NPR News: 01-05-2025 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 5, 2025, 9PM EST

Release Date: January 6, 2025

---

1. President Biden to Honor New Year's Day Attack Victims in New Orleans

Amy Held kicks off the episode with the news that President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit New Orleans the following day to honor the 14 victims killed and dozens injured in a tragic New Year's Day attack. The event underscores the severity of the attack and the administration's commitment to supporting the affected community.

2. FBI Unveils Detailed Timeline of New Year's Day Terror Attack

Debbie Elliott reports on the FBI's efforts to piece together the timeline of Shamsuddin Jabbar, the individual responsible for the attack. According to New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lionel Merthal at 00:53, Jabbar made multiple trips to New Orleans in October and November, which appeared to be scouting missions targeting the city:

Lionel Merthal [00:53]: "During that time, Jabbar, using meta glasses, recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle."

These meta glasses—which resemble regular eyewear but allow hands-free recording—provided critical evidence of Jabbar's movements and intentions. Despite extensive investigations, authorities believe Jabbar acted alone, though the motive for choosing New Orleans remains unclear (Debbie Elliott [01:12]):

"Agents say the evidence still indicates that Jabbar acted alone, but they're unsure why he targeted New Orleans."

3. Severe Winter Storm Impacts Midwest and Mid-Atlantic Regions

Amy Held transitions to the severe winter weather affecting the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Shondalise Duster provides an in-depth look at the storm's impact:

Shondalise Duster [01:33]: "Wintry weather is causing dangerous travel conditions. Kansas Highway Patrol Officer Trooper Ben Gardner says they have responded to more than 200 calls for help on highways since Saturday morning. At least one was a fatal crash."

Trooper Ben Gardner [01:52] elaborates on the ongoing response efforts:

"We have first responders actively helping and responding to calls and Kansas officers out here trying to get the roadways cleared, salting and blading the roadways, and we will continue to do so as the storm moves through our state."

Residents are urged to stay home and heed weather alerts to ensure safety (Shondalise Duster [02:03]):

"Officials are warning those in the path of the storm to stay home and follow weather alerts."

4. Syria's Foreign Minister Urges U.S. to Lift Sanctions

Moving to international affairs, Amy Held reports on Syria's Foreign Minister Assad Hassan Al Shaybani's appeal to the United States. Dia Hadid provides context from Damascus:

Dia Hadid [02:27]: "The Syrian interim government has repeatedly called on the US to lift sanctions that were imposed to punish the Assad regime. They say they urgently need aid to lift Syrians out of poverty, most of whom live in poverty. There's also an urgent need for reconstruction after the former regime flattened swaths of major cities in its quest to destroy rebels opposed to its rule."

The sanctions, originally intended to penalize the Assad regime, are now reportedly harming ordinary Syrians. Senior foreign policy analysts echo this sentiment, highlighting the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by prolonged conflict and economic hardship.

5. New York City's Controversial Congestion Pricing Program Takes Effect

Amy Held covers the rollout of New York City's congestion pricing program, aimed at reducing traffic and funding infrastructure improvements. Jan Oliber, head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), explains the system's mechanics:

Jan Oliber [03:14]: "It's a first-of-its-kind system, reliant on cameras—1,400 cameras—and over 110 detection points, separate detection points on the borders of the congestion zone."

Drivers entering bustling parts of Manhattan will incur charges up to $9. Despite the aim to improve traffic flow and generate revenue for infrastructure, the program has faced opposition from suburban commuters. A New Jersey lawsuit attempting to block the initiative was unsuccessful, allowing the program to proceed as planned (Amy Held [03:50]).

6. American Rugby Star Ilona Mar Shines in UK Debut

Shifting to sports, Vicki Barker reports from London on Ilona Mar's impressive debut with a UK rugby team:

Vicki Barker [04:15]: "Ticket sales soared when the Bristol Bears announced they'd signed Ilona Mar to a three-month contract, and the Premiership women's rugby match had to be moved to a larger venue to accommodate fans."

Ilona Mar, an American rugby star, has rapidly become one of the most followed rugby players globally, amassing millions of followers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Her advocacy for body positivity resonates widely, promoting the message that strength and femininity coexist seamlessly. This has not only garnered her a substantial fan base in the UK but also sparked increased interest and support for women's rugby, a sport traditionally dominated by men.

Vicki Barker [04:15]: "Her message that you can be 200 pounds of muscle and power and also celebrate your femininity has won her a big fan base in the UK."

