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Today’s best stories
President Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use long-range U.S. missiles for strikes in Russia.a U.S. official told NPR. The missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System or ATACMS, can travel about 190 miles. A U.S. official said Biden’s decision comes as Russia recently deployed about 10,000 North Korean troops in and around the Kursk region in an effort to push Ukrainian forces out of Russian territory.
In this image provided by the U.S. Army, Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, conduct live fire field tests firing range from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, December 14, 2021. , early versions of the Army’s tactical missile system.
Missile range John Hamilton/White Sands, via Associated Press
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Missile range John Hamilton/White Sands, via Associated Press
- 🎧 Biden’s concern over possible Russian escalationtells NPR’s Greg Myre First. But now his priority is to show that his administration wants to do what it can before he leaves office in January. There are real limits to this new policy. Russia is already removing its fighter jets and other key systems from missile range. President-elect Trump has said he wants negotiations to end the war and has expressed opposition to increased U.S. military assistance. Ukrainians fear being pressured to make concessions to Russia, which could include territory.
Leaders of the world’s largest economies are gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Group of 20 summit. today and tomorrow. This will be President Biden’s last G20 summit and it presents some challenges. Some of the measures he is expected to approve are not supported by the new Trump administration.
- 🎧 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, host of the summit, remains unfazed by Trump’s return to power. He advocates for progressive proposals, including a tax on the world’s richest individuals, according to NPR’s Carrie Kahn. Domestically, his left-wing party suffered significant losses in recent national elections. He also deals with far-right leaders in South America, such as former President Jair Bolsonaro and Argentine ultra-libertarian Javier Milei, who are feeling emboldened by Trump’s return in power.
- ➡️ Biden made a stopover in the Amazon to engage new American funds for the protection of the tropical forest. He is the first sitting US president to visit.
Nearly 100,000 people are killed each year in the United States from fentanyl and other illicit drugs. Even though the number of deaths is decreasing, it remains high. During his campaign, Trump focused on cracking down on fentanyl traffickers and dealers and securing the border to help combat the problem.
- 🎧 Tom Homan, the man Trump nominated to serve as border czar, has promised military action against Mexican drug cartels. Drug policy and addiction experts who want a stronger response to fentanyl told NPR’s Brian Mann they worry Trump’s team is going too far. Experts say US military strikes would do little to slow drug trafficking or save lives, but could break diplomatic relations and destabilize Mexico.
Image exhibition
A photograph of German soldiers at the entrance to the Richelieu-Drouot metro station in Paris.
Private collection of Stéphanie Colaux and Stéphane Jaegle
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Private collection of Stéphanie Colaux and Stéphane Jaegle
During the summer of 2020, the search for an unknown photographer began after the discovery of an old photo album in a flea market in the south of France. Inside were 377 amateur black-and-white photos taken between 1940 and 1942. They included scenes of German civilians and soldiers everywhere, going about their business during the occupation of France near recognizable landmarks. Julien Blanc, a historian of the Nazi occupation and the French Resistance, says the photos show the real city and differ from propaganda photos taken by photographers authorized by the Nazis.
Looking for common ground
The North Fork Community Choir practices at North Fork Baptist Church in Paonia, Colo., on Nov. 6, the day after Election Day.
Luna Anna Archey for NPR
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Luna Anna Archey for NPR
Over the past few years and during this year’s contentious election campaign, the way people talk to each other has hardened. NPR journalists look for examples of people working through their differences. These stories explore how some people try to bridge divides.
Members of the North Fork Community Choir in Paonia, Colo., ranging in age from 11 to 87, have varied opinions on big topics. Some believe in God, others don’t. Some have guns, some don’t. And some members lean far right while others lean far left. But they put their differences aside when they sing. When differences arise, they find creative solutions to stay in harmony. The twenty singers spoke with NPR to express how making music is a unifying force it helps start conversations.
3 things to know before you leave
Federal health officials say the current outbreak of E. coli is linked to bagged organic whole carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms.
Mychèle Daniau/AFP via Getty Images
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Mychèle Daniau/AFP via Getty Images
- One person died and at least 38 others fell ill due to an epidemic of E. coli linked to organic carrots, according to the CDC. THE the recalled carrots were sold at retailers like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
- In 2015, Emma Carlson Berne was at a restaurant and feeling overwhelmed by her three young children.one of whom was three months old. Then a stranger, his unsung hero, arrived with thoughtful words that still touch her almost 10 years later.
- Bela Karolyi, a renowned coach who has trained remarkable gymnasts like Mary Lou Retton, Kerri Strug and Julianne McNamara, died Friday at age 82.
This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.