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NPR News Now – December 29, 2025, 6PM EST

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of top national and international news as of December 29, 2025. Major headlines cover U.S.-Iran relations, protests in Iran, updates on vaccine injury compensation, the ongoing crisis in Sudan, severe winter weather in the U.S., developments in Florida politics, the reopening of Mariupol’s historic theater, and controversy surrounding 2026 World Cup ticket prices.

Key Discussion Points & News Segments

1. U.S.-Iran Relations & Protests in Iran

[00:18] Ryland Barton (Host): President Trump issues a stern warning to Iran regarding its nuclear program.
- Memorable quote:
  
  "We'll knock the hell out of them."
  — President Trump ([00:18])
[00:27] President Trump (clip):
Restates his warning, expressing hope that Iran is not “building up” its nuclear capabilities.
- Memorable quote:
  
  “I hope they're not trying to build up again, because ... we're going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that buildup.”
  — President Trump ([00:27])
[00:44] Ryland Barton:
Contextualizes Trump’s statement during a meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago.
- Notes Iran is experiencing its “biggest protests in three years” after its currency hit a record low due to international sanctions.
- The resignation of Iran’s central bank governor amid ongoing demonstrations, police using tear gas against traders and shopkeepers.

2. Vaccine Injury Compensation Commission Update

[01:22] Sydney Lupkin (NPR Reporter):
The Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines met virtually.
- Six new members present: 2 lawyers, 3 pediatricians, 1 parent advocate.
- The commission is responsible for updating the list of vaccines and compensable injuries.
- No votes or decisions were made due to some absent members.
- Notable description:
  
  “The commission, among other things, is tasked with updating the list of vaccines and injuries or conditions that can receive compensation, according to its charter.”
  — Sydney Lupkin ([01:22])

3. Sudan Crisis and The City of Al Fashir

[01:57] Ryland Barton:
Reports on continued fighting in Sudan and the devastated state of Al Fashir.
[02:09] Michael Kaloki (NPR Reporter):
UN personnel find Al Fashir deserted except for scattered residents in makeshift shelters.
- UN’s Denise Brown describes the city as “a crime scene.”
- The city fell to the RSF paramilitary group in October after an 18-month siege.
- Ongoing atrocities, including reports of mass killings, prompt concern from the International Criminal Court.
- Notable quote:
  
  “UN staff who visited the city last week came across only a few people living inside empty buildings and rudimentary camps. ... Brown, who described Al Fashir as a crime scene, said that the UN was very concerned about those within the city who are injured or detained.”
  — Michael Kaloki ([02:09])

4. Severe Winter Storm in the U.S.

[02:50] Ryland Barton:
Describes a blizzard “barreling across the northern US”; Midwest and Plains states see treacherous travel and power outages.
- The cold front results in temperatures up to 50 degrees lower in parts of the central U.S. compared to the previous day.

5. Florida Politics: Rep. Sheila Sheriff Eliz McCormick Indictment

[02:50] Ryland Barton:
Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Sheriff Eliz McCormick reaffirms her innocence facing federal charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in Covid relief funds.
- Her arraignment is rescheduled to next month.
- She emphatically pleads not guilty and maintains her commitment to Florida.

6. Mariupol Theatre Reopens Under Russian Occupation

[02:50] Ryland Barton:
The historic theater in Russian-occupied Mariupol, Ukraine, opens for a gala concert.
- The building was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike that killed hundreds; this marks its first reopening in more than three years.

7. FIFA Defends 2026 World Cup Ticket Prices

[04:16] Rafael Nam (NPR Reporter):
Fans react with “outrage” to the high pricing for 2026 World Cup tickets.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino cites unprecedented demand: 150 million ticket requests this month alone.
- Infantino insists proceeds will be reinvested in global soccer development.
- Memorable moment:
  
  “What is important and what is crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world.”
  — Gianni Infantino, FIFA President ([04:40])

Notable Quotes & Moments

President Trump on Iran:

"We'll knock the hell out of them." ([00:18])
Sydney Lupkin on Vaccine Commission:

"The commission, among other things, is tasked with updating the list of vaccines and injuries or conditions that can receive compensation, according to its charter." ([01:22])
Michael Kaloki on Al Fashir:

“Brown, who described Al Fashir as a crime scene, said that the UN was very concerned about those within the city who are injured or detained.” ([02:09])
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President:

“What is important and what is crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world.” ([04:40])

Timestamps for Key Segments

Trump’s warning to Iran: [00:18]–[00:44]
Iran protests and economic crisis: [00:44]
Vaccine Injury Compensation update: [01:22]
Sudan conflict—Al Fashir: [02:09]
Severe U.S. winter storm: [02:50]
Rep. McCormick indictment: [02:50]
Mariupol theatre reopening: [02:50]
FIFA World Cup ticket controversy: [04:16]
FIFA President Infantino statement: [04:40]

This summary captures the essential news and discussions from the episode, highlighted by direct quotes, structured topics, and precise timing, allowing listeners and non-listeners alike to quickly grasp the day’s most pressing stories.

