NPR News Now — December 29, 2025, 9AM EST

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of major domestic and international news stories, including President Trump’s high-level diplomatic meetings, calls for government action following the Sydney mass shooting, partisan maneuvers in congressional redistricting, U.S. humanitarian funding shifts, significant White House renovations, and the nation’s severe flu season.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. President Trump’s Diplomatic Meetings

• [00:16] President Trump is hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Florida resort.
  • Focus: Steps towards ending the war (presumably in Gaza) and addressing Iran’s missile program.
  • Follows a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-A-Lago centered on ending the war in Ukraine.
• Reporter Analysis:
  • Danielle Kurtzleben reports the Trump-Zelensky meeting showed “momentum” with Zelensky presenting a 20-point peace proposal.
  • Both leaders expressed optimism post-meeting, “but a peace deal certainly didn’t seem imminent.”

  • “We’re optimistic and we’ll keep talking, but that’s roughly where they seem to be before the meeting.”
    — Danielle Kurtzleben [00:47]

2. Calls for Inquiry After Sydney Mass Shooting

• [01:11] Families of the 15 victims from this month’s Hanukkah mass shooting at Bondi Beach (Sydney) urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to launch a Royal Commission (federal inquiry).
  • Cites a rise in anti-Semitism in Australia since the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict and security oversight failures.
  • Albanese resists, arguing a “top-level review” already underway is sufficient.
  • The attack was “allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group.”

  • “…the Royal Commission, the highest level of public investigation in Australia, should address alleged security agency failures.”
    — Lindsay Arkley [01:31]

3. Partisan Redistricting Struggles

• [02:11] As year-end approaches, Republicans have the upper hand in the post-census redistricting process.
  • President Trump is directly involved, helping push for new congressional maps favoring the GOP.
  • State-by-state highlights:
    • Texas: Redrawn map may net Republicans +5 seats.
    • California: New map could swing 5 GOP seats Democratic.
    • Missouri & North Carolina: Each GOP +1 seat.
    • Ohio: GOP +2 seats.
    • Utah: Court-ordered map aids Democrats +1 seat.
  • Nationwide net result so far: GOP +3 seats (potentially).

  • “The net effect nationwide is a possible gain of three seats. The GOP so far.”
    — Andrew Schneider [02:29]

4. U.S. Foreign Aid Cuts & Trump’s White House Aesthetic Overhaul

• [03:11] The U.S. pledges $2 billion in humanitarian aid to the United Nations, a significantly reduced amount.

  • Trump administration urges UN agencies to adapt to new fiscal restraints.
  • Despite foreign aid cuts, the White House calls the figure “generous.”

  • “President Trump has been shaking up Washington. But ... it’s not just policy, it’s also aesthetics.”
    — Windsor Johnston [03:11]

• White House Renovations

  • [03:48] President Trump embarks on large-scale renovations:
    • East Wing razed for a $400 million ballroom.
    • The Oval Office now “gilded.”
    • Rose Garden paved to mimic Mar-A-Lago's patio.
  • During a speech, President Trump quips:

    • “Somebody the other day, am I a better politician or construction real estate person? And they didn’t know how to answer that question. I’m not sure how to answer it either, if you want to know the truth.”
      — Donald Trump [04:10]

  • Renovations are time-consuming but “relaxing,” Trump admits.

5. Latest on the Severe Flu Season

• [04:32] CDC: Nearly 5 million flu cases reported; New York endures its worst outbreak ever with 71,000 cases in one week.
  • Over a dozen states report high or very high flu activity.

Memorable Quotes

• “We’re optimistic and we’ll keep talking, but that’s roughly where they seem to be before the meeting.”
  — Danielle Kurtzleben [00:47]

• “…the Royal Commission, the highest level of public investigation in Australia, should address alleged security agency failures.”
  — Lindsay Arkley [01:31]

• “The net effect nationwide is a possible gain of three seats. The GOP so far.”
  — Andrew Schneider [02:29]

• “Somebody the other day, am I a better politician or construction real estate person? And they didn’t know how to answer that question. I’m not sure how to answer it either, if you want to know the truth.”
  — Donald Trump [04:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] Trump-Netanyahu meeting preview
• [00:47] Trump-Zelensky meeting and Ukraine peace process
• [01:11] Sydney mass shooting families’ demand for Royal Commission
• [02:11] GOP gains in redistricting
• [03:11] U.S. pledges reduced UN humanitarian aid
• [03:48] Details on Trump’s White House renovations and Trump’s quote
• [04:32] New flu season statistics

This episode provides a rapid, comprehensive account of major stories shaping the U.S. and the world as 2025 draws to a close, with concise reporting and original speaker voices throughout.