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ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Dec. 21, 2025

 

David Muir, ABC's World News Tonight. America's most-watched newscast, now streaming same day with all the breaking news of the day on Disney Plus. Most watched, most trusted, now on Disney Plus every night.

 

00:00 Intro

 

Tonight, the investigation into the massive power outage that plunged a major city into darkness during what's expected to be a record-breaking holiday travel rush and the rising tensions with Venezuela as the US Coast Guard is in active pursuit of a third vessel off the Venezuelan coast.

 

We do begin with that power outage in San Francisco. At one point, at least 30% of the city was in the dark, disrupting travel and leading to major traffic jams.

 

Self-driving cars stopped in the middle of streets. The sights and sounds of Christmas darkened, and thousands are still without power tonight. What we're learning about the cause.

 

It comes as millions of Americans are on the move, taking to the skies and roadways in what could be a record-breaking holiday travel rush.

 

Also tonight, the heavy rain and mountain snow targeting parts of the West. Millions facing a flood threat across California. Our weather team standing by, tracking it all.

 

The US is in active pursuit of another vessel off the Venezuelan coast, the third in the last 10 days. The White House ramping up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's regime and how Maduro is responding tonight.

 

New questions over the redactions in the Jeffrey Epstein files released on Friday. Some victims and Democrats taking issue with those redactions.

 

redaction [rɪˋdækʃən] n. 新版本；修订本

take issue 对…持强烈异议，很不赞同(+ with )

 

Among those documents, the 1996 FBI complaint, which may be the first time Epstein was ever reported to federal law enforcement years before he was arrested.

 

The shocking report from the Wall Street Journal. The debris from this SpaceX explosion reportedly endangered flights and hundreds of passengers. What SpaceX is now saying about those claims.

 

A suspected shoplifter charged with attempted murder.

 

shoplifter [ˋʃɑp͵lɪftɚ] n. 偷窃商店货物的扒手

 

The dramatic moment his gun jams and the takedown from the officer. The last minute holiday shoppers racing to buy gifts, packing the stores along with the online buying frenzy with Christmas now just four days away.

 

takedown [ˋtek͵daʊn] n.（警方的）突然搜捕;（被）打败

 

And could you be a billionaire by Christmas? The Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.6 billion ahead of Monday night's drawing and what the CDC is saying about rising cases of the flu as infections reached nearly five million in the U. S.

 

jackpot [ˋdʒæk͵pɑt] n.（牌戏中）累积赌注；（赌博中）累积奖金

 

The thrilling upsets in the first round of the college football playoffs and America strong. The community delivering hope and help to Santa after a devastating fire.

 

From ABC News World headquarters in New York. This is world news tonight.

 

02:36 Massive power outage during holiday travel rush

 

Good evening and thanks so much for joining us on this Sunday. I'm Rachel Scott in for Lindsay Davis. We begin tonight with the investigation into that massive power outage in San Francisco during the busy holiday travel rush.

 

The city put on pause with more than 130,000 homes and businesses going without power. Tonight thousands are still in the dark, self driving cars stopping in the middle of traffic, movie theaters suddenly going dark. The disruptions could not come at a worse time.

 

The West already bracing for rain and snow and seems like this one in Utah across the country. Millions of Americans are taking to the roads and skies and what's expected to be record numbers. Our weather team is standing by with the forecast.

 

But first, we do begin with ABC's Melissa Adan leaving us off from L. A. X.

 

Tonight on the first official day of winter as the West Coast prepares for major storms across the region, travelers from across the country gear up for a record breaking week of holiday travel as AAA is projecting more than 122 million travelers for Christmas through new year's.

 

Weather alerts and power outages adding to the travel rush in San Francisco crews working to restore power following a citywide outage on Saturday impacting more than 130,000 homes and businesses leading to street closures, public transportation disruptions and business closures during the busy holiday shopping season.

 

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the outage. The TSA anticipates screening more than 43 million passengers between December 19th and January 4th.

 

It's so busy. The FAA planning on using limited military airspace if needed here in southern California. The holiday travel crush causing major delays on the freeways, families facing a long day of travel.

 

Out on the roads, AAA says nearly 110 million people will travel by car. That's up 2% from last year and drivers are expected to find cheaper gas prices compared to this time last year.

 

Rachel airline leaders are expecting a busy period with more than 2.9 million passengers expected to travel each day during this holiday period.

