ABC World News Tonight - Dec. 26, 2025

 

David Muir, ABC's World News Tonight, America's most watched newscast, now streaming same day with all the breaking news of the day on Disney Plus, most watched, most trusted, now on Disney Plus every night.

 

00:00 Intro

 

Tonight, coast to coast storms, heavy snow and ice in the northeast and a deadly flooding in California. The major winter storm on the move, states of emergencies declared in New Jersey and New York.

 

Travel disruptions as thousands of flights are canceled and delayed during one of the busiest periods of the holiday season. And the catastrophic flooding and mudslides in California after that record rainfall. Lee Goldberg is here with the forecast.

 

U.S. forces strike ISIS targets in Nigeria on Christmas Day. U.S. and Nigeria forces say they work together to carry out the deadly strikes several alleged terrorists killed. The U.S. now warns more strikes are coming.

The new details coming in tonight.

 

High stakes meeting. Ukrainian President Zelensky says he's meeting with President Trump on Sunday to discuss the latest draft of the peace plan. Is a deal to end the long war close?

 

Mother now charged with murder and what authorities are calling the calculated killing of her nine-year-old daughter in court today, entering a plea of not guilty.

 

The students being called heroes for rescuing their bus driver after she had trouble breathing, possibly saving her life.

 

Also tonight, a mother's heartbreak. Her family is in the headlines and at the center of a Post-Roe abortion law in Georgia. A young nurse is pregnant but legally dead on life support for months until the baby is born. Rachel Scott's emotional interview with her mother.

 

Did Travis Kelce play his final home game in Kansas City? His emotional moments with his fans. His fiancee, Taylor Swift, also at the game. Some are now wondering if the NFL great plans to retire.

 

The annual Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center canceled after Trump's name was added to the building. The latest fallout from the renaming of the famed performing arts center.

 

And America strong tonight. The gift of song. The band lifting the spirits of those most in need. Sharing one heart and one note at a time.

 

From ABC News World Headquarters in New York. This is World News Tonight with David Muir.

 

2:18 Dangerous winter storm triggers thousands of flight cancellations and delays

 

Good evening, everyone.

 

I'm Lindsay Davis in for David. We begin tonight with the dangerous storms from coast to coast as millions are set to return home or heading out of town to ring in the New Year.

 

ring in: to celebrate the start of a special occasion, especially the New Year, sometimes by ringing bells

 

States of emergencies declared in New York and New Jersey. This flight from Chicago forced to land in snow and icy conditions in Rochester, New York. Thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed in the northeast. The lake effect snow is also creating scenes like this in upstate New York.

 

An icy coating on trees, cars and roads in southeast Michigan. Thousands there are without power tonight. And the catastrophic and deadly storm in southern California.

 

Communities overwhelmed with flooding, mud and debris after days of record setting rain. Lee Goldberg is standing by with the forecast. But first, Faith Abubay leads us off tonight.

 

Tonight, whiteout conditions moving into the northeast as millions head home from Christmas. And millions more head out for the New Year. Make sure you have good tires.

 

tire [taɪr] n. 轮胎

 

Up to a foot of snow forecast for parts of New York. The state summoning some 1600 plow and salt trucks. New York and New Jersey declaring states of emergency.

 

Thousands of flights canceled or delayed on one of the busiest days to fly. And more already scrapped for tomorrow. In the west, relentless rain from an atmospheric river washing away cars and roads.

 

scrap [skræp] v. 报废; 放棄; 取消

 

Oh my God. L.A. County Fire says they rescued more than 100 people from flooded vehicles on Christmas Day alone. North of Los Angeles, mudslides encasing cars and homes in rocky debris.

 

encase [ɪnˋkes] v. 把…包住;把…围住

 

Families in Wrightwood left to pick up the pieces. KABC reporter Liz Nagy in nearby hard hit Lytle Creek. From this Lytle Creek neighborhood, there's now no way out except on foot.

 

pick up the pieces 重整旗鼓；力求恢复正常

 

This bridge buckled under the intensity of raging floodwaters. Day three of relentless pouring rain here in Southern California. And in the mountains, up to five feet of snow.

 

buckle [ˋbʌk!] v.弯曲，变形

 

Interstate 80 over Donna Pass shut down in both directions Thursday. At the Mammoth Mountain ski area today, authorities say two ski patrol members were injured during avalanche mitigation in the area. And Lindsay, here in New York City, we could see snowfall rates up to two inches an hour.

