NPR News Now – December 28, 2025, 2PM EST

Host: Nora Ramm (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major global and domestic news as of December 28, 2025. Coverage spans high-stakes diplomatic discussions involving the US, Ukraine, Russia, and Israel; legal controversies in the US government; trends in film box office success; and the passing of iconic French actress and activist Brigitte Bardot.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Diplomacy: Ukraine-Russia Peace Efforts

• President Trump’s Diplomatic Activity:
  • Trump reports a “good and very productive telephone call” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • He is currently meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his resort in Florida to discuss a possible end to nearly four years of war between Ukraine and Russia.
• Congressional Insight:
  • Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), House Armed Services Committee, expresses hope for a diplomatic breakthrough:

    “I think that Zelensky is coming with a plan that is workable and that could get us there and hopefully with our allies in Europe that have come together, which they seem to be working and advancing the type of security assurances we're going to need with the United States that hopefully we can deter Russia in the future.” (Rep. Mike Turner, [00:42])

  • President Trump promises “a strong security agreement for Ukraine.”

2. Israeli-US Relations & Mideast Peace Plan

• Netanyahu’s US Visit:
  • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is en route to meet President Trump in Florida the next day.
  • Israel plans to raise concerns about Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the situation in Gaza.
• Gaza Peace Plan Status:
  • Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan is still in its first phase.
  • The key sticking point: Israel demands Hamas return the body of the last Israeli hostage before advancing the plan. Hamas claims those with knowledge of the body’s location have been killed.
  • Tensions persist around Iranian missile buildup post-US strikes on Iran nuclear sites.
  • Quote from the field:

    “Israel has set up a yellow line in the territory, controlling one side and continuing to carry out strikes on the other.” (Reporter Michelle Kellerman, [01:24])

3. Alleged Hatch Act Violations by the Trump Administration

• Legal Watchdog Action:
  • Democracy Forward, a legal group, urges a federal whistleblower agency to investigate the Trump administration for potential violations of the Hatch Act (which bars federal employees from partisan political actions while on duty).
• Allegations:
  • During the government shutdown, federal websites and email replies blamed Democrats—sometimes calling them the “radical left.”
  • The outcome remains unclear; earlier in 2025, Trump replaced the special counsel in charge of enforcing the Hatch Act.
  • Notable context:

    “Democracy Forward alleges the Trump administration violated the law in multiple ways during the government shutdown…But it’s unclear where the complaint will go.” (Reporter Andrea Hsu, [02:26])

4. Women Drive Movie Box Office Success

• Box Office Trends:
  • Female ticket buyers have pushed several films to blockbuster status, outpacing some male-targeted releases.
  • Examples: "The Housemaid," "Wicked for Good," and the latest "Downton Abbey" film.
• Demographic Breakdown:
  • “Wicked for Good” drew an audience ~70% female.
  • Movies aimed at men underperformed, such as "The Smashing Machine," "The Running Man," and "Him."
  • The Taylor Swift concert film was highlighted as another female-driven success.
  • Audio cue:

    “[Clip] Haven’t you heard? I’m the Wicked Witch of the West.” ([03:49])

5. Death of Brigitte Bardot

• Obituary:
  • French actress and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot passed away at age 91 in southern France.
• Reflections on Her Career:
  • In a prior BBC interview, Bardot described her approach to life and career:

    “I never plan anything that happens to me. I took life as it came on a daily, yearly basis, and I didn’t ask myself bizarre questions because when you have the career I’ve had, you don’t turn up your nose at it. I did appreciate what I had. I found it extraordinary. On the other hand, later I understood I couldn’t spend my life making films.” (Brigitte Bardot, [04:25])

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• Mike Turner on Ukraine Peace Prospects:

  “I think that Zelensky is coming with a plan that is workable and that could get us there... hopefully we can deter Russia in the future.”
  (Rep. Mike Turner, [00:42])

• Michelle Kellerman on Gaza Situation:

  “Israel has set up a yellow line in the territory, controlling one side and continuing to carry out strikes on the other.”
  (Michelle Kellerman, NPR, [01:24])

• Andrea Hsu on Hatch Act Allegations:

  “Democracy Forward alleges the Trump administration violated the law in multiple ways during the government shutdown… But it’s unclear where the complaint will go.”
  (Andrea Hsu, NPR, [02:26])

• Brigitte Bardot remembering her career:

  “I never plan anything that happens to me... I took life as it came on a daily, yearly basis, and I didn't ask myself bizarre questions...”
  (Brigitte Bardot through interpreter, [04:25])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks and Security Agreement – 00:11–01:04
• Netanyahu’s US Visit & Gaza Peace Plan Update – 01:04–02:10
• Hatch Act Violation Allegations – 02:10–03:09
• Women-Driven Movie Box Office Trends – 03:09–04:09
• Brigitte Bardot’s Passing & Legacy – 04:09–04:48

Tone and Delivery

The broadcast maintains NPR’s hallmark tone: calm, objective, and succinct, but with meaningful, direct quotations and succinct narrative segments that make the rapid-fire news comprehensible and engaging.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode for listeners who missed the news or want the headlines and context at a glance.