NPR News: 12-22-2024 6PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 22, 2024 | 6 PM EST Summary

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant national and international events in its December 22, 2024 episode. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and organized into clear sections for easy navigation.

---

1. President-Elect Donald Trump's Threat Over Panama Canal Fees

Overview: President-elect Donald Trump has made headlines by threatening to reclaim control of the Panama Canal in response to the fees imposed on shippers using this crucial maritime passage. Speaking to a conservative audience at Turning Point USA's America Fest in Arizona, Trump emphasized the importance of upholding the original terms of the canal's transfer.

Key Points:

• Threat to Reclaim Canal: Trump declared his intention to demand the return of the Panama Canal to the United States if Panama does not adhere to the agreed-upon fee structures.
• Panama's Response: Panama's President, Jose Raul Molino, swiftly reaffirmed his nation's sovereignty over the canal, asserting that every part of the canal and its surrounding areas belong to Panama.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [00:30]: “If the principles, both moral and legal of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question.”
• Jose Raul Molino [00:48]: “Every square meter of the canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama.”

Context: The United States handed over control of the Panama Canal to Panama in 1999, under a treaty initially signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. The canal remains vital not only for global maritime trade but also for Panama's economy, highlighting the sensitivity of Trump's remarks among international allies.

---

2. Status of the Death Penalty in the United States

Overview: An annual report from the Death Penalty Information Center reveals that the implementation of the death penalty in the United States has remained steady in 2024, with 25 executions carried out this year.

Key Points:

• Stable Execution Numbers: The number of executions in 2024 mirrors recent years, indicating no significant shift in capital punishment practices.
• Public Opinion: Support for the death penalty stands at 53%, marking the lowest approval rating in five decades.
• State Dynamics: Only four states conducted the majority of executions, making the death penalty a predominantly local issue.

Notable Quotes:

• Robyn Marr [01:46]: “The death penalty was not a major political issue this year and not much has changed.”
• Robyn Marr [02:08]: “[The fact that] just four states accounted for three quarters of all executions this year... has contributed to making the death penalty a, quote, local issue which escapes the notice of most Americans.”

Context: Of the 27 states that have death penalty statutes, five have currently suspended executions through gubernatorial orders. The limited application of the death penalty underscores its diminishing role in national politics.

---

3. Wall Street Quiet Ahead of the Holidays

Overview: Expectations of subdued trading activity mark Wall Street's upcoming week, influenced by the holiday season and the avoidance of a government shutdown.

Key Points:

• Reduced Trading Volume: The combination of holidays and a lack of imminent political turmoil is expected to calm trading markets.
• Recent Market Performance: The Dow Jones has experienced its third consecutive week of decline, reflecting volatility following Donald Trump's election in November.
• Economic Indicators: Future market movements will hinge on upcoming inflation and economic data, although few new reports are anticipated this week.

Notable Quotes:

• Rafael Naem [02:28]: “A slower week will likely be a welcome development after a rough week. All three major indexes tumbled last week...”

Context: The restrained trading environment presents a period of relative stability for investors, who have been navigating recent fluctuations in response to political changes and economic pressures.

---

4. Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Oahu’s North Shore

Overview: Hawaii is abuzz with excitement as approximately 50,000 spectators gather on Oahu's North Shore to witness the prestigious Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, featuring over 40 of the world's top surfers.

Key Points:

• Event Significance: Dubbed the "Super Bowl of surfing," this one-day, invite-only contest honors legendary surfer and lifeguard Eddie Aikau.
• Extreme Conditions: Surfers face monster swells reaching up to 50 feet, with the event only proceeding if wave heights consistently hit 40 feet.
• Safety Concerns: Emergency officials have issued warnings for spectators to maintain a safe distance from the shore due to the hazardous surf conditions, following last year's incidents of washouts.

Notable Quotes:

• Jackie Young [03:34]: “More crowds gathered overnight and parking lots filled up before dawn for what has been called the Super Bowl of surfing.”

Context: This year's contest marks the event's 10th occurrence in four decades, with Honolulu's Luke Shepherdson defending his title amidst heightened safety measures and environmental challenges posed by the powerful waves.

---

5. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Approaches Record Distance from the Sun

Overview: NASA's Parker Solar Probe is on track to achieve a historic milestone by approaching the sun closer than any previous spacecraft, setting the stage for groundbreaking solar research.

