Up First from NPR Palisades Fire Expands, 2024 Hottest On Record, TikTok Arguments Pro And Con
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Jan 11, 2025 Evacuations are underway as the Palisades Fire rages in Southern California. Scientists report 2024 could be the hottest year recorded, a phenomenon shrouded in uncertainty. Meanwhile, legal battles over TikTok heat up, pitting free speech against national security concerns. The implications of climate change and the human impact on global temperatures add urgency to these discussions. Dive into the emotional stories of those affected by wildfires and the lively debates surrounding social media's role in society.
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Palisades Fire Impact
- The Palisades Fire, the worst in LA history, caused widespread evacuations and destruction, impacting over 150,000 people.
- Retired fire marshal Rich Snyder fought the fire at his own home, saving his house and others but witnessing immense devastation.
2024's Record Heat
- 2024 was the hottest year on record, exceeding expectations by two-tenths of a degree Celsius, equivalent to a decade of warming.
- Scientists suspect decreased ship track clouds due to cleaner fuel and other cloud changes related to pollution may contribute to the unexpected heat.
TikTok's Supreme Court Battle
- TikTok's lawyers argue a US ban would violate free speech, calling the app the "modern public square."
- The Justice Department counters that TikTok's Chinese ownership poses a national security risk due to data flow to Beijing.