 

So that's why travel experts stress to arrive here early Rachel. Melissa. Thank you.

 

And then there's the question of how much the weather will impact the holiday travel.

 

So let's get right to meteorologist Danny Beckstrom from our New York station W. A. B. C. Hey Danny times been out for us.

 

Rachel shaping up to be a rough week ahead in parts of the west. Rounds of heavy rain and mountain snow. California in the crosshairs this time with flood watches posted up and down the state that heavy rain prompting the threat for flash flooding.

 

shape up 准备就绪

crosshairs [ˈkrɔshɛrz] n. 十字瞄准线

 

So let's time it out. It's northern California and depart to the pacific northwest tonight into tomorrow with that heavy rain while the rest of the country is relatively quiet for holiday travel.

 

On Tuesday we're looking at a quick burst of rain and snow creating slick conditions for the northeast while on the other side of the country, a more potent storm system brings another round of heavy rain and mountain snow this time to central and southern California.

 

slick [slɪk] adj. 光滑的；滑溜溜的

 

For Christmas eve, we're still looking at the wet weather for the west coast. The rest of the country is quiet and the other big weather headline, the warmth. We're talking highs in the sixties and seventies for the center of the country and that holds into Christmas day.

 

All right, some good news heading into Christmas. Right Danny, thank you.

 

05:27 U.S. actively pursuing vessel off Venezuela

 

Now to the showdown in the Caribbean Sea.

 

The U. S. Coast Guard is pursuing a third tanker off the Venezuelan coast. It's the third in the last 10 days. Tonight, Venezuela is pushing back, calling the seizures quote theft and hijacking.

 

Here's ABC senior White House correspondent Selena Wang.

 

Tonight, rising tensions with Venezuela as the U. S. Is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel fleeing the Caribbean.

 

flee [fli] v. 逃离；逃避

 

A U. S. Official tells ABC News the Coast Guard is attempting to intercept a vessel that's part of Venezuela's quote illegal sanctions evasion. The official says the ship is quote flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

 

evasion [ɪˋveʒən] n. 逃避；迴避；遁辭；藉口

 

This comes after Saturday's seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela carried out by an elite Coast Guard tactical team. The same type of unit used just 10 days earlier when American forces repelled from helicopters onto another oil tanker's deck to take control of the ship. Tonight, Venezuela firing back calling the seizures theft and hijacking.

 

repel [rɪˋpɛl] v. 击退；驱除

 

I consider it a provocation and a prelude to war and I hope we don't go to war with Venezuela.

 

provocation [͵prɑvəˋkeʃən] n. 挑衅；挑拨；激怒；挑衅行为

prelude [ˋprɛljud] n. 前奏；序幕

 

Last week, President Trump threatened to impose what he called a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela. A move that could devastate the Venezuelan economy, oil exports, the lifeblood of President Nicolas Maduro's regime.

 

All of this as a U. S. Amass is the largest military presence in the Caribbean in decades. The Pentagon also striking 28 alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern pacific killing at least 100 people without providing any public evidence or identifying those killed. The administration insisting its pressure campaign is about targeting drug traffickers and sanctioned oil.

 

But some republicans openly calling for regime change.

 

I am all in the camp for regime change.

 

camp [kæmp] n. 阵营；拥护某一主义（或党派等）的人们

 

And President Trump has been warning for weeks now that land strikes targeting drug traffickers inside Venezuela could be coming soon saying this week that he's not ruling out war.

 

So lawmakers are now pressing the administration for clarity asking what the real end game is here. Is it about oil, drugs or regime change? Rachel.

 

Those questions coming from both sides of the aisle. All right, Selena Wang traveling with the president tonight in Florida. Selena, thank you.

 

07:47 Questions over redactions after release of Epstein files

 

Next tonight, new questions over the redactions in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files. Some victims and lawmakers are taking issue with those redactions and tonight the Department of Justice is responding.

 

Here's ABC's Olivia Rubin.

 

Tonight, growing outrage over the Department of Justice's partial release of its files on notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein calls for answers coming from across the aisle.

 

This initial document release is inadequate. It falls short of what the law requires.

 

fall short of 达不到; 不符合

 

The quickest way and I think most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi.

