NPR News Now — December 29, 2025, 5 PM EST

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A quick, comprehensive roundup of the day’s top global and national news stories, focusing on U.S. military actions in Venezuela, domestic investigations into fraud, rising gestational diabetes among pregnant women, a deadly helicopter accident in New Jersey, an update on a pro-Russian hacking group attack in France, a fatal car crash involving British boxer Anthony Joshua in Nigeria, and a notable seafood theft in Massachusetts.

Key News Stories & Discussion Points

1. U.S. Strike on Venezuelan Dock

• President Trump announced a U.S. strike on a dock in Venezuela where drugs were allegedly being loaded onto boats.

• Trump confirmed the action ahead of a meeting with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and noted recent direct communication with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

• Context: Follows a series of escalating U.S. actions including a blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers and strikes on boats suspected of trafficking drugs.

• Human Cost: More than 100 people have been killed in recent boat attacks.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Trump: “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs. They load the boats up with drugs. So we hit all the boats.” (00:45, quote relayed by NPR)
  • Deepa Shivaram (NPR): “Trump did not provide further detail, but such a strike likely indicates an escalation in aggression toward Venezuela.” (00:53)

2. Ramp-up in Homeland Security Investigations

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a video of federal DHS officers conducting a raid in Minneapolis, tied to investigations into alleged childcare and “other rampant fraud.”

• Linked to intensified immigration enforcement efforts by Trump’s administration in Minnesota.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Kristi Noem: Officers were, “conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud.” (01:18)

3. Sharp Increase in Gestational Diabetes Among Pregnant Women

• NPR’s Ping Huang covers a nearly 40% increase in gestational diabetes cases over the last decade.

• Researchers from Northwestern University, in a 12-million-birth analysis (published in JAMA Internal Medicine), tie the rise to general declines in diet and exercise among young people.

• Health Risks: The condition, though usually resolving after pregnancy, is associated with long-term health risks for mothers and children.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Ping Huang: “Around 8% of pregnant women in the U.S. get gestational diabetes.” (01:55)
  • “The rise is likely related to worsening health in young people who are eating less healthfully and getting less exercise.” (02:08)

4. Southern New Jersey Helicopter Collision

• Two pilots, Kenneth Kirsch (65) and Michael Greenberg (71), both from New Jersey and friends, died after their helicopters collided.

• Incident details: One helicopter spun rapidly before crashing and catching fire.

  Memorable Moment:

  • “Video from the scene showed a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews had to put out flames that engulfed one of the aircraft.” (02:39)

5. Stock Market Update

• S&P 500: Down 0.3% for the day, but up 17% year-to-date.
• Dow and Nasdaq: Both fell 0.5% on the day.

6. Cyberattack on France’s Postal Service

• French prosecutors report a pro-Russian hacking group claimed responsibility for disrupting France’s national postal service, temporarily stopping package deliveries mere days before Christmas.
• Context: Tied to heightened tensions as Western governments accuse Russia of waging hybrid warfare against Ukraine supporters.

7. British Boxer Anthony Joshua in Fatal Nigerian Crash

• Anthony Joshua was in a car that collided with a parked truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

• Two people (the driver and front passenger) killed; Joshua sustained minor injuries.

• The crash followed his recent victory over Jake Paul in Miami.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Jewel Bright: “Videos of Joshua wincing in pain while being pulled from the vehicle have gone viral on social media.” (03:48)

8. $400,000 Lobster Shipment Stolen in Massachusetts

• A lobster load bound for Costco was stolen just before Christmas; the second major seafood shipment theft in Massachusetts this month.

• Raises concerns about a pattern of seafood-related thefts.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “The CEO of the freighter Rexing says it was the second major seafood theft in Massachusetts this month, raising concerns about repeat targeting.” (04:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S. Strike on Venezuelan Dock: 00:16–01:18
• DHS Fraud Investigation: 01:18–01:55
• Gestational Diabetes Surge: 01:55–02:39
• NJ Helicopter Crash: 02:39–03:00
• Stock Market Update: 03:00–03:20
• France Cyberattack & Russia: 03:20–03:35
• Anthony Joshua Car Crash: 03:48–04:35
• Lobster Shipment Theft: 04:35–04:55

Notable Quotes

• “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs.” — President Trump (reported by NPR) (00:45)
• “DHS officers... conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud.” — Kristi Noem (01:18)
• “Around 8% of pregnant women in the U.S. get gestational diabetes.” — Ping Huang (01:55)
• “Videos of Joshua wincing in pain while being pulled from the vehicle have gone viral on social media.” — Jewel Bright (03:48)

This succinct episode delivers impactful updates across national security, public health, major accidents, cyberthreats, international incidents, and unusual crimes—all within five minutes, with clarity and urgency consistent with NPR’s trademark news delivery.