NPR News: 12-16-2024 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of December 16, 2024 Episode

Release Date: December 16, 2024 | Host: Korva Coleman

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1. Israel Closes Embassy in Ireland Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Korva Coleman opens the episode with a significant diplomatic development: Israel has announced the closure of its embassy in Ireland. This move comes in response to what Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar describes as "anti-Israel policies" by Ireland, one of Europe’s most pro-Palestinian nations.

Lauren Frayer elaborates on the historical and political context:

• "Many Irish identify with the Palestinian cause, relating it to their own history of occupation by the British" (00:31).
• Last spring, Ireland formally recognized a Palestinian state, a stance that has intensified tensions.
• Ireland recently joined a genocide case against Israel at the United Nations' top court.

Foreign Minister Saar criticized Ireland's actions as antisemitic:

• "Rooted in efforts to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state" (00:31).

In response, Ireland's Taoiseach, Simon Harris, expressed regret over the embassy closure:

• "Ireland isn't anti-Israel. It's pro peace, pro human rights and pro international law" (00:31).

This diplomatic rift underscores the broader geopolitical struggles surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlights Ireland's prominent support for Palestinian rights.

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2. ABC News Settles Lawsuit with Former President Trump for $15 Million

Korva Coleman reports on a high-profile legal settlement involving ABC News and its parent company, Disney. The network will pay $15 million to settle a lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump.

The lawsuit originated from remarks made by ABC host George Stephanopoulos:

• Stephanopoulos incorrectly asserted that Trump "had been found liable for rape" during an interview (00:17).

However, the legal reality was different:

• A New York jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse but not rape (01:16).
• The judge noted that the incident fit the "commonly understood definition of rape, but not the narrow one under New York law" (01:16).

David Falkenflik provides further insights:

• "Well, it remains a mystery why they didn't clarify, but why did they settle? They say they're happy to be past it" (01:52).
• The settlement is substantial, especially for a public figure, and occurs amidst a backdrop where various news organizations appear to be mending ties with Trump. Examples include endorsements of Vice President Harris by outlets like the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post, and ABC News executives engaging with figures in the incoming Trump administration.

The decision to settle without a public clarification remains a point of speculation, highlighting the complexities of media relationships with political figures.

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3. Electric Vehicle Sales Increase by 10% in November

Korva Coleman shifts to economic news, highlighting a 10% rise in electric vehicle (EV) sales in November, as reported by Cox Automotive. However, Camila Domonoski notes that the growth hasn't been as explosive as some might anticipate.

Key factors influencing this trend include:

• Tax Credits: Federal incentives offer up to $4,000 for used EVs and $7,500 for new vehicles.
• Accessibility Issues: Used EV dealer Alex Lawrence points out that "there are still many people that don't even know this exists" (02:45), indicating a gap in consumer awareness.

Camila further explains the financial mechanics:

• Buyers can receive discounts upfront at purchase or utilize them as down payments, making EVs more financially accessible.

Looking ahead, the future of these tax credits remains uncertain:

• Eliminating the credits would require Congressional action.
• The Trump administration could potentially make obtaining these credits more challenging, impacting future sales growth (02:49).

This segment underscores both the progress and challenges in the EV market, balancing governmental incentives with consumer education and policy stability.

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4. Rhode Island Faces Major Data Breach with Potential Ransom Demand

In another crucial report, Korva Coleman informs listeners of a cybersecurity crisis unfolding in Rhode Island:

• Hackers have breached the state's online portal used for health and human services, including Medicaid, food stamps, and long-term disability care (03:11).

Governor of Rhode Island confirmed that the hackers are threatening to release private data unless a ransom is paid:

• As a result, the state's online portal has been shut down to prevent data leakage (03:11).

This incident highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on governmental infrastructure and the vulnerabilities present in public service digital platforms. The potential release of sensitive personal data poses significant risks to residents, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

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5. Pope Francis Commemorates Migrants in Mediterranean During Corsica Visit

Korva Coleman brings attention to a humanitarian and religious event: Pope Francis' visit to the island of Corsica, where he paid tribute to migrants who have perished in the Mediterranean Sea.

Eleanor Beardsley provides a detailed account:

• The pope's visit was notably brief, lasting only nine hours (03:50).
• Highlights included a 40-minute meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
• The pope also engaged with local residents, including Jeannette Marie, a 108-year-old citizen, who shared her emotional experience:
  • "It's a sensational emotion. I would have never thought I'd meet the pope at my age" (03:50).