 

expeditious [͵ɛkspɪˋdɪʃəs] adj. 迅速完成的；迅速的

contempt [kənˋtɛmpt] n. 轻视，蔑视

Inherent Contempt（指国会固有的藐视权）

 

Congress passing a law last month requiring the Justice Department to release all of its records on Epstein by Friday. Redactions permitted to protect the identity of victims, safeguard ongoing investigations or shield images of abuse. Trump signing the bill under pressure from within his own party.

 

But sources telling ABC the D. O. J. Released less than half of those records by the deadline, many of them heavily redacted.

 

redact [rɪˋdækt] v. 编辑；校订

 

This image showing the inside of Epstein's home, photos of Donald Trump contained inside an open drawer initially released, then removed, then reposted.

 

Democrats on Capitol Hill crying foul asking what else is being covered up. But the Justice Department firing back, there were a number of photographs that were pulled down after being released on Friday. That's because a judge in New York has ordered us to listen to any victim or victim rights group.

 

cry foul 叫屈; 抱怨不公; 抗议不公平

 

If they have any concerns about the material that we're putting up, it is nothing to do with President Trump.

 

Among the newly released documents, a significant revelation. This never before seen 1996 FBI complaint believed to be the first time Epstein was ever reported to federal law enforcement.

 

revelation [rɛv!ˋeʃən] n. 揭示；暴露；显示；被揭露的真相

 

Epstein accuser Maria Farmer says she filed that complaint three decades ago, alerting authorities Epstein quote stole photos she had taken of her 12 and 16 year old sisters threatening to quote burn down her house if she told anyone.

 

But Epstein would not be investigated for another decade. Tonight Farmer telling ABC she finally feels quote redeemed. Years ago, she told us she believed others could have been saved from Epstein's abuses.

 

redeem [rɪˋdim] v. 弥补; 补偿

 

If the FBI had listened to me in 1996, there would have been no more victims.

 

And Rachel, the deputy attorney general Todd Blanche says the rest of those documents were delayed in part due to that tedious review process. But he says more should be released in the coming weeks. Rachel.

 

tedious [ˋtidɪəs] adj. 冗长乏味的；使人厌烦的

 

I know you'll be following it. Olivia. Thank you.

 

10:29 Rocket explosion reportedly put flights at risk

 

We turn now to a stunning report from the Wall Street Journal debris from a space X explosion endangering three planes with hundreds of passengers on board.

 

FAA documents reportedly revealing the explosion pose a greater threat than previously known tonight. Space X is pushing back. ABC Morgan Norwood has a story.

 

push back 反击;  表示强烈反对; the action of attacking an enemy

 

It was a Space X rocket launch that ended in a fireball. Whoa, and tonight new FAA documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal reveal the chaotic moments that controllers scrambled to reroute planes amid concerns about potential debris.

 

I need to keep all the aircraft clear of that area because of the debris.

 

According to the Wall Street Journal, debris rained over the Caribbean for nearly 50 minutes, causing a JetBlue flight heading to Puerto Rico to enter a holding pattern.

 

holding pattern 等待航线，待命航线

 

Two other aircraft, a private jet and an Iberia Airlines plane declaring fuel emergencies and making the call to travel through the temporary no-fly zone. All three landing safely with 450 people on board.

 

Iberia [aɪˋbɪrɪə] n. 伊伯利亚半岛（包括西班牙和葡萄牙的半岛）

no-fly zone 禁飞区（若干种飞行被禁止的地区）

 

Iberia Airlines telling the paper its plane flew through the area after all the actual debris had already fallen and jet blue, saying they're confident its flight safely avoided the debris.

 

The journal also reporting Space X didn't immediately notify the FAA of the explosion through its required hotline. The FAA convening a safety review panel, but pause review in August, saying most recommendations were already being implemented.

 

In a statement to ABC News, the FAA says it keeps everyone informed before, during and after commercial space launches.

 

Prior to every launch, the FAA provides airspace users Debris Response area and Aircraft Hazard area coordinates. The report comes as space X, led by CEO Elon Musk, a key Trump ally, advisor and donor pushes for faster launch approvals from the FAA.

 

Debris Response Area 残骸响应区（DRA）是指在发生太空发射任务异常（例如火箭爆炸或解体）时，FAA 可能会临时启用的空域

Aircraft Hazard Areas飞机危险区（AHAs）：这是预先封闭的空域，位于火箭计划路径的周围。

coordinate [koˋɔrdnɪt] n.【数】坐标

 

Still questions tonight about safety.