 

mitigation [͵mɪtəˋgeʃən] n. 減少

 

And another system is set to impact the northeast on Sunday. Lindsay.

 

People being urged to stay off the roads if they can. Faith, thank you.

 

4:41 Tracking the winter storm bringing heavy snow to multiple states in the Northeast

 

And we want to get right to Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg from our New York station, WABC. Lee, I know you're tracking these powerful storms. It sounds like another one is already on the way.

 

Yes, we are underway. First flakes in New York City.

 

And you heard Faith say two inches an hour. You won't be able to see that building behind me once we really start cranking with the storm in the next couple of hours. We have winter weather alerts across the northeast.

 

crank [kræŋk] v. (用曲柄)启动

 

And it's winter storm warnings from central New York right down into New York City and also western New England. But it's ice storm warnings across western Pennsylvania. Very dangerous situation setting up.

 

See how you have the heavier bands from about Syracuse into the Hudson Valley down to Long Island. It's going to be just near New York City or just to the north. And then all the icing going on across parts of central Pennsylvania.

 

Look at the timing. This is a quick hitter. A lot of this is coming in a short period of time tonight into the wee hours of the morning.

 

wee [wi] adj. 很早的

 

There's still some lingering light snows and freezing drizzle tomorrow morning. But it winds down. Travel conditions still really tough.

 

drizzle [ˋdrɪz!] n. 毛毛雨

wind down 放松一下

 

In terms of accumulations, double digit totals probably just north of New York City. It's close in the city. Probably a 7 or 8 inch storm in the park, Central Park, Long Island getting high totals.

 

And then you go south, Philadelphia less, Boston less to the north. But significant icing going on as you go over Pennsylvania. Power outages there possible as well.

 

Rest of the weekend we start to dry out. A storm will be moving from the Rockies with snow into the Ohio Valley by Sunday with some rain. Could move into the northeast by later Sunday and still some icing inland.

 

Thankfully, we will start to dry out as we get closer to New Year's Eve. Lindsay?

 

All right, we look forward to that. Lee, thank you.

 

6:08 Pentagon: Multiple ISIS terrorists killed after U.S. strikes in Nigeria

 

Overseas now to U.S. strikes targeting terrorists in Nigeria on Christmas Day. President Trump says it was to protect Christians in that country. But Nigerian officials say the strikes were aimed at protecting all religions, not just Christians.

 

Here's ABC's senior White House correspondent Selina Wang.

 

Tonight, new scenes of the aftermath of the U.S. missile strike in Nigeria on Christmas Day. The Pentagon releasing this video, a U.S. warship firing a tomahawk cruise missile from the Gulf of Guinea.

 

tomahawk  [ˋtɑmə͵hɔk] n.（美洲土著人用的）战斧

 

A U.S. official telling ABC News more than a dozen missiles were launched. In a village targeted by the strikes in northwest Nigeria, residents carrying a piece of metal debris as a fire rages in a field. The next day, locals gathering as police sweep the site of a missile strike.

 

President Trump saying he ordered the strikes against terrorists who, quote, have been targeting and viciously killing primarily innocent Christians.

 

Tonight, the president saying he delayed the strikes for symbolic reasons, telling Politico, quote, they were going to do it earlier. And I said, nope, let's give a Christmas present.

 

The Pentagon says multiple ISIS terrorists were killed. U.S. and Nigerian officials confirming they worked together on this operation.

 

Analysts tell ABC News the reality on the ground in Africa's most populous country, home to millions of Christians and Muslims, is complex.

 

Christians are not the sole target of ISIS in Nigeria. They have been indiscriminate in their violence.

 

indiscriminate [͵ɪndɪˋskrɪmənɪt] adj. 不加区别的，无差别的

 

Nigeria's government responding to the strikes overnight saying terrorist violence in any form, whether directed at Christians, Muslims or other communities, remains an affront to Nigeria's values and to international peace and security.

 

affront [əˋfrʌnt] n. 公然侮辱；轻蔑

 

The Christmas strikes are the second this week. Last Friday, the U.S. carrying out dozens of airstrikes against ISIS in Syria in response to the deadly attack that killed three Americans.

