NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-29-2025 9AM EST

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is scheduled to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his resort in Florida today. The two leaders are expected to discuss the next steps toward ending the war in Gaza and Iran's expanding missile program. The meeting comes a day after Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky held talks at Mara Lago aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. NPR's Danielle Kurt Slabin reports. Well, the very fact that they met seems to be a sign of momentum. Zelensky had put forward this 20-point peace proposal this past week, and the two men met shortly after and said they agreed on most of it.

But when they talked to reporters after their meeting, a peace deal certainly didn't seem imminent. Both men came out saying, essentially, we're optimistic and we'll keep talking, but that's roughly where they seem to be before the meeting. That's NPR's Daniel Kurtzleben reporting. Families of the victims of the mass shooting in Sydney this month are calling for more action from the federal government. Lindsay Arkley reports the appeal comes two weeks after 15 people were killed during an event marking Hanukkah on Bondi Beach. In an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, 17 families of the Bondi Beach victims

call for a federal inquiry known as a Royal Commission to investigate a rise in anti-Semitism in Australia since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023. They say the Royal Commission, the highest level of public investigation in Australia, should address alleged security agency failures. So far, Albanese has resisted calls for a Royal Commission, saying a top-level review he's already commissioned should be adequate to address potential failings in procedures and laws

that led to the shooting, which was allegedly inspired by the Islamic State Group. For NPR News, I'm Lindsayakley in Melbourne. As the year comes to a close, Republicans have an edge so far in the redistricting race set off by President Trump. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports Trump is trying to help the GOP keep control of the House after next year's midterm elections. Trump kicked off the mid-decade redistricting effort this past summer by pressing Texas to redraw its congressional map to help Republicans pick up five seats. California Governor Gavin Newsom then said his. special election, which approved a new map there that could shift five Republican-held seats to

the Democrats. Missouri and North Carolina, then each redrew their maps to pick up one seat apiece for the GOP. Meanwhile, a state law prompted Ohio to redistrict picking up another two seats for the Republicans, while a court-ordered Utah to redraw its map in such a way to help Democrats pick up a seat. The net effect nationwide is a possible gain of three seats for the GOP so far. For NPR News, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston. This is NPR News in Washington. The U.S. is pledging $2 billion in humanitarian aid to the United Nations, even as the Trump administration slashes foreign assistance and urges U.N. agencies to adapt to new financial constraints.

Officials say the amount is far less than past contributions, but still reflects what the White House calls a generous sum. In his first year back in the White House, President Trump has been shaking up Washington, but as NPRs, Tamry Keith reports, it's not just policy, it's also aesthetics. Trump has been on a remodeling spree, from tearing down the east wing of the White House to make room for his now $400 million ballroom and gilding the Oval Office to paving the rosegarten to resemble the patio at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. During a recent speech, Trump mused that he actually... has two jobs. I said somebody to somebody the other day, am I a better politician or a construction

real estate person? And they didn't know how to answer that question. I'm not sure how to answer it either if you want to know the truth. Trump admitted paying attention to the fine details of so many renovation projects does take time, but said it is relaxing. Tamara Keith, NPR News. The CDC says nearly 5 million people have come down with the flu so far this season. New York is seeing its worst outbreak on record, with more than 71,000 cases reported in just one week. Nationwide, more than a dozen states are reporting high or very high flu activity. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.