 

Rachel Space X responding to the Wall Street Journal's report, saying it included incomplete and misleading information, adding no aircraft have been put at risk. Rachel Morgan. Thank you.

 

12:30 Thousands gather for Bondi Beach Vigil

 

Overseas now to an emotional gathering honoring the victims and the survivors of the Bondi Beach terror attack. It comes just one week after the gunman, a father and son, allegedly opened fire during a ceremony marking the first day of Hanukkah, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more.

 

So let's bring in ABC's Marcus Moore and Marcus. This is a community that's still very much on edge tonight.

 

on edge 紧张不安

 

Absolutely, Rachel and highly emotional day at Bondi Beach, where thousands gathered to mark this tragedy one week since those two gunmen carried out this attack, today on the final night of Hanukkah, people saying, Oh, say Shalom prayer, a prayer for peace and read the names of each victim.

 

shalom [ʃəˋlom] int【口】您好；再见

 

The crowd held a moment of silence at 6: 47 to mark the moment those first shots were fired. Police in Sydney say a father and son inspired by ISIS targeted Jewish families at the event to mark the first day of Hanukkah, and a good Samaritan identified as Ahmed Al-Ahmed was seen on video wrestling a gun from one of the shooters before Ahmed himself was wounded.

 

good Samaritan 好心人或見義勇為者

 

This incident sparking more calls to address a wave of anti-Semitism across the globe. Rachel

 

anti-Semitism [͵æntɪˋsɛmɪtɪzəm] n. 反犹太主义

 

Marcus. Thank you.

 

13:31 Shoplifting suspect pulls gun on Ohio officer

 

Back here in the U. S. The chilling images tonight, body camera video capturing the moments and alleged shoplifter put a gun on an officer inside a Walmart in Canton, Ohio.

 

chilling [ˋtʃɪlɪŋ] adj. 令人寒心的；使人恐惧的

 

Authorities say the gun did not fire. The suspect now charged with attempted murder. We want to warn you.

 

These images are disturbing. Here's ABC's Rena Roy.

 

Tonight, dramatic body camera footage showing the moment in alleged shoplifter pulled a gun on an Ohio police officer inside a Canton Walmart outside Cleveland Thursday. Watches this man being held by security lunges to the right, grabs his gun and points it at the officer.

 

lunge [lʌndʒ] v. 刺；冲，扑

 

Police say he pulls the trigger, but the gun fails to fire. A Walmart employee tackling him trying to grab the weapon.

 

He then brings the firearm back up and attempts to shoot the officer a second time. The gun does not go off again.

 

The officer punching the man and wrestling him to the ground. Two Walmart employees helping subdue him before he's handcuffed. The gun, police say, was loaded.

 

subdue [səbˋdju] v. 制服，征服，镇压；使顺从；压抑，克制；抑制

 

It's harrowing. It's it's my my my heart dropped into my stomach.

 

my heart drops into my stomach: a sudden, intense feeling of shock, fear, dread, or extreme disappointment

 

Authorities identifying the suspect is 21 year old Shane Newman, who has spent time in prison before on drug charges.

 

And Rachel, Newman is facing several charges in this incident, including attempted murder.

 

Tonight Walmart releasing a statement saying the company is proud of that employee for taking action and keeping everyone in that store safe. Rachel.   

 

Those images just really hard to watch. All right, Rena, thank you.

 

14:49 Last-minute shoppers drive record holiday spending

 

We turn now to the countdown to Christmas, the last minute rush for holiday shoppers flocking to the stores and malls on the hunt for the best deals. Let's bring in ABC's Mola Langy and Mola. These last minute shoppers fueling record spending.

 

Well, that's right, Rachel. You know, we're less than a week from Christmas. That means the last minute holiday shopping rush is reaching fever pitch.

 

fever pitch 狂热；极度兴奋

 

Millions of Americans are buying those last minute gifts this weekend. Despite some people expressing some anxiety over the state of the economy, total holiday spending is actually expected to eclipse last year's mark. Online consumer spending remains resilient.

 

$187 billion spent so far just this season. A big-ticket home good items have really been among the most popular things like refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers. Meanwhile, shoppers are leveraging by now pay later payment methods to the tune of nearly $14 billion.

 

big-ticket【美】【俚】昂贵的

to the tune of【口】达到某一(尤指可观的)总数

 

And that's just for online shopping. While lines in stores were long this weekend, they are expected to peak in stores on the 22nd and 23rd of this week. So we haven't even seen the worst of it in terms of the lines.

