NPR News: 12-25-2024 12AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 25, 2024

Hosted by NPR

On Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant global and national events. This summary encapsulates the key stories, insightful discussions, and noteworthy developments covered in the episode.

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1. President-Elect Donald Trump's Shift on Trade Policies

Timestamp: [00:19]

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office once more, he has signaled a dramatic change in the Republican Party's traditional stance on trade. Historically, GOP leaders championed free trade, advocating it as a catalyst for economic growth and international peace. However, Trump's recent rhetoric marks a pivot towards protectionism.

Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR Reporter, highlights this shift:

"For decades, GOP party leaders boosted free trade, saying it promoted economic growth and international peace. Trump, however, has threatened blanket tariffs, plus additional tariffs on China and even allies Canada and Mexico."
[00:37]

This departure raises questions about the party's future direction and its alignment with voter sentiments. Diana Mutts, a political science professor at Upennial, provides deeper insight:

"Trade was emphasized by Trump as a means of dominating other countries, as a means of becoming the winner and them the losers."
[01:00]

The critical issue moving forward is the extent to which Republican members of Congress will support Trump's aggressive trade strategies, potentially reshaping the party's economic policies.

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2. Russian Missile Strikes During Ukrainian President Zelensky's Christmas Message

Timestamp: [01:17]

In a distressing incident, a Russian missile struck the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, resulting in the death of one individual and injuries to over a dozen others. The attack coincided with Zelensky delivering his Christmas message to the nation.

BBC's Will Vernon reports from Kyiv:

"Standing in front of Kyiv's St Sophia Cathedral, Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a Christmas message to an exhausted nation. When they look up at their skies, he said, Ukrainians want to see a Christmas star shining there instead of Russian drones and missiles."
[01:37]

As Zelensky addressed the nation, his hometown of Krivy Reich came under assault. Local officials confirmed that a Russian ballistic missile impacted a four-story residential building, leading to rescue operations depicted in harrowing footage of emergency responders extracting the injured from the debris.

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3. Fatal Subway Arson Incident in New York City

Timestamp: [02:12]

A tragic event unfolded in New York City as a man is now facing murder and arson charges for allegedly setting a woman on fire in a subway train. The incident has left the community in shock and raised concerns about passenger safety.

Samantha Max, NPR Reporter from WNYC, details the case:

"Prosecutors say 33-year-old Sebastian Zabeta approached a woman as the train pulled into the Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. Then they say he set her clothing on fire, fanned her with a shirt, then got off the train as she burned to death."
[02:25]

The woman's identity remains undisclosed pending family notification. The medical examiner confirmed her death as a homicide caused by smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Authorities indicate there was no prior relationship between Zabeta and the victim. Following his arrest, Zabeta reportedly stated, "I drink a lot of liquor and don't know what happened." A judge has ordered him to remain in jail without bail as a grand jury considers indictment. Zabeta's defense attorney has declined to comment at this time.

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4. Volcanic Activity in Hawaii and K-Pop Milestone

Timestamp: [03:16]

Volcano Alert in Hawaii: Officials in Hawaii are monitoring the Kilauea volcano, which began erupting on Monday. After a temporary pause, lava resumed flowing on Tuesday morning. Scientists anticipate fluctuating activity in the ensuing days but assure that no residential areas are at risk. The current eruption is confined to an area that has been off-limits to the public since 2007.

American Airlines Resumes Operations: American Airlines is returning to normal operations following a nationwide ground stop initiated on Tuesday morning. The halt, which lasted approximately one hour, was prompted by technological issues traced back to one of the airline's vendors. The company has since resolved the problem, allowing flight schedules to continue as usual.

K-Pop's Historic Billboard Achievement: In the realm of music, K-Pop continues its global ascendancy. Stephen Thompson, NPR Music Reporter, shares a groundbreaking achievement:

"Amid the usual holiday songs topping the Billboard charts, the K-pop group Stray Kids has done something truly unique. It's become the first act ever to have its chart history begin with six albums that all debut at number one."
[04:04]

Stray Kids' latest album, "Hop," marks their sixth consecutive number-one debut, surpassing the late rapper DMX's record of five. Remarkably, these six chart-topping albums have been released within the past three years. This accomplishment underscores the profound impact of K-Pop on the global music landscape, with a total of 19 different K-Pop records reaching the top of the Billboard charts since 2018. Other notable acts include BTS, solidifying K-Pop's influential presence in the industry.

