NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-31-2025 9PM EST

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Support for NPR and the following message come from the Limelson Foundation, working to harness the power of invention and innovation to accelerate climate action and improve lives around the world. Learn more at limelson.org. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. The U.S. Southern Command says U.S. forces launch strikes on two vessels off the coast of Venezuela today. Officials say intelligence confirmed that the boats were moving along known narco-trafficking routes. They say five people were killed. in those strikes.

Authorities in Iran have ordered a shutdown of government offices, banks, and universities across much of the country. The regime blames cold weather for the order, but the move comes as Iran is seeing its biggest protests in years. NPR's Jackie Northam reports. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in several cities across Iran over the past few days to protest the economy. Inflation is above 40%.

The country's currency has plummeted to a record low, and international sanctions have smothered investment. Many businesses have shuttered during this week's protests, and students have joined the demonstrations. Security forces are starting to crack down. Videos on social media show them firing tear gas into the crowds. Iran's moderate president, Massoud Pasechkian, is urging the regime to listen to what he calls the legitimate demands of the protesters. Jackie Northam, NPR News. A new law in Illinois now regulates how employers use AI when making new hires. This comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump targeting states passing AI regulations. For member station WBEZ, Malo Iqbal as more. Illinois employers are now banned from

using AI software to factor in demographic information, such as race or zip code when reviewing applicants. This also applies to employers promoting or disciplining their employees. Democratic State Senator Javier Cervantes of Chicago backed the measure. This is an unchecked technology if we lead a run, and then it could hurt us, right? So just like we're doing this with employment. So we just got to get in front of it, do our best we can. Illinois is no stranger to positioning itself as a firewall against Trump administration policies. Senator Servantes says he's expecting a legal fight. For NPR News, I'm Mawa-Ikbonne, Springfield, Illinois. Stock markets ended a volatile 2025 with big gains. NPR's Raphael NAM has more for us. It may be a market cliche, but it

truly has been a rollercoaster for stocks. There were some rough patches along the way. The launch of President Trump's tariffs sparked widespread fears about the global economy. The president also picked a fight with the Federal Reserve, threatening to fire Chairman Jerome Powell. And there was yet another government shutdown. But then there was also AI. Optimism that AI will be a game changer for the U.S. economy led to big gains in companies such as NVIDIA. As a result, indexes posted big gains in 2025, with the S&P up 16%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ up 20%. Raffelna, NPR News. And this is NPR News. Sexual violence against children is endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That's according to a new report from UNICEF, as NPR's Jonathan Lambert explains,

the problem is especially acute in conflict-affected regions. Sexual violence against children has been increasing in the country for several years. In 2024, more than 45,000 cases were reported, a number that will likely be surpassed in 2025. Ramatou Toure, Chief of Child Protection with UNICEF DRC, calls the problem endemic. It means that basically you have several layers or drivers that are compounded that makes it happen everywhere. About half the reported cases are in areas of conflict. Ture says sexual violence is often used as a weapon of war. But elsewhere, high rates of poverty and child marriage exacerbate the problem.

The report calls on the government to do more to support survivors. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News. Israeli military bulldozers pulled down homes in a West Bank refugee camp today. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced over the past 11 months in what Israel calls Operation Iron Wall. Israel says it's an effort to root out armed groups in the Israeli-occupied territory. The military has demolished or damaged at least 850 structures during the operation. Number 14, Texas beat number 18, Michigan in the Citrus Bowl today, 41 to 27. That game was tight until Texas quarterback Arch Manning broke for a 60-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Utah dominated Nebraska, 44 to 22, while Iowa beat Vanderbilt 34 to 27, and Duke beat Arizona State, 42 to 39. Ohio State of Miami are playing now in the Cotton Bowl. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.