NPR News Now: Key Stories – December 14, 2025, 9AM EST

Episode Overview

This brisk five-minute news update, hosted by Giles Snyder, covers urgent global stories, including developing events at Brown University and Sydney, ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, severe weather's impact on Gaza, and notable headlines in sports. The episode delivers concise reporting and direct updates from correspondents and key figures at the scenes.

Major News Stories

1. Brown University Shooting (Providence, Rhode Island)

• [00:19] Giles Snyder: Reports that a "person of interest is in custody" after a shooting at Brown University, resulting in 2 deaths and 9 injuries.
• [00:35] Ian Donis, Ocean State Media:
  • The suspect, a man in his 30s "matching the description of the shooter," was arrested overnight at a hotel in Coventry, RI.
  • The motive and reason for his presence in Coventry remain unclear.
  • The incident occurred during final exams.
  • Of the injured, one remains in critical condition.
• Quote, Ian Donis ([00:35]): "It's unclear why that person was there. This is a man in his 30s. That matches the description of the shooter."

2. Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

• [01:00] Giles Snyder: Details a mass shooting at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah festivities, with at least 12 fatalities.
• [01:20] Cristina Kukola:
  • The attack targeted an event attended by around 1,000 people celebrating Hanukkah.
  • One suspect among the deceased, another in critical condition, and over two dozen (including two police) hospitalized.
  • New South Wales authorities have labeled this a terrorist attack, targeting the Jewish community.
  • Quote, Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner ([01:44]):
    "No stone will be left unturned. This type of disgraceful activity, this wanton use of violence, the taking of innocent lives, is unacceptable to New South Wales."
  • Ongoing investigation into a possible third suspect and explosive devices found nearby.
  • Quote, Cristina Kukola ([01:54]): "Police are also investigating a possible third suspect and suspected improvised explosive devices found in a vehicle near the beach."

3. Ukraine Peace Talks in Berlin

• [02:05] Giles Snyder:
  • New diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with meetings underway in Berlin.
  • Attendees include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law.

4. Israel-Lebanon Military Tensions and Ceasefire

• [02:05] Giles Snyder: Notes a rare pause in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon following a request by Lebanese military officials.
• [02:37] Jerome Sokolovsky, NPR (Tel Aviv):
  • Israeli military temporarily halted an airstrike around 15 miles north of the Lebanese border to allow Lebanese Army inspection, reflecting growing coordination.
  • Both countries have sent civilian envoys to a U.S.-led committee monitoring the ceasefire.
  • Washington urges increased cooperation for "regional stability."

5. Gaza: Humanitarian Crisis after Severe Storms

• [03:16] Giles Snyder: Reports Gaza is facing continued devastation after severe storms.
• [03:35] Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR (Tel Aviv):
  • Hundreds of tents flooded; thousands of displaced Palestinians left homeless.
  • Cold has caused building collapses; at least two babies died of hypothermia.
  • Mahmoud Basal (Gaza Civil Defense) calls for caravans instead of tents and immediate reconstruction.
  • Humanitarian groups cite Israeli restrictions on aid delivery.
  • Quote, Hadil Al Shalchi ([03:35]): "Thunderstorms flooded hundreds of tents in Gaza, leaving thousands of already displaced Palestinians homeless. And cold buildings have collapsed, killing several families, while at least two babies died of hypothermia, according to local health officials."

6. US Troops Killed in Syria

• [04:13] Giles Snyder:
  • President Trump promises retaliation after two U.S. service members and one American civilian killed in Syria by a gunman; three more service members wounded.
  • U.S. Central Command attributes the attack to the Islamic State group.
  • Trump says the wounded "seem to be doing well."

7. Sports Headlines

• [04:33] Giles Snyder:
  • Alice Robinson (New Zealand) wins her first Super G World Cup ski race at San Beriz.
  • Lindsey Vonn (USA), age 41, missed the podium in Friday's race but became the oldest World Cup winner after a separate victory, placing second in a downhill event the previous day.

Notable Quotes

• Mal Lanyon, New South Wales Police Commissioner ([01:44]):
  "No stone will be left unturned. This type of disgraceful activity, this wanton use of violence, the taking of innocent lives, is unacceptable to New South Wales."
• Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR ([03:35]):
  "Thunderstorms flooded hundreds of tents in Gaza, leaving thousands of already displaced Palestinians homeless... at least two babies died of hypothermia, according to local health officials."
• Giles Snyder ([04:13]):
  "President Trump is promising retaliation after two US Service members and one American civilian were ambushed and killed by a gunman this weekend in Syria."

Segment Timestamps

• 00:19–01:00: Brown University shooting developments
• 01:00–02:05: Sydney Bondi Beach mass shooting
• 02:05–02:37: Ukraine peace talks in Berlin
• 02:37–03:16: Israel–Lebanon ceasefire and airstrike pause
• 03:16–04:13: Gaza storm aftermath and humanitarian crisis
• 04:13–04:33: US casualties in Syria, Trump response
• 04:33–04:58: World Cup skiing results

Tone & Style

Direct, urgent, and factual, with succinct updates from scene reporters and authority figures, typical of NPR’s concise news bulletins.