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Conclusion

December 25, 2024, proved to be a day of significant developments, from shifts in U.S. trade policies and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine to tragic incidents in New York City and notable achievements in the music industry. NPR News Now provided listeners with timely and in-depth coverage of these stories, offering valuable insights into the events shaping our world.

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This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on December 25, 2024.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. As President elect Donald Trump prepares to take office again, he has threatened a wide range of tariffs. It represents an about face in the Republican Party, which once was known for boosting free trade, as imperialist Danielle Kurtzleben reports.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

For decades, GOP party leaders boosted free trade, saying it promoted economic growth and international peace. Trump, however, has threatened blanket tariffs, plus additional tariffs on China and even allies Canada and Mexico. While elites long loved free trade, voters were more ambivalent, says Diana Mutts, political science professor at upennial. She says Trump appealed to voters by making trade into a fight.

[Diana Mutts]

Trade was emphasized by Trump as a means of dominating other countries, as a means of becoming the winner and them the losers.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

One big question next year is how many Republicans in Congress go along with him. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Overseas, a Russian missile has struck the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen others. Zelensky was broadcasting his Christmas message at the time of the attack, as the BBC's Will Vernon reports from Kyiv.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

Standing in front of Kyiv's St Sophia Cathedral, Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a Christmas message to an exhausted nation. When they look up at their skies, he said, Ukrainians want to see a Christmas star shining there instead of Russian drones and missiles. As the message was broadcast, Mr. Zelensky's hometown, Krivy Reich, came under attack. Local authorities say a Russian ballistic missile slammed into a four story residential block. Videos posted by officials show rescuers hauling injured people out of rubble.

[Giles Snyder]

The BBC's Will Vernon reporting. In New York, a man is facing murder and arson charges for allegedly lighting a woman fire on the city subway. Samantha Max, member station WNYC reports.

[Samantha Max]

Prosecutors say 33 year old Sebastian Zepeta approached a woman as the train pulled into the Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn. Then they say he set her clothing on fire, fanned her with a shirt, then got off the train as she burned to death. The identity of the woman has not yet been released. The medical examiner's office ruled her death a homicide by a combination of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Authorities say it does not appear that the suspect knew his victim. Zepeta allegedly told law enforcement after his arrest that he drinks a lot of liquor and doesn't know what happened. A judge ordered him to be held in jail without bail while a grand jury decides whether to indict him. Zabeta's defense attorney declined to comment after his arraignment. For NPR News, I'm Samantha Max in New York.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. Officials in Hawaii are keeping an eye on the Kilauea volcano this Christmas. Kilauea began erupting Monday, and after a pause, lava re emerged Tuesday morning. Scientists expect activity to fluctuate in the coming days. No homes are threatened. The eruption is occurring in an area that's been closed to the public since 2007. American Airlines is getting back to normal after federal authorities imposed a nationwide ground stop Tuesday morning. The ground stop was issued at Americans request and lasted for about an hour. American blames technology from one of its vendors as needed to release flights. This week's Billboard charts are out, and a Korean pop band has done something that's never happened before. NPR Stephen Thompson has more.

[Stephen Thompson]

Amid the usual holiday songs topping the Billboard charts, the K pop group Stray Kids has done something truly unique. It's become the first act ever to have its chart history begin with six albums that only all debut at number one. The newest is titled Hop. Until this week, Stray Kids were tied with the late rapper dmx, whose chart career began with five number one albums. Remarkably, all six of Stray Kids chart toppers have come out in the past three calendar years. The success of Hop is only the latest big moment for K pop music. Since 2018, a whopping 19 different K pop records have topped the Billboard charts, including six each for Stray Kids and the biggest K pop act of them all, bts. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

And I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

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