Loading summary

Transcript12 lines

[00:00]
A
This message is from GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that sends cash directly to the world's poorest people. Pods Fight Poverty is supporting 700 families in Rwanda, with donations matched through December 31st. Visit GiveDirectly.org podcast live from NPR News.
[00:18]
B
In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump is warning Iran against reconstituting its nuclear program, saying, quote, we'll knock the hell out of them.
[00:28]
C
And speaking of Iran, I hope they're not trying to build up again, because if they are, we're going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that buildup. So I hope Iran is not trying to build up, as I've been reading, that they're building up weapons and other things.
[00:45]
B
Trump made the comments as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar a Lago resort in Florida. Meanwhile, Iran is experiencing its biggest protests in three years after the currency there plunged to a record low due to international sanctions. The country's central bank governor resigned today. Demonstrations broke out in Tehran and other cities as traders and shopkeepers rallied. Police used tear gas in some areas of the capital. A commission that advises the government about its vaccine injury compensation program is supposed to meet four times a year, but it says it held all four meetings back to back today. NPR's Sydney Lupkin reports.
[01:23]
D
The Advisory Commission on Childhood vaccines convened on December 29 with six new members, two lawyers, three pediatricians and a parent of a child who said they had some possible complications from vaccines. The commission, among other things, is tasked with updating the list of vaccines and injuries or conditions that can receive compensation, according to its charter. The commission consists of three lawyers, three health care professionals, and three members of the public it met virtually, but some members weren't able to make it due to scheduling conflicts. The commission did not vote or make any decisions. Sidney Lupkin, NPR News.
[01:58]
B
As fighting continues in Sudan, United nations personnel say there are few signs of life in the key Western city of Al Fashir, in what was once a vibrant metropolis. Michael Koloki has more.
[02:10]
E
According to Denise Brown, the UN's Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, UN staff who visited the city last week came across only a few people living inside empty buildings and rudimentary camps. Brown, who described Al Fashr as a crime scene, said that the UN was very concerned about those within the city who are injured or detained. The paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, or rsf, captured El Fashr in October this year after besieging it for 18 months. Fighting between the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces has been going on for more than two years now. Last month, the office of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court expressed alarm over reports of mass killings in Al Fashr. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.
[02:51]
B
A winter storm is barreling across the northern US Unleashing blizzard conditions in the Midwest and aiming at the East Coast. The storm has caused treacherous travel and widespread power outages across the Plains and Great Lakes. The cold front left parts of the central U.S. waking up to temperatures thick, 50 degrees colder than the day before. You are listening to NPR News from Washington. South Florida Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Sheriff Eliz McCormick is reiterating that she is innocent as she faces charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal Covid relief funds. She was scheduled to be arraigned today, but it was rescheduled to next month. Sheriff Alice McCormick pleaded not guilty and says she did not steal any funds and that she's committed to the people of Florida. A historic theater in the Russian occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol has opened its doors more than three years after it was pummeled in a Russian airstrike that killed hundreds. The Moscow installed authorities marked the reopening with a gala concert on the building's new main stage. The original theater was destroyed when it was targeted by a Russian airstrike in March of 2022. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is defending the high ticket prices for the 2026 World cup by saying the tournament is attracting UN unprecedented demand. NPR's Rafael Nam explains fans have reacted.
[04:16]
F
With outrage at the ticket prices for the World cup being held across the U.S. canada and Mexico. Beni Fantino justified the high ticket prices by saying FIFA had received a record 150 million ticket requests already this month. And according to this video released at the World Sports Summit in Dubai where he spoke, most of the proceeds will be invested towards growing soccer.
[04:41]
G
What is important and what is crucial is that the revenues that are generated from this are going back to the game all over the world.
[04:51]
B
You're listening to NPR News from Washington.
[04:57]
H
This message comes from Somni, the award winning smart sleep headband aimed at helping you fall asleep and stay asleep with neurotechnology developed by UC Berkeley scientists including Dr. Matt Walker. Try 45 days risk free@somnisleep.com.