NPR News Now — December 26, 2025, 12AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of overnight global and national news, focusing on major political, military, and weather developments.

Major Episode Topics

1. U.S.–Nigerian Military Strikes Against ISIS

Coverage: 00:13–01:14

• Overview:
  President Trump announced joint U.S.–Nigerian military strikes on ISIS targets in northwest Nigeria. The move follows increasing public comments by Trump spotlighting violence in the region.

• Key Points:

  • President Trump elevated Nigeria's situation last month via social media, framing attacks on Christians as an “existential threat.”
  • The strikes were timed with Christmas and strongly messaged as part of a campaign against Islamist militants.
  • U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised the Nigerian government's cooperation, hinting at continued joint action.

• Notable Quotes:

  • President Donald Trump (00:40):
    “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
  • President Trump (via social media, 00:51):
    “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.”
  • Tamara Keith (01:09):
    “Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth thanked the Nigerian government for its cooperation and said there would be more to come.”

2. Ukraine Peace Talks & Vatican Intervention

Coverage: 01:14–02:04

• Overview:
  Updates on diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, involving new U.S. envoys and renewed calls for peace from the Vatican.

• Key Points:

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a one-hour call with U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, resulting in “new ideas” for peace negotiation formats and timing.
  • At the Vatican, Pope Leo urged Ukraine and Russia to find the courage for peace.
  • Ukrainian citizen Maria Duda expressed appreciation for the Pope’s continued attention to their plight.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Dan Ronan (01:17):
    “...the three found new ideas in terms of formats, meetings and timing on how to bring a real peace deal closer.”
  • Maria Duda (01:42):
    “For Ukrainians, it's a sign of spiritual solidarity and it's very important to have a lesson for our freedom. It's very pleasure that he still remembrance. He's still talking about Ukraine as in our country, war still continues, unfortunately.”

3. Northeast U.S. Winter Storm Warning

Coverage: 02:04–02:45

• Overview:
  A major snowstorm is forecasted for New York City and the Tri-State area, with up to 8 inches of snow expected.

• Key Points:

  • The National Weather Service forecasts fast-moving snow starting late Friday, peaking overnight.
  • This is the second significant snowfall in two weeks for the region.
  • The affected area stretches from northeastern Pennsylvania across northern New Jersey, Long Island, and into eastern Connecticut.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Bruce Kahnweiser (02:17):
    “Snow is forecast to spread across the region late Friday afternoon. It should intensify overnight before heading out to sea. By midday Saturday, up to 8 inches of snow could blanket the region... It would be the second significant snow to hit the region in the past two weeks.”

4. California Flooding and Storm Warnings

Coverage: 02:45–03:33

• Overview:
  Continued severe weather is impacting California after record rainfall, with additional storms and rare high-risk alerts issued.

• Key Points:

  • More storms expected after Christmas Eve’s record-breaking rain.
  • NOAA issues a rare “high risk” flooding and landslide warning for Southern California.
  • Evacuation advisories for certain mountainous regions and high surf warnings along the coast.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Dan Ronan (02:52):
    “Officials have also issued evacuation warnings in some parts of the mountain regions and for possible high surf conditions along the Pacific coast.”

5. North Korean Nuclear Submarine Progress

Coverage: 03:33–04:18

• Overview:
  North Korea publicizes progress on its nuclear submarine program, indicating advancement in regional military capabilities.

• Key Points:

  • Kim Jong Un inspects an 8,700-ton class submarine, now pictured for the first time.
  • North Korea’s nuclear submarine program was first announced in 2021.
  • South Korea, having received President Trump’s approval for acquiring nuclear subs, plans talks with the U.S.
  • Kim Jong Un criticizes South Korea's nuclear ambitions as provocative.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Se Woon Gong (03:48):
    “North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has visited a shipyard at an undisclosed location to inspect the submarine under construction ... the Korean Central News Agency revealed also for the first time that the submarine is 8,700 ton class.”
  • Se Woon Gong (04:12):
    “Kim Jong Un criticized Seoul’s move as an offensive act that must be countered.”

6. Japan’s Record Defense Budget

Coverage: 04:18–04:57

• Overview:
  Japan approves a record-high defense budget amid rising concerns about China's regional activity and U.S. pressure.

• Key Points:

  • The new budget: over 99 trillion yen (about $58B), a 9% increase from the previous year.
  • Motivated by perceived threats from China, especially regarding the Taiwan Strait.
  • Japan responds to U.S. calls for increased military spending.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Dan Ronan (04:22):
    “Japan's cabinet has approved a record defense budget ... as Japan's leadership says it is facing increased threat from nearby China and China could be involved militarily if China were to take action against Taiwan.”

Memorable Moments

• President Trump's Christmas Message Against ISIS:
  His phrasing, “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists...” (00:51), stood out for its confrontational tone.
• Ukrainian Reflection on Vatican's Support:
  Maria Duda’s candid appreciation for Pope Leo’s message highlighted the importance of international—even spiritual—support for Ukrainians (01:42).

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 00:13 — U.S.–Nigeria strikes announcement
• 00:40 — Trump’s statement on violence in Nigeria
• 01:14 — Zelensky reveals new approaches to peace talks
• 01:42 — Ukrainian citizen reacts to Pope’s message
• 02:12 — Details on New York’s winter storm
• 02:45 — California storm warnings
• 03:33 — North Korea’s new submarine unveiled
• 04:18 — Japan approves record defense budget

Summary Tone and Language

• The episode retains NPR’s direct, urgent, and factual reporting style.
• Official quotes retain formal or emotional inflections, such as Trump’s confrontational rhetoric or Maria Duda’s heartfelt remarks.
• All news coverage is concise, prioritizing key updates and impactful sound bites.