NPR News: 01-07-2025 4AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 7, 2025, 4AM EST

Hosted by NPR

On the January 7, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Giles Snyder delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest national and international news. This summary captures the key events, discussions, and insights presented during the episode, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Tragic New Year's Truck Attack in New Orleans

The episode opens with a report on the devastating New Year's truck attack in New Orleans, which resulted in the tragic loss of 14 lives. President Joe Biden addressed the nation, expressing solidarity with the victims and the city. At [00:29], Biden stated:

“My wife Jill and I are here to stand with you, to grieve with you, pray with you, let you know you are not alone.”

Biden delivered these remarks during a prayer service at a cathedral in the French Quarter on Monday evening. Following the service, hundreds of residents participated in the annual Joan of Arc Parade, marking the onset of the carnival season. Event organizers emphasized that the parade aims to showcase the resilient spirit of New Orleans amidst the recent violence.

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2. Pentagon Blacklists Major Chinese Military Companies

In a significant move, the Pentagon announced the addition of several prominent Chinese companies to its blacklist, which targets entities deemed to be advancing Chinese military capabilities through civilian technologies. Reported by John Ruich at [01:17], the Defense Department included Tencent Holdings—a major online gaming company and owner of the widely used social media platform WeChat—among others such as Chinese battery manufacturer Catl, a major overseas shipping firm, and China's primary commercial aircraft manufacturer.

Ruich clarified:

“The Pentagon did not explain why any of the companies were specifically added to the list, but it's wary of what officials call military civil fusion or efforts to use civilian technologies and research to strengthen the Chinese military.”

The announcement led to a significant drop in Tencent's U.S. listed shares, which fell by more than 7%. In response, Tencent issued a statement asserting:

“It is not a military company or supplier and its inclusion on the list was, clearly a mistake.”

This development underscores the ongoing tensions between the United States and China regarding technology and national security.

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3. Devastating Earthquake Strikes China

An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck a region in China, leading to significant casualties and injuries. At [01:58], Giles Snyder reported that China's official Xinhua News Agency confirmed 95 fatalities and 130 injuries. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out rescue effort to aid those affected. The U.S. Geological Survey provided further details, noting:

“The initial quake had a magnitude of 7.1. There have been dozens of aftershocks.”

The aftermath of the earthquake has left the affected areas grappling with the destruction, and efforts are underway to support the rescue and recovery operations.

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4. First U.S. Fatality from Bird Flu

Health officials in Louisiana reported the first death in the United States due to bird flu, marking a significant public health concern. Will Stone from NPR elaborates at [02:34]:

“This was the first severe case of bird flu in a human in the US.”

The deceased patient, over 65 years old with underlying medical conditions, had been exposed to both backyard and wild birds. While most cases in the current outbreak have resulted in mild illness, the death highlights the potential severity of the virus under certain conditions. Stone added:

“The overall risk to the general public is still considered low because it requires close contact with an infected animal to catch the virus, and there's no indication it's spreading between people.”

This incident underscores the importance of monitoring zoonotic diseases and their impact on public health.

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5. Tributes to the Late President Jimmy Carter

The nation mourns the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, with tributes now shifting to the nation's capital. At [03:13], Giles Snyder announced:

“Carter's casket is to be flown to Washington, D.C. today from Atlanta. He is to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda. Carter's funeral service will be held Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral.”

These ceremonial honors reflect Carter's enduring legacy and the profound respect he commands across the country.

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6. Minneapolis Police Department Under Federal Supervision

In a move addressing past injustices, the Justice Department has announced that the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) will come under federal court supervision. This decision is rooted in the police department's history, notably the murder of George Floyd nearly five years ago. Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio provides details at [03:50]:

“The agreement mandates many changes that police have already put in place, including a detailed use of force policy and a requirement that officers intervene whenever they see civil rights violations.”

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark expressed optimism about the reforms, stating at [04:08]:

“We have every confidence that the Minneapolis Police Department will emerge from this process a more trusted and an even more effective law enforcement agency.”

Despite former President Donald Trump's opposition to consent decrees during his tenure, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry highlighted the agreement's lasting impact, asserting that:

“This agreement includes clear goals that won't change with political wins.”

This federal oversight aims to ensure sustained and meaningful reforms within the MPD.

