NPR News Now – December 25, 2025, 11PM EST

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News update, hosted by Dan Rowland, covers major headlines from around the globe as 2025 comes to a close. Key stories include a U.S. military strike in Nigeria ordered by President Trump, the impact of unprecedented immigration enforcement in the U.S., developments in the Israel-Gaza ceasefire negotiations, a significant cyberattack on France’s postal service, and the return of Christmas celebrations in Gaza. Each story is delivered succinctly with direct reports from NPR correspondents.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Strike Against ISIS in Nigeria

[00:13–01:24]

• Announcement: President Trump confirmed a U.S. strike on Islamic State fighters in Nigeria’s Sokoto State via a social media post on Truth Social, describing it as a response to the targeting and killing of Christians.
• Pentagon Confirmation: The Pentagon stated the strike was at the request of Nigerian authorities.
• Context: Trump previously criticized Nigeria for not stopping the persecution of Christians and had ordered plans for possible military action.
• Religious Tensions: The Nigerian government maintains that militant attacks are based more on geography than religion, despite Nigeria's roughly even Christian-Muslim population split.
• Notable Quote:
  • Trump (via Truth Social): “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists.”
    (Quoted by Scott Newman, 01:17)

2. Immigration Crackdown and Family Preparedness

[01:24–02:16]

• Unprecedented Enforcement: Over 500,000 undocumented immigrants were affected by heightened enforcement in 2025.
• Family Protection Measures: Immigration lawyers are advising undocumented parents to set up emergency guardianship for their U.S. citizen children.
• Personal Story: An American mother in D.C. became the emergency guardian for her son's friend to protect him in case his parents were deported to Honduras.
• Impact: The story highlights the fears and practical steps families are taking in response to the heightened risk of deportation.

3. Gaza Hostage Ceasefire Complications

[02:16–03:15]

• Unresolved Hostage Crisis: The body of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza remains unrecovered, which could delay the next phase of the ceasefire deal.
• Personal Account: The mother of slain Israeli police officer Ran Gavili is traveling with Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington to press for delaying ceasefire advancements until her son’s remains are found.
• Contradictions and Tensions: Israel’s defense minister restated troops will remain in North Gaza as a precursor to potential Jewish settlements, contradicting Trump’s ceasefire plan.
• Notable Insight:
  • Hamas official (anonymity granted): “No leads on where the body might be,” citing ongoing searches amid the rubble. (Reported by Ava Batrani, 02:46)

4. Russia-linked Cyber Attack on France

[03:15–03:41]

• Incident: A pro-Russian hacking group claimed responsibility for a major cyberattack that crippled the French National Post Service ahead of Christmas.
• Disruptions: Package deliveries halted, central computers were knocked offline, and online payments were disrupted.
• Wider Context: France and EU allies see it as part of a broader Russian hybrid war, linked to their ongoing support for Ukraine.

5. Christmas Returns to Gaza After Two Years

[03:41–04:51]

• Significance: Christmas celebrations returned for the small Christian Palestinian community after two years of conflict.
• Community Resilience: Despite 20 Christians being killed and churches destroyed in Israeli airstrikes, the remaining community gathered at Gaza’s last standing church.
• Celebration and Mourning: Children wore new clothes, and the community sang hymns, combining joy with remembrance for the many Palestinians lost in the war.
• Notable Description:
  • Anas Bhabha: “This community of just 500 or so Christians in Gaza is singing again. … the community gathered to both celebrate the birth of Jesus and mourn the many Palestinians killed in the war.” (04:28–04:46)

Memorable Quotes

• President Trump: “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists.” (01:17, via Scott Newman)
• Anonymous Hamas Official: “No leads on where the body might be, despite continuing to search among mounds of rubble.” (02:46, via Ava Batrani)
• Anas Bhabha (on Gazan Christians): “This community of just 500 or so Christians in Gaza is singing again.” (04:28)

Segment Timestamps

• U.S. Strike on ISIS in Nigeria: 00:13–01:24
• Immigration Enforcement and Emergency Guardianship: 01:24–02:16
• Gaza Hostage and Ceasefire: 02:16–03:15
• French Postal Cyberattack: 03:15–03:41
• Christmas in Gaza: 03:41–04:51

Tone and Style

• The episode maintains NPR’s trademark concise, sober, and informative tone.
• Correspondents report directly from D.C., Gaza, and France, offering both factual updates and occasional personal stories for human context.

This summary captures the critical news and developments as reported in this episode, providing a comprehensive briefing for those who missed the broadcast.