 

If you haven't done your holiday shopping yet, don't worry. Discounts are expected to stick around through the month of December. Rachel.

 

Just a few days to go. All right, Mola. Thank you.

 

16:19 Powerball Jackpot Soars to $1.6 Billion

 

Next, the jaw-dropping Powerball jackpot.

 

jaw-dropping 令人瞠目结舌的

 

There was no big winner last night, so tomorrow's drawing will be an estimated $1.6 billion. That's the fourth largest in the game's history. The lump sum amount 753 million.

 

lump sum 一次付款额；总金额

 

No one has won the big prize since September. After a record 45 straight drawings, we wish you all good luck and still ahead details on the charges against a South Carolina pastor. What prosecutors say he did to his wife.

 

pastor [ˋpæstɚ] n.（基督教的）本堂牧师

 

Also, the college football playoffs. Look at the eight schools still standing.

 

16:53 Myrtle Beach pastor indicted for cyberstalking

 

Back now with the disturbing indictment of a South Carolina pastor. Federal prosecutors say John Paul Miller cyberstalked his wife Micah before she died by suicide.

 

indictment [ɪnˋdaɪtmənt] n. 控告，告发；起诉

cyberstalk 网络跟踪、网络纠缠或网络骚扰

 

Last year, the couple was in the middle of a divorce. Neither Miller nor his attorney has commented on these charges. He's due back in court next month.

 

17:10 CDC data shows rising flu cases

 

Now to health news and the rising flu cases across the country. The latest CDC numbers show there have been 4.6 million cases so far. 90% are linked to one variant of the virus, which the CDC says is a mismatch with the season's vaccine.

 

Experts still recommend getting a flu shot.

 

When we come back. Prince William recreates a charitable moment from his childhood.

 

17:34 Four teams advance in College Football Playoff

 

Back now with a look ahead in the college football playoffs. Oregon, Mississippi, Alabama and Miami have all moved on to the final eight.

 

The hurricanes visit Ohio State in the first quarterfinal on New Year's Eve. Indiana, Georgia and Texas Tech host games on New Year's Day. All four games will be on ESPN.

 

17:51 Prince William volunteers at London homeless shelter

 

In the UK, a royal tradition continues. Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George, spent part of their weekend volunteering at a London homeless shelter. The Prince of Wales volunteered at the same charity as a child with his mother, Princess Diana.

 

George signed a visitor's book on the same page his dad used in 1993.

 

18:18 'Santa Scott' back on the job after fire destroys home

 

When we come back, he's been known as Santa Scott. Now, community is giving back to him and his time of need.

 

Finally, tonight, Santa's elves come together to bring some holiday help to their own Sant Nick.

 

What do you want for Christmas?

 

That's Scott Thorne better known this time of the year as Santa Scott.

 

What do you want to be hard? The beloved Santa has been bringing joy to families at the Fairless Hills Garden Center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania for more than 30 years.

 

Those kids are happy. I'm happy.

 

When a fire destroyed his home and everything in it nearly two months ago, he was determined to get back to work this holiday. We're getting by. We're actually in a rental house now.

 

get by (勉强)过活; (勉强)对付过去；走过去; 过得去; 还可以

 

The community immediately swinging into action to help, donating food, clothes and over $139,000.

 

I don't think I deserved it all, but you know, if it wasn't for them guys, I'd be farther in the hole than I am and a special donation to help him maintain the tradition. New Santa suits.

 

farther [ˋfɑrðɚ] adv.（程度上）进一步地

in the hole 亏空, 负债, 经济困难

 

A Santa from Texas sent me his old stuff. I wish you the best with your whole house and everything that's going on. I wish you well.

 

Thank you. We've been coming here since we got together and got the dog. So now we have a seven year old, a five year old and eight month old and we come here every year for Christmas.

 

Santa Scott still drawing those big crowds every day.

 

Some days like out the door the whole time. Yeah, for like three hours and a community rallying around their favorite Santa to help keep the Christmas spirit alive.

 

rally [ˋrælɪ] n.（重新）集合

 

Keep you going. Seeing a smile on her face is all I care about.

 

Thanks so much for watching. I'm Rachel Scott. Good night.

 

David Muir, the most watched newscast in America and now ABC World News tonight has won the Emmy for best live news program for the third year in a row.