NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-15-2025 4PM EST

Episode Date: December 15, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Police in Los Angeles have arrested the son of Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner for murder. Nick Reiner is being held on $4 million bail after authorities discovered two bodies inside of the Reiner home on Sunday afternoon. L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell formally identified the victims today. LAPD responded to a residence of Rob and Michelle Reiner. At that location, they found two deceased adults, a male and a female. Through the night, working with the coroner's office, they were able to identify them definitively as Rob and Michelle Reiner. Rob Reiner's career as a director spanned decades and included a number of blockbuster hits, including the film when Harry met Sally,

the Princess Bride, and a few good men. Israel is warning its citizens around the world to avoid unsecured Hanukkah parties following a mass shooting in Sydney on Sunday. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports at least 15 people were killed. Israel's National Security Council is warning of copycat attacks and is calling on Israelis globally not to attend Jewish gatherings without security guards present. Israel's Mossad Intelligence Agency is helping investigate the Australia attack.

That's according to a person briefed on the matter who spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday blamed Australia's Prime Minister. Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti-Semitism in Australia, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today. The Australian Prime Minister cut diplomatic ties with Iran this summer, accusing it of organizing two anti-Semitic attacks in Australia last year. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Police in Rhode Island are searching for the suspect who carried out a deadly shooting at Brown University Saturday. At least two people were killed and nine others were injured. Investigators have released a person of interest who was taken into custody over the weekend.

Investors will get some overdue economic data this week, MPR. Scott Horsley reports on what markets hope to learn about prices and jobs. Timely reports on inflation and the job market were disrupted this fall by the six-week government shutdown. But some of that information will come dribbling out this week. The Labor Department reports tomorrow on job gains for October and November. We'll also get a look at November's inflation rate on Thursday. Some of the missing data will not be made up, though. Furloughed federal workers were unable to conduct price checks or tally the unemployment rate for October. So for the first time, there will be gaps in those long-running series.

The maker of Rumba, the self-driving vacuum cleaner, is filing for bankruptcy. The company called I-Robot will be sucked up by its main contract manufacturer. Scott Horsley, MPR News, Washington. On Wall Street, the Dow was down 41 points. This is NPR News. The daughter of Hong Kong publisher and activist Jimmy Lai says she was not surprised when a national security court found him guilty on all charges today. NPR's Emily Fang reports she's still hoping her father will be released soon. Claire Lai says her father is an ailing 78-year-old and he's seen a precipitous decline in health over the last years of his five-year imprisonment so far.

He has heart issues. he has skin problems, he has infections, back issues, waste problems. The lead judge in his case said Lai harbored, quote, resentment and hatred towards China, which his daughter denies. When you're guided by the Holy Spirit, despite what the judgment says, there is no room for hate and there is no hate in my father's heart. Coming from a family of devout Catholics, the younger lie says she has faith. Her father's case can be dealt with by political negotiation. Sentencing is expected from mid-January, and Lai faces up. to life in prison. Emily Fang and Peer News. Workers at the Louvre Museum in Paris have voted

to strike, forcing the popular tourist destination to close today. Employees say poor working conditions and long-delayed renovations have pushed them to walk out. The strike follows a string of recent incidents, including a daylight theft of priceless gems in October, and a water leak earlier this month that damaged hundreds of ancient documents. At last check on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Leverage was down 41 points. The NASDAQ composite down 137. The SMP 500 down 10 points. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.