NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-14-2025 3AM EST

Episode Date: January 14, 2025

NPR News: 01-14-2025 3AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The indicator from Planet Money is diving into the world of batteries. Not the kind you buy at the grocery store. We're talking really big batteries. The kind that can power thousands of homes. This technology came seemingly out of nowhere. We're digging deep into the battery industry in three back-to-back episodes. Listen to The Indicator from Planet Money podcast on NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. The White House is detailing the federal response to the devastating wildfires in Southern California. President Biden says that state and local firefighters have made progress in trying

to contain the flames. And Biden says the federal government will cover the firefighting costs for the next 180 days. I've activated 500 Marines from the Basin Pendleton to stand by to help in search and rescue, airlift support, and food and water distribution. Biden says congressional action will be needed to help provide the tens of billions of dollars that will be needed for Southern California's recovery. Southern California Edison is facing multiple lawsuits alleging the utility company's equipment

sparked the Eaton fire that's burning outside of Los Angeles. The cause of the fire, and several others in the region, is under investigation. The blazes have contained at least 24 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and scorched over 40,000 acres since breaking out a week ago. President Biden is calling on the incoming Trump administration to continue U.S. initiatives on artificial intelligence and clean energy. As NPR's Asma Khalid reports, Biden's comments came during a farewell speech on his foreign policy legacy. President Biden sees these two issues as key to shaping the future of the world,

and he had some sharp words for those in the next administration who have been skeptical about the clean energy transition. They don't even believe climate change is real. I think they come from a different century. They're wrong. They are dead wrong. Biden said China is trying to dominate the clean energy market and the U.S. can't allow that to happen. The other big priority he's calling on the next administration to continue is around artificial intelligence. He says the U.S. needs to make sure it remains in the lead and should not offshore the technology. Asma Khalid, NPR News. A federal judge has ordered a white nationalist group to pay $2.7 million in damages

for attacking a Boston musician in 2022. As NPR's Odette Youssef reports, the judgment is winning praise from those who counter violent extremism in the US. On July 4th of 2022, Charles Morel, a black man, was violently attacked by Patriot front members who were marching in Boston.

Boston police were monitoring the march at the time and offered medical assistance to Morel after the attack, but no criminal charges were filed. So Morel pursued civil remedies. Amy Spitalnik of the Jewish

Council for Public Affairs helped advise the plaintiff's team. Bringing this case makes very clear that this sort of violent extremism, no matter where it comes from, will face consequences. Patriot Front is an offshoot of another group that was found liable for organizing the fatal 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Odette Youssef, NPR News.

This is NPR. President Biden says he's pressing for a final ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza. The proposal calls for the release of all hostages in the territory in exchange for dozens of Palestinian detainees. Biden says the agreement also calls for increased humanitarian aid. U.S. and Arab mediators have reported significant progress but say that negotiations in Qatar are still ongoing. Swiss scientists have developed batteries powered by fungi. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports on this new breakthrough in which fungi generate electricity. The fungal batteries are made using a 3D printer. Scientists at the Swiss research institution EMPER

mixed printing ink with fungal cells. They combined two types of fungi, yeast fungus and white rot fungus, whose metabolisms together cause the right chemical reactions to generate electricity. The batteries are biodegradable. Rather than leaving behind toxic waste as most conventional batteries do, once these are spent they digest themselves from the inside. For now the amount of energy they generate is small. The scientists say they could supply power to sensors for agriculture or research in remote regions. Now the scientists are focusing on making the battery more powerful and long-lasting.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome. The space company Blue Origin once again canceled efforts to launch its new Glenn rocket. Launch attempts on Friday and Monday were delayed because of technical and weather issues. Another attempt is being planned for early Thursday. I'm Shea Stevens. This is NPR News.