NPR News Now – December 26, 2025, 6AM EST

Main Theme & Purpose

This five-minute episode delivers a concise round-up of the latest news headlines, focusing on international military actions, diplomatic negotiations, severe weather updates, economic policy shifts, and a major FDA recall.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes on ISIS in Nigeria

• Summary: President Trump announced cooperative military strikes with Nigeria targeting ISIS in the northwest region, following increased attention to Christian persecution in the country.
• Key Details:
  • Cooperation between U.S. and Nigerian governments.
  • The administration citing religious violence as the motivating factor.
• Notable Quote:
  • Pete Hegseth (Trump’s Secretary of Defense): “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.” (00:38)
  • President Trump (via social media, as quoted by Tamara Keith): “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.” (00:49)
• Timestamps: 00:11–01:12

2. Ukraine War Peace Negotiations

• Summary: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with members of the Trump administration, including Jared Kushner, discussing updates and challenges in the ongoing push for peace with Russia.
• Key Details:
  • Peace plan reduced from 28 to 20 points.
  • Core issues such as territorial concessions and U.S. response to renewed aggression by Russia remain unsettled.
  • Ongoing Russian assaults are eroding frontlines, and Ukrainian cities suffer extensive destruction.
• Notable Quote:
  • James Waterhouse (BBC): “The key questions of territorial concessions and in the words of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, what the US will do if Russia invades again remain unanswered.” (01:30)
  • “Ukraine believes Russia is merely playing for time with these negotiations devoid of progress.” (01:54)
• Timestamps: 01:12–02:03

3. California Storms & Northeast Weather Alerts

• Summary: A severe storm system is easing in California but continues to cause significant disruptions, while a new winter storm targets the Northeast.
• Key Details:
  • California: Widespread damage, mudslides, debris flows, water rescues, several fatalities.
  • The latest round of severe weather is less intense, but more rain expected around New Year's.
  • Northeast: National Weather Service issued snowstorm warnings; accumulations of 4–8 inches expected in several states.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Steve Futterman: “Many roads have been turned into a muddy mess…numerous rock slides and debris flows. A number of water rescues have taken place and several deaths have been reported.” (02:18)
  • “It could be just a brief respite. The forecast calls for more rain next week on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.” (02:40)
• Timestamps: 02:03–02:47

4. Minimum Wage Increases Across 19 States

• Summary: On January 1st, the minimum wage will rise in 19 states, resulting in millions of workers receiving higher pay. For the first time, states with a $15/hour minimum wage will outnumber those adhering to the federal $7.25/hour rate.
• Key Details:
  • States like Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, and Nebraska join others in raising their minimum wage.
  • Over 8 million workers will benefit, with the majority being women and a quarter being parents.
• Notable Quote:
  • Andrea Hsu: “The number of workers in states with a minimum wage of at least $15 an hour will top the number in states that still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour...More than 8 million workers will see a wage bump...” (03:26)
• Timestamps: 02:47–04:07

5. FDA Recall of Radioactive Shrimp

• Summary: The FDA is recalling over 83,000 bags of frozen raw shrimp from Indonesia due to radioactive contamination.
• Key Details:
  • Distributed by Direct Source Seafood under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands.
  • Sold in several states (Oregon, Utah, New York, Massachusetts), products entered stores in late June 2025.
• Timestamps: 04:07–04:36

6. Asian Markets Update

• Summary: Major Asian markets, including China, Japan, and Hong Kong, posted gains.
• Timestamps: 04:36–04:43

Notable Quotes

• Pete Hegseth: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed.” (00:38)
• President Trump (via Tamara Keith): “Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues.” (00:49)
• James Waterhouse (BBC): “The key questions of territorial concessions and in the words of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, what the US will do if Russia invades again remain unanswered.” (01:30)
• Andrea Hsu: “The number of workers in states with a minimum wage of at least $15 an hour will top the number in states that still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.” (03:26)

Quick Reference of Main Segments (Timestamps)

• U.S.-Nigeria ISIS Strikes & Religious Violence: (00:11–01:12)
• Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks: (01:12–02:03)
• California/Northeast Weather Emergencies: (02:03–02:47)
• Minimum Wage Hikes: (02:47–04:07)
• FDA Radioactive Shrimp Recall: (04:07–04:36)
• Asian Market Trends: (04:36–04:43)

Overall Tone:
Urgent, concise, fact-driven with direct attribution of statements and updates from correspondents in the field.

Intended Audience:
Listeners looking for a quick but comprehensive update on national and international news headlines.