NPR News Now – December 19, 2025, 8PM EST

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise, five-minute coverage of major news stories from around the world, including U.S. military action in Syria, new developments in the Jeffrey Epstein files, a federal court decision on homelessness funding, an update on federal workers' holidays, a website hacking mystery, Australia's gun buyback response to a mass shooting, and a significant Peanuts comic strip acquisition.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Strikes on Islamic State in Syria

[00:13–01:18]

• Incident: The U.S. military launched extensive strikes against Islamic State targets in central Syria, following the killing of three Americans by a gunman linked to ISIS.
• Details:
  • Air and artillery attacks targeted ISIS buildings and ammunition.
  • The Pentagon’s Pete Hegseth posted on X:

    "Today we hunted and we killed our enemies, lots of them, and we will continue." — Pete Hegseth [00:39]

  • President Trump had previously vowed retaliation after two Iowa National Guard members and a U.S. interpreter were killed. The attacker, with extremist ties, was about to be dismissed from the Syrian security forces.
  • U.S. troops remain in Syria to prevent ISIS resurgence.

2. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Files

[01:18–01:53]

• Development: The Department of Justice (DOJ) began releasing documents regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, under Congressional pressure.
• Criticism:
  • Congressman Ro Khanna expressed frustration with the heavy redactions, stating:

    "There's one document from the New York grand jury... totally redacted, 119 pages, all redacted." — Ro Khanna [01:36]

  • The documents released so far do not meet expectations; review is ongoing.
• Next Steps: DOJ indicated that hundreds of thousands more pages will be released.

3. Court Blocks Trump Administration’s Homelessness Policy Overhaul

[01:53–02:54]

• Ruling: A federal court temporarily blocked the Trump administration's changes to federal homelessness funding.
• Background:
  • The new approach would cut permanent housing funds and favor transitional housing requiring work or treatment.
  • Potential funding gaps may push many back into homelessness during winter.
  • Judge Mary McElroy strongly criticized HUD’s chaotic rollout, saying:

    "If HUD really wants to change policies so dramatically... it needs to do the work and go through Congress. Instead, she said, the chaos seems to be the point." — Judge Mary McElroy, as reported by Jennifer Ludden [02:40]

4. Federal Worker Holidays Expanded

[02:54–03:22]

• Announced: President Trump is granting federal workers Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas off, in addition to Christmas Day.
• Note:
  • This extended holiday is unprecedented for both days.
  • Over 300,000 federal workers were laid off in 2025.

5. White House Website Livestream Incident

[03:22–03:51]

• Event: A YouTube investment streamer’s live broadcast appeared on an official White House webpage for about eight minutes.
• Response:
  • The streamer claims ignorance and jokes:

    "Hopes President Trump is watching his streams."

  • The incident raises questions about a potential site hack.

6. Australia’s National Gun Buyback

[03:51–04:35]

• Action: Following a deadly mass shooting (15 killed), Australia will implement a new national gun buyback.
• Key Points:
  • There are over 4 million firearms in Australia, exceeding numbers before the famous 1990s buyback.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed urgency:

    "The terrible events at Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets." — Anthony Albanese [04:10]

  • The program aims to collect surplus, illegal, and newly banned guns; citizenship will be required for gun licenses.
  • Funding awaits legislative approval.

7. Sony Increases Peanuts Stake

[04:35–04:56]

• Deal: Sony will buy an additional 41% stake in the "Peanuts" comic strip from Canadian company Wild Brain, bringing its total to 80%. The Schulz family retains 20%.
• Context:
  • Peanuts debuted in 1950 and is a beloved cultural icon.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pete Hegseth on the U.S. response to ISIS in Syria:

  "Today we hunted and we killed our enemies, lots of them, and we will continue." [00:39]

• Rep. Ro Khanna on the Epstein files’ redactions:

  "There's one document from the New York grand jury... totally redacted, 119 pages, all redacted." [01:36]

• Judge Mary McElroy's rebuke to HUD:

  "Instead, she said, the chaos seems to be the point." [02:40]

• Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on gun reform:

  "The terrible events at Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets." [04:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S. Strikes on ISIS in Syria: 00:13–01:18
• Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files: 01:18–01:53
• Homelessness Funding Ruling: 01:53–02:54
• Federal Workers' Holidays: 02:54–03:22
• White House Livestream Incident: 03:22–03:51
• Australia Gun Buyback Program: 03:51–04:35
• Sony/Peanuts Comic Acquisition: 04:35–04:56

This episode delivers fast-paced, global headlines with a focus on accountability, politics, unexpected tech incidents, and international policy changes, using a direct and factual tone.