NPR News Now – December 31, 2025, 1PM EST

Main Theme

This five-minute NPR news update covers breaking international events, U.S. foreign policy developments, domestic security preparations, notable cultural remembrances, and scientific milestones as the world ushers in the new year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea Ports

• Reporting by: Joanna Kakissis [00:32]
• Summary:

  • Russian drone strikes hit the port city of Odessa and nearby regions, injuring at least six and disrupting vital electricity and water services.

  • President Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s urgent need for enhanced air defense systems, stating:

    "They definitely want to cut off Odessa... They are hitting ports, killing people and the economy, trying to reduce our exports by sea." – President Volodymyr Zelensky (paraphrased by Joanna Kakissis) [00:42]

  • Two Ukrainian civilian vessels, docked to load wheat, were struck by Russia.

  • In retaliation, a Ukrainian drone attack damaged a gas pipeline at a Russian port in the Black Sea.

2. Escalation of U.S. Actions Against Venezuela

• Reporting by: Franco Ordoñez & Tom Bowman [01:18]
• Summary:

  • U.S. policy in Venezuela escalates, with critics warning about the danger posed by a recent land strike on Venezuelan shores, breaking a pattern previously limited to targeting boats in international waters.

  • Focus of U.S. actions is officially on curbing drug flow into the country, while the Venezuelan government accuses the U.S. of regime change efforts.

  • Details confirmed by a U.S. official indicate the CIA targeted a dock.

    "This is a really big deal to strike on land. It's an escalation, but also creates more risks of killing innocent Venezuelans who have nothing to do with any of that stuff." – Tom Bowman [01:57]

3. New York City Security for New Year’s Eve

• Reporting by: Windsor Johnston [02:18]
• Summary:

  • With over a million expected in Times Square, NYPD deploys heightened security: plainclothes officers, K9 teams, mounted police, subway and helicopter patrols.

  • Mayor Eric Adams states there are no known threats, but the city is fully prepared.

  • Police emphasize community vigilance:

    "Security is everyone's responsibility again. See something, say something, do something." – NYPD spokesperson (reported by Windsor Johnston) [02:51]

  • Street closures and transit adjustments are in effect for the event.

4. Global and Cultural New Year Observances

• Host mention: Lakshmi Singh [03:11]
• Summary:
  • Nations across Australia and East & South Asia have already celebrated the new year.
  • Reminder that Lunar New Year, another significant celebration, arrives in February for many cultures.

5. In Memoriam: Isaiah Whitlock Jr.

• Reporting by: Lakshmi Singh with audio excerpt [03:11]
• Summary:

  • Acclaimed actor Isaiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71.

  • Celebrated for a range of roles, especially his memorable performance in The Wire.

    [Clip]: "They gonna come talk to me about..." – Isaiah Whitlock Jr. as aired [03:43]

6. NASA’s Voyager Missions: 48 Years in Space

• Reporting by: Joe Palka [04:04]
• Summary:

  • Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, launched in 1977, continue operations in interstellar space.

  • Notable discoveries: moons and rings at Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

  • Both are farther than 13 billion miles from Earth, with Voyager 1 taking almost a day for a signal to reach it at light speed.

  • NASA recently reestablished contact with both probes:

    "Mission controllers successfully contacted both spacecraft in December using large radio antennas that are part of the agency's Deep Space Network." – Joe Palka [04:28]

7. Market Update

• Host mention: Lakshmi Singh [04:50]
• The Dow is down 157 points at time of reporting.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "They definitely want to cut off Odessa... They are hitting ports, killing people and the economy."
  – President Zelensky (as reported by Joanna Kakissis) [00:42]

• "This is a really big deal to strike on land. It's an escalation, but also creates more risks of killing innocent Venezuelans who have nothing to do with any of that stuff."
  – Tom Bowman [01:57]

• "Security is everyone's responsibility again. See something, say something, do something."
  – NYPD spokesperson (via Windsor Johnston) [02:51]

• "Mission controllers successfully contacted both spacecraft in December using large radio antennas..."
  – Joe Palka [04:28]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Ukraine/Russia Black Sea escalation: 00:32 – 01:18
• US land strike in Venezuela: 01:18 – 02:18
• NYC New Year's Eve security: 02:18 – 03:03
• Isaiah Whitlock Jr. obituary: 03:11 – 03:45
• Voyager interstellar missions update: 04:04 – 04:50

This concise episode offers rapid insight into significant world, national, and scientific events as the year concludes, marked by escalating conflicts, public safety preparations, loss in the entertainment world, and a milestone in space exploration.