NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-21-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: December 21, 2025

NPR News: 12-21-2025 6AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Australians are remembering the victims of the attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach. Thousands gathered on the beach today, marking one week since two government targeted a Jewish festival. Fifteen people were killed. Australia's Prime Minister has announced a review of national law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as Christina Cucullia reports from Melbourne. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, says the review will examine a federal police and intelligence agencies have the right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements

in place to keep Australians safe. That's after Australia's domestic intelligence agency revealed it had investigated the surviving suspect, 24-year-old Navid Akram, in 2019, and deemed him not to be a threat. The review is due to be completed in April and the findings released to the public. The domestic intelligence agency says it will cooperate fully with the process. I'm Christina Kukkahler in Melbourne. Turning Point USA is wrapping up its annual conference in Phoenix today. MPR's Elena Moore reports on the largest event the group has held since its founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated three months ago.

Turning Point says more than 30,000 supporters are attending this year's conference known as America Fest, roughly a 10,000 person boost from last year, a potential sign of continued momentum moving forward, despite losing Charlie Kirk. That said, for many attendees, his death remains gutting. 25-year-old Angie Perez credits the late activist with helping reinforce her conservative Christian beliefs. It makes me really emotional because I viewed him as like, he's my hero. And I always saw him as like an older brother than I never had. Several of Kirk's close allies will close out the conference on Sunday, including Vice President J.D. Vance,

who's expected to give the final address. Elena Moore, NPR News, Phoenix. President, pressing for stronger air defense in cities outside Kyiv, after Russia missiles struck the country's main port city this weekend, at least eight people were killed in PR's Germanicakis reports. Russian strikes on Odessa in Ukraine's south have also left several parts of the city without electricity or water. Speaking to reporters via voice message, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy said Russia is targeting Ukraine's power grid to sow chaos and put pressure on people. He said, no matter how difficult it is for us to react to these attacks, we must find a way to protect people as much as possible. Zelensky said he will hold those in charge of the region's air defense accountable and ensure Odessa and other regions are better defended. He said that

Russia still aims to destroy Ukraine and that if the Kremlin cannot compromise to end the war, the U.S. must pressure it to do so. Joanna Kikisis, NPR News, Kyiv. And you're listening to NPR News. News. In South Africa, authorities are engaged in a manhunt. They're looking for a group of gunmen responsible for a shooting at a pub that left nine people dead and at least 10 others injured. They say about a dozen suspects open fire on the pub from two separate vehicles. The mass shooting is the second in South Africa over the past few weeks. After more than a century of trying the Lombie tribe of North Carolina has received full federal recognition from the U.S.

government. Tim Pears Kristen Wright reports. Members of the Lumby tribe were emotional on Capitol Hill and stood alongside President Trump at the White House for the historic milestone. The president signed a measure extending federal recognition Friday. Federal lawmakers included the Lumby Fairness Act in the annual military spending package. Full federal acknowledgement opens the door to an expanse of federal resources. Benefits include support for housing, education, and health care for the Lumby's 55,000 members. The tribe first petitioned Congress, for federal recognition in 1888. The tribe then only received partial recognition in 1956.

Tribal chairman John Lowry said in a statement, the tribe has finally crossed a barrier that once seemed impossible to overcome. Kristen Wright, NPR News. Last night's Christmas episode of Saturday Night Live was comedian Bowen Yang's final as a main cast member. Yang signed off last night at mid-season, following a show host of Aai by Ariana Grande,

with whom he appeared in the movie version of the popular Broadway musical Wicket. Yang joined the show as a writer in 2018 and became a fan favorite with five Emmy nominations over the years. I'm Jail Snyder. This is NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees. Join millions of customers and visit Wise.com. T's and Cs apply.