U.S. strikes ISIS; Congress recap; holiday spending : NPR
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Today’s best stories
The United States has launched a “deadly strike” against Islamic State fighters in northwest Nigeria. President Trump announced this yesterday. Trump said in a Truth Social article that the strike was directed against “ISIS terrorist scum in northwest Nigeria, who have viciously targeted and killed, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen in many years, if not centuries!”
President Trump listens during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House December 15, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images North America
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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images North America
- 🎧 The attack constitutes “a significant intervention and an inflection point” in the American military engagement in Nigeria, NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu reports First. He notes that Christmas Day also carries religious symbolism. Although ISIS has become a leading force in rural areas and is one of several militant groups in the country, experts say the group targeted by the United States is not one of the main groups targeting Christians, according to Akinwotu. The key question now, he adds, is whether the strikes are aimed at defending Christians, as the president says, or at degrading ISIS in the region.
Holiday spending exceeded expectations, despite polls showing Americans have low confidence in the economy. Black Friday and Cyber Monday set records, with Mastercard estimating that spending increased by almost 4% in November and December.
- 🎧 “Increasingly, it is the rich who spend the most” NPR’s Alina Selyukh says. Many consumers are turning to more affordable options, such as TJ Maxx or thrift stores, but luxury brands like Ralph Lauren continue to perform well. Rising wages have fueled much of the country’s spending, Selyukh says, and the labor market will be a key element to watch in the coming year.
The Congress approached the year 2025 with an ambitious program: strengthening the economy, resolving the border crisis, strengthening the military and much more. But throughout the year, he ceded much of his power to Trump. Lawmakers passed a record number of bills as Trump dismantled parts of the government and clawed back billions in previously approved funding.
- 🎧 Nearly 30 House Republicans are not seeking re-election next year, NPR’s Claudia Grisales says. Speaker Mike Johnson saw a backlash from his own party when he virtually shut down the House during the 43-day shutdown. With a possible government shutdown in January and rising health care premiums, affordability is expected to dominate the election campaign — and Republicans aren’t guaranteed to retain their majority, Grisales notes.
Deep dive
A police officer stands guard as protesters march through downtown during a demonstration against President Trump’s immigration policies September 6 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Scott Olson/Getty Images
Crime declined across much of the United States in 2025 – both violent and property crimes – in big cities and small towns in red and blue. NPR spoke with researchers who study crime to find out what’s driving this trend and whether it could last. Here’s what they said:
- Homicides increased in 2020 and 2021 amid economic, financial and psychological stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers say the country has now passed this wave.
- The nationwide decline contrasts with the Trump administration’s description of crime, particularly in Democratic-led cities.
- Tahir Duckett, who directs the Center for Community Safety Innovations at Georgetown Law, warns that using crime to justify repression can erode civil rights and increase government power.
- Enforcement measures can also have the opposite effect, increasing distrust and making people less likely to call 911 or cooperate with police.
- Researchers are not optimistic that this trend will continue in 2026. Funding cuts worry experts like Ames Grawert of the Brennan Center for Justice.
Weekend Picks
Find out what NPR watch, read and listen this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Can Timothée Chalamet play an extremely boring character and captivate the audience from start to finish? Listen Pop Culture Happy Hour discuss his latest film, Marty Supremeto find out.
📺 Television: TV critic David Bianculli says 2025 offered so many great shows that he couldn’t narrow them down to a list. But in a year of intense television, it’s the series that he says stands out.
📚 Books: Next year will mark America’s 250th birthday. Consider these 10 books before July 4 to better understand U.S. history.
🎵 Music: Now that radio stations have turned off Christmas music, you can admit it: Is there a song you were sick of hearing? NPR explains why we hear the same songs year after year and why the canon of Christmas music is so difficult to penetrate.
🎭 Theater: Do you like “The Nutcracker”? You are not alone. This holiday staple brings in about half of many American ballet companies’ annual revenue. And since the pandemic, they have relied on it more than ever.
3 things to know before you leave
- This week Distant postcard takes readers to an iconic hair salon in the Jaffa flea market in much of Tel Aviv. When she needed a break from the news, NPR’s Hadeel Al-Shalchi took refuge in the store, which is deliberately protected by its owner and welcomes both Jews and Palestinians.
- The original Betty Boop, the first four Nancy Drew Greta Garbo’s books and first talking film are among many works from 1930 that will enter the public domain starting January 1.
- Is gaining strength one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2026? Life Kit’s Guide to Building Strength newsletter will give you a month of expert advice on how to create a sustainable strength and resistance training routine.
This newsletter was published by Majd Al-Waheidi.
