NPR News: 12-19-2025 1AM EST
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR and the following message come from the estate of Joan B. Kroc, whose bequest serves as an enduring investment in the future of public radio and seeks to help NPR produce programming that meets the highest standards of public service in journalism and cultural expression.
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stephens.
What happened at Brown University that led to a suspect being found dead?
A suspect wanted for killing two people and injuring nine others at Brown University in Rhode Island has been found dead in Salem, New Hampshire. He's been identified as 48-year-old Claudio Neves Valente, a naturalized citizen from Portugal and former Brown student. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley explains how Valente likely avoided being captured.
He was using a phone that was obfuscating ability to track it. And he was using financial, like not credit cards that were tied to his name. And so he was sophisticated in hiding his tracks.
Foley says Valente is also suspected in the murder of an MIT professor in Massachusetts on Monday.
Why was the Kennedy Center renamed to the Trump Kennedy Center?
She says Valente then returned to New Hampshire, where he apparently took his own life. The Kennedy Center will now be renamed the Trump Kennedy Center. The White House press secretary says it was a unanimous decision, although some of the center's board members disagree. The story from NPR's Andrew Limbaugh.
President Trump made himself the chair of the Kennedy Center board earlier this year when he began his second term.
What are the implications of European leaders agreeing to loan Ukraine more than $105 billion?
He also fired the previous chair, the previous president, the board members appointed by President Biden, and installed his own hand-picked board. Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, an ex-officio member of the board, posted a video on social media saying that dissenting voices were muted.
Each time I tried to speak, I was muted. Participants were not allowed to voice their concerns who were online.
President Trump has taken a special interest in the Kennedy Center.
What legal actions are being taken regarding Jeffrey Epstein's files?
Just a few weeks ago, he became the first president to host the Kennedy Center Honors. Andrew Limbaugh, NPR News.
European leaders have agreed to loan Ukraine more than $105 billion, but they failed to agree on using frozen Russian assets as collateral. NPR's Eleanor Beersley reports on their high-stakes summit in Brussels.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever told the media he wants to use the Russian assets to support Ukraine, but that EU countries need to share the risk so that Belgium will not face Russian lawsuits alone. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, whose country shares an 830-mile border with Russia and joined NATO because of the war, says Europe cannot dither.
How did the San Francisco Giants become involved in the performing arts?
We have about five years to strengthen our defense because Russia, it is and it will be the permanent threat.
Speaking from Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he understands concerns about legal actions from Russia, but that if Ukraine is abandoned, Europe will pay not with money, but with blood. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.
U.S. futures are flat and after-hours trading on Wall Street following Thursday's gains. The Dow Jones Industrials added 65 points. The Nasdaq rose 313.
What recent developments occurred regarding TikTok's ownership and operations in the U.S.?
This is NPR. Friday is the deadline for the Justice Department to release all government files on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files must be made public under a law approved by Congress. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released dozens of photos obtained from the Epstein estate. The images include wealthy, high-profile figures who associated with Epstein. The San Francisco Giants baseball team has bought a storied performing arts venue. As NPR's Chloe Veltman reports, the purchase of a theater is unusual, although not unprecedented for a pro sports team.
The details of the transaction have not been disclosed. In a joint statement, the parties say theatre operator Broadway SF will continue to operate the venue and that programming will continue as planned. Darcy Drollinger produces, directs and stars in Golden Girls Live. The drag comedy show is now playing at The Current. It was there last year too.
I'm not sure what the future holds exactly, but I hope that we can continue to do the show there because it is such a magic experience being able to be in that theatre.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:24
2
What happened at Brown University that led to a suspect being found dead?
0:24–1:07
3
Why was the Kennedy Center renamed to the Trump Kennedy Center?
1:07–1:29
4
What are the implications of European leaders agreeing to loan Ukraine more than $105 billion?
1:29–1:58
5
What legal actions are being taken regarding Jeffrey Epstein's files?
1:58–2:43
6
How did the San Francisco Giants become involved in the performing arts?
2:43–3:15
7
What recent developments occurred regarding TikTok's ownership and operations in the U.S.?
3:15–4:57