NPR News: 12-26-2025 8AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: 12-26-2025, 8AM EST

Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR News Anchor)
Episode Length: 5 minutes
Main Theme: Top global and U.S. news highlights including U.S. military action in Nigeria, severe winter weather in California and the Northeast, major federal government layoffs, Japan's defense budget, the recognition of French electronic music, and Powerball jackpot news.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Military Strikes ISIS in Nigeria

• [00:20 – 01:23]

  • President Trump announced U.S. military strikes targeting ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria.
  • Action follows Trump's public threats a month earlier concerning Nigeria's response to violence against Christians.
  • Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Yousef Tukar, spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prior to strikes, but faced domestic criticism over the nature of the U.S. involvement.
  • Context: U.S. officials allege a genocide against Christians, though security experts note that both Christians and Muslims are targeted by armed groups.

  Quote:
  "Nigeria's government has come out in support of the operation... but has faced criticism and questions on whether Nigeria gave consent or was simply consulted."
  – Emmanuel Akinwa, [00:41]

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2. Severe Winter Weather in California and Northeast U.S.

• [01:23 – 02:10]
  • A powerful storm system starts to ease after days of heavy rain, wind, and snow in California.
  • Quote from local resident Michelle Myers about her father's rescue from flooding:

    Quote:
    "I woke up at 8am with a phone call from my dad saying that the firefighters had just rescued him. And I said, from what? And he said from 2ft of water in my apartment."
    – Michelle Myers, [01:38]

  • Forecasters warn of persistent risks: high surf, flash flooding near Los Angeles, and avalanche danger near Lake Tahoe.
  • At least two deaths in the Northeast are attributed to back-to-back storms; winter storm warnings for CT, NJ, and NY.

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3. Massive Layoffs in U.S. Federal Government

• [02:10 – 03:15]
  • More than 300,000 federal employees expected out of work by year’s end, over twice the five-year average.
  • Trump administration shut offices, fired tens of thousands, and increased severance pay to encourage resignations.
  • President Trump’s official stance: an effort to curb “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
  • Critics argue the purge serves private, not public, interests:

    Quote:
    "I think we are in a battle of narrative. I think that if you look at the facts and if you look at the impact of the actions of this administration, this is a horror show."
    – Max Steyer, President, Partnership for Public Service, [02:52]

  • White House response: Only motivation is improving Americans' lives and “making the country greater than ever before.”

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4. Japan's Record Defense Budget

• [03:15 – 03:35]
  • Japan approves over $58 billion for defense in 2026—a record high in the country.
  • Budget will boost strike capabilities, investing in new cruise missiles and unmanned weapons.
  • Part of a five-year plan to double defense spending to 2% of GDP amid rising tensions with China.

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5. French Electronic Music Seeks UNESCO Recognition

• [03:35 – 04:38]

  • France adds electronic music (“the French touch”) to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
  • Covers styles like house, electro, disco, and rock; acknowledges artists like Jean Michel Jarre, Justice, Air, and Daft Punk.
  • First step towards full UNESCO cultural heritage status.
  • French President Emmanuel Macron supports this move.

  Quote:
  "Electronic music's addition to the list marks the first step towards gaining UNESCO cultural heritage status."
  – Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, [04:23]

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6. Powerball Jackpot Winner Still Unknown

• [04:38 – 04:58]
  • $1.8 billion Powerball winning ticket sold at a gas station outside Little Rock, Arkansas; officials await the winner’s claim (delayed due to holiday closure).
  • No immediate details on the ticket holder.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Emmanuel Akinwa on Nigeria strikes:

  "Nigeria's government has come out in support of the operation. Foreign Minister Yousef Tukar said he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shortly before the strikes, but has faced criticism and questions on whether Nigeria gave consent or was simply consulted."
  [00:41]

• Michelle Myers on storm rescue:

  "I woke up at 8am with a phone call from my dad saying that the firefighters had just rescued him. And I said, from what? And he said from 2ft of water in my apartment."
  [01:38]

