NPR News: 12-24-2024 12PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – December 24, 2024

Release Date: December 24, 2024

Hosted by Windsor Johnston

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1. Ukraine's Struggle Against Russian Advancement

Timestamp: 00:18

Windsor Johnston opens the episode with a report on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting Ukraine's challenges in halting Russia's push into the eastern regions. A significant focus is placed on the Ukrainian army's increasing reliance on remote-controlled drones to counteract Russian advancements amid a shortage of manpower.

Brian Mann’s Reporting from Pokrovsk

Timestamp: 00:40

NPR’s Brian Mann provides an on-the-ground perspective from a drone command post near the front lines in the Pokrovsk region. He describes how Russia has been steadily advancing, deploying more troops and artillery. In response, Ukraine's smaller forces are leveraging drone technology to inflict losses on Russian units.

• Live Drone Operations: Mann observed live video feeds of attack drones targeting Russian troops. A Ukrainian soldier, identified by the call sign "Pipe," emphasized the relentless nature of these operations.

  Quote:

  “We doing this every day, non stop, 24 hours.” – Yuri, Military Drone Technician
  Timestamp: 00:57

• Impact on Russian Forces: Despite the persistent drone attacks not fully stopping Russia, the Ukrainian forces, represented by Yuri, assert that these tactics are causing significant casualties among Russian soldiers.

  Quote:

  “We try to take out as many as we can before they reach our positions.” – Unnamed Ukrainian Soldier
  Timestamp: 01:13

• Strategic Importance of Pokrovsk: Mann underscores that if Pokrovsk falls, it would mark Russia's most substantial victory in recent months, signaling a potential shift in the conflict’s momentum.

  Conclusion: Mann wraps up his report by reaffirming the critical nature of Pokrovsk in the broader conflict dynamics.

2. Starbucks Workers Initiate Nationwide Strike

Timestamp: 01:23

Windsor Johnston transitions to labor relations, detailing the burgeoning strike by Starbucks employees across the United States. Over 300 cafes have joined the walkout, initially starting in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle, and expanding to Portland, Boston, and Dallas.

Alina Selyuk’s Analysis

Alina Selyuk of NPR delves into the motivations behind the strike, positioning it as a bid for the first collective bargaining contract by Starbucks Workers United.

• Negotiation Stalemate: Selyuk explains that after more than two years, negotiations between Starbucks and the union finally commenced this spring but quickly stalled, leading to escalating strikes.

  Quote:

  “It took more than two years for Starbucks and the union to finally begin negotiating a contract this spring.” – Alina Selyuk
  Timestamp: 01:45

• Union Demands vs. Company Response: The union criticizes Starbucks for its insufficient wage offers, especially in light of the new CEO's compensation exceeding $100 million. Conversely, Starbucks accuses the union of prematurely ending negotiations and labels the demands as unfeasible.

• Strike Momentum: Initially planned to peak before Christmas with over 5,000 workers joining the walkout nationwide, the strike continues to spread as workers seek better wages and working conditions.

  Conclusion: Selyuk highlights the critical juncture the strike represents for both the union and Starbucks, with substantial implications for labor relations in the retail sector.

3. Impact of Visa Policies on U.S. Scientific Research

Timestamp: 02:26

Shifting to the realm of academia and technology, Windsor Johnston reports on the heavy reliance of U.S. scientific research on international scientists, particularly those working under temporary visas.

John Hamilton’s Investigation

John Hamilton explores the challenges faced by over 500,000 foreign scientists in the United States, exacerbated by restrictive visa policies initiated during Donald Trump's administration, which are likely to face renewed scrutiny.

• Visa Restrictions: The tightening of visa applications has hindered the influx of talented individuals crucial for scientific advancement and technological innovation.

• Industry Perspectives: Some tech companies, like cloud computing firm Box, advocate for the benefits of H1B visas to the U.S. economy. However, major research institutions remain largely silent on the issue.

  Quote:

  “You have some tech firms like Box, you know the cloud computing firm that are making the case that H1B visas are good for the US economy. Universities are saying very little.” – John Hamilton
  Timestamp: 02:49

• Institutional Silence: Despite the critical role these scientists play, many leading research institutions have declined to comment, leaving the conversation dominated by corporate interests.

  Conclusion: Hamilton underscores the precarious situation of foreign scientists in the U.S. and the potential long-term impacts on the nation's scientific and technological leadership.

4. Wall Street Gains and NORAD's Annual Tracking of Santa

Timestamp: 03:05

Windsor Johnston provides a brief update on the financial markets, noting that Wall Street is experiencing gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 217 points at the time of the report.

Jeff Brumfiel’s Light-Hearted Segment on NORAD

Shifting to a more festive note, Jeff Brumfiel shares the annual tradition of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

• Santa’s Sleigh Identified: Contrary to initial reports speculating about drones or UFOs, NORAD confirmed the sighting of Santa’s sleigh moving rapidly south, laden with presents.

  Quote:

  “That's when a small child called a military red phone designed to warn of a nuclear attack and asked to speak to Santa Claus.” – Jeff Brumfiel
  Timestamp: 03:30

• Historical Context: The tradition dates back to 1955 when a misprinted advertisement led a child to call NORAD to speak with Santa, prompting the creation of an enduring annual public relations effort.

