NPR News: 12-28-2025 5AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — Morning Update: December 28, 2025, 5AM EST

Overview:
This five-minute NPR News Now segment, anchored by Giles Snyder, delivers a fast-paced roundup of key international and domestic news events as of December 28, 2025. The episode spotlights escalating tensions in Ukraine, Myanmar's general elections under military rule, preparations for the 2030 U.S. Census, severe winter weather affecting travel, a natural gas leak in Southern California, Pope Leo’s outspoken opposition to Illinois’ new “right to die” law, and the passing of Latter-Day Saints elder Jeffrey Holland.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukraine-Russia Conflict and Diplomacy

• Escalation of Attacks:
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounces recent Russian missile and drone attacks, arguing that they undermine ongoing peace efforts.
  • Quote:
    • “This attack is again, Russia's answer on our peace efforts, and it's really showing that Putin doesn't want peace.”
      — Volodymyr Zelensky, [00:32]
• Diplomatic Movements:
  • Zelensky was in Halifax meeting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney before traveling to Florida for talks with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
  • Despite diplomatic initiatives, “major differences remain on crucial issues.”
• Impact on Ukraine:
  • The most recent assault by Russia targeted Kyiv and other regions, causing widespread power and heating outages amidst winter.

2. Myanmar’s First Phase of General Elections

• Election Under Scrutiny:
  • Myanmar opened polls in the first of three phases for a general election.
  • The election is framed by military rulers as “a chance for a fresh start,” but critics warn it is a facade to legitimize ongoing military rule.
  • Final results due after additional rounds next month.

3. 2030 U.S. Census Preparations

• Major Field Test Planned, Concern Over Participation:
  • The Census Bureau seeks 1,500 temporary workers for a 2026 field test in select states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas.
  • Test activities will include door-to-door canvassing as well as mailed survey invitations starting in March.
• Political Impact:
  • Census data directly affects congressional apportionment, Electoral College votes, and federal funding allocation.
  • Some census advocates worry that increased distrust in the federal government "may discourage many people from participating."
    — Hansi Loang, [01:41]

4. Severe Winter Weather Throughout the U.S.

• Widespread Travel Disruption:
  • Airlines delayed or canceled over 1,000 flights as a fresh winter storm and post-Christmas travel converge.
  • The storm system Ezra is set to deliver heavy snow, winds, and potential thunderstorms across the Great Lakes, Midwest, Mississippi, and Ohio valleys.
• Forecast Highlights:
  • “Massive cold air is expected to send temperatures falling in much of the eastern and southern US ahead of the New Year's holiday.”
    — Matt Bloom, [02:34]

5. Southern California Gas Leak and I-5 Closure

• Brief Crisis, Ongoing Questions:
  • I-5 freeway reopened after a natural gas line rupture; Los Angeles County issued a temporary shelter-in order.
  • Cause of the rupture is not yet confirmed, though local reports suggest a mudslide may be to blame.
    — Giles Snyder, [03:15]

6. Pope Leo Responds to Illinois “Right to Die” Law

• Direct Opposition to Assisted Dying:
  • Following the signing of a law permitting medical aid in dying, Pope Leo expressed his disappointment, reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to life at all stages.
  • Quote:
    • “We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end.”
      — Pope Leo, [04:05]
• Broader Political Engagement:
  • Pope Leo also urged reflection on “the nature and goodness of human life” during Christmas and reiterated his critical stance on U.S. immigration policies, questioning whether current practices represent a “pro-life” ethic.

7. Death of Latter-Day Saints Leader Jeffrey Holland

• Church Mourns Leadership Loss:
  • Jeffrey Holland, a top Latter-Day Saints leader and president-in-waiting, died at 85 from kidney disease.
    — Giles Snyder, [04:40]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This attack is again, Russia's answer on our peace efforts, and it's really showing that Putin doesn't want peace.”
  — Volodymyr Zelensky, [00:32]
• “We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end.”
  — Pope Leo, [04:05]
• “Massive cold air is expected to send temperatures falling in much of the eastern and southern US ahead of the New Year's holiday.”
  — Matt Bloom, [02:34]
• On the Census:
  • “Some census advocates are concerned, though, that growing distrust in the federal government may discourage many people from participating.”
    — Hansi Loang, [01:41]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Ukraine-Russia escalation & U.S. diplomacy: 00:20–01:19
• Myanmar general election under military rule: 01:19–01:41
• 2030 U.S. Census test preparations: 01:41–02:23
• Winter storm Ezra and travel impacts: 02:23–03:15
• Southern California I-5 gas leak incident: 03:15–03:40
• Pope Leo denounces “right to die” law in Illinois: 03:40–04:40
• Death of LDS elder Jeffrey Holland: 04:40–04:58

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Tone:
Concise, urgent, and factual — this episode mirrors the swift, authoritative voice of NPR’s breaking news ethos, with direct quotes underscoring moments of tension or significance.

