NPR News: 12-27-2025 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – December 27, 2025, 10AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder, NPR
Episode Theme:
This fast-paced five-minute news update covers severe winter weather across the U.S. Northeast, escalating conflict in Ukraine, a new ceasefire in Southeast Asia, severe flooding in California, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, and the passing of a music icon.

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Key News Segments and Discussion Points

1. Major Snowstorm Impacting Northeast U.S.

• [00:12] - [01:27]
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces pre-positioning of utility crews to respond to an ongoing major snowstorm.
    • Quote (Kathy Hochul, 00:28):
      “We are very aggressive about deploying utility crew before a storm hits, so they're pre-positioned and if they need to activate, they can make sure that we get the power on as soon as humanly possible.”
  • Both New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency.
  • Conditions are hazardous for holiday travel, especially for drivers unaccustomed to winter conditions.
    • AAA Northeast’s Mark Scheldrop notes many haven’t changed to winter tires and may not be prepared for longer stopping distances.
    • Quote (Kathy Hochul, 01:06):
      “They follow too closely, they're going too quickly and unexpected things happen on the road and you have to make an abrupt stop and that's when bad things happen.”
    • Plowed roads can still be dangerous due to cold pavement affecting tire traction.

2. Russia’s Drone and Missile Barrage on Kyiv

• [01:27] - [02:23]
  • Ukrainian officials report deadly Russian attacks on Kyiv, with one killed and dozens injured.
  • The escalation comes on the eve of President Zelensky’s planned meeting with President Trump to discuss ending Russia’s invasion.
  • BBC’s Samira Hussein describes sustained assaults with 500 drones and about 20 missiles targeting Kyiv’s infrastructure and residential areas.
    • Quote (Samira Hussein, 01:51):
      “In fact, the air raid sirens have been sounding off. There are still drones that are coming into Ukrainian airspace... There has been damage to some residential buildings here as well.”

3. Thailand and Cambodia Sign Ceasefire

• [02:23] - [03:12]
  • Following three weeks of intense fighting causing over 100 deaths and mass displacement, Thailand and Cambodia agree to a 72-hour ceasefire.
  • The truce calls for an immediate halt to artillery, rocket, and air attacks.
  • The violence stemmed from a border dispute linked to a French colonial-era map.
    • Quote (Michael Sullivan, 02:32):
      “Hundreds of thousands on both sides have been displaced by the fighting prompted by an early French colonial map, Cambodia's then ruler that's been disputed by the Thai side.”

4. Flooding and Mudslides in Southern California

• [03:12] - [03:57]
  • Rainstorm aftermath still presents flash flood risks in Los Angeles despite easing weather.
  • Wrightwood mountain town hit hardest by mudslides, with cars and roads buried, homes damaged.
  • Firefighters rescued more than 100 people in Los Angeles overnight.

5. Israel Recognizes Somaliland’s Independence

• [03:57] - [04:38]
  • Israel becomes the first nation to recognize Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991.
  • Somalia strongly rejects the move, reaffirming Somaliland as its territory.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu pledges expanded cooperation with Somaliland.
  • The African Union reaffirms its commitment to Somalia’s unity.
    • Quote (Michael Koloki, 03:57):
      “Somalia's government termed Israel's move as an unlawful step, claiming that Somaliland is an inseparable part of Somalia... the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Yusuf, said he rejects any recognition of Somaliland.”

6. Remembering Perry Bemonte of The Cure

• [04:38] - [04:56]
  • The Cure’s longtime member, Perry Bemonte, has died at age 65 following a short illness.
  • The band issued a statement on their official website.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Kathy Hochul (New York Governor):
  “We are very aggressive about deploying utility crew before a storm hits, so they're pre-positioned and if they need to activate, they can make sure that we get the power on as soon as humanly possible.” — [00:28]
• Kathy Hochul (road safety):
  “They follow too closely, they're going too quickly and unexpected things happen on the road and you have to make an abrupt stop and that's when bad things happen.” — [01:06]
• Samira Hussein (BBC):
  “In fact, the air raid sirens have been sounding off. There are still drones that are coming into Ukrainian airspace...” — [01:51]
• Michael Sullivan (NPR):
  “Hundreds of thousands on both sides have been displaced by the fighting prompted by an early French colonial map...” — [02:32]
• Michael Koloki (NPR):
  “Somalia's government termed Israel's move as an unlawful step, claiming that Somaliland is an inseparable part of Somalia...” — [03:57]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Snowstorm & Emergency Declarations: 00:12 – 01:27
• Ukraine Drone and Missile Attacks: 01:27 – 02:23
• Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire: 02:23 – 03:12
• California Flood Aftermath: 03:12 – 03:57
• Somaliland Recognition & Reactions: 03:57 – 04:38
• Perry Bemonte’s Passing: 04:38 – 04:56

