NPR News: 12-24-2024 6AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 24, 2024, 6 AM EST

Hosted by NPR's Korva Coleman

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International Affairs

Israel-Yemen Conflict Intensifies

In the early hours, Israel's military reported intercepting a missile fired from Yemen, marking the third such attack in nearly a week. On [00:30], Daniel Estrin detailed the escalation: "Air raid sirens went off in central Israel and the military says it intercepted the missile." The previous missile landed in Tel Aviv, resulting in property damage and minor injuries. The Iran-backed Houthi militia has declared its intent to continue these assaults as long as Israel's offensive in Gaza persists. In retaliation, both Israel and the United States have conducted airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made a stern warning in a recent speech, admitting responsibility for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and stating, "Houthi leaders could be next" [00:30].

Russian Cargo Ship Sinks in the Mediterranean

Russian officials have reported the sinking of a Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea due to an unexplained explosion [03:14]. While details remain scarce, it is confirmed that two crew members are currently missing. This incident adds to the maritime tensions in the region, though official statements have been limited regarding the cause and broader implications.

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U.S. Politics

Allegations Against Former Congressman Matt Gaetz

The House Ethics Committee has substantiated allegations against former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who was President-elect Trump's initial nominee for Attorney General. The committee's findings, released [01:11] on December 24, accuse Gaetz of violating House rules and federal laws, including involvement in prostitution, statutory rape, and illegal drug use. Despite Gaetz's consistent denials and his recent lawsuit attempting to block the report's release [01:11], the majority of the ethics panel stands by their decision. NPR's Barbara Sprunt highlighted dissenting opinions within the committee, with Republican Chairman Michael Guest expressing concerns over the release's alignment with established standards [01:46].

Legal Proceedings Against Ryan Ruth Delayed

In other political news, a federal judge has postponed the trial of Ryan Ruth, a Florida man accused of attempting to assassinate President Elect Trump. Reports indicate that the trial is now scheduled for next September [02:13]. Details surrounding the case remain under wraps, but the delay marks a significant development in the high-profile legal battle.

President Biden Vetoes Judicial Expansion Bill

President Joe Biden has vetoed a legislative bill proposing the creation of 66 new federal district judgeships across several states [03:14]. Biden cited concerns over the bill's rushed passage by the Republican-led House and the lack of clarity regarding the bipartisan process for filling these positions. The veto underscores ongoing tensions between the administration and Congress over judicial appointments and legislative procedures.

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Science and Technology

Parker Solar Probe Nears the Sun

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved a historic milestone by approaching the Sun closer than any human-made object before [02:35]. At its closest point, the probe is merely 3.8 million miles from the Sun's surface, enduring temperatures exceeding a million degrees Fahrenheit. This feat is made possible by its specialized heat shield, which protects its scientific instruments. The mission aims to unravel the mysteries of the solar corona and improve forecasts of solar particle emissions that can impact Earth's satellite infrastructure. NPR's Jeff Brumfield explains, "Researchers believe they could use that data to better forecast outbursts of particles from the sun, which can disrupt satellites closer to Earth" [02:35].

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Domestic News

Record-Breaking Holiday Travel Season

As Christmas Eve approaches, the United States is bracing for an unprecedented surge in holiday travel [03:14]. According to NPR's Joel Rose, more than 119 million people are expected to embark on trips exceeding 50 miles from home between December 21 and New Year's Day, potentially setting a new record surpassing the pre-pandemic statistics from 2019. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates processing around 40 million travelers through security checkpoints, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Peak travel days are identified as December 27th and 30th [04:00].

Severe Weather Hits California Coast

California's coastline is currently experiencing severe weather conditions, including powerful winds and high waves [04:35]. These storms have led to tragic incidents, including the death of a man on a beach south of San Francisco who was trapped by debris. Additionally, another individual remains missing after being pulled into the ocean [04:35]. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as weather forecasters warn of ongoing hazardous conditions along the coast.

