NPR News: 12-23-2024 12AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 23, 2024

Release Date: December 23, 2024
Host: Dale Willman
Publisher: NPR

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Presidential Nomination: Stephen Myron as Top Economic Advisor

Timestamp: 00:19

In the latest update from the White House, President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Stephen Myron as a top economic advisor. Dale Willman introduces the segment, highlighting the significance of this appointment.

Scott Horsley reports that Myron, a Harvard-trained economist with previous experience at the Treasury Department during Trump's first term, will lead the President's Council of Economic Advisers. Myron is also affiliated with the conservative Manhattan Institute.

Quote:
"Stephen Myron will work with the rest of my economic team to deliver a great, great economic boom that lifts up all Americans," Trump stated in his social media post announcing the nomination. (00:32)

If confirmed by the Senate, Myron will play a crucial role in interpreting economic conditions and shaping policy to sustain the current economic growth characterized by low unemployment and cooling inflation. Despite these positive indicators, polls indicate that many Americans remain dissatisfied with the cumulative price hikes over the past five years.

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Democratic Response: Senator John Fetterman's Stance

Timestamp: 01:13

Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania addresses the upcoming administration changes and emphasizes a unified national approach. Speaking on ABC's "This Week," Fetterman urges the public to remain calm and open-minded regarding Trump's selection of his cabinet.

Quote:
"I'm not rooting against him. If you're rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation. And I'm not ever going to be where I want a president to fail. So country first. I know that's become maybe like a cliché, but it happens to be true." (01:23)

Fetterman assures constituents that he prioritizes the nation's success over partisan divisions and commits to evaluating each candidate on their merits.

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National Security Insights from Jake Sullivan

Timestamp: 01:42

Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Adviser, provides an overview of the United States' current geopolitical standing on CNN's "Global Public Square." He emphasizes that America's competitors and adversaries are currently under greater pressure and weaker than in previous years.

Quote:
"America's competitors and adversaries are weaker and under greater pressure than they have been all the while. We kept America out of war. So that kind of hand allows Donald Trump to come in and do two things. One, work to continue to improve America's strategic position vis a vis our geopolitical competitors, and two, try to shape a world that is consistent with the interests and values of the U.S." (02:01)

Sullivan also addresses the U.S. relationship with China, advocating for "vigorous competition" as the optimal strategy moving forward.

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Middle East and Domestic Incidents

Timestamp: 02:28

Dale Willman covers a range of international and domestic news:

1. Gaza Hospital Evacuation: One of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza faces evacuation orders from the Israeli military. Hospital officials report nearly 400 patients are stranded without sufficient time or assistance. The Israeli military states that over 100 patients have been evacuated and clarifies that their operations are targeting Hamas militants.

2. New York City Subway Incident: Authorities have detained a suspect believed to be responsible for the death of a woman on a subway train. Police allege that the woman may have fallen asleep in a subway car and was set on fire by an unknown individual. The suspect was identified by three teenagers who recognized him from police footage.

3. Penn State Women's Volleyball Championship: Penn State secured its eighth national title by defeating the University of Louisville in a three sets to one victory. Greg Eckland from NPR provides additional insights from Louisville.

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Penn State's Historic Victory

Timestamp: 03:28

Greg Eckland reports on Penn State's triumph in the women's volleyball championship. The team overcame the University of Louisville with a decisive three-to-one set victory. Key factors included the absence of Louisville's leading player, Senior Anna De Beer, due to an ankle injury sustained during the semifinals.

Quote:
"To see her go down in the semifinal like I was sick to my stomach because I know that if she could play like, she definitely would," Penn State's Jess Mercy, the tournament's most outstanding player, expressed her empathy for De Beer. (03:45)

Moreover, Katie Schumacher Cawley of Penn State made history by becoming the first woman in Division I to lead her team to a women's volleyball title as a head coach, marking a significant milestone since the Nittany Lions' first championship in 1999.

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Protests in Serbia and Peace Efforts in Colombia

Timestamp: 04:13

Dale Willman reports on significant developments in Serbia and Colombia:

1. Belgrade Protests: Tens of thousands gathered in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, to protest against the current president and his administration. The rally, organized by student and farmer unions, is part of a broader movement demanding governmental accountability following the tragic collapse of a canopy at a railway station in November, which resulted in 15 deaths.

