NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-28-2025 5AM EST

Episode Date: December 28, 2025

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Live from NPR news in Washington, I'm Jail Snyder. Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says this weekend's Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine show that Russia is not taking peace efforts seriously. This attack is, again, Russia's answer, on our peace efforts, and it's really showed that Putin doesn't want peace. Zelensky, speaking during a stopover in Halifax, where he met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Zelensky is now in Florida, preparing for today's meeting with President Trump and Mara Lago. The two are discussed the plan to end the war in Ukraine. Major differences remain on crucial issues.

Yesterday, Russia launched hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Kiev and other parts of Ukraine, knocking out power and heat in the capital. Polls are open in Myanmar, where voters are casting ballots today in the first phase of a general election. Myanmar's military rulers say it's a chance for a fresh start. critics say the election is a facade to legitimize military rule. Two more rounds of voting will be held next month before final results are announced. The Census Bureau is looking for temporary workers in six states to help carry out a major field test. As NPR's Hansi-Lawong reports, it's part of preparations for the 2030 census that will be used to redistribute political representation and federal

funding. The Census Bureau says it needs about 1,500 workers for the 2026 census test, and it's looking for U.S. citizens who live in parts of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Many of these temporary workers will be knocking on doors to help develop better ways of getting a count of every person living in the states in 2030. Those numbers determine each state chair of congressional seats, electoral college votes, and federal funding for public services. The 26th census test will also involve selected households from around the country. Starting in March, the Bureau says it plans to mail out invitations to take part in the test. Some census advocates are concerned, though, that growing distrust in the federal government may

discourage many people from participating. Onzi Luong, NPR News. Another winter storm system is forecast to bring more freezing temperatures and snow to parts of the Midwest and northeast. NPR's Matt Bloom reports in May calls travel headaches too. Airlines have delayed or canceled more than a thousand flights due to weather this weekend in the busy post-Christmas travel rush, and more could be in store. The next winter system named Ezra is set to bring strong winds and snow to the Great Lakes region and upper Midwest starting tonight. Impacts could stretch farther south and bring severe thunderstorms to the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. The weather is expected to bring more ice and snow to parts of the

Upper Northeast into Monday. Following the storm, a massive cold air is expected to send temperatures falling in much of the eastern and southern U.S. ahead of the New Year's holiday. Matt Bloom and PR News. you're listening to NPR News. Southern California's I-5 freeway is back open to traffic following a natural gas leak that forced authorities to shut it down yesterday. Los Angeles County issued a shelter-in-place order following the rupture of that gas line north of Los Angeles. It's not clear what caused the rupture, but local media say a mudslide may be responsible.

Pope Leo says he's, quote, very disappointed that Governor J.B. Pritzker of the Pope's home state of Illinois, signed a so-called right-to-die bill, allowing medical aid and dying. NPR Sarah Ventry reports on this latest American political issue that Leo is weighing in on. While the Catholic Church has long opposed medically assisted death, Pope Leo told the press that he had spoken to Governor Pritzker about this specifically. I spoke very explicitly with Governor Pritzker about that. At that time, the bill was already on his desk. We were very clear about the necessity to respect the sacredness of life from the very beginning to the very end. He also encouraged people to reflect on the nature and goodness of human life,

particularly during this Christmas season. Pope Leo has also been vocal about American immigration policies. He's referred to the Trump administration's treatment of migrants as inhuman, and he's questioned whether such treatment is really pro-life. Sarah Ventry, NPR News. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, morning a top church leader, Church announced the death of Jeffrey Holland this weekend, saying he died Saturday from kidney disease. He was 85 years old and next in line to become the church's president.

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.