• Max Steyer, government workforce cuts:

  "I think we are in a battle of narrative. I think that if you look at the facts and if you look at the impact of the actions of this administration, this is a horror show."
  [02:52]

• Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, French electronic music:

  "Electronic music's addition to the list marks the first step towards gaining UNESCO cultural heritage status."
  [04:23]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• US Military Strikes in Nigeria: [00:20 – 01:23]
• California Storm & Winter Weather: [01:23 – 02:10]
• Federal Government Layoffs: [02:10 – 03:15]
• Japan Defense Budget: [03:15 – 03:35]
• French Electronic Music & UNESCO: [03:35 – 04:38]
• Powerball Jackpot Update: [04:38 – 04:58]

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This swift, five-minute NPR News episode delivers concise yet meaningful updates on world events, weather, governance shakeups, cultural milestones, and lottery excitement—capturing a snapshot of current affairs with the straightforward, balanced tone typical of NPR.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump says the US Military struck ISIS militants in Nigeria. The attacks come a month after Trump threatened on social social media to go into the country, quote, guns a blazing unless it did more to protect Christians. NPR's Emmanuel Akinwa 2 reports.

[Emmanuel Akinwa]

The strikes occurred overnight on Friday morning local time in northwest Nigeria. ISIS militants were targeted in the attacks described as deadly by President Trump, but officials have given few details. Trump said more strikes would follow. Nigeria's government has come out in support of the operation. Foreign Minister Yousef Tukar said he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shortly before the strikes, but has faced criticism and questions on whether Nigeria gave consent or was simply consulted. Nigeria has faced pressure from US Officials who claim Christians are facing a genocide from armed groups who security experts say target both Christians and Muslims. Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

[NPR News Anchor]

A powerful storm system that brought days of heavy rain, wind and snow to California is starting to ease. Michelle Myers, who lives in a Mountain town 80 miles east of Los Angeles, said her father needed to be rescued from his home.

[Michelle Myers]

I woke up at 8am with a phone call from my dad saying that the firefighters had just rescued him. And I said, from what? And he said from 2ft of water in my apartment.

[NPR News Anchor]

Forecasters are warning of high surf along the coast, flash flooding in the Los Angeles area and avalanche danger near Lake Tahoe. The back to back storms fueled by atmospheric rivers are blamed for at least two deaths in the northeastern U.S. forecasters say a winter storm warning is in effect. The National Weather Service says parts of southern Connecticut, northeast New Jersey and southeast New York could see between 4 to 8 inches of snow today into Saturday. The White House says more than 300,000 federal employees will be out of the government by the end of the year. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports. That's more than double the average of the past five years.

[Andrea Hsu]

This year, the Trump administration shuttered offices, fired tens of thousands of people and paid far more to quit. President Trump says he's ridding the country of waste, fraud and abuse. But Max Steyer, president of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, says Trump is turning the government into one that serves the private interests of those in power, those not the public good.

[Max Steyer]

I think we are in a battle of narrative. I think that if you look at the facts and if you look at the impact of the actions of this administration, this is a horror show.

[Andrea Hsu]

In a statement, the White House told NPR, Trump's only motivation is improving the lives of the American people and making the country greater than ever before. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

This is npr. Japan has approved a record defense budget of more than $58 billion for the coming year. The money will help boost Japan's strike capabilities, including new cruise missiles and unmanned weapon systems. The latest budget is part of a five year plan to double defense spending to 2% of GDP. The move comes as Japan faces rising tensions with China. France is known for its robust history, intricate scene and, of course, electronic music. The French touch sound, as it's often called, is now one step closer to being recognized by UNESCO. NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

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.

[Michelle Myers]

It might not be the right time.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

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. Isabela Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Lottery officials say they won't know who won the Powerball jackpot until at least Monday. Winners must contact a claim center, which is closed for the holidays. The $1.8 billion winning ticket was sold at a gas station outside of Little Rock, Arkansas, on Wednesday night. This is NPR News.

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