During his address, Pope Francis emphasized:

• The importance of caring for the elderly and children.
• The devastating impact of migration crises, stating that "the tragedy of migration has turned the Mediterranean into Europe's largest cemetery" (03:50).

This visit underscores the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the region and the Catholic Church's commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations.

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6. Tropical Cyclone Chito Devastates Mayotte and Mozambique

Closing the episode, Korva Coleman reports on the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Chito, which has significantly weakened after making landfall in Mozambique but wreaked havoc on the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.

Key impacts include:

• Casualties: At least 14 people have been killed in Mayotte (04:33).
• Authorities are concerned that the death toll could rise into the hundreds as rescue and recovery efforts continue (04:33).

The cyclone's destructive path serves as a reminder of the increasing frequency and severity of tropical storms, exacerbated by climate change, and the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies in vulnerable regions.

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Conclusion

The December 16, 2024 episode of NPR News Now, hosted by Korva Coleman, delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing global and national issues. From diplomatic tensions between Israel and Ireland to legal settlements involving high-profile figures, the rise of electric vehicle sales, cybersecurity threats in Rhode Island, Pope Francis's humanitarian advocacy, and the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Chito, the episode provided listeners with in-depth insights and significant developments shaping our world.

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Note: All timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript segments for accurate reference.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Israel says it's closing its embassy in Ireland because of what the Israeli foreign minister calls anti Israel policies. Ireland is one of the most pro Palestinian countries in Europe, if not the world. As NPR's Lauren Frayer reports.

[Lauren Frayer]

Many Irish identify with the Palestinian cause, relating it to their own history of occupation by the British. Last spring, Ireland formally recognized a Palestinian state, and last week it said it's joining a genocide case against Israel at the United nations top court. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says he considers Ireland's actions antisemitic, rooted in efforts to, quote, delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state. He says he's ordered the closure of Israel's embassy in Dublin and will focus on relations with other countries instead. Ireland's Taoiseach or Prime Minister Simon Harris calls the move deeply regrettable. He says Ireland isn't anti Israel. It's pro peace, pro human rights and pro international law, he says. Lauren Fryer, NPR News, London.

[Korva Coleman]

ABC News and its parent company Disney, will pay $15 million to settle a lawsuit with President elect Trump. Earlier this year, ABC host George Stephanopoulos incorrectly asserted in an interview Trump had been found liable for rape. Last year, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse but not rape. The judge said at the time what happened fit the commonly understood definition of rape, but not the narrow one under New York law. NPR's David Falkenflik reports. Some expected Stephanopoulos and ABC to clarify the remarks at trial, but instead they settled.

[David Falkenflik]

Well, it remains a mystery why they didn't clarify, but why did they settle? They say they're happy to be past it. We don't know exactly, but this is a major amount of money, particularly for a public figure. It also comes at a time as a number of news organizations and a number of owners and leaders of news organizations appear trying to make peace with Trump. You think of the killed endorsements of Vice President Harris in the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, a top executive over ABC News was seen at Mar a Lago meeting with a key incoming figure in the new Trump administration.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's David Falkenflik reporting. Sales of electric vehicles went up by around 10% in November, according to Cox Automotive. NPR's Camilla Domonoski has more.

[Camila Domonoski]

EV sales have gone up, but not spiked as much as you might think. Used EV dealer Alex Lawrence in Utah says that's because for every shopper racing to snag these tax credits, there are.

[Alex Lawrence]

Still many, many, many, many, many more people that don't even know this exists.

[Camila Domonoski]

The federal tax credits are worth up to four grand for used cars and up to $7,500 for new vehicles. And buyers can get that discount up front at the time of purchase, even use it as a down payment. The future of the credit is uncertain. It would require an act of Congress to completely eliminate it. But the Trump administration could also just make it harder to get. Camila Domonoski, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. 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 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. The state's online portal has been shut down. Pope Francis is remembering migrants who have died in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to reach Europe. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports on the pope's visit to the island of Corsica.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

The pope's visit was one of the briefest outside Italy, lasting just nine hours. It included a 40 minute meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The pope also met with Corsica's oldest citizen, 108-year-old Jeannette Marie. It was broadcast on French television. It's a sensational emotion, she said. I would have never thought I'd meet the pope at my age. The pope spoke of the importance of taking care of old people and children. He also said the tragedy of migration has turned the Mediterranean into Europe's largest cemetery. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Korva Coleman]

Tropical Cyclone Chito has lost significant strength after making landfall in the eastern African nation of Mozambique, but it first smashed the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. Authorities in that French territory say at least 14 people have been killed, but they fear that the death cold could be hundreds more. I'm Korva Kuhlman, NPR News.

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