Jack Spear

France's anti-terrorism court has convicted eight people of involvement in the beheading of a teacher in 2020. The teacher was killed near Paris days after showing his class cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a bait on free expression. The assailant, an 18-year-old Russian of Chechen origin, was shot to death by police. Stocks gained ground on Wall Street today.

All three of the major indexes up more than 1%. This is NPR. Starbucks workers in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago are walking off the job today at the start of a five-day strike targeting the busy holiday season. Member of Station KUOW in Seattle, Monica Nicholsburg reports.

All three of the major indexes up more than 1%. This is NPR. Starbucks workers in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Chicago are walking off the job today at the start of a five-day strike targeting the busy holiday season. Member of Station KUOW in Seattle, Monica Nicholsburg reports.

If you're planning on traveling over the holiday, looks as though you'll have plenty of company. That's based on the latest projection from AAA, which says it expects 119 million people will travel 50 miles or more between this coming Sunday and New Year's Day. Two weekends on either side of Christmas, likely giving people extra incentive to head out early. U.S.

If you're planning on traveling over the holiday, looks as though you'll have plenty of company. That's based on the latest projection from AAA, which says it expects 119 million people will travel 50 miles or more between this coming Sunday and New Year's Day. Two weekends on either side of Christmas, likely giving people extra incentive to head out early. U.S.

airlines expect today and tomorrow to be the busiest days at the nation's airports. In England, it's that time of year when the faithful flock to Stonehenge to the celebration of the winter solstice, drawing a mixed group, everything from pagans to druids to hippies at the Circle of Stone Monoliths, where they hope to bear witness as the sun's first rays break through.

airlines expect today and tomorrow to be the busiest days at the nation's airports. In England, it's that time of year when the faithful flock to Stonehenge to the celebration of the winter solstice, drawing a mixed group, everything from pagans to druids to hippies at the Circle of Stone Monoliths, where they hope to bear witness as the sun's first rays break through.

Rain is in the forecast, though, so it's not clear whether the view will be great. This is NPR.

Rain is in the forecast, though, so it's not clear whether the view will be great. This is NPR.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President-elect Donald Trump and VP-elect J.D. Vance are attacking a bipartisan measure aimed at preventing a government shutdown after midnight Friday. President-elect Trump basically telling House Speaker Mike Johnson to blow up the agreement and threatening any Republican lawmakers who break ranks.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President-elect Donald Trump and VP-elect J.D. Vance are attacking a bipartisan measure aimed at preventing a government shutdown after midnight Friday. President-elect Trump basically telling House Speaker Mike Johnson to blow up the agreement and threatening any Republican lawmakers who break ranks.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, however, was quick to note if there is a government shutdown, Republicans will be to blame.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, however, was quick to note if there is a government shutdown, Republicans will be to blame.

Trump, along with entrepreneur Elon Musk, who co-chairs a government efficiency advisory committee, claimed the stopgap spending bill is a giveaway to Democrats. The White House said a government shutdown would endanger government services and hurt communities recovering from disasters.

Trump, along with entrepreneur Elon Musk, who co-chairs a government efficiency advisory committee, claimed the stopgap spending bill is a giveaway to Democrats. The White House said a government shutdown would endanger government services and hurt communities recovering from disasters.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the ongoing spread of bird flu and dairy cattle, the declaration a sign of growing concern over the situation in California. NPR's Will Stone has more.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the ongoing spread of bird flu and dairy cattle, the declaration a sign of growing concern over the situation in California. NPR's Will Stone has more.

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter percentage point today, but hinted at fewer rate cuts next year. NPR's Scott Horsley reports the news triggered a sharp sell-off on the stock market.

The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter percentage point today, but hinted at fewer rate cuts next year. NPR's Scott Horsley reports the news triggered a sharp sell-off on the stock market.

The Dow fell more than 1,100 points, a drop of 2.5%. The Nasdaq fell 716 points today. You're listening to NPR. President-elect Donald Trump's pick by the nation's next health secretary is making the rounds on Capitol Hill. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expected to meet with as many as 20 senators this week.