NPR News: 12-06-2024 3AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 6, 2024 – Detailed Summary

Released on December 6, 2024, at 3AM EST

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1. Appointment of Rodney Scott as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Host Introduction: Duhli Tsai opens the episode by announcing President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Rodney Scott to serve as the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Report by Sergio Martinez Beltran: Rodney Scott brings extensive experience in immigration enforcement, having served as the Chief of Border Patrol for 19 months under both Trump and Biden administrations. He played a pivotal role in implementing significant border management policies, including the Migrant Protection Protocols (“Remain in Mexico”) and Title 42, which facilitated the expulsion of migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notable Quote: “If confirmed as Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, Scott would be entrusted with managing ports of entries and stopping irregular immigration at the borders,” explains Sergio Martinez Beltran. [00:31]

CBP oversees over 60,000 employees and the U.S. Border Patrol, making this appointment critical for the administration's border security strategy.

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2. United Nations Calls for Ceasefire in Syria

Host Introduction: Duhli Tsai reports on the escalating conflict in Syria, where Islamist-led rebels have captured the cities of Aleppo and Hama.

Report by Linda Fasoula: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging an immediate halt to the fighting, highlighting the dire situation for civilians trapped in the crossfire. After 14 years of civil war, Guterres emphasizes the urgent need for all parties to engage with a special envoy to find a peaceful resolution.

Notable Quotes: “After 14 years of civil war, it is high time for all parties to seriously engage with a special envoy for Syria to resolve the crisis,” states Guterres. [01:32]

He warns that “tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in Syria and stressed there's an immediate need for humanitarian access,” further asserting the necessity of returning to a UN-facilitated political process to end the bloodshed.

Guterres also mentioned discussions with Turkey's president, who supports the rebels, while noting that Russia and Iran continue to back Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. [01:32]

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3. Magnitude 7 Earthquake Strikes Northern California

Host Introduction: Duhli Tsai updates listeners on a significant earthquake that hit Northern California.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Statement: Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concern over the damage, particularly in Del Norte, Mendocino, and Humboldt Counties. In response, he has signed a state of emergency to facilitate swift relief and recovery efforts.

Notable Quote: “We’re concerned about damage, particularly in the northern part of the state in Del Norte Mendocino in Humboldt County. As a consequence of that, I just signed off on a state of emergency,” says Governor Newsom. [02:27]

The earthquake resulted in power outages affecting thousands and led to school evacuations due to safety concerns. Although a tsunami warning was initially issued, it was lifted an hour later by the National Weather Service.

Additional Reports:

• A gas leak at a local middle school in Rio Del Norte prompted evacuations.
• Major roads sustained damage, complicating emergency response efforts.
• The U.S. Geological Survey anticipates aftershocks, increasing the urgency of relief operations.

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4. Tragic School Shooting in Northern California

Incident Details: Two kindergarten students, Roman Mendez (6) and Elias Walford (5), were critically injured in a shooting at Feather River Adventist School’s playground. Sheriff Corey Honey reported that the perpetrator, Glenn Linton, a 56-year-old homeless man with possible mental illness, has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Notable Quotes: Sheriff Corey Honey shared, “The two kindergartners who were shot in Northern California yesterday are in stable but critical condition.” [02:38]

Linton left a note stating he carried out the attack as a “countermeasure in necessitated response to America’s involvement with genocide and oppression of Palestinians along with attacks toward Yemen.” This statement suggests his motives were linked to international conflicts and U.S. foreign policy.

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5. New York City Addresses Housing Shortage

Host Introduction: David Brand from WNYC discusses New York City's efforts to mitigate its severe housing shortage.

Report: The New York City Council has approved a comprehensive plan to revise zoning laws that have historically limited new housing developments across all neighborhoods. Mayor Eric Adams anticipates that these changes will facilitate the construction of 80,000 new apartments, condos, and houses over the next 15 years, aiming to alleviate the city's deep-seated housing crisis.

Notable Quote: “[The] rule changes will fuel the construction of 80,000 new apartments, condos and houses over the next 15 years,” states Mayor Eric Adams. [04:19]

A recent city survey highlighted the severity of the shortage, revealing that less than 2% of all apartments were vacant and available for rent last year, underscoring the urgent need for increased housing supply.

