NPR News: 12-26-2025 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now — 12-26-2025 5PM EST

Host: NPR News (Jeanine Herbst)
Date: December 26, 2025
Episode Purpose:
A concise 5-minute summary of the day's most significant global and national news, delivered in NPR’s clear and authoritative tone.

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Main Theme

This episode provides listeners with a rapid overview of pressing international developments—US airstrikes in Nigeria, increased security measures in New Orleans, crime trends across the US, an update on South Korea's adoption policies, and France's push for recognition of its electronic music heritage.

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Key News Segments and Insights

1. US Strikes Against ISIS Militants in Nigeria

• [00:20] President Trump confirmed US strikes coordinated with Nigeria targeted ISIS militants after attacks on Christians.
• Contested Victim Narrative: Nigerian officials underscored that militants had attacked various religious groups, not just Christians.
• Local Insight:
  • Emanuele Akinwotu (from Lagos):
    • Describes geography as the dominant factor behind insecurity, rather than religion. However, he notes Christians are "definitely being targeted," particularly in northern and central Nigeria, and acknowledges debate over the extent compared to other groups.
    • Quote [00:43]:

      “Really, the most dominant factor for insecurity is geography and not religion. That’s not to say that Christians don’t face specific threats. Christians are definitely being targeted. It’s definitely been a very difficult period for Christians, especially in northern central Nigeria, as insecurity in the country has gotten worse. But whether they are being targeted more than other groups are, I think that’s heavily disputed.”
      — Emanuele Akinwotu

2. US National Guard Deployment to New Orleans

• [01:09] 350 National Guard troops will be mobilized for New Orleans security through February, in light of recent and upcoming large events (New Year’s, Sugar Bowl, Mardi Gras).
• Background: Deployment follows requests for increased federal presence after terror attacks and a recently thwarted terrorist plot.
• Connection to Broader Security Initiatives: This deployment is separate from ongoing federal immigration actions in Louisiana.
• Quote [01:37]:

  “A spokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard confirmed deployment should start around the 30th. This comes after New Orleans safety officials requested more federal presence...citing the terror attacks on New Year’s Day and an alleged terrorist plot that authorities say was recently thwarted.”
  — Mel Bridges (WWNO)

3. Crime Rate Drops Nationwide in 2025

• [02:07] Both property and violent crime rates, especially murders, declined significantly in 2025 (murders down about 20% per the Real Time Crime Index).
• Pattern:
  • Crime dropped across both urban and rural America, regardless of political leaning.
  • Recent fall reverses large increases during 2020–2021, which analysts attribute to pandemic-induced instability.
  • Government services, policing, and social supports were reduced during the pandemic, heightening crime.
• Expert Analysis:
  • John Roman (NORC, University of Chicago):
    • Violence operates like an epidemic—with potential for positive or negative cycles.
    • Quote [03:02]:

      “If epidemics cause things to spiral up, they should create virtuous cycles on the way down.”
      — John Roman

4. South Korea to Phase Out Foreign Adoptions

• [03:12] South Korea announces it will phase out international adoptions by 2029, following UN investigations into historic abuses and record-keeping failures.
  • Prompted by growing pressure over fraud and human rights abuses in its adoption system, especially during its 1970s–80s peak.
  • Response to international scrutiny for transparency and responsibility in its adoption program.

5. France’s Electronic Music Scene Nears UNESCO Recognition

• [04:14] France has added electronic music to its national Intangible Cultural Heritage list—the first step toward UNESCO recognition.
  • The scene, known as “French touch”, spans genres and has a legacy through artists like Jean-Michel Jarre, Justice, Air, and Daft Punk.
  • French President Emmanuel Macron supports the move to elevate France’s global cultural prestige.
  • Quote [04:14]:

    “Electronic music has officially been added to France’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Spanning across house, electro, disco and rock, the country's electronic music scene goes back more than half a century.”
    — Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

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Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• Emanuele Akinwotu [00:43]:
  “Really, the most dominant factor for insecurity is geography and not religion... But whether they are being targeted more than other groups are, I think that’s heavily disputed.”

• Mel Bridges [01:37]:
  “A spokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard confirmed deployment should start around the 30th. This comes after New Orleans safety officials requested more federal presence...citing the terror attacks on New Year’s Day and an alleged terrorist plot...”

