
  (Itay Stern, 02:30)

• On Rome’s approach to overtourism:

  "The piazza beside it is often so crowded there's little room to move. This year, the fountain had some 9 million visitors, according to Rome's mayor."
  (Ruth Sherlock, 03:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S.–Venezuela Tensions: 00:19 – 01:14
• CFPB Funding Lawsuit: 01:14 – 02:14
• Israeli Media Shutdown Law: 02:14 – 03:13
• Trevi Fountain Tourist Fee: 03:13 – 04:18
• France Postal Cyberattack / Markets: 04:18 – 04:58

Conclusion

This concise but information-rich episode captures a rapidly shifting global landscape—highlighting escalating geopolitical maneuvering, fundamental legal fights over federal agency funding, press freedom battles, responses to over-tourism, and the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure in the digital age. The tone remains urgent and factual, offering listeners a clear snapshot of top news stories as of December 23, 2025.