NPR News Now: December 14, 2025 – 9PM EST

Brief Overview
This five-minute NPR News Now episode covers significant breaking and global news stories. Major topics include an ongoing active shooter situation at Brown University, a deadly ISIS attack on US forces in Syria, a major prisoner release in Belarus following a sanctions deal, a targeted Israeli strike in Gaza, a rare medical birth in California, and the latest Powerball jackpot update.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brown University Active Shooter Situation

• Coverage Begins: [00:14]

• Police are actively seeking a suspect involved in a shooting at Brown University, Rhode Island.

• Confirmed: At least two fatalities and eight critically injured individuals.

• Incident occurred during final exams. Suspect: Male, dressed in black.

• Deputy Police Chief Tim O'Hara provides details on law enforcement response and public safety measures.

  "All we have is a suspect that was a male dressed in black. It is unknown how he entered the building, but we do know that he exited the Hope street side of that complex. We're utilizing every resource possible to find this suspect. The shelter in place is in order, and I urge people to take that very seriously."
  – Tim O'Hara, [00:37]

• Weapon has not been recovered, type unknown.

• Federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are assisting.

• There have been 37 college or university shootings this year so far, not including this incident.

2. ISIS Attack on US Forces in Syria

• Coverage Begins: [01:00]

• President Trump vows retaliation after an ISIS militant kills two American soldiers and one US civilian in central Syria.

  "The Pentagon said a lone gunman with the Islamic State, or ISIS, carried out the shooting ambush near the ancient desert city of Palmyra. The gunman killed the two soldiers as well as a U.S. civilian interpreter and also wounded three U.S. troops."
  – Greg Myre, [01:39]

• US forces have been present in Syria for a decade to fight ISIS. While the group was militarily defeated, "remnants still carry out periodic attacks."

• US forces remain to prevent ISIS resurgence.

3. Belarus Political Prisoner Release

• Coverage Begins: [02:19]

• Belarus releases over 120 political prisoners in a deal brokered by the Trump administration.

• In exchange, the US lifts sanctions on Belarusian potash, an important export.

• Freed prisoners include high-profile figures: Nobel laureate Ales Belyatsky, former presidential candidate Viktor Bobryko, and Maria Kolesnikova (2020 pro-democracy protest leader).

• Human rights groups estimate ~1200 political prisoners remain.

  "...freedom for many of the most high profile critics of the regime of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko."
  – Charles Maines, [02:29]

• Reflects ongoing efforts by the US to trade sanctions relief for political freedoms in Belarus.

4. Israel-Hamas Tensions & Gaza Strike

• Coverage Begins: [03:08]
• Israel claims responsibility for killing senior Hamas commander Riyad Saad in a Gaza car strike — highest profile Hamas killing since the ceasefire started two months ago.
• Saad allegedly helped plan the 2019–2023 October attack initiating the two-year Gaza war.
• International mediators, including the US, are involved in advancing the ceasefire.

5. Rare Full-Term Abdominal Pregnancy in California

• Coverage Begins: [03:54]

• Susi Lopez delivered a healthy baby via rare full-term abdominal pregnancy (fetus developed outside uterus).

• Diagnosis came during a pre-surgical checkup for an ovarian cyst.

• After monitoring and surgery at Cedars Sinai, the baby was born without major complications.

  "I just appreciate everything, even if it's the baby crying because that just means that his lungs work."
  – Susi Lopez, [04:17]

• Lopez’s doctors believe the outcome may be unprecedented.

6. Powerball Lottery Jackpot Hits $1 Billion

• Coverage Begins: [04:31]
• The Powerball jackpot reaches $1 billion for the second time this year.
• Cash value: Over $457 million.
• Last billion-dollar jackpot (September) was split by Missouri and Texas winners.
• Odds remain extremely high.

Notable Quotes and Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [00:37] | Tim O'Hara | "The shelter in place is in order, and I urge people to take that very seriously." | | [01:39] | Greg Myre | "Remnants still carry out periodic attacks. US Forces have remained in Syria to guard against a resurgence of isis." | | [02:29] | Charles Maines | "Long-sought freedom for many of the most high profile critics of the regime of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko..." | | [04:17] | Susi Lopez | "I just appreciate everything, even if it's the baby crying because that just means that his lungs work." |

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Brown University Shooting: [00:14] – [01:00]
• ISIS Attack in Syria: [01:00] – [02:19]
• Belarus Prisoner Release: [02:19] – [03:08]
• Israel-Hamas Gaza Strike: [03:08] – [03:54]
• Abdominal Pregnancy Birth: [03:54] – [04:31]
• Powerball Lottery Update: [04:31] – [04:51]

Summary Style & Tone
The reporting is direct, concise, and fact-focused, matching NPR's informative tone. Eyewitness and expert attributions provide authority and real-time urgency where appropriate.

Intended Usefulness
This summary offers a clear, structured rundown for listeners who missed the episode, highlighting all significant news stories, with direct speaker quotes and precise timestamps for reference.