2. Colombian Rebel Truce: Colombia's largest remaining rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), has declared a unilateral truce for the Christmas holiday period, effective until January 3rd. This pause in hostilities aims to allow the nation to celebrate the holidays peacefully. Founded in the 1960s by priests, university students, and union leaders inspired by the Cuban revolution, the ELN's announcement follows ongoing peace efforts in the region.

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Upcoming Events and Sports Highlights

Timestamp: 03:28

In addition to the primary news stories, the episode highlights Penn State's recent success in women's volleyball and upcoming events that have captured public attention. These segments provide a comprehensive overview of both national and international happenings, ensuring listeners are well-informed on diverse topics.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a wide array of significant events ranging from political appointments and international conflicts to sports achievements and social movements. With detailed reporting and insightful quotes from key figures, the summary provides a thorough understanding of the current global and national landscape for listeners.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Dale Willman]

LIVE from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. President elect Donald Trump plans to nominate Stephen Myron to serve as a top White House economic Advisor in As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, Trump announced the pick in a social media post this morning.

[Scott Horsley]

Myron is a Harvard trained economist who previously worked at the Treasury Department during Trump's first term in office. He's also a fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute. Trump plans to nominate Myron to lead the president's Council of Economic Advisers. If confirmed by the Senate, he'll help the White House to interpret economic conditions and have a hand in shaping policy. Trump said in a social media post that Myron will work with the rest of his economic team to deliver a great, great economic boom that lifts up all Americans. Trump returns to the White House at a time when the US Economy is already growing at a solid clip with low unemployment and cooling inflation. Polls show many Americans are unhappy, though, about the cumulative price hikes over the last five years. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania says he wants the US to succeed, so he's asking people to relax. As president elect, Donald Trump picks the people he wants to join his administration.

[John Fetterman]

I'm not rooting against him. If you're rooting against the president, you are rooting against the nation. And I'm not ever going to be where I want a president to fail. So country first. I know that's become maybe like a cliche, but it happens to be true.

[Dale Willman]

Speaking this morning on ABC's this Week, Fetterman says he'll be looking at each candidate with an open mind. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan says the U.S. is in good shape. And speaking on CNN's Global Public Square program, he says the Biden pleased with what they're passing off to the incoming Trump administration.

[Jake Sullivan]

America's competitors and adversaries are weaker and under greater pressure than they have been all the while. We kept America out of war. So that kind of hand allows Donald Trump to come in and do two things. One, work to continue to improve America's strategic position vis a vis our geopolitical competitors, and two, try to shape a world that is consistent with the interests and values of the U.S. sullivan also.

[Dale Willman]

Spoke about the U.S. relationship with China. He said the best way to deal with China is through vigorous competition. One of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza that is still partially functioning is being ordered by the Israeli military to evacuate the facility. But the hospital officials say they have almost 400 patients who cannot be evacuated without more time and help. Israel's military says it's already evacuated more than 100 patients from the FAC, and they say their operation is targeting Hamas militants. Police in New York City say they have one person in custody who they say is connected to the death of a woman on a subway train. They say the woman may have fallen asleep in a subway car and was set on fire by a man she did not know. The suspect was identified by three teenagers who recognized him from police video. You're listening to NPR News. Penn State captured its eighth women's volleyball championship tonight after a three sets to one victory over the University of Louisville. GRE has more from Louisville.

[Greg Eckland]

Penn State entered the match with an edge when the Louisville Cardinals kills leader. Senior Anna De Beer didn't play because of an ankle injury in Thursday night's semifinal. Penn State's Jess Mercy, voted the most outstanding player in the tournament, says she sympathizes with de Beer as a friend.

[Jess Mercy]

To see her go down in the semifinal like I was sick to my stomach because I know that if she could play like, she definitely would.

[Greg Eckland]

Penn State's Katie Schumacher Cawley, who was part of the Nittany Lions first national championship as a student athlete in 1999, made history. She became the first woman in Division I history to lead her team to a women's volleyball title as a head coach. For NPR News, I'm Greg Eckland at Louisville.

[Dale Willman]

Tens of thousands of people turned out Sunday in the Serbian capital of Belgrade to protest that country's president and his government. This latest rally was called by students and farmers unions. The they're part of a wider movement demanding accountability. Following the November collapse of a canopy at a railway station that killed 15 people, Colombia's largest remaining rebel group has announced a unilateral truce for the Christmas holiday. The National Liberation army, also known as ELN, says the truce will last through January 3rd. Until then, all attacks on the military will be stopped so the nation can celebrate the holidays. The group is founded in the 1960s by priests, university students and union leaders who were inspired by the Cuban revolution. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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