NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-16-2025 9AM EST

Episode Date: December 16, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington on Corvick Coleman, the Labor Department finally released its most recent jobs reports. Employers added only 64,000 jobs in November. This report was delayed by the six-week government shutdown. The son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner remains in jail. He's been arrested in connection with the killing of his parents. Steve Futterman reports from Los Angeles. The case now goes to prosecutors. The Los Angeles County District Attorney is expected to get the case today. It's possible. Rob Reiner's 32-year-old son, Nick, may be formally charged with murder today. Yesterday, L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonald announced the arrest by robbery and homicide officers.

They worked on this case and were able to take into custody. Nick Reiner, he was subsequently booked for murder. Right now, he has been held without bail. In the past, Nick Reiner has acknowledged struggles with numerous mental health challenges and substance abuse. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman. in Los Angeles. This week, a panel of federal judges in Los Angeles is hearing testimony in a case challenging the new congressional maps just approved by California voters. The California Republican Party and the U.S. Justice Department are suing. From member station KQED, Marisa Lagos,

has more. The lawsuit claims that Proposition 50 illegally drew new districts to favor Latino voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The ballot measure, which won nearly 65 percent of the vote, changed California's congressional maps to give Democrats a leg up. It was written after President Trump asked Texas Republicans to redraw their maps to benefit the GOP. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court allowed Texas's new map to go forward and mentioned in their ruling that both California and Texas's new districts are likely based on partisan advantage. For NPR News, I'm Marisa Lagos. The BBC says it will fight a multi-billion dollar lawsuit that's been filed by President Trump.

He's accusing the British broadcaster of intentionally editing clips in a TV documentary. Trump claims it makes it seem like he directed supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. And bears Lauren Freyer reports from London. A BBC spokesperson says the network will defend this case. And lawmaker Stephen Kinnick says the British government supports that. I think it's right that the BBC stands firm. He spoke to Sky News. President Trump is seeking $5 billion for alleged defamation, and another $5 billion for what his lawsuit says are deceptive and unfair trade practices.

He accuses the BBC of, quote, maliciously defaming him to interfere with the last U.S. election. The BBC says the way it edited Trump's speech in that documentary was a mistake. It apologized to Trump and two executives resigned, but the network says there is no basis for compensation. Lauren Freyer, NPR News, London. You're listening to NPR News. The U.S. military says it has conducted strikes on three more alleged drugboats in the eastern Pacific. In an online statement, U.S. Southern Command says eight people were killed. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says all senators will get a briefing on the Trump administration's boat strikes today.

Police in Australia say the car of one of the two suspects in the Bandai Beach attack had ISIS flags in it. 15 people were killed in the attack on the Hanukkah celebration on Sunday. Dens smog over northern India has forced airlines to cancel and delay flights to the capital, New Delhi. That has scrambled travel for people ranging from the Indian Prime Minister to soccer star Leonel Messi. And Piers Dia Hadid has more. Smog thickens over much of South Asia every winter. Air pollution levels routinely hit hazardous levels around the Indian capital, New Delhi. It's so bad that the Energy Policy Institute estimates residents lose more than eight years of

their lives here because of the pollution. The smog is so thick that this week, airlines cancelled dozens of flights and delayed many more to and from the capital. Delayed flights included one that the soccer star Leonel Messi was meant to board on Monday to Delhi. He was on a tour of India. Local media reported it also delayed the departure of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an overseas tour. The Indian government says it's taking.

action, including a ban on open-air grills used for charcoal chicken and tandoori bread. Critics say, it's not enough. DeHadid, NPR News, New Delhi. And I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.