---

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of significant events ranging from national tragedies and severe weather conditions to international diplomacy, urban policy changes, and inspiring stories from the world of sports.

Transcript

[Intuit Representative]

This message comes from Intuit. TurboTax now taxes is matching with an expert backed by tech to get you the most money [e-mail] experts only available with TurboTax Live. See guarantee [e-mail] guarantees.

[Amy Held]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held. President Biden will be in New Orleans tomorrow to pay tribute to the 14 people killed and dozens injured in a New year's Day attack. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. The FBI says the man who rammed a TR into revelers on Bourbon street after pledging allegiance to ISIS had recently visited the city.

[Debbie Elliott]

The FBI is giving a more detailed timeline of Shamsuddin Jabbar's activities ahead of the deadly attack. New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lionel Merthal says Jabbar made trips to the city in October and November, seemingly scouting his target.

[Lionel Merthal]

During that time, Jabbar, using meta glasses, recorded a video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle. Meta glasses appear to look like regular glasses, but they allow a user to record videos and photos hand free.

[Debbie Elliott]

Agents say the evidence still indicates that Jabbar acted alone, but they're unsure why he targeted New Orleans. Debbie Elliot, NPR News.

[Amy Held]

A major winter storm is bringing blizzard conditions to parts of the Midwest and significant snow and ice eastward to the Mid Atlantic. NPR's Shondalise Duster reports winter storm warnings.

[Shondalise Duster]

Are in effect with snow, ice and freezing rain already falling in Great Plains states. Wintry weather is causing dangerous travel conditions. Kansas Highway Patrol Officer Trooper Ben Gardner says they have responded to more than 200 calls for help on highways since Saturday morning. At least one was a fatal crash.

[Trooper Ben Gardner]

We have first responders actively helping and responding to calls and K's out here trying to get the roadways cleared, salting and blading the roadways, and we will continue to do so as the storm moves through our state.

[Shondalise Duster]

Officials are warning those in the path of the storm to stay home and follow weather alerts. Chandelyse Duster, NPR News.

[Amy Held]

Syria's foreign minister has called on the US to lift sanctions imposed on the country to punish the former Assad regime. He says those sanctions are now punishing Syrians impoverished by years of War. And NPR's Dia Hadid has this report from Damascus.

[Dia Hadid]

Syria's foreign minister Assad Hassan Al Shaybani spoke during a visit to the Gulf state of Qatar, which has been aiding the new interim government. It's headed by Ahmad al Shara since his rebels overran Damascus in early December, toppling the decades old Assad regime. The Syrian interim government has repeatedly called on the US to lift sanctions that were imposed to punish the Assad regime. They say they urgently need aid to float Assyrians, most of whom live in poverty. There's also an urgent need for reconstruction after the former regime flattened swaths of major cities in its quest to destroy rebels opposed to its rule. That call to lift sanctions has also been echoed by senior foreign policy analysts on Syria. Dear Hadid, NPR News, Damascus.

[Amy Held]

This is NPR News. Starting today, New York City's controversial congestion pricing program is in effect. Drivers entering the busiest parts of Manhattan will pay up to $9. It's meant to cut traffic and raise money for infrastructure improvements. Jan Oliber, who heads the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, says it's a first of its kind system, reliant on cameras, 1400 cameras.

[Jan Oliber]

Over 110 detection points, separate detection points on the borders of the congestion zone.

[Amy Held]

Commuters from the suburbs have opposed the charges. A lawsuit by officials in New Jersey failed to halt the program. American rugby star Ilona Mar made her debut for a team on the other side of the Atlantic today in the UK and as Vicki Barker reports from London, she's causing a stir and bringing in new followers and new fans to what has historically been a male dominated sport.

[Vicki Barker]

Ticket sales soared when the Bristol Bears announced they'd signed Ilona Mar to a three month contract and the Premiership women's rugby match had to be moved to a larger venue to accommodate fans. The Vermont native has been called the most followed rugby player, male or female, on the planet. She's racked up millions of followers with her TikTok and Instagram posts stressing body positivity. Her message that you can be 200 pounds of muscle and power and also celebrate your femininity has won her a big fan base in the UK For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

[Amy Held]

This is NPR News support for NPR.

[Intuit Representative]

And the following message come from Bolen Branch. Change your sleep with Bolen Branch's airy blankets, cloud like duvets and breathable sheets. Feel the difference with 15% off your first [e-mail] with code NPR exclusions. Apply C site for details.