NPR News Now – December 14, 2025, 4AM EST

Host: Dale Willman, NPR
Episode Theme:
A concise update on top national and international news, covering a mass shooting at Brown University, healthcare reform debates in Congress, violence in Sudan, U.S. military casualties abroad, religious and political tensions in the UK, renewed conflict in Southeast Asia, and a major sports achievement.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Brown University Mass Shooting

• [00:14] Dale Willman reports police are searching for a gunman who killed two and wounded nine during final exams at Brown University.
  • Providence Mayor Brett Smiley: Urges residents near campus to stay indoors.
    • "We have two priorities right now as a community, one, to bring the individual responsible to justice and two, to pray for the full recovery of those affected. The Brown community's heart is breaking, and Providence's heart is breaking along with it." [00:35]
  • Police have released surveillance video of the suspect, last seen leaving the engineering building.
  • A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for both campus and surrounding neighborhoods.

2. U.S. Healthcare Policy Battle

• [00:54] Republicans unveil a health care policy package aimed at reducing costs, but critics point out it doesn’t extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.
  • Reporter Jude Joffe-Block:
    • Enhanced ACA tax credits are set to expire at year’s end, threatening to spike out-of-pocket costs for millions.
    • House Speaker Mike Johnson claims the GOP proposal addresses, “the real drivers of health care costs.” [01:17]
    • The plan allows small businesses to pool purchasing power for health insurance and targets pharmacy benefit managers to lower drug costs.
    • A Senate bill to extend the tax credits failed; Congressional inaction looms as the holiday recess approaches.

3. UN Peacekeepers Killed in Sudan

• [02:00] Fighting in Sudan escalates; a drone attack on a UN base in South Kordofan kills six Bangladeshi peacekeepers, injures eight.
  • Michael Kaloki reports (from Nairobi):
    • UN Secretary General António Guterres warns that such attacks, “may constitute war crimes under international law.” [02:12]
    • Sudanese armed forces blame the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), though RSF denies involvement.
    • Bangladesh condemns the attack and expresses condolences.

4. Attack on Americans in Syria

• [02:53] President Trump vows “serious retaliation” after three Americans (two Iowa National Guardsmen, one U.S. civilian) are killed and three wounded in Syria.
  • Pentagon: It was an ambush by a lone gunman, who was killed.

5. Political and Religious Tensions in the UK

• [03:26] Church of England releases a Christmas video to counter far-right leader Tommy Robinson's efforts to tie Christmas to Christian nationalism.
  • Reporter Vicki Barker:
    • Robinson’s recent events blend anti-Muslim sentiment with evangelical rhetoric — a notable shift in U.K. political language.
    • Church of England voices (video):
      • “It’s Christmas.” [03:53]
      • “It belongs to us all, and everyone's invited.” [03:54]
    • The church’s message: Christmas and its hope are for everyone, not a political tool.

6. Renewed Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia

• [04:11] Thai fighter jets launch attacks along the Cambodian border, despite President Trump’s claims of a negotiated ceasefire.
  • Thailand’s foreign minister rejects Trump's statement as inaccurate.
  • Over half a million people have been displaced by the intensified skirmishes.

7. Sports Milestone: Heisman Trophy Winner

• [04:31] Fernando Mendoza, Indiana quarterback, wins the Heisman Trophy — the first-ever for a Hoosier.
  • Led team to an undefeated regular season, defeating Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mayor Brett Smiley, Providence (on Brown University shooting):
  “The Brown community's heart is breaking, and Providence's heart is breaking along with it. We are a week and a half away from Christmas, and all of us are getting calls from concerned families, parents, employees.” [00:35]

• House Speaker Mike Johnson (on GOP health care plan):
  “The real drivers of health care costs.” [01:17]

• UN Secretary General António Guterres (on Sudan UN base attack):
  “Attacks targeting UN Peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.” [02:12]

• Church of England Christmas Video:
  “It's Christmas.” [03:53]
  “It belongs to us all, and everyone's invited.” [03:54]

Key Segments and Timestamps

• [00:14] - Brown University mass shooting and shelter-in-place
• [00:54] - Congressional health care debate and policy standoff
• [02:00] - UN peacekeepers attacked in Sudan (UN, Bangladesh response)
• [02:53] - American casualties in Syria and Trump’s statement
• [03:26] - Church of England’s Christmas message counters far-right rhetoric
• [04:11] - Thailand-Cambodia border conflict and displacement crisis
• [04:31] - Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy

Summary:
This episode delivers rapid updates on urgent events: a traumatic school shooting, healthcare policy gridlock, UN and U.S. military casualties in conflict zones, rising political-religious tensions over Christmas in the UK, Southeast Asian border conflict, and a crowning sports triumph. The tone remains measured and informative, featuring direct quotes from officials and on-the-ground perspectives, offering listeners a comprehensive glance at the day’s pivotal news.