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6. David Perdue Nominated as Ambassador to China

Host Introduction: Duhli Tsai announces that former U.S. Senator David Perdue of Georgia has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump as the next Ambassador to China.

Notable Information: David Perdue’s nomination marks a significant appointment, given the complex and pivotal relationship between the United States and China. His background as a former senator is expected to influence his approach to diplomacy and international relations in his new role. [04:47]

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from Noom and Warby Parker have been omitted from this summary to focus solely on the informational content of the podcast episode.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key topics covered in the December 6, 2024, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with essential updates and insights from the latest news cycle.

Transcript

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[Duhli Tsai]

From NPR News in New York City. I'm Duhli Tsai. Kowtow. President elect Donald Trump has tapped Rodney Scott to serve as Commissioner of U.S. customs and Border Protection. NPR Sergio Martinez Beltran reports.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Rodney Scott is very familiar with immigration enforcement. For 19 months he served as the chief of Border Patrol during both Trump and Biden's administrations. He implemented key border management policies, such as the migrant protection protocols, best known as Remaining Mexico, and Title 42, which allowed for the expulsion of migrants during the COVID pandemic. If confirmed as Commissioner of the U.S. customs and Border Protection Agency, Scott would be entrusted with managing ports of entries and stopping irregular immigration at the borders. CBP has more than 60,000 employees, and it oversees the U.S. border Patrol. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, Austin.

[Duhli Tsai]

The U.N. secretary general is calling for an end to the fighting in Syria, which erupted last week when Islamist led rebels captured the cities of Aleppo and Hama. Linda Fasoula reports. The UN chief told reporters that after 14 years of civil war, it is high time for all parties to seriously engaged with a special envoy for Syria to resolve the crisis.

[Linda Fasulo]

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in Syria and stressed there's an immediate need for humanitarian access. He said that the current fighting is due to a chronic collective failure of diplomacy since the civil war began in 2011 and urged a return to the UN facilitated political process to end the bloodshed. Guterres also called on all those with influence to do their part and said he spoke Thursday with Turkey's president, who supports the rebel rebels. Russia and Iran are allied with Syria's president, Bashar al Assad. For NPR News, I'm Linda Fasulo in New York.

[Duhli Tsai]

A magnitude 7 earthquake struck Northern California just before 11am Pacific Time yesterday, causing power outages for thousands of people and forcing many to evacuate schools. A tsunami warning was also issued, but the National Weather Service says an hour later that was lifted. Here's Governor Gavin Newsom.

[Gavin Newsom]

We're concerned about damage, particularly in the northern part of the state in Del Norte Mendocino in Humboldt County. As a consequence of that, I just signed off on a state of emergency.

[Duhli Tsai]

Declaration at one local middle school in Rio Del. A gas leak was reported and a nearby major road was damaged, too. The United States Geological Survey says aftershocks are expected at an emergency meeting in South Korea's national assembly, the head of that country's ruling People's Power Party, Han Dong Hoon, called for the immediate suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol to, quote, protect the Republic of Korea and its people and to avoid what he said are extreme actions similar to martial law. You're listening to NPR News. The two kindergartners who were shot in Northern California yesterday are in stable but critical condition, according to Butte County Sheriff Corey Honey. He updated reporters late Thursday identifying the victims as 6 year Roman Mendez and 5 year old Elias Walford. The two were in the playground at their school, Feather River Adventist, when a gunman opened fire. The sheriff identified him as 56 year old Glenn Linton, a homeless man who may have suffered from a mental illness. He later died from a self inflicted gunshot wound. Police said Linton left a note saying he carried out, quote, countermeasure in necessitated response to America's involvement with genocide and oppression of Palestinians along with attacks toward Yemen. A deep housing shortage is driving many New York City residents out of the five boroughs and keeping others from moving in. David Brand from member station WNYC reports on a key step city officials are taking to address this.

[David Brand]

The New York City Council approved a sweeping plan to change zoning rules that limit new housing development in every neighborhood. Mayor Eric Adams says the rule changes will fuel the construction of 80,000 new apartments, condos and houses over the next 15 years. The plan could put a dent in New York's deep housing shortage. A city survey found less than 2% of all apartments were empty and available to rent last year. For NPR News, I'm David Brand in New York.

[Duhli Tsai]

Former U.S. senator David Perdue of Georgia is President elect Donald Trump's pick to be his ambassador to China. This is NPR.

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