For Listeners:
This summary covers the full spectrum of urgent news items delivered in the segment, offering context and direct speaker perspectives, ideal for catching up or referencing the key developments of the hour.

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Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says this weekend's Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine shooting show that Russia is not taking peace efforts seriously.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

This attack is again, Russia's answer on our peace efforts, and it's really showing that Putin doesn't want peace.

[Giles Snyder]

Zelensky speaking during a stopover in Halifax, where he met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Zelensky is now in Florida preparing for today's meeting with President Trump at Mar a Lago. The two are discussed, the plan to end the war in Ukraine. Major differences remain on crucial issues. Yesterday, Russia launched hundreds of missiles, missiles and drones targeting Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, knocking out power and heat in the capital. Polls are open in Myanmar, where voters are casting ballots today in the first phase of a general election. Myanmar's military rulers say it's a chance for a fresh start. Critics say the election is a facade to legitimize military rule. Two more rounds of voting will be held next month before final results are announced. The Census Bureau is looking for temporary workers in six states to help carry out a major field test. As it the NPR's Hansi Loang reports. It's part of preparations for the 2030 census that will be used to redistribute political representation and federal funding.

[Hansi Loang]

The Census Bureau says It needs about 1500 workers for the 2026 census test, and it's looking for US citizens who live in parts of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Many of these temporary workers will be knocking on doors to help develop better ways of getting a count of every person living in the states in 2030. Those numbers determine each state's share of congressional seats, Electoral College votes and funding for public services. The 2026 census test will also involve selected households from around the country. Starting in March. The bureau says it plans to mail out invitations to take part in the test. Some census advocates are concerned, though, that growing distrust in the federal government may discourage many people from participating. Han Zi Luang, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Another winter storm system is forecast to bring more freezing temperatures and snow to parts of the Midwest and Northeast. NPR's Matt Bloom reports. It may cause travel headaches, too.

[Matt Bloom]

Airlines have delayed or canceled more than 1,000 flights due to weather this weekend and the busy post Christmas travel rush and more could be in store. The next winter system named Ezra is set to bring strong winds and snow to the Great Lakes region and upper Midwest starting tonight. Impacts could stretch farther south and bring severe thunderstorms to the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys. The weather is expected to bring more ice and snow to parts of the upper Northeast into Monday following the storm. A massive cold air is expected to send temperatures falling in much of the eastern and southern US Ahead of the New Year's holiday. Matt Bloom, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

And you're listening to NPR news. Southern California's I5 freeway is back open to traffic following a natural gas leak that forced authorities to shut it down. Yesterday, Los Angeles county issued a shelter in following the rupture of that gas line north of Los Angeles. It's not clear what caused the rupture, but local media say a mudslide may be responsible. Pope Leo says he's, quote, very disappointed that Governor J.B. pritzker of the pope's home state of Illinois signed a so called right to die bill allowing medical aid in dying. NPR's Sarah Ventri reports on this latest American political issue that Leo is weighing in on.

[Sarah Ventri]

While the Catholic Church has long opposed medically assisted death, Pope Leo told the press that he had spoken spoken to Governor Pritzker about this specifically.

[Pope Leo]

I spoke very explicitly with Governor Pritzker about that. At that time, the bill was already on his desk. We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end.

[Sarah Ventri]

He also encouraged people to reflect on the nature and goodness of human life, particularly during this Christmas season. Pope Leo has also been vocal about American immigration policies. He's referred to the Trump administration's treatment of migrants as inhuman, and he's questioned whether such treatment is really pro life. Sarah Ventri, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints mourning a top church leader. The church announced the death of Jeffrey Holland this weekend, saying he died Saturday from kidney disease. He was 85 years old and next in line to become the church's president. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

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