NPR News: 12-25-2024 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 25, 2024

On Christmas Day, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive roundup of pivotal global events, ranging from geopolitical tensions and aviation tragedies to space exploration and natural disasters. This summary encapsulates the key stories, enriched with notable quotes and detailed insights to provide a thorough understanding of the day's headlines.

Massive Russian Airstrike Targets Ukrainian Infrastructure

Timestamp: [00:19]

The day's foremost news highlighted a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Russian forces launched an extensive airstrike on Ukraine, dispatching over 70 missiles and 1,100 remote-controlled drones.

Brian Mann, reporting from Kyiv, detailed the attack's focus on Ukraine's power infrastructure:

"The strikes began early in the morning, local time, with Ukraine's air defense system knocking down most of the missiles and drones. But in a statement, Ukraine's air force said some missiles got through."

Tragically, the assault resulted in the death of a worker at a thermal power plant in Dnipro and caused widespread power and heating outages across various regions. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the timing of the attack, remarking:

"It was clear that Russia, deliberately chose Christmas Day for an attack. Russian violence will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas." [00:41]

This incident marks Moscow's 13th large-scale offensive on Ukraine's energy and power grid this year, underscoring the persistent volatility in the region. Ukrainian officials are diligently working to restore power amidst the disruptions.

Azerbaijan Airliner Crash Investigated

Timestamp: [01:23]

A tragic aviation incident unfolded in Azerbaijan when an airliner crashed, prompting an immediate investigation. The flight, en route to Chechnya, was diverted by air traffic control due to foggy conditions.

Paul Moss of the BBC CDC provided a harrowing account:

"Footage shows the aircraft turn in the air as if preparing for its final approach to the Runway, but it then drops one wing and dives into the ground before bursting into flames." [01:43]

Preliminary reports suggest that the plane may have collided with a flock of birds, contributing to the crash. Despite the severity of the impact, more than 30 passengers survived the ordeal, including two children who are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Azerbaijan Airlines has pledged to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.

Denmark Bolsters Defense Budget for Greenland Amidst U.S. Interest

Timestamp: [02:15]

Amid rising geopolitical interests, particularly from the United States, Denmark announced a significant increase in its defense budget allocated to Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

Terri Schultz of NPR detailed the developments:

"Officials in Greenland have expressed dismay at Donald Trump's repetition of how strategically important the island is and how he wants to make it part of the U.S... 'Greenland is ours,' said Greenland's Prime Minister Muta Egede. 'We are not for sale and will never be for sale.'" [02:37]

Responding to President-elect Donald Trump's repeated assertions about purchasing Greenland, Denmark has pledged to double its defense spending for the island, committing at least $1.5 billion. Danish Defence Minister Truislin Poulsen emphasized the timing as ironic:

"The defense upgrade was at the same time Trump was speaking about Greenland." [02:37]

This strategic move underscores Denmark's commitment to safeguarding Greenland's sovereignty amidst external pressures.

Astronauts Celebrate Christmas at the International Space Station

Timestamp: [03:14]

In a heartwarming segment, NPR highlighted the festive activities of four NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Christmas Day.

Nell Greenfield Boyce reported:

"The four astronauts gathered together in front of the camera next to a small green Christmas tree. Three of them wore red Santa hats. Sunni Williams had on reindeer antlers. She let go of a handful of candy canes, which floated around." [03:43]

The astronauts also shared a holiday message, celebrating the spirit of the season despite their unconventional setting:

"One of the best things that I like about Christmas is the preparation and just getting ready." [03:54]

Originally slated to return via Boeing's Starliner after a short test flight, Sunni Williams and Butch Wilmore are now expected to return on a SpaceX flight scheduled for late March, as NASA adjusts their mission timelines.

Kilauea Volcano Eruption Continues in Hawaii

Timestamp: [04:18]

Natural forces remained a focal point of the day's news with the persistent activity of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano. For the second consecutive day, the volcano spewed lava reaching heights of up to 300 feet, attracting throngs of spectators to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Windsor Johnston provided an update:

"Officials issued a red alert for the region, warning of high levels of volcanic gases. The eruption took place in an area that's been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazardous activity, including rockfalls." [04:18]

The U.S. Geological Survey continues to monitor the situation closely, as the ongoing eruption poses significant risks to both the environment and public safety. Efforts are underway to manage crowds and ensure the safety of visitors to the national park.

