NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-29-2025 2PM EST

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Federal prosecutors want the man accused of planting two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., the night before the January 6, 2021 Capitol Riot, to remain in custody pending trial. In a new court filing, prosecutors also detail some of what Brian Cole Jr. told investigators after his arrest early this month. We have more from NPR's, Ryan Lucas. Prosecutors say Cole agreed to speak to investigators after his December 4th arrest. Court papers say Cole initially denied making the pipe bombs, but later acknowledged that he both built them and placed them near the Republican and Democratic National Party headquarters. He also allegedly told investigators that, quote, something just snapped, end quote, after the 2020 presidential election and the claims that it was stolen.

He allegedly said that if the vote was indeed stolen, then someone needed to, quote, speak up. Cole allegedly said he didn't like the Republican or Democratic Party, but he wanted to do something to them because, they were in charge. He also denied his actions were directed at Congress. Cole is due back in court Tuesday. Ryan Lucas and Pierre News, Washington. The Upper Midwest is no stranger to winter storms, but one meteorologist says a blizzard and whiteout conditions, together with sharply strong winds and a sudden steep drop and temperatures have created, quote, a pretty significant system for even this part of the country. Although weather prediction centers, Cody Snell says there were also reports of an EF1 tornado

that struck central Illinois yesterday. There was some structural damage, and eight homes destroyed, in fact. So there was home damage. Looks like some garages, roofs blown off. So definitely impacts associated with those strong winds associated with the tornado. Poweraddage.U.S. has more than 350,000 people nationwide lost electricity as of this morning. The Trump administration has announced more details on how states will be seen. scored as they scramble for a bigger slice of a new $50 billion fund for rural health care.

NPR's Frank Ordonez reports the administration's warning it could claw back money if states don't implement promise policies. Dr. Mehmet-Az, the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced the first tranche of money is currently being distributed. The purpose of this $50 billion investment in rural health care is not to pay off bills. The purpose of this $50 billion investment. is to allow us to right-size the system and to deal with the fundamental hindrances of improvement in rural health care.

The funds were added to help rural hospitals following deep cuts to Medicaid. Half the money will be divided equally among states that apply. But the second half of the funds will be dispensed based on criteria that urges states to enact White House-favored policies in order to increase their share. Franco, Ordonez, NPR News. This is NPR. Three days after Israel became the first country to formally recognize an independent state of Somaliland, China says it is opposed. Lijan, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry in Beijing, urged other countries to oppose what they describe as external interference and instead support a united, stable Somalia.

The diplomatic dispute is developing as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets this afternoon, with President Trump, who recently leveled disparaging attacks against Somalia and Americans of Somali descent. British boxer Anthony Joshua has been involved in a deadly car crash in Nigeria. Authorities say two people were killed in the crash, but Joshua escaped with minor injuries. More from NPR's Jewel Bright. Nigerian authorities say Joshua was traveling along the Lagos Ibaron Express Way, as it today, when his car collided with a truck parked at the side of the road. The car's driver and another person in the front seat were killed on impact.

Joshua was seated at the back of the car and was rescued with minor injuries. Videos of Joshua went seen in pain while being pulled from the vehicle have gone viral on social media. The Zegosibadon Expressway is one of Nigeria's busiest roads. According to local media, Joshua was reportedly traveling to the hometown of his Nigerian parents in Shagamo, South Wales. Nigeria when the crash occurred. The accident comes a week after Joshua defeated American boxer Jake Paul in a six-run boxing bout in Miami. Drew Bright, MPR Newslegos. This is NPR.