NPR News Now — December 14, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major U.S. and global news, focusing on the aftermath of two mass shootings (in Rhode Island and Australia), updates in the Ukraine conflict, U.S. military casualties in Syria, the upcoming sentencing of Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai, and the Heisman Trophy announcement.

Key News Stories & Discussion Highlights

1. Brown University Mass Shooting: Arrest Made

[00:20–01:18]

• Incident: A mass shooting occurred at Brown University in Rhode Island on Saturday.
• Casualties: 2 students killed, 9 others injured (8 students).
• Arrest: "A man in his 30s was arrested overnight in a hotel in Coventry, about 25 miles from the shooting," reports Ian Donis.
• Community Response:
  • Providence Mayor Brett Smiley expressed deep sorrow and shock:
    • Quote:

      "I think maybe intellectually we knew it could happen anywhere, including here, but that's not the same as it happening in our community. This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence, for Brown, for all of us."
      — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley [00:48]

• Motive: Not yet determined.

2. Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

[01:18–02:10]

• Incident: A gunman attacked a Hanukkah event, targeting the Jewish community, resulting in at least 12 deaths.
• Response:
  • UN Chief Antonio Guterres condemned the attack as "heinous, deadly" and targeted at Jewish families during a mass celebration.
  • Over 1,000 attended the event.
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeled it "evil anti-Semitism" and an "act of terrorism at the heart of the nation."
  • Casualties: 29 injured (including a child), one gunman killed, a second suspect critically injured.
• Quote:

  "The gunmen shot at crowds on the beach during a mass celebration... Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the shooting was an act of terrorism that has struck at the heart of the nation. He described the attack as evil anti Semitism."
  — Adam Hancock [01:33]

3. Ukraine War: Key Diplomacy in Berlin

[02:10–03:13]

• Diplomatic Meeting: U.S. Special Envoy Steve Wyckoff and Jared Kushner (President Trump's son-in-law) met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin.
• Objective: To pursue a plan for ending the war in Ukraine.
• Russian Stance:
  • "The Kremlin reaffirms it will give its blessing for a ceasefire only after Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from parts of the Donetsk region that they still control," reports Rob Schmitz ([02:28]).
  • This demand is expected to be rejected by Ukraine.
• European Politics:
  • Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of the end of an American-led security era:
    • "The era of a Pax Americana is over."
  • The Trump administration's recent National Security Strategy criticized European leaders as "weak and ineffective."

4. U.S. Casualties in Syria and Presidential Response

[03:13–03:51]

• Incident: An ambush in Syria killed 2 U.S. service members and one American civilian; 3 other service members wounded.
• Responsibility: The White House attributes the attack to the Islamic State group.
• Response: President Trump vows retaliation.

5. Hong Kong: Sentencing of Jimmy Lai

[03:51–04:37]

• Background:
  • Jimmy Lai, a businessman and democracy activist, faced charges under Beijing's national security law—potential life sentence.
  • Accused of "colluding with foreign forces" for contacting U.S. politicians such as President Trump and Mike Pence, and journalists.
• Current Situation:
  • Lai already imprisoned for protest-related charges; his health has declined during this period.
  • Notable for building media empires in Hong Kong and Taiwan, after arriving as a refugee.
• Quote:

  "Lai's work funding and organizing pro democracy demonstrations came late in life. After arriving in Hong Kong as a refugee, he built a fortune in fast fashion, then started several successful media companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan before pivoting to politics."
  — Emily Fang [04:15]

6. Sports: Heisman Trophy Winner

[04:37–04:58]

• Winner: Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza received the Heisman Trophy.
• Significance: First player from Indiana to win this prestigious college football award.
• Season Recap: Led Hoosiers to a perfect regular season and Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• [00:48] Providence Mayor Brett Smiley:

  "This is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence, for Brown, for all of us."

• [01:33] Adam Hancock:

  "Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the shooting was an act of terrorism that has struck at the heart of the nation. He described the attack as evil anti Semitism."

• [02:48] Rob Schmitz:

  "Germany's Merz declared the era of a Pax Americana over in a speech over the weekend."

• [04:15] Emily Fang:

  "Lai's work funding and organizing pro democracy demonstrations came late in life..."

Timeline of Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Brown University Shooting & Arrest | 00:20–01:18 | | Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach / International Reactions | 01:18–02:10 | | Ukraine Diplomacy in Berlin / U.S.-EU Relations | 02:10–03:13 | | U.S. Deaths in Syria / Trump’s Response | 03:13–03:51 | | Jimmy Lai Sentencing in Hong Kong | 03:51–04:37 | | Heisman Trophy Winner Announced | 04:37–04:58 |

This NPR News update delivers a brisk, clear overview of urgent news and global events with direct reporting and succinct commentary from officials and correspondents.