NPR News: 01-02-2025 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 2, 2025, 11 AM EST

Hosted by Korva Coleman

On this episode of NPR News Now, listeners are brought up to speed with the latest developments across the United States and around the world. From tragic incidents to significant political honors, the following sections provide a comprehensive overview of the key stories covered.

---

Tragic New Year's Celebration in New Orleans

[00:24] Korva Coleman opens the segment by reporting a heartbreaking incident that occurred during New Year's celebrations in New Orleans. Investigators are delving into the motives behind Shamsuddin Jabbar's decision to drive a truck into crowds, resulting in the deaths of fifteen people.

[00:39] Lauren McGaughey from The Texas Newsroom provides background on Jabbar, highlighting his entrepreneurial ventures in Texas. "We know that he started a handful of realty ventures in Texas, and then he also had a Realtor's license here," McGaughey explains. She adds that recent state business records indicate that two of his ventures became defunct within the past few years. Additionally, court records reveal that Jabbar went through a contentious divorce about five years ago, involving disputes over finances and co-parenting a child.

---

Investigation into Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion

Shifting focus to national security, Korva Coleman reports that the FBI's Denver field office is actively engaged in law enforcement activities in Colorado Springs. These actions are connected to the explosive incident involving a Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas yesterday, which claimed the life of the truck's driver.

---

Presidential Citizens Medal Honors

In a move to recognize exemplary service, Korva Coleman announces that President Biden will bestow the Presidential Citizens Medal upon former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson today. Tamara Keith elaborates on this segment:

[01:41] Tamara Keith: "The Presidential Citizens Medal honors Americans who've performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens." She underscores the significance of this honor by noting that it is among the highest civilian awards a president can confer. By choosing Cheney and Thompson, Biden is making a statement against President-elect Trump's repeated and unfounded accusations regarding their conduct during the investigation into the January 6th Capitol attack. Additionally, Biden plans to honor several civil rights leaders and advocates, culminating in a total of twenty recipients for the medal.

---

Taliban's Dire Warning to Aid Groups in Afghanistan

Korva Coleman transitions to international news, highlighting a stern warning issued by the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Aid organizations operating in the country are compelled to terminate any female employees or face shutdowns.

[02:21] Dia Hadid provides an in-depth analysis:

"The ban is the latest in a series of moves by the Taliban to prevent Afghans from finding workarounds to their strict rules that seek to deny women and girls any option but to stay home, raise children, and be economically dependent on men." She points out that while the ban excludes UN Humanitarian operations, it affects over 800 local aid groups. Previously, Afghan women were permitted to work in sectors like education, food distribution, and healthcare, primarily serving other women. Under the Taliban's stringent regulations, women and girls face severe restrictions, including limitations on education beyond the sixth grade, prohibition from most professions, and the inability to leave their homes without a male guardian.

---

Fireworks Explosion in Honolulu Claims Lives

Back in the United States, Korva Coleman reports a tragic incident in Hawaii where three individuals lost their lives due to a fireworks explosion in a Honolulu residence around midnight on New Year's Eve. Authorities indicate that mortar-style fireworks toppled, igniting a crate of other fireworks. The explosion also resulted in injuries to over twenty people, who suffered burns and shrapnel wounds.

---

Introduction of the Danish Swedish Farm Dog to AKC Roster

In lighter news, a new canine breed has been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Eva Pukac covers this story:

[03:57] Eva Pukac: "The Danish Swedish farm dog is a small, compact, lively, smooth-coated working dog initially known for hunting rodents and herding livestock." Acknowledged by Denmark and Sweden in 1987, this year marks its eligibility to compete for best-in-show at both the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship. Next year, it will make its debut at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show. The AKC's recognition of the breed expands its diverse lineup, now totaling 202 recognized breeds.

---

High-Stakes Jewelry Heist in London

Concluding the episode, Korva Coleman shares an alarming development from London, where police are on the hunt for an armed thief responsible for a substantial burglary earlier this December. The perpetrator infiltrated a city mansion, absconding with over $13 million worth of jewels, designer handbags, and cash. Among the stolen items is a remarkable 10.7-carat diamond ring. Authorities have announced a substantial reward for information leading to the thief's apprehension.

