NPR News Now — Episode Summary

Episode: NPR News: 12-31-2025 12PM EST
Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Lakshmi Singh (with reports from NPR correspondents)
Duration: Approx. 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise, midday edition of NPR News Now provides quick updates on U.S. military operations in Venezuela, widespread protests and government shutdowns in Iran, a significant flu surge attributed to a new strain, Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro, New Year’s celebrations across the globe, trends in sparkling wine, and a brief stock market report. The episode blends urgent international news, public health information, cultural notes, and economic updates.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Operation Expands in Venezuela

• [00:16] The CIA was reportedly behind last week’s strike on a dock facility in Venezuela, escalating U.S. actions from targeting drug boats at sea to land-based operations.
• Retired US Army Colonel Seth Krumrich predicts sustained efforts towards U.S. objectives, hinting at regime change:
  • Quote: “Make no mistake, this is going to continue until the US gets the outcome they want, and I believe that is the ousting of the Maduro government.” —Seth Krumrich [00:37]
• Roughly 30 U.S. military strikes since the summer have targeted drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 100 deaths.

2. Iran’s Government Shutdown Amid Protests

• [00:45-01:51] Iran orders closure of government offices, banks, and universities, attributing it to cold weather.
• This follows the largest protests in years, fueled by steep inflation (above 40%), a crashing currency, and ongoing international sanctions.
• Quote: “Thousands of people have taken to the streets in several cities across Iran over the past few days to protest the economy ... Security forces are starting to crack down. Videos on social media show them firing tear gas into the crowds.” —Jackie Northam [01:12]
• Iran’s moderate president, Massoud Possesskian, urges authorities to heed protesters’ “legitimate demands.”

3. Major Flu Surge Driven by New Strain

• [01:51-02:56] CDC estimates 7.5 million flu cases this season, nearly doubling in a week.
• The surge is driven by a new strain: Subclade K. Genetic changes have diminished the effectiveness of the flu vaccine at preventing infection.
• Quote: “There’s less immunity to it, and that’s allowing the virus to spread very quickly and extensively.” —Florian Kramer [02:30]
• Despite this, the vaccine remains effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalizations; the new strain does not appear to be more severe, and treatments are still effective.

4. Bulgaria Adopts the Euro

• [02:56] On January 1, Bulgaria becomes the 21st country to adopt the euro.
• Some concerns in Bulgaria (population 6.4 million) that switching currencies could boost prices.

5. Global New Year’s Celebrations

• [03:00] Parts of the world are already in 2026. In Seoul, large crowds welcomed the new year.
• South Korea is also preparing for the Lunar New Year (Year of the Fire Horse) in February.

6. Trends in Sparkling Wine

• [03:56-04:40] Sparkling wine’s popularity is growing in the U.S., especially in the $16–20 range.
• Quote: “You can be all romantic with candlelight and sparkles, or you can just open a bottle on a weeknight with takeout.” —Gilles Nicole, Walla Walla winemaker [04:19]
• Northwest sparkling wines range from traditional, hand-crafted styles to more casual, affordable versions.
• Quote: “It’s a beautiful sparkling wine, can be as simple or as complicated as you want it, but you open the bottle, you pour a glass and you drink it.” —Gilles Nicole [04:28]

7. U.S. Stock Market Update

• [04:40] Markets are down: Dow -128, S&P -17, Nasdaq -52.

Memorable Quotes

• Seth Krumrich [00:37]: “Make no mistake, this is going to continue until the US gets the outcome they want, and I believe that is the ousting of the Maduro government.”
• Jackie Northam [01:12]: “Thousands of people have taken to the streets in several cities across Iran over the past few days to protest the economy ... Security forces are starting to crack down. Videos on social media show them firing tear gas into the crowds.”
• Florian Kramer [02:30]: “There’s less immunity to it, and that’s allowing the virus to spread very quickly and extensively.”
• Gilles Nicole [04:19]: “You can be all romantic with candlelight and sparkles, or you can just open a bottle on a weeknight with takeout.”
• Gilles Nicole [04:28]: “It’s a beautiful sparkling wine, can be as simple or as complicated as you want it, but you open the bottle, you pour a glass and you drink it.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• CIA strike in Venezuela, Krumrich comment: 00:16–00:45
• Iran closes offices amid protests: 00:45–01:51
• Flu spike and new strain Subclade K: 01:51–02:56
• Bulgaria adopts euro: 02:56–03:00
• New Year celebrations worldwide: 03:00–03:56
• Sparkling wine trends, Nicole’s remarks: 03:56–04:40
• Stock market update: 04:40–04:55

Tone

The episode maintains NPR’s signature: concise, well-informed, calmly delivered reporting with touches of local color and expertise, especially in the wine segment. Direct speech from reporters and interviewees gives the summary both authority and a touch of humanity—balancing analysis, data, and people’s voices.