NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-18-2024 8AM EST

Episode Date: December 18, 2024

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Hi, it's Terri Gross from Fresh Air. I just interviewed Billie Eilish and Finneas about many things, including how Billie's signature baggy clothes came from watching hip hop videos. Instead of being jealous of the women who get to be around the hot men, I would be jealous of the hot men. And I wanted to dress like them and I wanted to be able to act like them. Find this Fresh Air interview wherever you listen to podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Congressional leaders have released details of their bipartisan stopgap spending plan. They need to pass the measure quickly or the federal government will partially shut down
Starting point is 00:00:36 late Friday night. It's worth about $100 billion and there is a lot of money set aside to help pay for disaster recovery such as hurricanes It's expected to pass but MPs Claudia. Grizales says the conservative freedom caucus is objecting to the cost of the legislation Other conservative Republicans, however in both chambers called it garbage quote reckless spending So there's enough jam packed in this bill that's causing its share of controversy for some along the way, but many are still betting this bipartisan plan will still survive its critics.
Starting point is 00:01:10 NPR's Claudia Grisales reporting, the spending only runs through mid-March. Russian authorities say they've detained a suspect in the killing of a Russian general who led the country's nuclear and chemical warfare division. NPR's Ryland Barton reports Russian investigators claim the suspect was recruited by Ukrainian special forces. General Igor Kirilov and his assistant were killed Tuesday when a bomb detonated inside a scooter. According to a statement from Russia's security service, the suspect is an Uzbek citizen who had been promised $100,000 and permission to move to Europe in exchange for carrying out the
Starting point is 00:01:44 attack. He allegedly set up a camera that live-streamed the scene to Ukrainian handlers before detonating the bomb. Russian officials say he faces up to life in prison. The attack took place a day after Ukraine's security service charged General Kirilov with directing the use of banned chemical weapons. Ukrainian officials claimed responsibility for the attack. Rylan Barton, NPR News.
Starting point is 00:02:06 Despite efforts to address climate change, new research shows global demand for coal reached a record high this year. NPR's Jeff Brady reports much of the increase is in fast-growing Asian nations. U.S. coal production has declined for more than a decade, but carbon dioxide from burning coal in the past is responsible for much of the climate pollution in the atmosphere now. Keske Satomori with the International Energy Agency says now developing countries are the ones increasing coal production and consumption.
Starting point is 00:02:36 The shift of coal to Asia continues. So China, India, and ASEAN countries account for over three quarters of the global coal demand. He says that demand likely will level off and decline in coming years. That's because countries like China are also building a lot of renewable energy, wind and solar, as well as nuclear energy plants, which are considered climate friendly. Jeff Brady, NPR News. The Biden administration may loan a California utility up to $15 billion. Pacific Gas and Electric says it wants to use the money to expand hydro power capacity and its battery storage. PG&E could also upgrade how much electricity is transmitted over its power
Starting point is 00:03:22 lines. This is NPR. France has rushed teams to its Indian Ocean territory, the island of Mayotte. It was hit Saturday by a cyclone that went on to make landfall in East Africa. Authorities say 22 people have been killed in Mayotte, but they fear hundreds more could have perished. But they can't tell.
Starting point is 00:03:40 Many victims have already been buried, and communication is out with parts of the island. On the South Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, this week's earthquake has killed at least 14 people. Water is partially out to the capital. The quake broke reservoirs that supply the city. This week's Billboard rankings are out. NPR Stephen Thompson reports holiday favorites are dominating. It's beginning to look a lot like last year's Billboard charts. If you compare this week's Hot 100 to the same chart from 12 months ago, you'll find that the top five is identical.
Starting point is 00:04:15 All I want for Christmas Mariah Carey's at number one, where she's been for 16 non-consecutive weeks in six consecutive years. Then you've got Brenda Lee, Bobby Helms, Wham, and Burl Ives. In that exact order, just like last year. What's really hard to find on the holiday charts is new music.
Starting point is 00:04:48 The highest-charting holiday song from this year is Christmas Magic by Leve at number 79. Stephen Thompson, NPR News. And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

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