Inside a right-wing plot to overthrow the German government

Plus, what is stiff-person syndrome, which afflicts Céline Dion? [View this email online]( [Best of NPR]( Dec. 11, 2022 --------------------------------------------------------------- Support This Newsletter You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference with a year-end contribution to independent, trustworthy media and thsi newsletter. [Donate today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Scott’s weekly weigh-in Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images A good weekend to you. My favorite holiday song is by an outspoken atheist. Tim Minchin, the huge talent who may be best known for his awarding-winning musical, Matilda, was a young Australian who had been a hit at the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. But winter came, bookings were slow, and Tim and his wife, Sarah, saw snow fall outside their London window as they held their newborn daughter, Violet. They longed for the warmth of Australia’s sun, and family. The 2009 song Tim wrote, "[White Wine in the Sun]( begins with his suspicion of the season: I'm looking forward to Christmas Though I'm not expecting A visit from Jesus They look forward to a trip home, to summer on the other side of the world: I'll be seeing my dad My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum They'll be drinking white wine in the sun "It was the most emotional of my songwriting life,” Tim told me once. “It begins with skepticism of religion, then throws in a tiny baby and love of family. Pretty manipulative, really. And shockingly sincere." And heart-piercing: And you, my baby girl My jetlagged infant daughter You'll be handed round the room Like a puppy at a primary school And you won't understand But you will learn someday That wherever you are and whatever you face These are the people who'll make you feel safe In this world I switch on holiday music — Nate, Judy, Bing, Mariah, even Adam Sandler — on Thanksgiving Day. But Tim Minchin’s song is a classic for the heart. [Listen here]( and keep tissue close. We were fortunate to welcome Kevin Powell on our show this week to talk about his new collection of poems, [Grocery Shopping with My Mother](. And [this week’s essay]( written by a chatbot? [Scott Simon]( Scott Simon is one of NPR's most renowned news anchors. He is the host of [Weekend Edition Saturday]( and one of the hosts of the morning news podcast Up First. Be sure to listen to him every Saturday on your local NPR station, and follow him [on Twitter](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- In case you missed it [German police lead a well-dressed, grey-haired man out a gate in front of a substantial residence]( Boris Roessler/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images The far-right coup plotters had mapped out their own government, with people chosen for cabinet-like roles if they succeeded in [overthrowing Germany's elected leaders](. That's among the revelations shared by German officials this week on what they say was a conspiracy foiled by a massive anti-terrorism operation. The group used tropes that are familiar in the U.S. Neil Gaiman said he and Terry Pratchett held a book signing in Manhattan and not a soul showed up. Min Jin Lee said only her husband's cousin came to one of hers. They and other best-selling novelists — Margaret Atwood, Stephen King — [shared discouraging moments in their career]( after a debut author, Chelsea Banning, tweeted about only two people coming to her book signing. Meet the new personal finance revolution: cash. A growing number of Gen Z and Millennial debtors are getting a handle on their finances by spending actual paper money: [no Apple pay, no Venmo, no cards](. --------------------------------------------------------------- It all comes down to you Your financial support is the NPR Network's greatest strength. You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference when you contribute to independent, trustworthy media. [Please donate today](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go [Jonathan the tortoise in a grassy field]( Gianluigi Guercia/AFP via Getty Images - He has lived through two world wars, eight British monarchs and 40 U.S. presidents. He is Jonathan, the world's oldest tortoise. And he's [celebrating his 190th birthday](. - In a tearful Instagram post, singer Céline Dion announced that she’s been suffering from stiff-person syndrome. Here’s how the [rare and incurable neurological disorder]( affects people. - "Goblin mode," Oxford's word of the year, means "behavior which is [unapologetically self-indulgent]( lazy, slovenly, or greedy." It was the landslide pick in a public vote. - In rare good news from the Amazon, a gigantic fish is thriving again. A sustainable fishing program has [helped recover the pirarucu]( which can reach 10 feet long and weigh 450 pounds. --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]