NPR News: 12-27-2025, 1PM EST

Overview
This episode of "NPR News Now" provides rapid-fire reporting on the most pressing news as of December 27, 2025. Hosted by Nora Ramm, the episode covers severe weather impacting holiday travel, declining trust in public health agencies, deadly Russian attacks on Ukraine, milestones in international recognition with Israel and Somaliland, a tragic capsizing off Indonesia, and the death of a historic Canadian figure.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Holiday Travel Disruptions Due to Winter Storm

• [00:14-01:10]
  • The Northeast braced for significant snow between Christmas and New Year's, but the storm was less severe in NYC due to unexpected warm air from the Atlantic.
  • New York City: Forecasts called for 5–9 inches, but the storm resulted mostly in a messy mix, with 4+ inches ultimately recorded in Central Park.
    • "Warm air from the Atlantic Ocean pushed into the upper atmosphere, causing a mix of sleet and snow that depressed snow totals here on the ground." – Bruce Konweiser [00:35]
  • Flight delays at all three major airports; JFK saw inbound flights delayed more than two and a half hours.
  • Heavier snow did hit upstate New York, matching original forecasts.

2. Public Health Trust and a New Podcast Initiative

• [01:10-01:59]
  • Trust in federal health agencies is waning, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Introduction of the podcast "Why Should I Trust You?"—created by scientists and journalists with a traditional public health outlook.
    • "It was started by scientists and journalists that identify more with traditional public health. But they also saw that institutions lost trust during the pandemic when people felt failed or ignored by the rules and the health system." – Ping Huang [01:19]
  • Host Brenda Adhikari emphasizes that trust is nurtured through close, aligned relationships:
    • "I think it happens between people who trust each other, people who really love each other. Usually their values tend to be aligned in some way." – Brenda Adhikari [01:36]
  • The podcast features dialogues between established public health leaders and members of the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, aiming to rebuild bridges and foster mutual understanding.

3. Russian Drone and Missile Attacks on Ukraine

• [01:59-02:55]
  • Deadly aerial strikes on Kyiv and surrounding regions killed at least two, injuring dozens.
  • Attacks occurred one day before a planned meeting between President Zelenskyy and President Trump regarding the ongoing war.
  • Heavy barrage: 500 drones and about 20 missiles launched from Russia into Ukraine.
    • "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 odd missiles as well." – Samira Hussain [02:26]
  • Significant infrastructure and residential damage observed.

4. Thailand–Cambodia Ceasefire

• [02:55-03:14]
  • After weeks of cross-border fighting, Thai and Cambodian defense ministers met at the border for a ceasefire agreement.
  • Recent violence caused military and civilian casualties, with hundreds displaced.

5. Indonesia: Tourist Boat Capsizes

• [03:15-03:47]
  • A Spanish man and three children are missing after their boat overturned in rough seas off Indonesia, near Komodo National Park.
  • The children's mother and another child survived, along with crew and a tour guide; search and rescue efforts ongoing.

6. Israel Recognizes Somaliland

• [03:47-04:28]
  • Israel becomes the first nation to recognize Somaliland's independence from Somalia.
  • Reactions:
    • Somalia condemns Israel's recognition, calling Somaliland "an inseparable part of Somalia."
    • Somaliland declared independence in 1991 but remained unrecognized until now.
    • Israeli PM Netanyahu promises expanded bilateral relations and cooperation.
      • "Israel recognizes Somaliland as a sovereign state and plans to immediately expand its relations with Somaliland through extensive cooperation in various sectors." – Michael Koloki summarizing Netanyahu [04:07]
    • The African Union reiterates its commitment to Somali unity and rejects Somaliland's recognition.

7. Passing of Annette Dionne

• [04:28-04:54]
  • Annette Dionne, last of Canada’s famous Dionne quintuplets, died at age 91.
  • The Dionne quintuplets, born in 1934, were historic for being the first to survive infancy. Their early years were marred by exploitation, as the province of Ontario exhibited them for profit.
  • In 1998, Ontario apologized and settled with the family.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (by Timestamp)

• [00:35] Bruce Konweiser:
  "Warm air from the Atlantic Ocean pushed into the upper atmosphere, causing a mix of sleet and snow that depressed snow totals here on the ground."
• [01:19] Ping Huang:
  "It was started by scientists and journalists that identify more with traditional public health. But they also saw that institutions lost trust during the pandemic when people felt failed or ignored by the rules and the health system."
• [01:36] Brenda Adhikari (Podcast Host):
  "I think it happens between people who trust each other, people who really love each other. Usually their values tend to be aligned in some way."
• [02:26] Samira Hussain:
  "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 odd missiles as well."
• [04:07] Michael Koloki (summarizing PM Netanyahu):
  "Israel recognizes Somaliland as a sovereign state and plans to immediately expand its relations with Somaliland through extensive cooperation in various sectors."

Key Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Holiday Travel/Storm Report | 00:14–01:10 | | Declining Trust in Public Health: New Podcast | 01:10–01:59 | | Russian Attacks on Ukraine | 01:59–02:55 | | Thailand–Cambodia Ceasefire | 02:55–03:14 | | Indonesia Boat Capsize | 03:15–03:47 | | Somaliland Recognition by Israel | 03:47–04:28 | | Death of Annette Dionne (Dionne Quintuplets) | 04:28–04:54 |

Summary
This concise NPR News Now update delivers critical national and global stories with efficiency and clarity—covering adverse weather’s effect on travel, public distrust of health institutions and grassroots solutions, new turbulence and potential diplomacy in the Ukraine conflict, a geopolitical milestone in the Horn of Africa, a tourist disaster, and the passing of a historic figure. The reporting is urgent, balanced, and keenly summarized for a five-minute listen.