NPR News Now — December 23, 2025, 2AM EST

Host: NPR
Episode Theme: A concise update on major international and U.S. news stories, from media controversies and geopolitical tensions to human rights concerns and notable figures in entertainment and politics.

Key Stories and Insights

1. CBS News Scrutiny Over Pulled Deportation Story

[00:13–01:10]

• Overview: CBS News and “60 Minutes” come under fire after abruptly pulling a story regarding the Trump administration's deportation policy and alleged abuse of deported Venezuelan migrants in a Salvadoran prison.

• Details:

  • Reported by NPR’s David Folkenfrich, the “60 Minutes” piece involved on-camera allegations of torture and sexual assault by detainees, supposedly sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison under the Trump administration’s policy.
  • Correspondent Sharon Alfonsi described the decision to pull the story as an editorial, not political, in an email to staff.
  • CBS’s new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, defended that the story was pulled because it "was not ready to air."

  Notable Quotes:

  • “They were going to allege on camera that they had been badly abused, in some cases tortured, sexually assaulted by their captors there.” — David Folkenfrich, NPR Correspondent [00:46]
  • “Insisting, she says the story was not ready to air.” — NPR News Anchor, paraphrasing Bari Weiss [01:10]

2. Trump’s Appointment Sparks Outrage Over Greenland

[01:10–02:16]

• Overview: President Trump appoints Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for Greenland, reigniting controversy over U.S. ambitions to annex the Danish territory.

• Details:

  • Danish and Greenlandic leaders issue a joint rebuke, emphasizing respect for sovereignty and international law.
  • European Union (EU) officials echo the sentiment, stressing the inviolability of Denmark’s borders.
  • U.S. Ambassador Ken Howry is formally summoned by Denmark's Foreign Minister.
  • Nordic neighbors openly support Denmark.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Emphasizing national borders and sovereignty are matters of international law, that other countries can't simply be annexed, as President Trump has suggested of Greenland in the past.” — Terry Schultz, NPR Correspondent [01:33]
  • “The sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union.” — Anouar Alannuni, EU Commission Spokesman [01:54]

3. Structure Demolitions in East Jerusalem

[02:16–03:06]

• Overview: Reports surface of intensified demolitions of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem by Israeli authorities, with over 460 structures destroyed in 2025.

• Details:

  • A recent demolition leaves about 100 Palestinians homeless.
  • The Palestinian Authority calls the demolitions forced displacement aimed at changing the city's demographic makeup to favor Jewish settlement expansion.
  • Israeli authorities state the buildings are illegal, citing missing permits. Rights groups argue the permit system discriminates against Palestinians.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “There’s been a sharp uptick in these demolitions, calling them forced displacement... part of a policy to change Jerusalem's demographic to support Jewish settlement expansion.” — Hadil Al Shashi, NPR Correspondent [02:28]

4. Mexican Navy Plane Crash in Texas

[03:06–03:17]

• Overview: A small Mexican Navy aircraft crashes near Galveston, Texas, killing at least five people.

5. Music and Entertainment Updates

[03:17–03:48]

• Chris Rea Passes Away

  • Singer of “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” dies at 74 after a brief illness. The 1978 hit peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard charts.

• Barry Manilow Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

  • Legendary performer announces early stage lung cancer diagnosis and upcoming surgery, resulting in postponed January concerts.
  • Manilow had just been treating persistent bronchitis when the cancerous growth was discovered during an MRI.
  • Known for a multi-decade career and multiple Grammy awards.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “His biggest American hit, ‘Fool if You Think It’s Over,’ peaked at number 12 on the Billboard charts back in 1978.” — NPR News Anchor [03:22]
  • “Doctors found a cancerous growth that can be quite treated with surgery.” — NPR News Anchor [03:37]

6. Arizona Fake Elector Charges Dropped

[03:48–04:53]

• Overview: Arizona drops charges against Jim Lehman, one of 11 state Republicans who signed a false elector certificate claiming Trump won Arizona in 2020.

• Details:

  • No plea deal or commitment to testify from Lehman, but he has agreed not to object to subpoenas for text messages.
  • The broader fake electors case remains unresolved pending a state Supreme Court decision on grand jury proceedings.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “Jim Lehman was one of 11 Arizona Republicans who signed a document falsely claiming President Trump won the state in 2020.” — Wayne Schutzke, NPR Reporter [04:16]
  • “Lehman’s attorney says his client did not sign a plea deal or agree to testify, though he will not object to certain subpoenas for text messages sought by prosecutors.” — Wayne Schutzke, NPR Reporter [04:35]

7. Powerball Update

[04:53–04:56]

• Overview: There is no winner in Monday's Powerball drawing.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “They were going to allege on camera that they had been badly abused, in some cases tortured, sexually assaulted by their captors there.” — David Folkenfrich [00:46]
• “The sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union.” — Anouar Alannuni [01:54]
• “Doctors found a cancerous growth that can be quite treated with surgery.” — NPR News Anchor [03:37]

Timestamps for Main Segments

• CBS News controversy: 00:13–01:10
• Greenland envoy appointment backlash: 01:10–02:16
• East Jerusalem demolitions: 02:16–03:06
• Mexican Navy plane crash: 03:06–03:17
• Chris Rea obituary: 03:17–03:29
• Barry Manilow health update: 03:29–03:48
• Arizona fake electors update: 03:48–04:53
• Powerball result: 04:53–04:56

This summary captures the rapid pace and serious tone of NPR’s hourly news update, providing context for ongoing political, international, and cultural events.