NPR News: 12-16-2024 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 16, 2024, 11 AM EST

Hosted by Korva Coleman

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Israeli Airstrikes Intensify in Syria

[00:17] Reporting from Washington, Korva Coleman highlights escalating tensions as the Israeli military continues its airstrikes on Syrian targets. Described by a British-based monitoring group as the "most violent in more than a decade," these operations mark a significant intensification of military actions in the region.

[00:34] NPR's Kerry Khan provides an in-depth look from Tel Aviv, detailing that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports Israeli strikes have targeted over 450 locations since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The latest attacks focused on missile warehouses and other Syrian army installations. While the Israeli military has remained largely silent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the importance of these strikes, stating, “These strikes are vital to ensure weapons left from the Assad regime do not fall into the hands of extremists” ([00:34]).

Despite the ongoing conflict, Syrian rebel leaders express a desire to avoid direct confrontation with Israel and have lodged complaints with the United Nations regarding the incursions. Additionally, the Israeli government has approved a plan to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a territory it has controlled for decades, further complicating regional dynamics.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Scrutiny Ahead of HHS Nomination

[01:21] Transitioning to U.S. politics, Korva Coleman reports that President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is set to appear before Capitol Hill this week. NPR's Luke Garrett explains that Kennedy is scheduled to meet with over 20 Republican senators as part of his confirmation process.

[01:47] Concerns persist regarding Kennedy's stance on vaccines and his overall suitability for the role. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voiced her reservations, stating, “Vaccines saved whole villages” ([02:00]), emphasizing her intent to discuss his vaccine-related views in depth.

During his 2024 presidential bid, RFK Jr. had propagated anti-vaccine sentiments and broader critiques of processed foods. Senator Murkowski highlighted issues like the rise in obesity, particularly among native populations, and expressed the need to understand Kennedy's proposals to address these public health challenges. “We have a troubling, troubling rise in obesity amongst our native people,” she remarked ([02:13]).

Investigations into Recent Drone Sightings Across States

[02:32] In national security news, Korva Coleman discusses reports of unexplained drone sightings in various states over the past weeks. Federal authorities are collaborating with state governments to investigate these incidents, though no immediate threats have been identified.

[02:50] Matthew Morello, Mayor of Washington Township, New Jersey, shared his concerns, stating, “But now we're in week four. We're still seeing drones. We continue to believe that there's no threat, but we just don't know what's going on” ([02:50]). Authorities in Massachusetts have arrested two individuals for operating drones too close to Boston's airport, highlighting the growing challenges of regulating drone activity.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Government Collapses

[03:01] Shifting to international politics, Korva Coleman reports that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a no-confidence vote in the Bundestag. This political setback occurred after Scholz dismissed his Finance Minister, a key member of his coalition government, resulting in his administration falling into the minority. Consequently, Scholz's government has collapsed, paving the way for national elections scheduled for February 2025.

Passing of Indian Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain

[03:48] NPR's Felix Contreras covers the somber news of Zakir Hussain's passing, a revered tabla virtuoso and a pillar of Indian music. Trained in India, Hussain moved to the United States and became a global ambassador for traditional and innovative music. Notably, he collaborated with diverse artists, including Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and rock legend George Harrison. His formation of the Indian and jazz ensemble Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin in 1974 exemplified his commitment to blending genres. Hussain's legacy spans over five decades, earning him the status of a national treasure in India and acclaim worldwide for his contributions to music.

Rhode Island Faces Data Breach and Ransom Demands

[04:33] In cybersecurity news, Korva Coleman alerts listeners to a significant data breach in Rhode Island. Hackers have infiltrated the state's online portal used for critical services like Medicaid, food stamps, and long-term disability care. Governor [Name] announced that the perpetrators are demanding a ransom for the release of sensitive resident data. The breach poses severe risks to personal and financial information security for thousands of Rhode Islanders.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on December 16, 2024. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode through NPR's platforms.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The Israeli military has continued striking targets in Syria. It hit several weapons warehouses early today. A British based monitoring group called the strikes the, quote, most violent in more than a decade. NPR's Kerry Khan reports from Tel Aviv.

[Kerry Khan]

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Israeli airstrikes hit missile warehouses and other Syrian army sites. It says Israel has hit more than 450 targets in Syria since the Bashar al Assad dictatorship fell. Israel's military is not commenting about the latest strikes, but Israel has confirmed hitting hundreds of military targets. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes are vital to ensure weapons left from the Assad regime do not fall into the hands of extremists. Syrian rebel leaders say they do not want a confrontation with Israel and complain to the UN About Israeli incursions. Sunday, the Israeli government approved a plan to expand settlements in the Golan Heights that it has occupied for decades. Kerry Khan, NPR News, Tel Aviv, meanwhile.

[Korva Coleman]

Toppled Syrian President Bashar al Assad released a statement on social media today. He says he did not leave Syria voluntarily, but was evacuated with Russian troops who were also leaving. President elect Trump's nominee to be secretary of Health and Human Services will be on Capitol Hill this week. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Is expected to meet with more than 20 Republican senators ahead of his confirmation hearings.

[Luke Garrett]

Questions still surround RFK Jr. His views on vaccines and his nomination as HHS secretary. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska tells NPR vaccines, quote, saved whole villages. Murkowski is one of the senators meeting with Kennedy.

[Lisa Murkowski]

I want to talk to him about the issue of vaccines.

[Luke Garrett]

During his independent run for president, RFK Jr. Campaigned on anti vaccine messages beyond immunization. Murkowski wants to hear Kennedy's ideas on limiting processed foods.

[Lisa Murkowski]

We have a troubling, troubling rise in obesity amongst our native people.

[Luke Garrett]

RFK Jr raised national concerns about ultra processed foods and pesticide use. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Federal authorities say they're helping some state governments investigate reports of drone sightings in recent weeks. They say they have not detected a national security threat. The mayor of New Jersey's Washington Township, Matthew Morello, says he was briefed by New Jersey State Police but did not get solid answers.

[Matthew Morello]

But now we're in week four. We're still seeing drones. We continue to believe that there's no threat, but we just don't know what's going on. And that's all we're looking for. If it is a national security issue, fine. Tell us.

[Korva Coleman]

He spoke to ABC's Good Morning America. Over the weekend, authorities in Massachusetts arrested two people in Boston for flying drones too close to the airport. On Wall street, the die was up more than 10 points. This is NPR. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a no confidence vote in the German parliament. He had fired his finance minister, a member of his ruling coalition government. That put Scholz's government in the minority in the German parliament, and now it has collapsed. This paves the way for a national election in Germany next February. One of the giants of Indian music has died. NPR's Felix Kontaros reports on Zakir Hussain, a virtuoso tabla player who was widely respected as a traditionalist and an innovator.

[Felix Contreras]

After being trained in India and moving to the US Zakir Hussain defied genre almost from the beginning by befriending and jamming with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart in the late 1960s, playing on a George Harrison album in the early 70s, and forming the Indian and jazz ensemble Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin in 1974. In a career that spanned over five decades, Zakir Hussein was revered in his home country and beyond as a national treasure of India, while musicians as diverse as jazz saxophoners Charles Lloyd and bluegrass musicians Edgar Meyer and Bela Fleck collaborated with him on records and on stage. Felix Contreras, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Officials in Rhode island say hackers could release the private data of many state residents. As early as this week, Saboteurs broke into the online portal that Rhode Islanders use for health and human services benefits that includes Medicaid, food stamps and long term care for disabilities. Rhode Island's governor says the hackers are demanding a ransom. This is npr.

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