NPR News Now – December 26, 2025, 4AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan (NPR)
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: The episode delivers the latest global and national news, focusing on pressing international conflicts, significant diplomatic efforts, and cultural highlights for the holiday season.

Main Topics Covered

• US Strikes Against ISIS in Nigeria
• Ukraine Peace Efforts and Vatican Involvement
• Gaza Hostage Crisis and Israeli Policy Developments
• Holiday TV Viewing Trends
• Cyber Attack on the French Postal Service

Detailed Breakdown

1. US Launches Strikes Against ISIS in Nigeria

[00:11 – 01:22]

• The US, in coordination with Nigerian forces, carried out deadly airstrikes against ISIS targets in Sokoto state on Christmas Day.

• US Africa Command confirms multiple ISIS terrorists killed.

• President Trump described ISIS as “terrorist scum” and emphasized the targeting of innocent Christians.

• Nigerian officials clarified that both Muslims and Christians are victimized by such attacks, not one group exclusively.

• Previously, Trump warned Nigeria about US intervention if violence against Christians persisted.

  “ISIS, which he described as terrorist scum, was targeting and killing innocent Christians…Nigeria said the Islamics attack all those who reject their ideology, Muslims and Christians alike.”
  —Dan Ronan (00:32)

• Analysis from BBC’s David Waddell (London Correspondent):

  “The Trump administration has been quite concerned about the impact on Nigeria's Christian community, but as the government there has pointed out, Christians not being explicitly targeted…there is widespread banditry…it's a major internal security crisis for the Nigerian government.”
  —David Waddell (01:00)

2. Ukraine Peace Talks and Vatican Involvement

[01:22 – 02:10]

• Ukrainian President Zelensky had a phone call with US envoys; reportedly, there are “new ideas in terms of formats, meetings, and timing” to advance a peace deal.

• Pope Leo at the Vatican called for Ukraine and Russia to find the courage to end the war.

• Maria Dudak, a Ukrainian citizen, expressed gratitude for the Pope's solidarity:

  “For Ukrainians, it's a sign of spiritual solidarity and it's very important to have lesson for our freedom. It's very pleasure that he still remembers. He's still talking about Ukraine. As in our country, war still continues.”
  —Maria Dudak (01:50)

3. Gaza Hostage Crisis and Israeli Security Policy

[02:10 – 03:11]

• The remains of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza have yet to be found, casting doubt on further peace progress.

• Ran Gavili’s mother will accompany Prime Minister Netanyahu to the US to insist on no new ceasefire phase until her son’s body is returned.

• Hamas, speaking anonymously, states they have no concrete leads on the location of the body amid war rubble.

• Israeli security officials met with Egyptian mediators in Cairo this week.

• Israel’s defense minister reiterates troops will remain in northern Gaza, hinting at future settlement plans—contradicting Trump’s ceasefire agreement.

  “Israeli troops will remain in north Gaza as a precursor to Jewish settlements there in contradiction to Trump's ceasefire plan signed by Israel.”
  —Ava Bhatrani (03:03)

4. Holiday TV Rankings: “Home Alone” Reigns

[03:11 – 04:14]

• “Home Alone” (1990) ranked as the most-watched holiday movie three out of the last four Decembers.

• Only in 2024 did another film, Prime Video’s “Red One” starring Dwayne Johnson, claim the top spot.

  “Someone took Nick.”
  —Clip from “Red One” (03:49)

• Other holiday favorites: “Elf,” “Home Alone 2,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

• “A Christmas Story” maintains a TV presence through TBS/TNT marathons.

• “Die Hard” fueled the perennial debate: Is it a Christmas movie? Per Nielsen, it ranked #11 for the holidays in 2024.

  “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 (04:07)

5. Cyberattack Cripples French Postal Service

[04:14 – 04:53]

• Pro-Russian hackers claim responsibility for taking down France’s National Postal Service computers, halting package tracking and online payments just before Christmas.

• France and European allies accuse Moscow of cyberwarfare tactics, linking this to their pro-Ukraine stance in Russia’s nearly four-year war.

  “France and other European allies are accusing Moscow of waging what they say is cyber warfare against them because of their support for Ukraine in the nearly four year old war with Russia.”
  —Dan Ronan (04:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the complex violence in Nigeria:

  “There is, however, widespread banditry, including mass abductions, theft of livestock, village raids. It's a major internal security crisis for the Nigerian government, a big headache which it wants to put a lid on…”
  —David Waddell (01:07)

• On the persistence of the Ukraine conflict:

  “It's very pleasure that he still remembers. He's still talking about Ukraine. As in our country, war still continues.”
  —Maria Dudak (01:57)

• On the Israeli-Palestinian crisis:

  “A Hamas official…says the group has no leads on where the body might be, despite continuing to search among mounds of rubble from Israeli airstrikes, where thousands of Palestinian bodies also remain trapped and unretrieved.”
  —Ava Bhatrani (02:39)

Useful Timestamps

• US Strikes in Nigeria: 00:11 – 01:22
• Ukraine-Vatican Diplomatic Moves: 01:22 – 02:10
• Israeli Hostage & Gaza Ceasefire: 02:10 – 03:11
• Holiday TV Movie Rankings: 03:11 – 04:14
• French Postal Service Hacked: 04:14 – 04:53

Overall Tone:
Urgent and factual, with concise reporting touching on humanitarian crises, diplomacy, cultural highlights, and cybersecurity threats—all presented with the balanced, rapid-fire delivery characteristic of NPR News Now.