 

Selina Wang joins us now from Palm Beach, where President Trump is spending the Christmas holiday and planning to host some world leaders. What more can you tell us, Selina?

 

Well, Lindsay, President Trump will host Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago club in the coming days. And the agenda is expected to be wide ranging, with the focus on how to advance the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire into the next phase. Iran's nuclear activities are also expected to be front and center in these discussions. Lindsay?

 

Selina, thank you.

 

8:37 Zelenskyy: Will meet with Trump on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago for peace talks

 

Ukraine's President Zelensky also says he's meeting with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday to finalize a draft of the peace deal with Russia. Zelensky says the 20-point plan is 90 percent complete, but could Russia throw a wrench in their plans? ABC's Patrick Rievel joins us now.

 

wrench [rɛntʃ] n.【美】扳手，扳钳

throw a wrench 從中作梗; 搗亂

 

Patrick? Hi, Lindsay. President Zelensky says that he will meet with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago this Sunday in another bid to try to push a peace deal forward.

 

Now, Zelensky upbeats finalizing the most sensitive points of the latest draft of a 20-point plan that's been worked out between Ukraine and U.S. negotiators, including security guarantees for Ukraine.

 

upbeat [ˋʌp͵bit] adj. 令人乐观的(此處當動詞使用)

 

But Trump, in an interview with Politico, saying that Zelensky, quote, doesn't have anything until I approve it. It comes just days after Zelensky said he is ready to withdraw troops from Ukraine's Donbas region and make the areas that it still controls demilitarized zones, offering a compromise on a key demand of Vladimir Putin. But the problem is, so far, the Kremlin shows no sign of accepting this new proposal.

 

Today, Russia's deputy foreign minister saying that Zelensky's plan is radically different from what Russia has discussed with the U.S.

 

Now, Russia over Christmas again pummeling Ukraine, killing two today and injuring eight in Kharkiv. So, despite the positive signals coming from Kiev, it's still very difficult to see a deal being reached yet. Lindsay.

 

10:03 Mother of Ashlee Buzzard appears in court, charged in daughter's murder

 

Patrick, thank you. Back here in the U.S., new details tonight in the tragic death of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard. Her mother is now charged with murder, pleading not guilty in court today and ordered held without bail.

 

Here's ABC's Andrew Dimber.

 

Tonight, Ashlee Buzzard appearing in court charged with murdering her 9-year-old daughter, Melodee. Prosecutors alleging Ashlee intentionally killed her daughter, Melodee, using a 9-millimeter firearm.

 

Melodee missing for more than two months. Authorities say her remains were eventually located in a rural area outside of Caineville, Utah.

 

locate [loˋket] v. 探出，找出

 

The mother and daughter leaving their home in Lompoc, California, on October 7th for a three-day road trip to Nebraska.

 

According to authorities, Ashlee rented a white 2024 Chevy Malibu and traveled more than 3,000 miles for the road trip. Investigators saying this is the route they believe she took. Investigators claiming Ashlee wore wigs and switched license plates along the way.

 

This surveillance video showing the mother and daughter at a rental car facility. Ashlee returning home on October 10th without her daughter. A school administrator later reporting Melodee's disappearance, setting off a desperate multi-state search.

 

Lindsay, that mother is being held without bail. She's due back in court January 7th. Lindsay?

 

Andrew Dymburt for us. Thank you.

 

11:16 Ohio siblings jump into action to help bus driver during medical emergency

 

Next tonight, two Ohio siblings are being called heroes after they quickly jumped into action when their school bus driver suffered a medical emergency, possibly saving her life. Here's ABC's Mola Langhi.

 

Tonight, two Ohio siblings are being hailed as heroes after helping save the life of their school bus driver.

 

Crestview School District in Ashland sharing this video of the dramatic incident last Friday morning. Charlie and Katrina Thomas rushing to the aid of their driver who was having trouble breathing.

 

I ran up there and said, what is wrong? And she pointed at her throat. And then I ran back there and got the older kids. We were on a hill, like, going downwards.

 

downwards [ˋdaʊnwɚd] adv. 向下

 

So I, like, pulled the parking brake out. Eight-year-old Katrina was the first to see the driver in distress. Her brother Charlie bolting to the front of the bus.