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Local Updates

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Advances Scientific Understanding

The advancement of NASA's Parker Solar Probe not only marks a significant achievement in space exploration but also paves the way for enhanced predictive capabilities regarding solar activity. By studying the flow of heat from the Sun's surface to its corona, scientists aim to mitigate the effects of solar storms on Earth’s technological infrastructure [02:35].

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This comprehensive update encapsulates the critical events and developments from around the globe and the United States, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the day's most pressing news. For more detailed coverage, tuning into the full NPR News Now episode is recommended.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Korva Coleman. Israel's military says it has intercepted a missile fired from Yemen. As NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv, Israel's defense minister is vowing to assassinate the leaders of the Houthi militia in Yemen.

[Daniel Estrin]

Air raid sirens went off in central Israel and the military says it intercepted the missile. It's the third missile fired from Yemen towards central Israel in nearly a week. On Saturday, one evaded Israel's air defenses and landed in Tel Aviv, causing damage and some injuries. The Iran backed Houthi rebel group says it will continue these attacks as long as Israel's offensive continues in Gaza. Israel and the US have bombed Houthi targets in Yemen in recent days. In a new speech, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz admitted Israel was responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh while he was in Iran in July, and he warned Houthi leaders they could be next. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

There's been reaction to a report on allegations of sexual misconduct by former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. He was President elect Trump's initial pick for US Attorney general. That the House Ethics Committee says it found evidence that Gates broke House rules and the law prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug use and other accusations. Gates has consistently denied he broke the law. Yesterday he filed a lawsuit to try to stop the report's release, saying he was no longer a member of Congress. NPR's Barbara Sprunt says a majority of the ethics panel disagreed.

[Barbara Sprunt]

The panel said there have been instances where the committee determined it was in the public's interest to release findings even after a member leaves Congress. In this case, they said they didn't take the decision lightly. The chairman of the committee, Republican Michael Guest of Mississippi, wrote on behalf of dissenting members of the panel that while they don't challenge the findings of the investigation, the release itself is, in their words, a dangerous break with established standards.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Barbara Sprunt, a federal judge has delayed the trial against a Florida man accused of trying to assassinate President Elect Trump. News reports say the trial for Ryan Ruth has been pushed to next September. A NASA probe is skimming by the outer regions of the Sun. NPR's Jeff Brumfield reports. It's the closest a human made object has ever come to the sun.

[Jeff Brumfield]

It's called the Parker Solar Probe, and at its closest point, it's just 3.8 million miles from the surface of the Sun. That may sound far away, but even at those distances, the probe experiences temperatures of more than a million degrees Fahrenheit. It can do it thanks to a specially designed heat shield that keeps it its scientific instruments cool. The Parker Probe's mission is to understand how heat flows from the sun's surface to its atmosphere, known as the solar corona. Ultimately, researchers believe they could use that data to better forecast outbursts of particles from the sun, which can disrupt satellites closer to Earth. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

This is npr. President Biden has vetoed a bill that would have created 66 new federal district judgeships in several states. Biden rejected the legisl, saying that hurried action by the Republican led House left important questions unanswered. It was about how the federal judge ships would be filled in a bipartisan manner. Reuters News Service reports Russian officials say a Russian cargo ship has sunk in the Mediterranean. The Russian officials say there was an explosion aboard, but did not elaborate. Two crew members are reportedly missing. Travelers across the Northeast could face wintry weather conditions this Christmas Eve. As NPR's Joel Rose reports. Millions of people are on the move in what could be a record setting holiday travel season.

[Joel Rose]

More than 119 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home between December 21 and New Year's Day, according to a forecast from AAA. That would set a new record for the holiday season, barely eclipsing the pre pandemic total from 2019. The U.S. air travel system is also bracing for its busiest holiday season ever. TSA, the Transportation Security Administration is expecting 40 million people to pass through security checkpoints, a 6% jump from last year. December 27th and 30th will be some of the busiest days to fly. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Weather forecasters say several storms with powerful winds and waves have been hitting the California coast. A man was killed on the beach south of San Francisco this week after he was trapped by debris in a separate incident. Another man is missing after he was pulled into the ocean. This is NPR support for npr.

[Barbara Sprunt]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial [e-mail] NPR.