NPR News: 12-25-2024 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 25, 2024, 11 AM EST

Host: Louise Schiavone
Produced by: NPR

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Christmas Celebrations at Notre-Dame Cathedral

Timestamp: [00:20]

Tourists in Paris are flocking to Christmas Eve mass at the iconic Cathedral of Notre-Dame. This marks the first Christmas celebration since a devastating fire in 2019 that severely damaged the medieval landmark. The restoration efforts have impressed both worshipers and visitors alike.

"It was the first Christmas celebration there since a devastating fire tore through the medieval landmark in 2019. Worshipers and other visitors marveled at the cathedral restoration."
— Louise Schiavone [00:20]

American tourists, in particular, have tailored their trips to ensure participation in the Christmas Eve services, highlighting the cathedral's renewed splendor and significance.

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U.S. Provides First Billion-Dollar Loan to Ukraine

Timestamp: [01:16]

Ukraine's Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, announced that Ukraine has received the first billion dollars in promised loans from the United States. This financial support is part of a larger $50 billion loan plan established by G7 leaders last summer, intended to stabilize Ukraine's economy amidst ongoing conflicts.

"We thank our American partners and the World Bank for this important step toward justice."
— Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's Prime Minister [01:16]

The funds are backed by proceeds from frozen Russian assets, with the understanding that repayments will come from these revenues. While Ukraine welcomes the support, Russian officials have criticized the arrangement, labeling the loans as fraudulent and suggesting they may prolong the war.

"Loans and other support for Ukraine will prolong the war,"
— Russian Officials [01:16]

NPR's Brian Mann provided additional insights from Kyiv, detailing the broader financial strategy and international cooperation involved in the support package.

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Bald Eagle Officially Designated as U.S. National Bird

Timestamp: [02:02]

President Joe Biden has officially signed a bill recognizing the bald eagle as the United States' national bird, a status it has symbolized since appearing on the Great Seal in 1782. Despite its long-standing symbolic presence, the eagle had never been formally designated as the national bird until now.

"The regal bird of prey has been a national symbol since at least 1782."
— Unknown Speaker [02:14]

The bald eagle's populations were once threatened, significantly declining due to pesticide use like DDT. From a mere 400 nesting pairs in the mid-1960s, conservation efforts have led to a remarkable recovery, with over 70,000 pairs currently inhabiting the United States.

"In the mid-1900s, the birds were in danger of extinction... There are now more than 70,000 pairs."
— Jacob Fenston, NPR News [02:14]

Enthusiasts and conservationists have long advocated for official recognition, celebrating the eagle's resilience and symbolic importance to the nation.

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Amazon Package Mishap in Lakeville, Massachusetts

Timestamp: [03:00]

In Lakeville, Massachusetts, a peculiar incident unfolded when a police officer discovered a pile of dozens of Amazon packages discarded in the woods during an early Sunday morning patrol. The following day, an Amazon driver arrived to apologize, attributing the mishap to being "too stressed out."

"The driver said they were just too stressed out."
— Unknown Speaker [03:00]

The scattered packages were subsequently redistributed, ensuring that recipients received their intended deliveries. This event highlights the pressures faced by delivery personnel and the potential for logistical challenges.

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Dutch Court Sentences Men for Anti-Semitic Soccer Fan Attacks

Timestamp: [03:34]

A Dutch court has sentenced five men for their involvement in attacks against Jewish and Israeli soccer fans during riots on November 7th in Amsterdam. The sentences, while some are significant, were lighter than what prosecutors had initially sought.

"Three of the men were convicted on Tuesday of acts of violence during the November 7th riots in Amsterdam."
— Terry Schultz, NPR News [03:34]

The individuals convicted included three men responsible for physical assaults and two who contributed to the violence through social media statements and information sharing. The harshest sentence handed down was six months in prison, accompanied by shorter jail terms and minor community service for others.

"The man who was given the longest sentence, six months in prison, was seen in images shown to the court kicking a person on the ground, chasing fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv team and punching people."
— Terry Schultz, NPR News [03:34]

Authorities continue their efforts to identify and apprehend more suspects, having already arrested over 60 individuals related to the incidents.

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King Charles's Christmas Address Honors Medical Workers

Timestamp: [04:14]

King Charles delivered his annual Christmas address, dedicating his words to the British medical workers who played pivotal roles during his cancer battle and in treating his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales. Notably, the address was made from the chapel of a former hospital in central London, now repurposed for community use, rather than a traditional royal palace.