 

bolt [bolt] v. 快速移动; 奔跑，快跑

 

That's when I realized that something was going on. I went up there and grabbed the radio and then called the school because I knew that that was the quickest way we could get help.

 

The school district stating the driver experienced a breathing-related medical issue, praising the students and staff for their quick thinking and calm response.

 

I was very proud. I was joyful that my kids were knowledgeable enough and knew enough to know what to do to actually help somebody. Proud and happy with myself.

 

And happy that we got her all, like, better now.

 

Lindsay, tonight that bus driver out of the hospital. She told ABC affiliate WEWS that she makes it a point to teach students how to use the two-way radio on the bus.

 

And tonight, she's just glad they were listening, Lindsay.

 

Quick thinking kids there, Mola. Thank you.

 

13:05 Mother whose daughter was kept on life support due to abortion ban speaks out

 

Now to a Georgia family at the center of a national debate. A pregnant nurse declared brain dead but kept on life support for months. Her family says a state law left them with no input as doctors focused on keeping the fetus alive.

 

fetus [ˋfitəs] n.（三个月后的）胎儿

 

Rachel Scott sat down with the mother as questions grow over how Georgia's abortion law is being applied.

 

Tonight, the heartbreak for the family of a pregnant woman. A young nurse, Adriana Smith, expecting her second child.

 

expect [ɪkˋspɛkt] v.（用进行式）怀孕，怀胎

 

When her own health suddenly spiraled, she was soon declared dead. I sat down with Adriana's mom, April Newkirk.

 

spiral [ˋspaɪrəl] v. 急剧恶化

 

When did you start to realize that something was wrong with Adriana?

 

I think she was having really, really, really bad headaches.

 

Really, really bad to the point where that's when she went to the hospital. CT scans show that there were blood clots everywhere.

 

clot [klɑt] n.（血等的）凝块

 

Less than two weeks later, doctors told the family that young mother had died.

 

They declared her brain death February 19th. The fetus at the time had a heartbeat, so they said that they would treat the baby as the patient and she was no longer the patient because of the law that they have here in Georgia.

 

Georgia's law known as the LIFE Act went into effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.

 

It bans abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy and deems fetuses living distinct persons.

 

living distinct person 具生命且独立的个体

 

The law only allows narrow exceptions for medical emergencies, rape and incest, and medically futile pregnancies. Though Adriana was brain dead, her death certificate sang February 19th.

 

incest [ˋɪnsɛst] n. 近亲相奸，乱伦

futile [ˋfjut!] adj. 无效的

sing [sɪŋ] v. 宣告著; to proclaim or extol something in verse

 

Her mother says doctors kept her on life support for 16 more weeks in an effort to save her pregnancy. In June, the baby was born premature at around 26 weeks. He's been in the NICU ever since.

 

NICU [ˈnɪkju] n. 初生婴儿加护病房

 

He's not your regular premature baby. He's struggling.

 

In initial statements in May, the hospital, Emory Healthcare, said they make individualized treatment recommendations in compliance with Georgia's abortion laws and all other applicable laws.

 

applicable [ˋæplɪkəb!] adj. 可应用的，合用的；可实施的

 

In a recent statement to ABC News, the hospital said in part, some of our patients present with the most complex and difficult situations where there may not be clinical, legal, societal, or legal agreement on the best course.

 

Suzanne Guy opposes abortion rights and lobbied for the Georgia law.

 

Do you think there should have been an exception in Adriana's case?

 

Rachel, I don't. That little boy is valuable and deserved to be protected and fought for.

 

But Adriana's mother says watching her daughter deteriorate for 16 weeks after she was already declared dead is not something any family should have to go through.

 

I feel like we should have had a choice, but we didn't.

 

I really think it should be a choice. I just do. I just do.

 

Lindsay, the hospital tells us they cannot release any more details about Adriana's case because the family has not given them permission to do so. But this case does highlight the confusion surrounding Georgia's abortion laws.

 

In a statement, Georgia's Attorney General tells us there is nothing in the Life Act that requires medical professionals to keep a woman on life support after brain death. Lindsay?

 

Rachel, thank you. When we come back, two North Carolina police officers are in the hospital after a shooting at an Edible Arrangement. What do we know about the suspect?

 

Travis Kelce, retirement rumors swirl after what may have been his final home game and America strong.

 

See how a band of carolers is spreading joy to Indiana families in need.

