NPR News Now: December 25, 2025, 10PM EST – Detailed Summary

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, anchored by Jeanine Herbst, delivers concise yet comprehensive coverage of key national and international events. Topics include a U.S. military strike in Nigeria, a major pediatrics lawsuit against the federal government, extreme winter weather across the U.S., a significant cyber attack in France, and the enduring popularity of Home Alone as a Christmas film.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes on ISIS in Nigeria

• President Trump announced via social media that he has ordered military strikes on ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria, citing the militants’ attacks on Christians. ([00:17])

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for the Nigerian government’s cooperation but Nigeria’s officials have previously disputed the U.S. characterization, emphasizing that both Christians and Muslims have suffered due to violence.

• Notably, this follows a deadly mosque blast in northeast Nigeria that killed at least five people. ([00:52])

  “President Trump says he's ordered military strikes on ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria today, saying on social media the militants have been targeting and killing Christians.”
  — Jeanine Herbst (00:17)

2. Lawsuit: American Academy of Pediatrics vs. U.S. Health Department

• Reporting by Selena Simmons Duffin ([01:15])

  • The AAP, representing 67,000 pediatricians, is suing the Department of Health and Human Services due to the abrupt cancellation of $12 million in grants.
  • The suit alleges retaliation: the grants were ended after AAP criticized new vaccine guidelines set by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance.
  • Cut funds threaten critical health programs focused on SIDS prevention, rural health, early detection of birth defects, and more.
  • No response from HHS when approached by NPR.

  “The pediatricians allege the grants were canceled in retaliation for speaking out against the department's recent policy changes that could limit access to childhood vaccines.”
  — Selena Simmons Duffin (01:15)

3. Extreme Winter Weather in California and Nationwide

• California Storm ([02:02]–[02:54])
  • Coverage by Joel Rose describes record rainfall in southern California — over 3 inches in Santa Barbara and some LA County areas.
  • Resulting issues include: power outages (120,000+ customers affected), mudslides, freeway flooding, delays at SFO (average 2-hour inbound flight delays), and heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada.

  “Bursts of intense rain caused scattered mudslides, flooded freeways and prompted evacuation orders in parts of LA and San Bernardino counties.”
  — Joel Rose (02:15)

• Wider U.S. Impact
  • An Arctic blast is causing snow and frigid temperatures from the upper Midwest to the Northeast. Ice and heavy snow are anticipated, with Michigan seeing up to a quarter inch of ice.

4. Major Cyber Attack on France’s Postal Service

• Reporting by Eleanor Beardsley ([03:33]–[04:22])
  • The hacking group Noname057 claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that paralyzed La Poste during its busiest period.
  • Noname057, a pro-Russian hacker group, has previously targeted various European institutions as part of information warfare tactics.
  • The attack affected a major national service: La Poste delivers 2.5 billion packages annually and employs over 200,000.

  “The attack was a major blow to La poste, which delivered 2.5 billion packages last year and employs more than 200,000 people.”
  — Eleanor Beardsley (04:14)

  • French government agencies and major events (like the NATO summit) have also been targets in the past year.

5. Holiday Entertainment: Home Alone Tops Christmas Movie Charts

• Home Alone was ranked the most-watched Christmas movie on both broadcast and streaming platforms—claiming the top spot in three of the last four Decembers.
• Other popular films include Elf, Home Alone 2, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. ([04:22])

  “Home Alone is the most popular Christmas movie on broadcast and streaming TV… by Nielsen for three of the past four Decembers.”
  — Jeanine Herbst (04:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On U.S. military action in Nigeria:
  “President Trump says he's ordered military strikes on ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria today, saying on social media the militants have been targeting and killing Christians.”
  — Jeanine Herbst (00:17)

• On AAP’s lawsuit:
  “The pediatricians allege the grants were canceled in retaliation for speaking out against the department's recent policy changes that could limit access to childhood vaccines.”
  — Selena Simmons Duffin (01:16)

• On California’s storm:
  “Bursts of intense rain caused scattered mudslides, flooded freeways and prompted evacuation orders in parts of LA and San Bernardino counties…”
  — Joel Rose (02:16)

• On the French postal cyberattack:
  “The attack was a major blow to La poste, which delivered 2.5 billion packages last year and employs more than 200,000 people.”
  — Eleanor Beardsley (04:14)

• On Christmas movie rankings:
  “Home Alone is the most popular Christmas movie on broadcast and streaming TV… by Nielsen for three of the past four Decembers.”
  — Jeanine Herbst (04:23)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:17] U.S. military strikes in Nigeria & blast at Nigerian mosque
• [01:15] AAP lawsuit against HHS over grants and vaccine policy dispute
• [02:02] Winter storm impacts in California (Joel Rose report)
• [02:54] National weather outlook (Arctic blast, Midwest/Northeast)
• [03:33] Cyber attack on France’s postal service (Eleanor Beardsley report)
• [04:22] Home Alone and Christmas movie popularity

For listeners and readers, this episode delivers a brisk yet thorough update on developing stories, blending hard news, global insights, and cultural touchstones, in NPR’s signature clear and direct tone.