NPR News Now – December 27, 2025, 3PM EST

Host: Nora Raum | Runtime: ~5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise round-up of major global and domestic news stories including diplomatic developments in Ukraine, sectarian violence in Syria, a controversy at the Kennedy Center, disruptions during peak holiday travel, and a ceasefire agreement in Southeast Asia.

Ukraine: Aid and Diplomacy

• Canada Commits More Aid to Ukraine
  • [00:14] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing for a meeting in Florida with U.S. President Trump about Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Earlier, in Halifax, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced $2.5 billion in new economic aid for Ukraine.
  • Key Points:
    • Aid will help Ukraine access additional IMF funding and is intended to support the country’s economic resilience.
    • Carney praised Zelensky's leadership and stressed continuing pressure on Moscow to encourage negotiations.
    • Zelensky updated Carney on ongoing diplomatic efforts with the U.S. to attempt to end the war.
    • A significant upcoming meeting: Zelensky and Trump will discuss a new 20-point peace plan, reportedly including security guarantees and an economic agreement.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Dan Karpenschuk: "Carney said the additional $2.5 billion in economic aid will help Ukraine unlock financing from the International Monetary Fund." [00:31]
    • Carney views “the possibility of a just and lasting peace” under Zelensky’s leadership.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Escalates

• Bombing Targets Mosque in Homs
  • [01:14] A bomb blast inside a mosque during Friday prayers in Homs, Syria, killed eight people.
  • Key Points:
    • Victims were targeted in a predominantly Alawite neighborhood.
    • The group “Saraiya Ansar Sunnah,” an offshoot of ISIS, claimed responsibility.
    • The group was also behind a deadly church attack the previous summer.
    • The attack aligns with a broader rise in sectarian violence following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
    • Syrian officials called the incident “a desperate attempt to undermine the country’s security.”
  • Notable Quote:
    • Hadil Al Shalchi: “An offshoot of ISIS called Saraiya Ansar Sunnah claimed responsibility for the attack.” [01:22]

The Kennedy Center: Jazz, Protest, and Legal Threats

• Performance Canceled After Name Change Dispute
  • [02:06] The Kennedy Center threatened legal action against jazz musician Chuck Redd, who canceled a long-standing Christmas Eve engagement in protest against renaming the center after President Trump.
  • Key Points:
    • Center president Richard Grinnell is seeking $1 million in damages for what he calls a “political stunt.”
    • The Christmas Eve jazz jam, hosted by Redd since 2006, was abruptly canceled.
    • Redd publicly objected to the Kennedy Center board’s vote (December 18) to add Trump’s name.
    • Legal experts have questioned the legality of the board’s decision.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Chloe Veltman: “The center’s president, Richard Grinnell, hit back with a letter on Friday saying he is seeking $1 million in damages from Chuck Redd for his, quote, political stunt.” [02:20]

Winter Storm Disrupts Travel & Colorado Ski Resort Closes

• Holiday Travel Upended by Weather

  • [03:09] The weekend between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest for travel in the U.S. A major winter storm impacted the Northeast and Great Lakes, with over 1,200 flights canceled.
  • Notable Stats:
    • 1,200+ flight cancellations in one day (source: Flight Aware).

• Telluride Ski Resort Closes Amid Labor Dispute

  • [03:47] Telluride (“Tell Ski”) shut down at the start of its busy season due to failed contract negotiations between resort management and ski patrol.
  • Key Points:
    • Closure leaves 9-10,000 daily visitors stranded during peak week.
    • The resort claims their pay offer is “generous and market leading”; the ski patrol disagrees, citing an unlivable wage in a costly area.
    • Union reps accuse the company of preferring closure over fair compensation.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Julia Caulfield: “The privately owned ski company has been in contract negotiations with the local ski patrol union since June. Telski says their contract offer is, quote, generous and market leading. Ski patrol, on the other hand, argues it doesn’t provide a livable wage in the expensive resort town.” [03:47]

Southeast Asia: New Ceasefire

• Thailand and Cambodia Ceasefire
  • [04:28] Thailand and Cambodia signed a fresh ceasefire to end weeks of border conflict that killed at least 100 people.
  • Key Points:
    • Agreement calls for return of displaced civilians and reaffirms a previous Trump-brokered ceasefire.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Nora Raum: “Both sides agreed to commit to the original ceasefire brokered by President Trump. Today's deal also calls for the return of civilians to their homes along the border who are displaced by the fighting.” [04:28]

Memorable Moments and Takeaways

• Leaders worldwide are trying to broker peace in Ukraine, with upcoming high-profile meetings and new aid packages.
• Sectarian violence in Syria is escalating, with continued attacks on religious minorities following regime change.
• The Kennedy Center’s Trump renaming controversy is sparking legal and cultural battles.
• The holiday travel season is marred by winter weather disruptions and, for some visitors, an unexpected closure of a major ski resort due to labor disputes.
• A fragile peace is being tested and restored in Southeast Asia, with powerful international involvement.

Timestamps Overview

• 00:14 | Ukraine aid & peace talks (Nora Raum, Dan Karpenschuk)
• 01:14 | Homs, Syria mosque bombing (Nora Raum, Hadil Al Shalchi)
• 02:06 | Kennedy Center sues jazz musician (Nora Raum, Chloe Veltman)
• 03:09 | Winter storm disrupts travel; Telluride ski shutdown (Nora Raum, Julia Caulfield)
• 04:28 | Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire (Nora Raum)

NPR News Now delivers a brisk, fact-packed update with real-world consequences, ongoing conflicts, and the intersections of politics, culture, and public life.