NPR News: 12-17-2025 1AM EST
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org.
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens.
What recent terrorist incidents are impacting global security?
An attack on a Jewish celebration in Australia and the killings of two U.S. service members in Syria are being called acts of terrorism inspired by ISIS. As NPR's Scott Newman reports, the incidents are raising questions about a possible re-emergence of the extremist group.
Aaron Zelen, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says the Islamic State has been severely weakened since its peak a decade ago, when it controlled vast territory across Iraq and Syria and carried out brutal killings broadcast on social media. But he says ISIS has continued to use social media to incite and encourage attacks in the West.
ISIS never gives up. As long as they continue to have the will to fight,
How is the job market performing in the current economic climate?
they'll use any means necessary to accomplish what they're trying to do.
Last year, the Pentagon estimated that the Islamic State still had 2,500 fighters in Syria and Iraq. Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.
The Labor Department's report on hiring was a mixed bag. Employers added 64,000 positions in November, but at the same time, the economy lost 105,000 jobs in October, pushing the unemployment rate up to 4.6%. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, the job gains were concentrated in only a few industries.
It is a significant slowdown from the pace of hiring earlier this year. And economist Sarah House of Wells Fargo notes it's only a handful of industries that are actually adding jobs, mostly health care, some construction. But factories, financial services, delivery companies, they all cut jobs last month.
I think overall we're seeing a jobs market that is struggling to maintain its current traction.
What are the implications of the new U.N. declaration on health?
It's still harder for everyone who wants a job to get a job right now.
The Federal Reserve has been worried about weakness in the job market, which is why the central bank decided to cut interest rates last week. And this report more or less confirms that the Fed was right to be concerned.
Scott Horsley reporting. Leaders of 175 nations have adopted a U.N. declaration on noncommunicable diseases and mental health. NPR's Gabriela Emanuel reports that the U.S. and Argentina voted no.
This political declaration lays out a roadmap for promoting mental health and preventing and combating non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, which claim 18 million lives prematurely each year. The declaration was expected to pass almost three months ago, but Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stood up and said the U.S. rejected it. The U.S.
How are storms affecting infrastructure in Washington state?
has said it hasn't agreed on the text. Alison Cox is with the NCD Alliance.
What that's done is just slow the process down somewhat, but it's not stopped it, I'm very pleased to say.
Cox says countries that have now adopted the declaration must take action.
Gabriela Emanuel, this is NPR. At least one death has been linked to back-to-back storms in Washington state where key roadways have been inundated or washed out. Governor Bob Ferguson says the damage is profound with more on the way. Evacuation orders are in effect for three areas south of Seattle where two levees have failed. Multiple storms known as atmospheric rivers have dumped over a foot of rain across Washington state since late November. The General Assembly in Maryland swore in a new speaker during a special one-day session on Tuesday, and WYPR Sarah Petrowich reports that redistricting was not on the agenda.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore called lawmakers to Annapolis to swear in the state's first Afro-Latino and immigrant Speaker of the House, Jocelyn Pena Melnick. One hot topic not on the agenda, redistricting.
What political changes are happening in Maryland's government?
Maryland is one of the few blue states exploring the possibility of drawing new congressional maps, but Democratic Senate President Bill Ferguson has repeatedly expressed reluctance.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:20
2
What recent terrorist incidents are impacting global security?
0:20–1:04
3
How is the job market performing in the current economic climate?
1:04–2:02
4
What are the implications of the new U.N. declaration on health?
2:02–2:56
5
How are storms affecting infrastructure in Washington state?
2:56–4:04
6
What political changes are happening in Maryland's government?
4:04–4:49
7
What international tensions are arising from U.S. actions in Venezuela?
4:49–4:54