NPR News Now – December 28, 2025, 12PM EST

Theme:
A concise roundup of major global and U.S. news headlines, focused on developments in international diplomacy, weather events, significant obituaries, elections in Myanmar and Guinea, and upcoming changes to public domain laws.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine War Diplomacy and U.S. Involvement

• Segment begins: [00:19]
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss a new peace proposal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, which has lasted nearly four years.
• Zelenskyy, en route, stopped in Halifax for talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Russia recently escalated tensions with a new drone and missile attack on Kyiv.

Notable Quotes:

• “This attack is again Russia's answer on our peace efforts and it's really show that Putin doesn't want peace.”
  — Volodymyr Zelenskyy [00:44]
• Nora O'Donnell summarizes: Zelenskyy insists pressure on Russia and continued robust support for Ukraine are essential for peace. Mark Carney pledges $1.8 billion in Canadian economic aid.

2. Southeast Asia: Thailand-Cambodia Border Ceasefire

• Segment: [01:14]
• Diplomats from Thailand and Cambodia convene in China to discuss a border dispute. A ceasefire, signed after weeks of conflict, has displaced half a million people.

3. Remembering Brigitte Bardot

• Segment begins: [01:19]
• Brigitte Bardot, French cinema icon of the 1950s and 60s, has died at 91 in southern France. Her animal rights group announced her passing without disclosing the cause.

Profile Highlights (Elizabeth Blair):

• Bardot was a cultural phenomenon: “In the buttoned up 1950s, Brigitte Bardot was a revelation. Blond mane, lush lips, gorgeous figure and sexually liberated.” [01:36]
• Worked with renowned directors like Jean-Luc Godard, had a high-profile personal life including a relationship with Serge Gainsbourg.
• Became known as an animal rights activist; later controversies included criminal charges for inciting racial hatred due to comments about Islam.

4. U.S. Winter Storm Impact

• Segment begins: [02:13]
• Another major winter storm threatens the Midwest and Northeast with freezing temperatures and snow, further complicating holiday travel.

Travel & Weather Details (Matt Bloom):

• Over 1,000 flight delays or cancellations already this weekend.
  “The next winter system is set to bring strong winds and snow to the Great Lakes region and Upper Midwest starting tonight.” [02:30]
• Severe weather expected southward to the Mississippi and Ohio valleys; ice and snow forecast for the Northeast into Monday.
• Arctic air mass to lower temperatures across the eastern and southern U.S. ahead of New Year’s.

5. Myanmar’s First Military-Era Election

• Segment begins: [03:10]
• Myanmar holds its first election since the 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi. Military-backed party expected to win; results pending further rounds.

6. Guinea’s Post-Coup Election

• Segment begins: [03:47]
• Guinea holds elections for the first time since a 2021 coup.
• Candidate field includes coup leader Mamadi Doumbuya and former education minister Yairo Balde, with two key opposition leaders disqualified.

Notable Quotes (Michael Kaloki):

• “The vote takes place amid concerns about economic challenges facing the country. With the UN saying more than half of Guinea's population face record levels of poverty. Critics ... have accused it of clamping down on political opposition and suppressing civil rights.” [04:17]

7. New Works Enter Public Domain in 2026

• Segment begins: [04:26]
• On January 1, 2026, thousands of U.S. copyrights from 1930 will expire.
• Notable additions: Marx Brothers’ "Animal Crackers," first four Nancy Drew books, "The Little Engine That Could".
• New adaptations, such as a Betty Boop horror movie, are already in production.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Zelenskyy on peace efforts:
  “This attack is again Russia's answer on our peace efforts and it's really show that Putin doesn't want peace.” [00:44]

• Elizabeth Blair on Bardot:
  “In the buttoned up 1950s, Brigitte Bardot was a revelation ... sexually liberated.” [01:36]

• Matt Bloom on travel woes:
  “Airlines have delayed or canceled more than a thousand flights due to weather this weekend in the busy post Christmas travel rush and more could be in store.” [02:30]

• Michael Kaloki on Guinea:
  “The UN saying more than half of Guinea's population face record levels of poverty.” [04:13]

Timeline of Key Segments

• Ukraine/Trump/Zelenskyy news: [00:19] – [01:14]
• Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire: [01:14] – [01:19]
• Brigitte Bardot obituary: [01:19] – [02:13]
• Winter storm/flight impacts: [02:13] – [03:10]
• Myanmar election: [03:10] – [03:47]
• Guinea election: [03:47] – [04:26]
• Public domain updates: [04:26] – [04:56]

Overall Tone and Style

The episode maintains its hallmark of crisp, factual, and neutral reporting, prioritizing clarity and brevity—suitable for listeners needing a quick but thorough news update.