NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-28-2025 11AM EST

Episode Date: December 28, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky is in Florida today to meet with President Trump on the latest plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Before today's meeting, Zelenskyy had huddled with European leaders and Canada's prime minister. NPR's Joanna Kikis reports from Kiev. Zelensky told reporters via voice message that he plans to speak with Trump about the details of security guarantees and Ukraine's recovery. plan, as well as sensitive issues such as territorial control. Zolensky says he is open to holding a

referendum on issues that cannot be resolved. There are some questions, he said, that only the people of Ukraine can answer. Zelensky says such a vote can only be held after a ceasefire is in place as Russia attacks Ukraine nearly every day. Tens of thousands of homes in Kiev are without power after Russian strikes overnight on. Saturday. So far, the Kremlin has not signed off on the latest proposal. Joanna Kikisis, NPR News, Kiev. The Veterans Affairs Health System is now banning abortion and abortion counseling.

NPR Estelina Simmons-Duffin reports on the change in VA policy after a Justice Department opinion issued Friday. Based on a Department of Justice memo, the VA confirmed to NPR it has put in place a new policy this week where abortion and abortion counseling is banned. except as, quote, life-saving treatment. That's a reversal of a policy during the Biden administration that allowed access in cases of rape and health risks. Kayla Williams is an Army veteran

and the former director of the Center for Women Veterans at VA. We are at increased risk of having physical health conditions related to toxic exposures, including various cancers. So barring not only abortion but also abortion counseling seems particularly cruel and inhumane. She also notes that women veterans are at increased risk of PTSD, which can cause worse pregnancy outcomes. Selina Simmons-Duffin, NPR News.

French seximal Brigitte Bardot has died. She became an international star in 1956 in the movie and God-created woman. She appeared in more than two dozen films and later became an animal rights activist. Here's how she viewed her career in a BBC interview heard here through an interpreter. I never plan anything that happens to me. I took life as it came on a daily, yearly basis, and I didn't ask myself bizarre questions because when you have the career I've had,

you don't turn up your nose at it. I did appreciate what I had. I found it extraordinary. On the other hand, later, I understood I couldn't spend my life making films. The animal rights group she founded said she died today in southern France. She was 91.

This is NPR News. Guinea is holding its first presidential election since General Mamadie Dumboea seized power in a coup in 2021. He's running for election and is expected to win over eight other candidates. More audiences watch movies at the movies in 2025 than the previous year. That's according to the Theatre Owners Trade Association, Cinema United. As NPR's Mandalay Del Barco reports, It found the biggest growth was with moviegoers in Generation Z.

Cinema United reports that the number of habitual moviegoers, those who watch films in theaters at least six times a year, is on the upswing. Leading the way are those aged 13 to 28, says the group's president and CEO Michael O'Leary. He says Gen Z audiences went to cinema's 25% more this year than last. Gen Z is drawn to the larger screen formats. They love the ability, frankly, to order their food from their seat. They also like the big, comfortable, modern state-of-the-art recliners.

He says particularly for younger people, watching movies and theaters is a break from cell phones, social media, and other digital inundation. The report comes at a time when cinefiles worry about the future of movie theaters in this streaming age. Mandalay Del Barco, NPR News. Today is the last day for Florida's Black Bear Hunt. Since December 6, hunters were allowed to kill black bears with a rifle or a crossbow, one bear each. The state issued 172 bear hunt permits by lottery. Some went to opponents of the hunt who never intended to use them. The state has not provided information on how many bears have been killed.

I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.