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This Christmas edition of NPR News Now encapsulated a spectrum of critical events shaping our world, from the throes of conflict and tragic accidents to human resilience in space and the awe-inspiring power of nature. For listeners seeking concise and insightful news coverage, this episode provided a thorough and engaging briefing on the day's most pressing stories.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Russian forces have launched a massive airstrike against Ukraine today, sending more than 70 missiles and 1, 100 remote controlled drones. NPR's Brian Mann reports. The attack appeared to target Ukraine's power infrastructure.

[Brian Mann]

The strikes began early in the morning, local time, with Ukraine's air defense system knocking down most of the missiles and drones. But in a statement, Ukraine's air force said some missiles got through. In the city of Dnipro, a worker at a thermal power plant was killed. There are also power and heating outages in some regions of the country. In a statement, Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky said it was clear that Russia, quote, deliberately chose Christmas Day for an attack. He added that Russian violence will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas. Officials say engineers are working to restore power as rapidly as possible. This was Moscow's 13th large scale attack on Ukraine's energy and power grid this year. Brian Mann, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Windsor Johnston]

An investigation is underway into an airliner that crashed in Azerbaijan this morning. Officials say dozens of people are feared dead, but more than 30 survived. The BBC CDC's Paul Moss reports the passenger jet was traveling to Chechnya, but was diverted by air traffic control because of fog.

[Paul Moss]

We can see very clearly what happened to Flight 8243 from Baku. Footage shows the aircraft turn in the air as if preparing for its final approach to the Runway, but it then drops one wing and dives into the ground before bursting into flames. A Russian aviation watchdog is reporting that the plane had hit a flock of birds. Other footage shows passengers emerging bruised and bloodied from the rear of the fuselage lodge, which remains relatively intact. We're told the survivors included two children and that they're being treated at a nearby hospital.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's the BBC's Paul Moss reporting. In a statement, Azerbaijan Airlines said it would keep members of the public updated. The Danish Danish government has increased its budget for defense of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Terry Schultz reports the move comes after President elect Donald Trump repeated his desire to buy the island.

[Terri Schultz]

Officials in Greenland have expressed dismay at Donald Trump's repetition of how strategically important the island is and how he wants to make it part of the U.S. greenland is ours, said Greenland's Prime Minister Muta Egede we are not for sale and will never be for sale. Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland's foreign and defence policy, also just announced it would be doubling the amount it spends on protecting the island. Danish Defence Minister Truislin Poulsen said the boost would be at least $1.5 billion. Poulsen called it an irony of fate that the defense upgrade was at the same time Trump was speaking about Greenland. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz.

[Windsor Johnston]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. NASA says that its four astronauts at the International Space Station will spend Christmas Day gazing down at Earth, having private calls with their families and spending time with their colleagues. NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports The astronauts also beamed down a holiday message.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

The four astronauts gathered together in front of the came next to a small green Christmas tree.

[Terri Schultz]

Merry Christmas.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

Three of them wore red Santa hats. Sunni Williams had on reindeer antlers. She let go of a handful of candy canes, which floated around.

[Terri Schultz]

One of the best things that I like about Christmas is the preparation and just getting ready.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

She and her colleague Butch Wilmore weren't expecting to spend this holiday season in space. They went up in June on what was supposed to be a short test flight of Boeing's Starliner. NASA decided they'll come home on a SpaceX flight, which is now now scheduled for late March. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Local officials and scientists continue to monitor Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, which was active for a second day in a row on Tuesday. The U.S. geological Survey says it spewed lava as high as 300ft, drawing packed crowds to Hawaii Volcanoes national park officials issued a red alert for the region, warning of high levels of volcanic g. The eruption took place in an area that's been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazardous activity, including Rock Falls. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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