Key Points:

• Closest Approach: The probe will come within 3.8 million miles of the sun's surface, nearly seven times closer than its predecessor.
• Data Collection: Despite the proximity, scientists will not receive data until several days post-flyby, as the harsh solar environment poses communication challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeanine Herbst [04:25]: “The Parker Solar Probe... will pass within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles of the sun's surface this week.”

Context: Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe aims to enhance our understanding of solar phenomena, including solar winds and magnetic fields, which have profound implications for both space exploration and Earth's own technological infrastructure.

---

Excluded Content

As per the podcast's guidelines, all advertisements, introductory segments, and non-content sections were omitted from this summary to focus solely on delivering the core news and discussions presented during the episode.

---

This summary encapsulates the critical events and discussions from the December 22, 2024 episode of NPR News Now. For listeners seeking detailed insights into U.S. politics, judicial matters, economic trends, cultural events, and scientific advancements, this episode provided a well-rounded overview.

Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

This message is sponsored by Greenlight, the debit card and money app made for families where kids learn how to save, invest and spend wisely with parental controls built in. Sign up this holiday [e-mail] NPR Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President elect Donald Trump is threatening to try to take back the Panama Canal over fees shippers are charged to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and and Pacific Oceans.

[Donald Trump]

If the principles, both moral and legal of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question.

[Jeanine Herbst]

He made the comments to conservatives at the turning point USA's America Fest in Arizona. Panama's President Jose Raul Molino today reaffirmed his country's sovereignty over the canal, saying in a recorded statement on X that every square meter of the canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama. The US relinquished control of the waterway to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. The country is a strong US ally, and the canal is crucial for Panama's economy. Trump also told those gathered at the conservative conference that his administration would deliver deliver a booming economy and quickly settle wars in the Mid east and Ukraine. Without going into detail, a new study finds that the number of executions in the US Remains about the same this year as it has been recently. NPR's Martin Kosti reports. 25 people have been put to death in 2024.

[Robyn Marr]

Robyn Marr is the executive director of the Death Penalty Information center, which just published its annual report. She says the death penalty was not a major political issue this year and not much has changed.

[Martin Kosti]

Public support for the death penalty remains at a bare majority, which is 53%. That's a five decade low. But active use of the death penalty remains limited to just a minority of states.

[Robyn Marr]

Just four states accounted for three quarters of all executions this year, and Maher says that has contributed to making the death penalty a, quote, local issue which escapes the notice of most Americans. 27 states have the death penalty on the books, though five of those have paused executions by order of their governors. Martin Kosti, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall street will be quiet this week because of the holidays. NPR's Rafael Naem reports.

[Rafael Naem]

Trading is likely to slow down, especially after Congress avoided a shutdown this weekend. A slower week will likely be a welcome development after a rough week. All three major indexes tumbled last week, with the Dow Jones declining for a third consecutive week as stocks continue to Pare some of the strong gains seen after the election of Dol Trump in November. The path forward will ultimately depend on how inflation and other economic data shape up, but there won't be many new reports coming this week.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Rafael Naam reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. In Hawaii, an estimated 50,000 spectators are crowding onto Oazu's North Shore to see more than 40 of the world's top surfers compete. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational contest is both historical and prestigious, a one day event. Jackie Young from Hawaii Public Radio has.

[Jackie Young]

More crowds gathered overnight and parking lots filled up before dawn for what has been called the super bowl of surfing. The event has run only 10 times in 40 years and was last held in January 2023. The invite only contest is named for big wave champion surfer and lifeguard Eddie Aikau and will only run if surf heights consistently reach 40ft. Monster swells are expected to run throughout the day up to 50ft. Last year's champ, Honolulu city lifeguard Luke Shepherdson, will be defending his title. Emergency officials are warning spectators to stay far away from the shore because last year's high surf washed dozens of people and their belongings into the ocean. For NPR News, I'm Jackie Young in Honolulu.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A NASA spacecraft is about to make the closest approach to the sun. The Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018 to get a close up look at the sun will pass within a record breaking 3.8 million miles of the sun's surface this week. That's nearly seven times closer to the sun than the previous spacecraft. Scientists won't hear from Parker, though, until a few days after the flyby. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from NPR sponsor a new perspective on performance apparel. Check out the latest Dream Knit collection by visiting viori.com NPR for 20% off your first purchase. Exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions.