NPR News: 12-30-2025 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – 12-30-2025 2PM EST

Date: December 30, 2025

Host: Lakshmi Singh

Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headlines from around the world in a concise five-minute update. Major stories covered include a reported CIA strike in Venezuela, Israeli policy moves against UNRWA, updates on an attack in Sydney, the death of an internet-famous Spanish art restorer, and harsh weather conditions affecting the U.S. as the new year approaches.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Strike in Venezuela and Maritime Drug Activity

[00:16–01:14]

• The CIA reportedly struck a dock facility in Venezuela, according to a U.S. official.
• The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing a tanker that has avoided capture for days.
• President Trump confirmed a U.S. attack in Venezuela but did not detail agency involvement.
• The U.S. continues strikes against Venezuelan boats suspected of trafficking drugs, with the latest incident occurring on Monday.

Notable Quote:

• Lakshmi Singh [00:29]: "President Trump said yesterday that the US had attacked a facility in Venezuela, though he did not specify whether it was the military or the CIA, which he has said was operating in the country."

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2. Israeli Legislation Targeting UNRWA

[01:14–02:00]

• Israel's parliament voted to cut off water and electricity to the East Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees).
• New legislation allows Israel to expropriate UNRWA properties, intensifying pressure on the agency.
• UNRWA denounced the move as "outrageous" and an "affront to international law."
• This comes amid accusations, by Israel, that UNRWA staff were complicit in the October 7 Hamas-led attack; the U.S. has cut funding in response.
• Israeli forces recently stormed UNRWA headquarters and forced the closure of its schools in East Jerusalem.

Notable Quote:

• Michelle Keleman [01:19]: "UNRWA calls that a further blow to the international system and part of an ongoing effort by Israel to discredit the main agency that aids Palestinians."

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3. Sydney Attack Investigation

[02:00–03:07]

• Australian police state there is no evidence the two men accused of killing 15 people at a Jewish holiday event in Sydney were part of a larger terrorist cell.
• Navid Akram and his father, Sajid Akram (who was killed by police), were allegedly inspired by ISIS but did not coordinate with others.
• The pair had traveled to Davao City, Philippines, weeks before the attack, but officials found no signs of terrorist training or preparation.
• Investigation remains ongoing.

Notable Quotes:

• Lindsay Arkley [02:18]: "Police allege the two men were inspired by the Islamic State group."
• Federal Police Commissioner Chrissie Barrett, via Arkley [02:46]: "There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others to carry out an attack. However, I want to be clear, I am not suggesting that they were there for tourism."

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4. Death of Cecilia Jimenez – ‘Ecce Homo’ Fresco Restorer

[03:27–04:08]

• Cecilia Jimenez, whose 2012 restoration of a church fresco in Spain went viral for its unusual results, has died at age 94.
• The restoration was widely mocked, with comparisons to a "werewolf or a monkey," but ultimately garnered fame for the small town of Borja.
• Jimenez was initially overwhelmed by the ridicule, but eventually was honored locally and the site became a tourist draw.

Notable Quote:

• Andrew Limbong [03:35]: "The result ended up looking a little fuzzy, with people comparing the new portrait to a werewolf or a monkey... And although Jimenez was originally ridiculed so much that she was bedridden from anxiety, she eventually became a local celebrity."

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5. Severe Weather in the U.S. for New Year's

[04:08–04:52]

• An arctic blast is hitting the eastern US, threatening travel and bringing below-average temperatures to tens of millions.
• Kristen Schultz, traveling home to Alaska: “Four hours to drive down roads up north. The plows were out, but they were still pretty snow packed slick. But the further south we got, the better it was.” [04:26]
• In California, strong Santa Ana winds and forecasted heavy rain could drench Pasadena’s Rose Parade for the first time in 20 years.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lakshmi Singh [00:29]: "President Trump said yesterday that the US had attacked a facility in Venezuela, though he did not specify whether it was the military or the CIA."
• Michelle Keleman [01:19]: "UNRWA calls that a further blow to the international system and part of an ongoing effort by Israel to discredit the main agency that aids Palestinians."
• Federal Police Commissioner Chrissie Barrett (via Arkley) [02:46]: “There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others to carry out an attack. However, I want to be clear, I am not suggesting that they were there for tourism.”
• Andrew Limbong [03:35]: "The result ended up looking a little fuzzy, with people comparing the new portrait to a werewolf or a monkey."
• Kristen Schultz [04:26]: "Four hours to drive down roads up north. The plows were out, but they were still pretty snow packed slick. But the further south we got, the better it was."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S. Strike in Venezuela: 00:16–01:14
• Israel/UNRWA News: 01:14–02:00
• Sydney Attack Investigation: 02:00–03:07
• Death of Cecilia Jimenez (Fresco Restorer): 03:27–04:08
• US Weather / New Year’s Travel: 04:08–04:52