• John Roman [03:02]:
  “If epidemics cause things to spiral up, they should create virtuous cycles on the way down.”

• Isabella Gomez Sarmiento [04:14]:
  “Electronic music has officially been added to France’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Spanning across house, electro, disco and rock, the country's electronic music scene goes back more than half a century.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Strikes in Nigeria: 00:20 – 01:09
• National Guard in New Orleans: 01:09 – 02:07
• Crime Rate Decline: 02:07 – 03:12
• South Korea Adoption Policy: 03:12 – 04:14
• France’s Electronic Music: 04:14 – 04:54

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Overall Tone and Takeaways

The reporting is brisk and factual, with NPR’s signature calm and even delivery—balancing global unrest, hopeful crime trends, cultural milestones, and policy change. Listeners leave informed on today’s key headlines, each delivered with context and expert insight.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail] Live from NPR News, I'm Jeanine Herbst.

[B]

President Trump says last night's strikes targeting ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria were a powerful and deadly response to to militants there attacking and killing Christians. The Christmas Day strikes were done in cooperation with Nigeria's government, but Nigeria says militants launched strikes against all religious groups. NPR's Emanuele Akinwotu has more from Lagos, Nigeria.

[C]

Really, the most dominant factor for insecurity is geography and not religion. That's not to say that Christians don't face specific threats. Christians are definitely being targeted. It's definitely been a very difficult period for Christians, especially in northern central Nigeria, as insecurity in the country has gotten worse. But whether they are being targeted more than other groups are, I think that's heavily disputed.

[B]

NPR's Emanuel Akinwotu reporting. 350 National Guard troops will be mobilized to New Orleans through the end of February to provide extra security during major events. In a statement, the Department of Defense confirmed that the federally funded troops, including some stationed in Washington, D.C. would deploy to support law enforcement efforts for New Year's, the Sugar bowl and Mardi Gras. Mel Bridges with member station WWNO has more.

[D]

A spokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard confirmed deployment should start around the 30th. This comes after New Orleans safety officials requested more federal presence in the city during those events, citing the terror attacks on New Year's Day and an alleged terrorist plot that authorities say was recently thwarted. Governor Jeff Landry had also previously requested 1,000 federally funded troops to New Orleans in September. This is separate from the federal immigration sweep currently happening in southeastern Louisiana. For NPR News, I'm Mel Bridges.

[B]

Crime rates dropped across much of the country in 2025, and that was true for both property and violent crime. As NPR's Meg Anderson reports, murders fell around 20%, according to the Real Time Crime Index, which analyzes data from nearly 600 jurisdictions around the country.

[E]

Crime declined nearly everywhere in big cities and small towns in red and blue states. Mur murders in particular fell dramatically, and that large decrease was preceded by a large increase in 2020 and 2021. Homicide rates surged across the country. Crime analysts point to the instability of the pandemic for that increase. There were fewer police patrolling. Many people lost their jobs. Some government services like mental health care and community centers went away for a while John Roman with norc, a research group at the University of Chicago, says it's helpful to think of violence as an epidemic.

[F]

If epidemics cause things to spiral up, they should create virtuous cycles on the way down.

[E]

More crime leads to more crime, and less leads to less.

[B]

NPR's Meg Anderson reporting. This is NPR News. South Korea says it plans to end foreign adoptions of Korean children. This as the UN investigates. Investigators voiced serious concerns over what they say was Seoul's favor, a failure rather to ensure accurate records and reparations for widespread human rights violations tied to decades of mass overseas adoptions. South Korea has faced growing pressure to confront widespread fraud and abuse that plagued its adoption program, especially during the 1970s and 80s when it sent thousands of children to the west each year. South Korea says it will phase out foreign adoptions by 2029. France is known for its robust history, intricate cuisine and, of course, electronic music. The Fren French touch sound, as it's often called, is now one step closer to being recognized by UNESCO. Imperial's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento has more.

[G]

Electronic music has officially been added to France's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Spanning across house, electro, disco and rock, the country's electronic music scene goes back more than half a century. It includes artists like Jean Michel Jarre, Justice Air and Daft Punk.

[C]

It might not be the right time.

[G]

Electronic music's addition to the list marks the first step towards gaining UNESCO cultural heritage status. Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his support for the recognition. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[B]

This is NPR News.

[A]

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