"The king dedicated his Christmas address to the British medical workers who cared for him during his cancer battle and who treated his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales."
— Louise Schiavone [04:14]

King Charles, along with his wife Camilla and other close family members, attended Sunday services at their historic Scottish retreat in Sandringham, emphasizing a more personal and community-focused approach during the holiday season.

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Caitlin Clark Named AP Female Athlete of the Year

Timestamp: [04:14]

Caitlin Clark has been honored as the AP Female Athlete of the Year. Clark's outstanding performance includes leading Iowa to the national championship game, being the top pick in the WNBA draft, and earning rookie of the year honors in the league.

"She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league."
— Louise Schiavone [04:14]

Clark's multifaceted achievements have solidified her status as a leading figure in women's athletics, inspiring countless young athletes across the nation.

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Additional Highlights

• King Charles's Attendance: The king, his wife Camilla, and close family members attended services at Sandringham.
• Amazon Apology: Demonstrates Amazon's commitment to addressing delivery issues promptly.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary.

Transcript

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[Louise Schiavone]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Tourists in Paris flock to Christmas Eve mass at the Cathedral of Notre Dam.

[Unknown Speaker]

Merry Christmas.

[Louise Schiavone]

It was the first Christmas celebration there since a devastating fire tore through the medieval landmark in 2019. Worshipers and other visitors marveled at the cathedral restoration. Some American tourists in Paris crafted their trips to ensure they could attend Christmas Eve services at Notre Dame. Officials in Ukraine say they have received the first billion dollars in promised loans from the United States, backed by proceeds of frozen Russian assets. The funding comes as part of a $50 billion loan plan created by G7 leaders last summer. NPR's Brian Mann has more from Kyiv.

[Brian Mann]

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denise Shmahal said on social media the first billion dollars have arrived. That's out of 20 billion in loans expected from the US with an additional 30 billion in support slated to come from other big industrial, including Britain and Canada. We thank our American partners and the World bank for this important step toward justice. Mahal said the arrangement allows countries to support Ukraine's economy and military with massive loans, with payback coming from revenue from Russia's overseas assets frozen after the 2022 invasion. Russian officials have condemned the arrangement as fraudulent, posting on social media that loans and other support for Ukraine will prolong the war. Brian Mann, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Louise Schiavone]

It's official the United States now has a national bird. As NPR's Jacob Fensten reports, President Joe Biden signed a bill finally giving the bald eagle its due.

[Unknown Speaker]

The regal bird of prey has been a national symbol since at least 1782. That's when the bald eagle first appeared on the Great Seal of the United States, grasping an olive branch and arrows in its talons. But the eagle was never officially recognized as the national bird. Naturally, this ruffled the feathers of bald eagle enthusiasts who've been lobbying Congress for years. The bald eagle's native range includes almost the entire country. In the mid-1900s, the birds were in danger of extinction, largely due to widespread use of the pesticide DDT. In 1963, there were only around 400 nesting pairs in the entire country, a rare sight for any birder. Eagles have since made a massive comeback. There are now more than 70,000 pairs. Jacob Fenston, NPR News.

[Louise Schiavone]

In Lakeville, Massachusetts, this week, a police officer on patrol early Sunday morning spotted a pile of dozens of Amazon packages in the woods. The next day, an Amazon driver showed up to apologize. The driver saying they were just too stressed out. The packages were redistributed. This is npr. Five men have been sentenced by a Dutch court for taking part in attacks on Jewish and Israeli soccer fans last month. Terry Schultz reports. The harshest punishment of up to six months in prison was lighter than prosecutors were seeking.

[Terry Schultz]

Three of the men were convicted on Tuesday of acts of violence during the November 7th riots in Amsterdam, where some Jewish and Israeli soccer fans were physically attacked. The other two suspects were found guilty of making statements on social media and sharing information that contributed to the violence. The man who was given the longest sentence, six months in prison, was seen in images shown to the court kicking a person on the ground, chasing fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv team and punching people. Others received shorter jail terms and for a minor community Service. More than 60 suspected perpetrators were arrested after the incidents, and police are still trying to identify more. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schulz.

[Louise Schiavone]

King Charles dedicated his Christmas address to the British medical workers who cared for him during his cancer battle and who treated his daughter in law, Catherine, Princess of Wales. The address was delivered not from a royal palace, but from the chapel of a former hospital in central London, which is now used for community purposes. The king, his wife, Camilla, and close members of his family attended Sunday services at the family's historic Scottish retreat in Sandringham. The AP Female Athlete of the Year is Caitlin Clark. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

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