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This concise but detailed episode covers breaking weather, international conflicts, a historic diplomatic move, and the loss of a music icon—all in NPR’s signature factual and calm tone.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Terms apply [e-mail] live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. New York Governor Kathy Hochul says utility crews are on standby because of the major snowstorm slamming the region.

[Kathy Hochul]

We are very aggressive about deploying utility crew before a storm hits, so they're pre positioned and if they need to activate, they can make sure that we get the power on as soon as humanly possible.

[Giles Snyder]

Oko and the governor of New Jersey have declared states of emergency. Rob Lane from member station WBUR in Boston reports conditions could make holiday travel treacherous.

[Rob Lane]

The storms will bring the first major snowfall of the year to some parts of the country. Mark Scheldrop of AAA Northeast says people should be careful on the road. He expects many drivers won't yet have switched to winter tires and maybe out of pract in terms of dealing with longer stopping distances.

[Kathy Hochul]

They follow too closely, they're going too quickly and unexpected things happen on the road and you have to make an abrupt stop and that's when bad things happen.

[Rob Lane]

SHIELD Drop adds an extra word of caution that even on plowed roads, cold pavement can affect tire traction. For NPR News, I'm Rob Lane in Boston.

[Giles Snyder]

Ukrainian officials say Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding region have killed at least one person and injured dozens. Attacks came a day before President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet with President Trump in Florida to discuss efforts to end Russia's invasion. The BBC Samira Hussein reports that Zelensky says the bombardment shows that Russia does not want to end the war into this morning.

[Samira Hussein]

In fact, the air raid sirens have been sounding off. There are still drones that are coming into Ukrainian airspace. And according to Ukrainian officials, there were some 500 drones that were launched from Russia over Ukraine and some 20 OD missiles as well. The main target has been the capital here in Kyiv, and there has been some infrastructure damage there. And according to the Ukrainian military, there has been damage to some residential buildings here as well.

[Giles Snyder]

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a ceasefire that could in three weeks of fighting, have killed more than 100 people. Michael Sullivan reports from Chiang Rai.

[Michael Sullivan]

The ceasefire signed by the two countries defense ministers says both countries have agreed to halt their artillery attacks and rocke barrages and air attacks by Thai fighter jets on Cambodian targets. The two countries have been involved in fierce combat for weeks that began in July, then reignited earlier this month. Hundreds of thousands on both sides have been displaced by the fighting prompted by an early French colonial map, Cambodia's then ruler that's been disputed by the Thai side. The 72 hour lull is dependent on both sides honoring the ceasefire. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

[Giles Snyder]

And you're listening to NPR News. The rain may have eased in Los Angeles, but officials say there is still a risk of flash flooding. Three days of heavy rain led to flooding and mudslides in Southern California. The mountain town of Wrightwood seems to have borne the brunt of the damage. Mudslides buried cars there and pressed into homes and washed out roads. Officials say firefighters rescued more than 100 people Thursday night in Los Angeles. Israel has formally recognized the self declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, making it the first ever country in the world to do so. Michael Koloki reports from Nairobi. There has been immediate reaction to the announcement.

[Michael Kaloki]

In a swift response, Somalia's government termed Israel's move as an unlawful step, claiming that Somaliland is an inseparable part of Somalia. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but until now it had not been officially recognized as an independent state by any country. In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel recognizes Somaliland as a sovereign state and plans to immediately expand its relations with Somaliland through extensive cooperation in various sectors. Meanwhile, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Yusuf, said he rejects any recognition of Somaliland, adding that the African Union had an unwavering commitment to the unity of Somalia. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.

[Giles Snyder]

Perry Bemonte has died. He was a longtime member of the English indie rock band the Cure. The band announced his death on the group's official website, saying he died after a short illness. He was 65 years old. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

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