NPR News Now - December 14, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now bulletin covers the top international and national headlines: a tragic shooting at Brown University, a high-profile Israeli strike in Gaza, updates on Ukraine war ceasefire talks, severe flooding in the Pacific Northwest, a deadly airstrike on a Myanmar hospital, a Prada partnership with Indian artisans after a fashion controversy, and highlights from women's skiing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brown University Shooting

[00:14–00:59]

• Incident Details:
  • Reported shooting at Brown University outside the Barris and Holly Building (School of Engineering and Physics Department) around 4pm.
  • Two fatalities, nine critically injured.
  • The incident occurred during final exams.
• Suspect:
  • Still at large, described as a "male dressed in black."
  • Per Deputy Police Chief Timothy O'Hara:

    "We're utilizing every resource possible to find this suspect." — Scott Greenstone quoting Deputy Police Chief [00:48]

• Safety Measures:
  • Shelter-in-place order in effect for campus and nearby areas.

2. Israel-Gaza: Senior Hamas Commander Killed

[00:59–01:58]

• Military Action:
  • Israeli forces assert they've killed Re' Ed Saad, described as Hamas military wing's second-in-command, and an architect of the October 7th attacks.
  • Strike took place near Gaza City.
• Conflicting Reports:
  • Hamas did not confirm the death, but did condemn an Israeli strike on a "civilian vehicle."
  • Saad’s killing would mark the highest-profile Hamas assassination since the October ceasefire deal.
  • Background: Saad was a close ally of Azzedin al Haddad, who now leads Hamas' military wing post-May.
• Notable Reporting:

  "Saad's killing would be the highest profile assassination of a Hamas leader by the Israeli military since a ceasefire deal was reached in October." — Hadil El Shalchi [01:45]

3. Ukraine War: Ceasefire Talks & Russian Strikes

[01:58–02:41]

• Diplomacy:
  • Restart of ceasefire talks — U.S., EU, and Ukrainian officials meeting in Berlin for several days.
• Continued Conflict:
  • Russia launched fresh strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy and port infrastructure overnight.
  • Over a million Ukrainians without power amid freezing temperatures.

4. Pacific Northwest Flooding

[02:41–03:03]

• Severity:
  • Heaviest flooding in recorded history for Skagit River near Seattle.
  • Attributed to a series of "atmospheric rivers."
• Public Reaction & Clarification:

  "It's a common misconception. I think the Seattle area has many drizzly days, but is not so used to a big dumping of water during these so called atmospheric rivers that we are experiencing multiple of right now." — Scott Greenstone [02:41]

  • Residents surprised by the severity, surpassing 1990 records.
• Ongoing Threats:
  • More rain is forecast; main concern now is landslide risk.

5. Myanmar Hospital Airstrike

[03:03–03:42]

• Attack Background:
  • Myanmar’s military government claims responsibility for an airstrike on a hospital in Rakhine State.
  • Over 30 fatalities, including patients, staff, and children.

6. Prada & Indian Sandal Artisans

[03:42–04:29]

• Fashion Controversy:
  • Prada accused of copying the Kolhapuri chappal, a traditional Indian sandal, at Milan Fashion Week.
  • Indian artisans legally challenged Prada for violation of geographical indication and intellectual property.
• Resolution & Partnership:

  "Now Reuters reports that Prada will manufacture 2,000 pairs of the Kolha Puri sandals. But made by Indian artisans, they'll be sold for nearly $1,000 a pair when they go on sale in February." — Shweta Desai [04:13]

  • Official manufacturing agreement: Indian artisans to produce sandals for Prada, preserving heritage and offering global exposure.

7. Lindsey Vonn Makes History Again

[04:29–04:53]

• Sporting Highlight:
  • Lindsey Vonn, 41, finished second in the World Cup downhill event in Switzerland, just a day after becoming the oldest ever winner in the circuit.
  • Emma Atri (Germany) took first by just 0.25 seconds.
  • Vonn made a comeback last season after nearly six years of retirement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We’re utilizing every resource possible to find this suspect.”
  — Deputy Police Chief Timothy O’Hara (quoted), [00:48]

• "Saad's killing would be the highest profile assassination of a Hamas leader by the Israeli military since a ceasefire deal was reached in October."
  — Hadil El Shalchi, [01:45]

• "It's a common misconception. I think the Seattle area has many drizzly days, but is not so used to a big dumping of water during these so called atmospheric rivers that we are experiencing multiple of right now."
  — Scott Greenstone, [02:41]

• "Now Reuters reports that Prada will manufacture 2,000 pairs of the Kolha Puri sandals. But made by Indian artisans, they'll be sold for nearly $1,000 a pair when they go on sale in February."
  — Shweta Desai, [04:13]

Segment Timestamps

• Brown University Shooting: [00:14–00:59]
• Gaza Commander Killed: [00:59–01:58]
• Ukraine Ceasefire Talks & Strikes: [01:58–02:41]
• Pacific Northwest Flooding: [02:41–03:03]
• Myanmar Hospital Airstrike: [03:03–03:42]
• Prada & Indian Sandal Artisans: [03:42–04:29]
• Lindsey Vonn Ski Result: [04:29–04:53]

This episode delivers a brisk, comprehensive snapshot of pressing global headlines, blending hard news (crime, conflict, climate disasters) and cultural shifts, all in NPR’s signature calm, precise tone.