NPR News Now — 12-25-2025 8PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst, NPR
Date: December 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This tightly-packed five-minute news segment covers the most pressing global and national stories of December 25, 2025. Key topics include U.S. military action against ISIS in Nigeria, the ongoing Israeli-Hamas hostage situation and ceasefire developments, Pope Leo’s historic Christmas Mass, weather emergencies in Southern California, and America’s enduring love for holiday movies.

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Action in Nigeria & ISIS Violence

[00:15–01:10]

• President Trump announced on social media that he ordered multiple U.S. military strikes against ISIS in northwest Nigeria, alleging that militants were “targeting and killing Christ.”
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly stated the "killing of Christians has to end" and expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s cooperation.
• The Nigerian government previously criticized Trump’s depiction, insisting that all religious groups, not just Christians, have suffered from ISIS and other violent groups.
• Recent Violence: At least five killed in a blast at a mosque in northeast Nigeria (night prior).

Notable Quote:

“The militants have been targeting and killing Christ.”
— President Trump via social media (00:20)

2. Israeli Hostages in Gaza & Ceasefire Uncertainty

[01:11–02:00]
Field report by Zyaire Batrawi, with additional commentary by Ariel Botrai.

• The body of one last Israeli hostage (Ran Gavili) in Gaza remains missing, jeopardizing progression to the next phase of the Trump-brokered ceasefire deal.
• Mother of Ran Gavili will accompany Prime Minister Netanyahu to the U.S., vowing to block the ceasefire’s advancement until her son’s body is returned.
• Hamas sources claim no information on the body's whereabouts amid extensive destruction and numerous unretrieved Palestinian casualties.
• Israeli and Egyptian officials met in Cairo to coordinate search efforts.
• Israel’s defense minister insists on keeping troops in north Gaza as a precursor to Jewish settlements—directly contradicting the ceasefire’s terms.

Notable Quote:

“He [the Defense Minister] said for the second time this week that Israeli troops will remain in north Gaza as a precursor to Jewish settlements there, in contradiction to Trump’s ceasefire plan signed by Israel.”
— Ariel Botrai, NPR (01:53)

3. Pope Leo’s Historic Christmas Mass & Plea for Peace

[02:00–03:03]
Filed by Ruth Sherlock.

• Pope Leo became the first pontiff in over 30 years to celebrate Christmas Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
• He called on the world to care for the suffering—specifically citing victims of war (notably in Gaza), refugees, and young people conscripted into militaries.
• Moving Rhetoric: Highlighted the banality of military orders and the deceitfulness of political justifications, urging an empathetic response as a pathway to peace.

Notable Quotes:

“He [Pope Leo] spoke of young people conscripted into militaries who, quote, on the front lines feel the senselessness of what is asked of them and the falsehoods that fill the pompous speeches of those who send them to their deaths.” (02:34)

“When the fragility of others penetrates our hearts, when their pain shatters our rigid certainties, then peace has already begun.”
— Pope Leo, as reported by Ruth Sherlock (02:53)

4. U.S. Market Closure & California Weather Crisis

[03:03–04:03]

• Wall Street was closed in observance of Christmas; futures traded slightly higher overnight (Dow futures up 0.1%).
• Southern California Storm:
  • A powerful new system threatens serious flooding and mudslides, especially in wildfire-burned areas.
  • Last January’s evacuations in Orange County (airport fire burn scar) have been lifted.
  • At least two deaths attributed to current heavy rains and winds.

5. Holiday Movie Rankings: “Home Alone” Dominates

[04:03–04:49]
Report by Netta Ulaby.

• Home Alone (1990) remains the most-watched Christmas movie for three of the last four Decembers, as per Nielsen ratings.
• 2024’s Redone (Prime Video, starring Dwayne Johnson as Santa’s security chief) interrupted the streak.
• Other household Christmas classics in the holiday top five: Elf, Home Alone 2, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
• A Christmas Story benefits from a 24-hour TV marathon; perennial Die Hard “Christmas Movie?” debate persists—last year hitting #11.

Notable Quote:

“And although there’s debate about whether Die Hard is really a Christmas movie, Nielsen says last year it landed on the holiday list at number 11.”
— Netta Ulaby, NPR (04:38)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Presidential Framing: “The militants have been targeting and killing Christ.” — President Trump (00:20)
• Papal Empathy:
  “When the fragility of others penetrates our hearts ... then peace has already begun.” — Pope Leo, as reported by Ruth Sherlock (02:53)
• Pop Culture with a Smile:
  “Die Hard is really a Christmas movie … landed on the holiday list at number 11.” — Netta Ulaby (04:38)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:15–01:10 — U.S. strikes on ISIS in Nigeria; debate over religious targeting
• 01:11–02:00 — Israeli hostages, Gaza ceasefire, and ongoing search
• 02:00–03:03 — Pope Leo’s Christmas Mass & plea for compassion and peace
• 03:03–04:03 — Markets closed for Christmas; SoCal storm and flood threats
• 04:03–04:49 — Home Alone dominates Christmas viewing; pop culture roundup

This concise update delivers the latest world events and cultural tidbits, blending political turmoil, humanitarian pleas, and holiday traditions in NPR’s signature clear and balanced tone.