NPR News Now – December 14, 2025 – 5PM EST

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: Latest global and national headlines, focusing on breaking news events, international diplomacy, scientific discovery, and entertainment updates.

Overview

This installment of NPR News Now delivers a concise summary of major events from around the globe, including a mass shooting in Sydney, a crisis at Brown University, a diplomatic shift by Ukraine, a new study on species discovery, and weekend box office results.

Key News Summaries & Discussion Points

1. Mass Shooting at Hanukkah Celebration in Sydney, Australia

[00:14 – 01:11]

• Incident: At least 15 people are dead and dozens injured in an attack during a Hanukkah celebration on a Sydney beach.
• Presidential Response: President Trump condemns the attack, calling it “obviously” anti-Semitic.
  • Quote:

    "And that was an anti Semitic attack, obviously, and it I just want to pay my respects to everybody."
    – President Trump [00:37]

• Heroism Recognized: Trump praises a man who disarmed one of the shooters, calling him "a very, very brave person" who "saved a lot of lives."
• Holiday Reflection:
  • Quote:

    "Today we can very say loudly we celebrate Hanukkah because that was such a horrible attack. That was a purely anti Semitic attack."
    – President Trump [01:02]

2. Mass Shooting at Brown University, Rhode Island

[01:13 – 02:05]

• Update: Authorities detain a person of interest (male, 20s). No further personal details released.
• Casualties: At least 2 dead and 9 injured.
• Local Impact:
  • Providence Mayor Brett Smiley expresses shock:

    "Could happen anywhere, including here, but that's not the same as it happening in our community."
    – Providence Mayor Brett Smiley (via NPR) [01:49]

• University Response: Brown cancels final exams; shelter-in-place order lifted.
• State Response: Governor Daniel McKee orders state flags to half-staff in mourning.

3. Ukraine Signals to Drop NATO Bid for Ceasefire Progress

[02:05 – 03:10]

• Diplomatic Development:
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledges waning support for Ukraine's NATO membership and proposes alternative bilateral security guarantees.
• Quote:
  • "[He] acknowledged that Ukraine's NATO membership bid is not supported by all members of the Alliance and proposed a number of bilateral article 5 like security guarantees instead."
    – Esme Nicholson summarizing Zelensky's remarks [02:30]
• Ceasefire Talks: Hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner pressing Ukraine for compromises.
• Firm on Territory: Zelensky refuses to cede eastern Ukraine to Russia.

4. Study Finds Humans in a "Golden Era" of Species Discovery

[03:24 – 04:09]

• Scientific Insight:
  • There are currently 2.5 million identified species, with about 17,000 new species found each year.
• Quote:

  "Estimates range widely about how much unique life there is on Earth, from the low hundreds of millions of different species to the trillions. The new study's authors say our ability to find new life will only increase with technological advancements like DNA analysis."
  – Nate Rott [03:24]

• Takeaway: Earth remains a "poorly known planet," but potential for discovery is increasing.

5. Weekend Box Office Results

[04:09 – 04:49]

• Top 3 Movies:
  • 1st: Zootopia 2, with $26 million (second 2025 film to cross $1 billion worldwide).
  • 2nd: Five Nights at Freddy's 2, $19 million ($95 million domestic total; cost $36 million to make).
  • 3rd: Wicked for Good, $8 million.
• Other Mentions: Harrandar, Now You See Me, Now You Don't round out the top five.

Notable Quotes (With Timestamps & Attribution)

• President Trump on Sydney Attack:

  • "And that was an anti Semitic attack, obviously, and it I just want to pay my respects to everybody." [00:37]
  • "Today we can very say loudly we celebrate Hanukkah because that was such a horrible attack. That was a purely anti Semitic attack." [01:02]

• Providence Mayor Brett Smiley on Brown University Shooting:

  • "Could happen anywhere, including here, but that's not the same as it happening in our community." [01:49]

• Nate Rott on Species Discovery:

  • "Estimates range widely about how much unique life there is on Earth, from the low hundreds of millions of different species to the trillions. The new study's authors say our ability to find new life will only increase with technological advancements like DNA analysis." [03:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sydney Mass Shooting / Trump Response: 00:14 – 01:11
• Brown University Shooting Updates: 01:13 – 02:05
• Ukraine's NATO Compromise & Ceasefire Talks: 02:05 – 03:10
• New Species Discovery Report: 03:24 – 04:09
• Weekend Box Office Results: 04:09 – 04:49

Tone and Style

The tone is direct, factual, and matter-of-fact, reflecting the urgency and seriousness of current events, but also moments of admiration (heroic actions in Sydney) and curiosity (scientific discovery segment). The delivery is brisk and clear, in the standard NPR news update style.