---

This edition of NPR News Now provides a succinct yet thorough overview of pivotal events shaping our world today. From personal tragedies and international policy shifts to notable recognitions and daring crimes, the episode encapsulates the multifaceted nature of current affairs.

Transcript

[Korva Coleman]

Okay.

[NPR Sponsor Voice]

So does this sound like you you love NPR's podcasts, you wish you could get more of all your favorite shows, and you want to support NPR's mission to create a more informed public. If all that sounds appealing, then it is time to sign up for the NPR Bundle. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Investigators are learning more about the man they say drove a truck into crowds of people celebrating New Year's in New Orleans. Fifteen people were killed. The Texas Newsroom's Lauren McGaughey has more on Shamsuddin Jabbar.

[Lauren McGaughey]

We know that he started a handful of realty ventures in Texas, and then he also had a Realtor's license here. But state business records also show that two of his ventures recently went defunct just in the last few years. He also went through divorce proceedings here about five years ago. That's according to court records. And those show that he and his ex wife were fighting over money and that they had a child together.

[Korva Coleman]

Lauren McGaughey reporting. The FBI's field office in Denver says its agents and other authorities are conducting law enforcement activity at a residential address in Colorado Springs. The officials say this is linked to the explosion of a cybertruck yesterday in the front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. The driver of the truck was killed. President Biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal today to former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. They led the congressional committee that investigated the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.

[Tamara Keith]

The presidential Citizens Medal honors Americans who've performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. It is among the highest civilian honors a president can bestow, and awarding it to Cheney and Thompson sends a signal. President elect Trump has criticized the pair, repeatedly, falsely accusing them of breaking the law with their investigation into his actions on and around January 6th. Biden is also set to award the medal to several civil rights leaders and advocates who worked on issues he championed in his career, among others. In all, he will award the citizens medal to 20 people. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The Taliban government of Afghanistan is warning aid groups that are working in the country they have to fire any women whom they have employed or else they will be shut down. NPR's Dia Hadid has more.

[Dia Hadid]

The ban is the latest in a series of moves by the Taliban to prevent Afghans from finding workarounds to their strict rules that seek to deny women and girls any option but to stay home, raise children and be economically dependent on men. The ban does not cover UN Humanitarian operations, but local media reports that it covers over 800 aid groups. While Afghan women are banned from most employment, some of them were allowed to work in the aid sector, primarily in education, food distribution and healthcare, mostly to provide services to other women. Under the Taliban, women and girls may not study beyond grade six, work in most professions and can't leave their homes without a male guardian. Dear Hadid, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Police in Hawaii say three people died after fireworks exploded in a home in the Honolulu area around midnight on New Year's. Authorities say mortar style fireworks tipped over and ignited other fireworks in a crate. More than 20 other people have been injured with burn and shrapnel wounds. There is a new dog breed joining the official lineup that's recognized by the American Kennel Club. It's the Danish Swedish farm dog. As NPR's Eva Pukac reports, this means the breed can now compete for best in show trophies.

[Eva Pukac]

The Danish Swedish farm dog is a small, compact, lively, smooth coated working dog initially known for hunting rodents and herding livestock. The American Kennel Club says it also sometimes appeared in circuses as the clown's playmate. Denmark and Sweden recognized the breed in 1987. This year, the Danish Swedish farm dog will be eligible to compete for best in show trophies at the National Dog show and the American Kennel Club National Championship. And next year, it'll be eligible to compete at the most well known show of them all, the Westminster Dog Show. The American Kennel Club now recognizes 202. Eva Pukac, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Police in London are searching for the armed thief who burgled a city mansion in early December. The thief made off with more than $13 million in jewels, designer handbags and cash. One of the stolen Items includes a 10.7 carat diamond ring. There is a large reward. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Sponsor Voice]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's plus NPR.org.