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This summary offers a comprehensive recap of the main headlines and insights from the 12-30-2025 NPR News Now 2PM update, providing context, direct quotes, and key moments for listeners who might have missed the broadcast.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. A U.S. official tells NPR that the CIA struck a dock facility in Venezuela. The official also says that the U.S. coast Guard is still trying to get capabilities to go after a tanker that has been evading them in recent days. President Trump said yesterday that the US had attacked a facility in Venezuela, though he did not specify whether it was the military or the CIA, which he has said was operating in the country. The US has continued its attacks on boats from Venezuela in international waters that it says are carrying drugs. The latest such attack took place Monday. According to US Southern Command, Israel's parliament has voted to cut off water and electricity to the offices of UNRWA, the UN agency that aids Palestinians. NPR's Michelle Keleman reports that the UN body calls the move outrageous and an affront to international law.

[Michelle Keleman]

The legislation not only cuts utilities to UNRWA's headquarters in East Jerusalem, it also gives the Israeli government the right to expropriate UN properties. UNWRA calls that a further blow to the international system and part of an ongoing effort by Israel to discredit the main agency that aids Palestinians. Israel accused some UNRWA staffers of taking part in the October 7 Hamas led attack on Israel. The US cut funding to the agency in response. UNRWA says that Israeli forces stormed its headquarters earlier this month and forced it to close schools in East Jerusalem, a part of the city that Palestinians want as a future capital of a future state. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Jerusalem.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Police in Australia say there is no evidence two men accused of killing 15 people at a Jewish holiday event in Sydney were part of a broader terrorist cell. Lindsay Arkley reports authorities made the statement after investigating the men's travel to the Philippines weeks before the attack.

[Lindsay Arkley]

24 year old Navid Akram is facing dozens of charges over the Bondi beach attack. His 50 year old father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene. Police allege the two men were inspired by the Islamic State group. Federal Police Commissioner Chrissie Barrett says the pair are not believed to have undergone any training or preparation when they spent most of November in Davao City in the southern Philippines.

[Carvana Finance Announcer]

There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others to carry out an attack. However, I want to be clear, I am not suggesting that they were there for tourism.

[Lindsay Arkley]

Barrett stressed that the investigation was ongoing. For NPR News, I'm Lindsay Arkley in Melbourne.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Dow Jones industrial average is down 43 points. This is NPR News. The Spanish woman who infamously restored a fresco of Jesus and became an Internet sensation has died. She was 94 years old. Here's NPR's Andrew Limbong.

[Andrew Limbong]

@ the time, people said Cecilia Jimenez botched the painting of Jesus in a red tunic wearing a crown of thorns. This was back in 2012, and the original painting lived at Jimenez's local church in Borja, Spain. It was looking a little run down, and Jimenez took it upon herself to fix it. The result ended up looking a little fuzzy, with people comparing the new portrait to a werewolf or a monkey. The story quickly went viral and the image got memed and the painting became pretty famous, turning the into a tourist destination. And although Jimenez was originally ridiculed so much that she was bedridden from anxiety, she eventually became a local celebrity with her life being honored by Borja officials. Andrew Limbong, NPR.

[Lakshmi Singh]

News. An Arctic blast is returning to the eastern US Just in time for New Year's. Tens of millions of people could be experiencing below average temperatures and wintry conditions and travel issues. Just ask Kristen Schultz. She and her husband had to make their way from Wisconsin to Minneapolis this week, hoping to catch a flight home to.

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Alaska. Four hours to drive down roads up north. The plows were out, but they were still pretty snow packed slick. But the further south we got, the better it.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Was. Snow in the east, strong Santa Ana winds in the west in parts of Southern California. And on New Year's, heavy rain could potentially soak the Rose Parade in Pasadena for the first time in about 20 years. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in.

[Andrew Limbong]

Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor, free.

[Lakshmi Singh]

On Amazon Music with a Prime membership.

[Andrew Limbong]

Or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's.