NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-18-2025 8PM EST

Episode Date: December 19, 2025

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This message comes from Bayer. Science is a rigorous process that requires questions, testing, transparency, and results that can be proven. This approach is integral to every breakthrough Bayer brings forward. Innovations that save lives and feed the world. Science Delivers.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. A person of interest authorities suspect is responsible for the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday has been identified. A local law enforcement. source told Ocean State Media, there is now an outstanding warrant for the individual's arrest. The source said the shooting killed two students and wounded nine others in a classroom. President Trump's blockade on oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela is just the latest example of his aggressive use of American power abroad. NPR's Franco Ordonia's reports on how Trump has reshaped U.S. foreign policy through an America-first lens. Since taking office, President Trump's used tariffs as a weapon against allies, declared war,

on drug cartels and secured the release of hostages from Gaza. Lori Esposito Murray is a veteran in diplomatic circles. She says the expectations at the beginning of the administration that Trump would isolate the U.S. were clearly wrong. I would say that the main goal of America first and the president's foreign policy is to not to withdraw, but to engage, to reshape the world order, fundamentally reshape the global trade and financial systems to U.S. preferences. Murray says Trump is using both economic and military power to pursue U.S. interests, albeit in targeted ways.

She points to the strikes on Iran and the military buildup outside of Venezuela. Franco, Ordonez, and PR News, the White House. Belgium is calling for guarantees from the EU to protect against Russian retaliation before backing a massive loan for Ukraine. Leaders are deciding whether to use frozen Russian assets to underwrite a loan for Ukraine's needs. needs over the next two years. Belgium fears a Russian backlash and prefers borrowing from international markets. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Waver said today, quote, give me a parachute and we'll all jump together. Retired NASCAR star Greg Biffel and his family were killed Thursday in a fiery plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. WFAE's Kenneth Lee reports police say

seven people have died in the crash. On Thursday morning, a Citation 550 business jet crash while landing at Statesville Airport. The plane was owned by retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. During a press conference, Sergeant Christopher Knox said they believed Biffle was aboard the jet. Biffle was one of those seven deceased occupants due to not only the information of those occupants that was recorded, but also visual from aircraft or from staff that was here at the airport, that he was one of the occupants that was on the plane at the time. Statesville Airport remains closed. Biffle family acquaintances, including U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson, say Biffle's family,

including his wife and two children, were also aboard the plane. The FAA is investigating what caused a crash. For NPR News, I'm Kenneth Lee and Charlotte. U.S. stocks rose today after an encouraging report on inflation. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The parent company of President Trump's truth social media is merging with a nuclear Fusion Company. The venture aims to power the next wave of artificial intelligence. Trump Media and Technology shares had tumbled 70% this year, but jumped 37% today. Fusion has been seen as a long way off, but tech companies view it as a promising way to power energy-hungry AI data centers. Pope Leo the 14th has appointed Bishop Ronald Hicks as the next Archbishop of

New York. This follows the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who led New York's 2.8 million Catholics for more than 16 years. NPR's Sarah Ventry has more. Currently serving as the bishop of Joliet, Illinois, Hicks grew up in South Holland, just down the road from Pope Leo's hometown. Also like Leo, he served in South America. For Hicks, it was five years in El Salvador. Years he says were formative. Speaking at a press conference at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Hicks addressed members of the media

in both English and Spanish. I was really formed by the Latino church. church. And I have a great heart for the Latino community. Hicks also spoke about the recent announcements of funds the Archdiocese has set aside to help resolve sexual abuse claims. He says that while the work is difficult, he hopes it will continue to help with accountability. The Archdiocese in New York is the second largest in the U.S. Sarah Ventry and Pierre News, New York. The Three-Eye Atlas Comet will pass within 167 million miles of Earth tomorrow. It's the third note. own interstellar object to pass through the solar system. This is NPR. This message comes from

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