NPR News Now: December 19, 2024, 7AM EST
Host: Korva Coleman
Government Shutdown Impasse
Timestamp: [00:11] – [00:28]
NPR's Korva Coleman opens the episode with urgent news from Washington, D.C., where congressional Republicans have withdrawn their support for a bipartisan government funding bill. This withdrawal leads to an impending partial federal government shutdown slated to begin late tomorrow. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise remarked, “[00:21] Obviously, there's still a lot of negotiations, conversations going on, but there's no minimal agreement.” The collapse of the agreement follows intense pressure from President-elect Trump, who threatened GOP lawmakers with primary challenges if they supported the bill, accusing them of funding Democratic priorities.
Biden Administration's Ambitious Climate Goals
Timestamp: [00:28] – [01:52]
In a significant policy development, the Biden administration has unveiled a more ambitious climate goal aimed at reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 61 to 66% by 2035, a 20% increase from the previous target based on 2005 levels. NPR’s Jeff Brady reports on the administration’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, despite President-elect Trump’s threats to withdraw the United States from the treaty upon taking office. Jeff Brady notes, “[01:04] The Biden administration is boosting the US goal by about 20%, putting the target range at 61 to 66% reduction by 2035.”
John Podesta, Biden’s climate advisor, emphasizes that even if the U.S. exits the Paris Agreement, sub-national actors such as states, cities, and private companies will still drive progress towards the new goals. Steve Scalise supports this view, stating, “[01:32] Sub national leaders in the United States can continue to show the world that American climate leadership is determined by so much more than whoever sits in the Oval Office.” However, Brady cautions that independent models indicate meeting these enhanced targets will be challenging without additional federal climate policies.
High-Profile Court Case
Timestamp: [01:52] – [02:23]
The episode highlights a significant criminal case in central Pennsylvania, where Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is set to appear in court. New York prosecutors seek Mangione’s extradition to face murder charges, in addition to existing weapons charges in Pennsylvania. The case has garnered national attention, reflecting the ongoing challenges in cross-jurisdictional law enforcement.
Syria’s Rebuilding Efforts
Timestamp: [02:23] – [03:04]
Turning to international news, NPR’s Hadil Al Shalchi reports from Damascus on Syria’s progress in rebuilding infrastructure under the new leadership of Hay E Tahrir Shem (HTS). The first domestic flight since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad departed Damascus, landing at Aleppo Airport an hour behind schedule. Enes Rustom, overseeing the airport, described the event as, “[02:23] a big accomplishment towards rebuilding the country.” Although international flights have yet to resume, Rustom expressed optimism about welcoming flights from all nations. Additionally, Syria has restored ATMs and electronic payment services—a crucial step towards economic normalization. Despite these advancements, HTS faces the immense task of uniting a fragmented nation and revitalizing state institutions weakened by years of sanctions and corruption.
Coping with Grief During the Holidays
Timestamp: [03:04] – [04:07]
In a poignant human interest segment, NPR’s Windsor Johnston shares personal stories from listeners about managing grief during the holiday season:
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Don Pilar, facing his first Christmas without his wife Rose, reflects on their favorite holiday market in Chicago: “[03:22] It has been bittersweet walking through our favorite holiday market this month.”
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Sophia Dembling from Dallas, Texas, mourns her husband Tom, who passed away four years ago: “[03:34] Christmas still isn't the same without him.” She reminisces about their traditions, saying, “[03:51] I loved buying gifts for him. We would get up and we would have, you know, sweet rolls for breakfast and exchange gifts.” Despite efforts to establish new traditions, Sophia struggles with the void left by her loss.
Steve Scalise adds, “[03:34] It's tough, but while the sorrow is always there, just having that memory of what we did here, you know, it sort of brings her back to life.” These narratives underscore the enduring impact of loss and the complex emotions experienced during holiday times.
Amazon Worker Strike
Timestamp: [04:07] – [04:51]
In labor news, thousands of Amazon employees are striking across the United States. The Teamsters union reports that delivery drivers and warehouse workers are picketing at seven major facilities, including locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Skokie (Illinois), and New York City. The union alleges that Amazon refuses to engage in meaningful bargaining, prompting the widespread protests. In response, Amazon released a statement contending that the Teamsters do not represent its workers and are promoting a misleading narrative. This strike highlights ongoing tensions between large tech employers and labor organizations advocating for better working conditions and fair negotiations.
Additional News: Ancient Mastodon Discovery
Timestamp: [04:51] – [End]
In lighter news, a New York man gardening in his yard earlier this year unearthed two giant teeth from an ancient mastodon, which led researchers to discover an entire mastodon jawbone. Experts are now actively searching for more fossils, offering a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric life and contributing to the paleontological understanding of the region.
Closing Notes:
The episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive roundup of significant national and international events, from political impasses and climate policies to personal stories of grief and labor strikes. With detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the summary provides listeners with an in-depth understanding of the day's most pressing issues.