NPR News Now — December 15, 2025, 10AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Length: 5 minutes (core news content: [00:16]–[04:55])
Theme: Fast-paced global and U.S. headlines, from international security to domestic crime, economic data, notable deaths, and airline safety.

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of major news stories, including increased security warnings for Jews worldwide after a Hanukkah shooting in Australia, a campus shooting at Brown University, disrupted U.S. economic data releases, the passing of director Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer, a national security court verdict in Hong Kong, and a near-miss aviation incident involving JetBlue.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Global Security Warnings after Sydney Hanukkah Attack

[00:16]–[01:18]

• Incident: Deadly shooting at a Hanukkah party in Sydney; 15 killed, dozens wounded.
• Israel’s Response: "Israel's National Security Council is warning of copycat attacks and is calling on Israelis globally not to attend Jewish gatherings without security guards present." (Daniel Estrin, [00:34])
• Investigation: Mossad is assisting in the Sydney investigation; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blames Australian authorities.
  • Quote (Benjamin Netanyahu):
    "Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti Semitism in Australia, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today." ([00:59])
• Diplomatic Tensions: Australia cut ties with Iran this summer over allegations of organizing previous anti-Semitic attacks.

2. Brown University Shooting in Providence, RI

[01:18]–[02:26]

• Incident: Shooting during an economics study session—2 dead, 9 wounded.
• Eyewitness Account (Joseph Uduru, Brown Senior):
  "Into their lecture hall right after he mumbled whatever he said, he just started shooting right away. There was no hesitation. We were just praying, calling our parents. There was nothing else to be done other than to pray." ([01:36])
• Trauma Compounded: Some students present had survived or been close to other school shootings.
  • Zoe Weissman survived Parkland, FL (2018).
  • Mia Treta survived a California school shooting, having been shot in the abdomen.

3. U.S. Economic Data Disruptions

[02:26]–[03:05]

• Reason: Six-week government shutdown delayed key economic reports.

• Upcoming Data: Labor Department to report on job gains; inflation data pending.

• Permanent Data Gaps: Due to furloughs, some October unemployment and price check data won’t be recovered.

  • Quote (Scott Horsley):
    "Some of the missing data will not be made up though. Furloughed federal workers were unable to conduct price checks or tally the unemployment rate for October. So, so for the first time, there will be gaps in those long running series." ([02:47])

• Corporate News: Roomba maker iRobot files for bankruptcy; to be absorbed by its contract manufacturer.

• Market Update:

  • Dow: Down ~27 points
  • Nasdaq: Down >60 points

4. Director Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer Deaths

[03:05]–[03:43]

• Loss Announced: Statement from the Reiner family confirms both have died; possible homicide investigation in Los Angeles.
• Outpouring of Sorrow: Both in Hollywood and among the public (brief mention—no further details provided).

5. Justice and Human Rights in Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai Verdict

[03:43]–[04:28]

• Context: National security court found publisher and activist Jimmy Lai guilty.
• Daughter’s Reaction (Claire Lai):
  "He has heart issues. He has skin problems, he has infections, back issues, waist problems." ([03:53])
  • She refutes claims Lai harbors hatred for China:
    "When you're guided by the Holy Spirit, despite what the judgment says, there is no room for hate and there is no hate in my father's heart." ([04:05])
• Future: Sentencing set for mid-January; Lai faces up to life in prison.

6. JetBlue Near-Collision Incident over the Caribbean

[04:28]–[04:55]

• Event: JetBlue pilot reports narrowly avoiding collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker in Curacao.
• Military Context: U.S. military has increased operations near Venezuela.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Security after Anti-Semitic Attacks
  "Israel's National Security Council is warning of copycat attacks..." (Daniel Estrin, [00:34]) "Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti Semitism in Australia..." (Benjamin Netanyahu, [00:59])

• Firsthand Account of Brown University Shooting
  "He just started shooting right away. There was no hesitation. We were just praying, calling our parents." (Joseph Uduru, [01:36])

• On Data Blackouts Impacting the Economy "For the first time, there will be gaps in those long running series." (Scott Horsley, [02:47])

• On Jimmy Lai’s Health and Faith "He has heart issues...back issues, waist problems." (Claire Lai, [03:53])
  "There is no room for hate and there is no hate in my father's heart." (Claire Lai, [04:05])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] Top headlines introduction — Korva Coleman
• [00:34] Sydney Hanukkah Shooting & Global Security — Daniel Estrin & Benjamin Netanyahu
• [01:18] Brown University Shooting — Eyewitness & Survivor Accounts
• [02:26] Economic Data Delays & iRobot Bankruptcy — Scott Horsley
• [03:05] Wall Street update; Rob Reiner & Michelle Singer Deaths
• [03:43] Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai Verdict & Family Reaction — Emily Fang & Claire Lai
• [04:28] JetBlue Near Collision — U.S. Military Context

Tone

Direct, sober, and urgent—reflecting both the seriousness of unfolding events and NPR's commitment to concise, straightforward reporting. Eyewitness and family testimonies add emotional weight to the otherwise factual style.

This episode delivers essential news updates with brevity and clarity, capturing the complex emotional currents of a tumultuous news cycle in just five minutes.