NPR News Now: December 20, 2025, 11AM EST

Host: Nora Ramm
Date: December 20, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of key domestic and international news as of December 20, 2025. Highlights include developments in the Jeffrey Epstein documents release, a Supreme Court decision affecting immigration judges' speech rights, escalating violence in Gaza, U.S. military actions in Syria, a major corruption conviction in Pakistan, and updates from the college football playoffs.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Jeffrey Epstein Files Released

• [00:16] Nora Ramm: Reports that the Department of Justice (DOJ) began releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein in compliance with new Congressional legislation.
• [00:34] Stephen Fowler: Details the release:
  • The "Epstein Library" includes over 100,000 pages: court records, Freedom of Information Act files, Justice Department memoranda, and prison videos.
  • Release mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
• [00:58] Nora Ramm: Notes only a small fraction of new information was released, with heavy redactions and hundreds of thousands of pages still under review.

2. Immigration Judges' Free Speech Rights Upheld

• [01:28] Nina Totenberg: Explains the Supreme Court decision:
  • The Trump-era DOJ policy barred immigration judges from making public remarks about their work or the immigration system without prior clearance.
  • Judges challenged this as a violation of free speech.
  • Despite warnings from the administration about "dire consequences," the Supreme Court allowed the judges' case to go forward.
• Memorable Moment:

  "In an unexpected action, the court, with no noted dissents, let immigration judge's case go forward, at least for now."
  — Nina Totenberg (01:50)

3. Israeli Strike in Gaza Kills Civilians Amid Ongoing Conflict

• [02:14] Nora Ramm: Reports on an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, with casualties despite a nominal ceasefire.
• [02:27] Hadil El Shalchi: Adds context:
  • At least six killed, including a child, in a strike on a Gaza City school (Al Tufa).
  • Israeli military claims they targeted "suspicious individuals" and are reviewing the incident.
  • Since October's ceasefire, over 390 Palestinians killed in Gaza.
  • The second phase of the ceasefire deal depends on Hamas returning the last Israeli hostage's body.
• Memorable Moment:

  "Palestinians have been sheltering in schools after being displaced several times during the war."
  — Hadil El Shalchi (02:50)

4. U.S. Military Retaliates in Syria

• [03:12] Nora Ramm: The U.S. conducted large-scale airstrikes in central Syria, targeting suspected ISIS elements.
  • Operation follows a suspected ISIS attack that killed two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter.

5. Pakistani Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan Sentenced for Corruption

• [03:12] Nora Ramm: Updates on Imran Khan:
  • Imran Khan and his wife convicted of corruption for keeping and selling state gifts.
  • Sentenced to 17 years in prison; lawyer plans appeal.
  • Under Pakistani law, officials can keep such gifts only by paying the market-assessed value.
  • Khan is already imprisoned on other corruption charges.

6. College Football Playoff Update: Alabama’s Comeback Victory

• [04:14] Pat Duggans: Alabama wins a dramatic playoff game.
  • Oklahoma led by 17 points before Alabama rallied for a 34-24 victory.
  • Alabama QB Ty Simpson:

    "Uh, yeah, I guess we can thank you guys for that. I mean, y' all kind of wrote us off in a sort of way, so appreciate that."
    — Ty Simpson (04:32)

  • Alabama advances to face Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1st.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:16] — Epstein Files DOJ release
• [01:28] — Supreme Court on immigration judges’ speech
• [02:14] — Israeli strike in Gaza
• [03:12] — U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Imran Khan conviction
• [04:14] — College football playoffs update

Notable Quotes

• “The Epstein Library contained well over 100,000 pages of court records... compelled the Justice Department to hand over.”
  — Stephen Fowler (00:34)
• “In an unexpected action, the court, with no noted dissents, let immigration judge's case go forward, at least for now.”
  — Nina Totenberg (01:50)
• "Palestinians have been sheltering in schools after being displaced several times during the war."
  — Hadil El Shalchi (02:50)
• "Uh, yeah, I guess we can thank you guys for that. I mean, y' all kind of wrote us off in a sort of way, so appreciate that."
  — Ty Simpson (04:32)

Tone & Style

This episode maintains NPR’s signature impartial, matter-of-fact tone, providing concise updates while letting reporter quotes and brief moments of on-the-ground color (like Ty Simpson’s post-game comment) give the news a human edge.

Summary

This NPR News Now episode delivers a five-minute sweep of the day's most pressing news—legal transparency, civil service rights, ongoing conflicts, geopolitics, and sports—skilfully condensing global complexity into an accessible and informative dispatch.