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The U.S. has launched a "deadly strike" against Islamic State fighters in northwest Nigeria, President Trump announced yesterday. Trump said in a Truth Social post that the strike was directed at "ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not see for many years, and even Centuries!"
Holiday spending exceeded expectations, despite polling that shows Americans have low confidence in the economy. Black Friday and Cyber Monday set records, with Mastercard estimating that spending grew by nearly four percent in November and December.
Congress entered 2025 with an ambitious agenda: strengthening the economy, addressing the border crisis, boosting the military and more. But throughout the year, it ceded much of its power to Trump. Lawmakers passed a record low number of bills as Trump dismantled parts of the government and clawed back billions in previously approved funding.
Crime fell across much of the U.S. in 2025 — both violent and property crimes — in big cities and small towns across red and blue. NPR spoke to researchers who study crime about what drove this trend, and whether it could last. Here's what they said: Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend: 🍿 Movies: Can Timothée Chalamet play a supremely annoying character and still captivate audiences from beginning to end? Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour discuss his latest film, Marty Supreme, to find out.
📺 TV: TV critic David Bianculli says 2025 offered so many great shows he couldn't narrow them down to a list. But in a year of intense TV, this is the series he says stands apart.
📚 Books: Next year marks America's 250th birthday. Consider these 10 books before the Fourth of July to gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history.
🎵 Music: Now that the radio stations have switched off the Christmas music, you can admit it: Was there a song you got sick of hearing? NPR breaks down why we hear the same songs year after year, and why the Christmas music canon is so hard to break into.
🎭 Theater: Love "The Nutcracker"? You're not alone. The holiday staple brings in about half of many U.S. ballet companies' annual revenue. And since the pandemic, they've relied on it more than ever.
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.