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7. National Weather Service Issues Fire Warnings for Southern California

The episode concludes with a cautionary update from the National Weather Service regarding Southern California. Giles Snyder reported at [04:30]:

“The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous fire conditions beginning today in Southern California. The service says the conditions could lead to downed trees and power lines from strong winds in the south and east.”

These warnings come in the wake of a severe winter storm that previously impacted regions from Missouri to Virginia, causing widespread power outages. The combination of strong winds and lingering frigid temperatures poses a risk for potential fire outbreaks, necessitating vigilance and preparedness among residents and authorities.

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This episode of NPR News Now offers listeners a succinct yet detailed overview of pressing issues, from local tragedies and international tensions to public health concerns and significant political developments. By providing timely updates and expert insights, NPR continues to inform and engage its audience effectively.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. President Biden says the nation is with New Orleans as the City borns the 14 people killed in the New Year's truck attack.

[Joe Biden]

My wife Jill and I here to stand with you, to grieve with you, pray with you, let you know you are not alone.

[Giles Snyder]

Biden spoke Monday evening during a prayer service at a cathedral in the city's French Quarter. Afterwards, hundreds filled the streets for the annual Joan of Arc Parade, the first parade of the carnival season. Organizers said they wanted the event to convey the spirit of New Orleans as the city struggles with the violence of the New Year's attack. The Pentagon has added some major names to a black list of what it calls Chinese military companies. Among them is Tencent holdings, an online gaming titan and the owner of the hugely popular social media platform WeChat. Npruich has more.

[John Ruich]

The Defense Department is required by law to report annually on so called Chinese military companies operating in the United States. In addition to Tencent, it added Chinese battery maker Catl to the list, as well as a major overseas shipping company and the country's main commercial aircraft maker, among others. The Pentagon did not explain why any of the companies were specifically added to the list, but it's wary of what officials call military civil fusion or efforts to use civilian technologies and research to strengthen the Chinese military. Tencent's U.S. listed shares fell more than 7% after the announcement. The company said in a statement it's not a military company or supplier and its inclusion on the list was, quote, clearly a mistake. John Ruich, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

The death toll is rising from the earthquake that has struck tobacco bat. China's official Xinhua news agency now says 95 people were killed and 130 others were injured. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is calling for an all out rescue effort. The U.S. geological Survey says the initial quake had a magnitude of 7.1. There have been dozens of aftershocks. Health officials in Louisiana say an adult patient has died after catching bird flu. The death the first reported in the US from someone who had close contact with sick or dead birds. Here's NPR's Will Stone Report.

[Will Stone]

This was the first severe case of bird flu in a human in the US Last month. The Louisiana Department of Health reported the patient had been hospitalized after being exposed to backyard flock and wild birds. Now the person has died. Health officials haven't shared many details except that the patient was over 65 and had underlying medical conditions. Most cases in the US in the current outbreak have only led to mild illness. A teenager in Canada was hospitalized last year after catching the virus. The overall risk to the general public is still considered low because it requires close contact with an infected animal to catch the virus, and there's no indication it's spreading between people.

[Giles Snyder]

Will Stone, NPR News, and this is NPR News. The tributes to the late President Jimmy Carter are shifting to the nation's capital. Carter's casket is to be flown to Washington, D.C. today from Atlanta. He is to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda. Carter's funeral service will be held Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral. The Justice Department has announced the plan to put the Minneapolis Police Department under federal court supervision. Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio reports on the consent decree that stems from the police murder of George Floyd nearly five years ago.

[Matt Sepik]

The agreement mandates many changes that police have already put in place, including a detailed use of force policy and a requirement that officers intervene whenever they see civil rights violations. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark notes that the Police department is already operating under a similar state level agreement and is on the path to reform.

[Kristen Clark]

We have every confidence that the Minneapolis Police Department will emerge from this process a more trusted and an even more effective law enforcement agency.

[Matt Sepik]

President Elect Donald Trump opposed consent decrees during his first term, but Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry says this agreement includes clear goals that won't change with political wins. For NPR News, I'm Matt Sepik in Minneapolis.

[Giles Snyder]

The National Weather Service is warning of dangerous fire conditions beginning today in Southern California. The service says the conditions could lead to downed trees and power lines from strong winds in the south and east. Temperatures are expected to remain frigid following that winter storm that knocked out power to customers from Missouri to Virginia. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

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