  Conclusion: Brumfiel highlights the charming and enduring nature of NORAD’s Santa tracking tradition, blending military history with holiday cheer.

5. Bethlehem Celebrates Amidst Conflict in Gaza

Timestamp: 04:05

Windsor Johnston reports from Bethlehem, marking its second Christmas since the outbreak of war in Gaza. The usually bustling Manger Square remains subdued, reflecting the ongoing tensions and reduced tourism.

Mayor Anton Salman’s Message

Mayor Anton Salman articulates Bethlehem’s enduring message of peace and hope, despite the challenging circumstances.

• Peace and Resilience: Salman emphasizes the city's commitment to advocating for peace and urging the international community to address the suffering and occupation faced by the Palestinian people.

  Quote:

  “Always. The message of Bethlehem is a message of peace and hope. And these days we are also sending our message to the world, peace and hope, but insisting that the world must work to end our suffering as Palestinian people, to end the occupation.” – Mayor Anton Salman
  Timestamp: 04:24

• Dramatic Decline in Tourism: From approximately 2 million visitors in 2019, Bethlehem has seen a stark reduction to fewer than 100,000 visitors in 2024, underscoring the impact of the conflict on local economies and cultural exchanges.

  Conclusion: Johnston paints a poignant picture of Bethlehem’s quiet Christmas, juxtaposing the city's historical significance with the realities of ongoing conflict.

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Note: Advertisements from Carvana at the beginning and end of the episode were excluded from this summary to focus solely on the news content.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Ukraine is struggling to stop Russia's advance in the eastern part of the country. Facing a manpower shortage, the Ukrainian army is turning more and more to remote controlled drones. NPR's Brian Mann visited a drone command post near the front lines.

[Brian Mann]

Russia has been grinding forward in the Pokrovsk region, fielding more troops and artillery, Ukraine's smaller forces using drone units to fight back. NPR was able to watch live video feeds as attack drones bombed Russian units led by a soldier who goes by the call sign pipe.

[Yuri]

We doing this every day, non stop, 24 hours.

[Brian Mann]

Drones haven't stopped Russia, but a military drone technician who gave his name as Yuri for security reasons said Ukraine is making Russia pay a huge price in soldiers killed and wounded.

[Unnamed Ukrainian Soldier]

We try to take out as many as we can before they reach our positions.

[Brian Mann]

If Pokrovsk falls, it will be Russia's largest victory in months. Brian Mann, NPR News, near Perkrovski.

[Windsor Johnston]

Starbucks workers at more than 300 cafes across the nation have walked off the job. The strike began on Friday in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle. It has since expanded to stores in Portland, Boston and Dallas. NPR's Alina Selyuk says Starbucks Workers United are trying to reach an agreement for the first collective bargaining contract.

[Alina Selyuk]

It took more than two years for Starbucks and the union to finally begin negotiating a contract this spring. Now the union has staged an escalating strike over what it says is a lack of progress and the company's wage offer. The strikes began in three cities and were slated to peak right before Christmas, with more than 5,000 Starbucks workers planning to walk off their jobs nationwide. The union points to the compensation offered to the new Starbucks CEO worth more than $100 million. Unionized workers demand a bigger commitment to raise their wages now and over time. Starbucks, for its part, argues it was the union that prematurely ended negotiations and that the union's demands are not feasible. Alina Seloukh, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Scientific research in the US Relies heavily on scientists from other countries, including more than 500,000 who are working under temporary visas. NPR's John Hamilton reports. Those visas became harder to get during Donald Trump's first term in office, and they're likely to face new scrutiny the second time around.

[John Hamilton]

You have some tech firms like Box, you know the cloud computing firm that are making the case that H1B visas are good for the US economy. Universities are are saying very little. I contacted at least half a dozen major research institutions over the past few weeks, and they pretty much declined to comment.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's NPR's John Hamilton reporting. Stocks are trading higher on Wall street at this hour. The dow was up 217 points. This is NPR News. The U.S. military is tracking an unidentified object over the North Pole. NPR's Jeff Brumfiel reports. It's not a drone or a UFO.

[Jeff Brumfiel]

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, says it spotted a sleigh moving rapidly south filled with presents for good girls and boys. NORAD has had an eye on Santa since 1955. That's when a small child called a military red phone designed to warn of a nuclear attack and asked to speak to Santa Claus. It turns out a local business had accidentally published the phone number in an advertisement for children who wanted to talk to jolly old Saint Nick. In the years since, NORAD has made tracking an annual tradition. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Bethlehem is marking its second Christmas since the war in Gaza broke out. Manger Square is typically filled with tourists visiting the traditional birthplace of Jesus, but the town remains quiet. This year. Mayor Anton Salman says the message of Bethlehem remains the same.

[Yuri]

Always. The message of Bethlehem is a message of peace and hope. And these days we are also sending our message to the world, peace and hope, but insisting that the world must work to end our suffering as Palestinian people, to end the occupation.

[Windsor Johnston]

The number of visitors to Bethlehem has plunged from about 2 million in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024. This is NPR News from Washington.

[Carvana Representative]

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