 

caroler [ˋkærəlɚ] n. 唱圣歌者；欢唱的人

 

16:38 2 North Carolina officers recovering after shootout at Edible Arrangements shop

 

Tonight, two police officers in Mint Hill, North Carolina, have been upgraded to stable condition following a shootout at an Edible Arrangement. Shortly before 11 a.m. this morning, police responded to an emergency call regarding a child custody exchange.

 

shootout [ˋʃut͵aʊt] n. 枪战

 

Investigators say the suspect was shot and killed.

 

16:54 UPS plane crash victim succumbs to injuries on Christmas Day, marking 15th death

 

Tonight, we have word that a 15th person has now died as a result of that UPS plane crash in Kentucky last month. The man succumbed to his injuries Christmas Day, seven weeks after the crash.

 

word [wɝd] n. 消息，音訊(視為不可數名詞)

succumb [səˋkʌm] v. 屈从，屈服；放弃抵抗；承认失败

 

A preliminary report from the NTSB found the Honolulu-bound cargo plane's left engine separated from the aircraft and burst into flames shortly after takeoff.

 

When we come back, speculation swirls around the future of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Is he hanging up his cleats?

 

speculation [͵spɛkjəˋleʃən] n. 猜测

tight end 近端锋(是美式足球中进攻组的一个位置)

cleat [klit] n. 鞋钉

 

To the Index, and what was meant to be a celebration is now a controversy.

 

17:23 Host of Trump-Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert cancels concert in wake of art institution’s name change

 

The Kennedy Center canceled its annual Christmas Eve jazz concert. The show's host, musician Chuck Redd, says he called off the performance in the wake of President Trump adding his own name to the arts institution. Many legal scholars say Trump's move violates the law.

 

call off 取消

 

17:41 Speculation grows over whether Travis Kelce played his last game for Kansas City

 

Tonight, speculation is growing about the future of three-time Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce. Kelce appears emotional during the national anthem before last night's loss to the Denver Broncos.

 

His fiancee, Taylor Swift, watched on from the stands as Kelce played what could be his final home game in Kansas City.

 

As he headed into the tunnel, fans erupted into cheers, showering him with adulation that some say felt like a farewell.

 

adulation [͵ædʒəˋleʃən] n.（尤指名不副实的）称赞，吹捧，恭维，奉承

 

Kelce has not made an announcement on his future. When we come back, we head to Indiana and a special group of musicians bringing hope to those in need.

 

18:15 America Strong: Indy Big Band Christmas Caroling musicians spread holiday cheer to those in need

 

Finally, America strong. We head to Indiana for some much-needed Christmas spirit.

 

In this quiet Indianapolis neighborhood, something unexpected fills the cold December air.

 

On this school bus, a big band with a simple mission to make sure this season, no matter how difficult, is still joyful.

 

We wish you the merriest, the merriest.

 

This is a giant band that goes around town, carols for those in need. It's typical caroling, but on steroids.

 

carol [ˋkærəl] v. 歌頌；歡唱

on steroids 加強版; used for saying that something is an extreme example or version of something

 

Not a parade or a concert hall, but a home in need of some holiday cheer. Thank you so much.

 

And these volunteers deliver.

 

We've had a rough year, medically. It's been tough.

 

We were very taken aback. They wanted to come and share all their talents with us.

 

They don't sell tickets or take a stage.

 

Instead, these 50 band members show up wherever they're needed.

 

These are people who have had a rough year, are in need, are sick, have had a relative pass away, it doesn't matter. They need a little happiness, they need a little spirit, so we go and uplift them.

 

In driveways, bunched up in a living room, or in backyards. They also pay visits to local fire stations and nursing homes. Now in its 12th year, they hope to take this charity effort nationwide.

 

bunch up 聚成一團

pay a visit 参观；访问

 

Lingering smiles and joyful memories, proof that sometimes the biggest holiday magic doesn't come wrapped under a tree. It pulls up with a trumpet or a trombone and a whole lot of heart.

 

lingering [ˋlɪŋgərɪŋ] adj. 逗留不去的

pull up 停车; 停下

trumpet [ˋtrʌmpɪt] n. 喇叭；小号

trombone [trɑmˋbon] n. 长号，伸缩长号

 

You can feel it. Thanks so much for watching. I'm Lindsay Davis. Good night.

 

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