NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-10-2024 7PM EST

Episode Date: December 11, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Israel has bombed more than 350 military sites in Syria in just the past 48 hours, as it seeks to take advantage of a power vacuum there and ensure hostile forces can't turn weapons against them. The attacks followed the stunning collapse of Syria's government and the ouster of authoritarian leader Bashar al-Assad. NPR's Ruth Sirlak has more from the capital Damascus. Damascus is calm, but there were these huge plumes of smoke rising from buildings that were hit by heavy bombardments by Israel, who's been targeting military positions of

the former regime. So the air was thick with this kind of acrid dust and it catches in your throat. We saw people wandering around into security bases and palaces, and these are places they couldn't have stepped inside before. And now they're curious, trying to see the insides of this regime that ruled them for so long. It is the first time in 50 years Syrians are experiencing life outside the shadow of an Assad government. Israel says its troops are looking to secure a buffer zone inside Syria, established after the 1973 Mideast War.

The man police suspect for the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO last week in midtown Manhattan is challenging extradition to New York. WPSU's Sydney Roach reports from the extradition hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. 26-year-old Luigi Mangione wore an orange jumpsuit as police led him to his seat in the courtroom. His wrists and ankles were restrained. Mangione tried to speak up at one point in the hearing, but his lawyer, Thomas Dickey, turned around and said, quote, not a word. Dickey told the court they want a hearing on Mangione's extradition. The

Blair County District Attorney's Office says it's in the process of getting a governor's warrant from New York. The court gave the state 30 days, during which time Mangione plans to contest extradition. The court also denied bail, with Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks saying Mangione is a flight hazard. For NPR News, I'm Sydney Roach in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Southern California fire crews continue to battle the wind-driven Franklin Fire, which destroyed more than 2,700 acres and some structures in the beach city of Malibu. Steve Futterman reports.

Fire officials here are trying to take advantage of slightly better conditions. The Santana winds have calmed down a bit, but that's only temporary. After an exhausting night for fire crews, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Moroni says the damage so far is less than he expected. We have only a minimal number of homes destroyed. Thankfully, we have no reports of serious injuries or fatalities. Dozens and dozens of homes are still in danger and evacuation orders remain in effect. This longtime Malibu resident Ben Marquez says fires are simply part of living here. It's the most benign place in the world

until it isn't and now it looks like Hades. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Malibu. You're listening to NPR News. Airplane maker Boeing is back to producing its 737 MAX jetliner for the first time since September, when around 33,000 machinists went on strike seeking higher pay. Boeing announced the resumption of production to its plant and rent in Washington near Seattle. Both the MAX and another plane, the 787 Dreamliner, have had manufacturing problems in recent years. The FAA is limiting production of the MAX jets until it's convinced Boeing has corrected quality issues. Familiar faces return to the top of the Billboard charts this week after long absences. NPR Stephen Thompson has

this report. There's a new number one song in the country but you'll be forgiven if it sounds familiar. Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You is back on top of the Billboard Hot 100. The 30-year-old holiday perennial has now topped the chart in six different years. That's an all-time record, and it is not even close. Old Music is also having a big week on the albums chart. Bing Crosby returns to the top ten for the first time in 64 years thanks to a new compilation of his holiday hits. And Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets department returns to number one thanks to the release of its supersized deluxe edition on vinyl and CD.

Stephen Thompson, NPR News. With an abbreviated holiday shopping season this year, people who track spending will be keeping a close eye on things. Just 27 days separate Thanksgiving and Christmas. National Retail Federation says it expects sales to rise between 2.5 and 3.5 percent. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.