NPR News Now – 12-25-2025 12PM EST

Host: Douahlisai Kowtel (NPR)
Date: December 25, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a succinct roundup of major global news as of Christmas Day 2025. Reporting spans Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem amid ongoing conflict, anti-terror action in Turkey, the financial tradition of the "Santa Claus rally" on Wall Street, progress in North Korea’s nuclear submarine program, and the passing of Palestinian actor and filmmaker Mohammed Bakri.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christmas Celebrations Return to Bethlehem

[00:14 – 01:22]

• Background:
  For the first time since the Gaza war began over two years ago, Christmas celebrations took place at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a city under Israeli occupation in the West Bank.

• Report Highlights:

  • Communion at Nativity Church: Christians gathered for midnight mass, partaking in communion in the "austere prayer hall" (Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR).
  • Message of Hope:
    • "I hope that all the world will see also the other side of the Holy Land, which is not only conflict and war, but but it's also life, joy and commitment to life and joy."
      — Cardinal Pizabella, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, after his sermon (00:53)
  • Public Sentiment: For many Palestinians at Manger Square, this marks the first opportunity in over two years to feel “life and joy.”

2. Terrorism Arrests in Turkey

[01:22 – 02:06]

• Summary:
  Turkish authorities detained over 100 suspected Islamic State members, believed to be plotting attacks against Christmas and New Year celebrations.

• Context & Analysis:

  • Routine Preventive Measures:
    • "This is not unusual in Turkey. They take these preventive measures regularly and often detain quite large numbers of suspects. And it's been pretty successful."
      — Sebastian Usher, BBC (01:38)
  • Compared to a decade ago, when ISIS attacks were more frequent and severe, the threat level and frequency have since declined.

3. Wall Street’s “Santa Claus Rally”

[02:06 – 03:06]

• Tradition Explained:
  The last five trading days of the year and the first two of the new year typically see rising stock prices, a phenomenon dubbed the Santa Claus rally.

• Current Status:

  • The S&P closed at a record high on the previous Wednesday, hinting at a positive end to 2025 for stocks.
  • Caveat:
    • "But a warning here, it doesn't happen all the time. Last year, instead of a rally, traders got coal when Santa left behind a market sell off."
      — Rafael Nam, NPR (02:22)
  • Reminder that trading is closed for the holiday, resuming on Friday.

4. North Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Progress

[03:06 – 04:15]

• Announcement:
  North Korea revealed, via state media, a photo of a completed submarine hull for the first time. The vessel is reported to be an 8,700-ton class submarine capable of launching nuclear missiles.

• International Context:

  • Kim Jong Un’s Inspections:
    Kim visited the undisclosed shipyard and criticized South Korea’s efforts to obtain nuclear submarines, calling it an “offensive act.”
  • Regional Dynamics:
    South Korea, with former U.S. President Trump’s approval (granted in October), plans to initiate talks with the U.S. regarding its own nuclear submarine ambitions early next year.

5. Passing of Mohammed Bakri

[04:15 – 04:54]

• Obituary:
  Acclaimed Palestinian actor and filmmaker Mohammed Bakri has died in northern Israel.

• Career Retrospective:

  • Began performing in the 1980s in both Arabic and Hebrew, engaging with Palestinian and Israeli theater audiences.
  • Notable films include “Beyond the Walls,” “Fellow Travelers,” and “Cup Final.”
  • His most controversial and, according to some, finest work was the film “Janine Jeanine.”
  • News of his passing shared by son Saleh Bakri on Instagram:
    • "With profound sorrow and deep grief, we announce the passing of our beloved father." (04:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Other Side of the Holy Land:
  "I hope that all the world will see also the other side of the Holy Land, which is not only conflict and war, but but it's also life, joy and commitment to life and joy."
  — Cardinal Pizabella, Bethlehem Midnight Mass (00:53)

• On Counterterror Success in Turkey:
  "This is not unusual in Turkey. They take these preventive measures regularly and often detain quite large numbers of suspects. And it's been pretty successful."
  — Sebastian Usher, BBC (01:38)

• On the Santa Claus Rally Caveat:
  "But a warning here, it doesn't happen all the time. Last year, instead of a rally, traders got coal when Santa left behind a market sell off."
  — Rafael Nam, NPR (02:22)

• Mohammed Bakri’s Passing:
  "With profound sorrow and deep grief, we announce the passing of our beloved father."
  — Saleh Bakri, Instagram (04:15)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:14] – Bethlehem Christmas Mass and message of hope
• [01:22] – Turkey detains Islamic State suspects
• [02:06] – Wall Street’s “Santa Claus rally” explained
• [03:06] – North Korea reveals nuclear submarine progress
• [04:15] – Obituary of Mohammed Bakri

This concise yet comprehensive news recap covers major international developments relevant for Christmas Day 2025, encapsulating global events, regional tensions, and cultural milestones.