NPR News: 12-25-2024 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 25, 2024, 5 AM EST

Host: Nora Ram
Release Date: December 25, 2024

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1. Christmas Day Observances Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Bethlehem, West Bank:
Christmas Day unfolded quietly in Bethlehem, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a region revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus. The subdued atmosphere is attributed to the prolonged conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, now marking its second year.

Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral:
In Paris, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral celebrated Christmas Eve Mass, marking its return to religious ceremonies over five years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the historic structure. The reopening signifies a beacon of resilience and renewal.

Notable Quote:
Allie Benard, American Tourist:
"They did such an amazing job. It looks beautiful. I saw it once before, many, many years ago. And so it's just really special to be back and just see all the hard work that's gone back into it. It was really nice, blew us away. It's a really special night. It was really a nice thing to be a part of."
[00:49]

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2. Tragic Plane Crash in Kazakhstan

A devastating incident occurred today as an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane carrying 67 individuals crashed in Kazakhstan. Authorities have confirmed that 28 passengers survived the crash, but fears remain that the remaining 39 may have perished. The ill-fated flight was en route from Azerbaijan to Russia, raising urgent concerns about aviation safety in the region.

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3. Protests in Panama Against President-Elect Donald Trump

Issue:
Protesters in Panama voiced strong opposition to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent threat to reclaim control of the country's interoceanic canal, a strategic waterway originally constructed by the United States and handed over to Panama in 1999.

BBC's Hugh Morgan Reports:
"Dozens of noisy demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy in Panama City on Tuesday, chanting that President Trump should leave the canal alone. Some held banners describing him as a public enemy of Panama."
[01:43]

On Sunday, Trump criticized what he deemed as unfair fees imposed on US ships, Panama's primary canal customer. In response, Panama's President, Jose Raul Molino, firmly stated that Panama's control over the canal is non-negotiable.

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4. NAACP Advocates for Expanded Clemency

Commendation for President Biden:
Civil rights organizations have lauded President Joe Biden for his decision to commute certain prison and death row sentences, recognizing it as a step towards addressing systemic injustices within the U.S. criminal justice system.

NAACP's Perspective:
Patrice Willoughby, NAACP:
"The policies of the war on drugs and the 1994 crime bill left a legacy of mass incarceration that disproportionately impacted black people. One example is longer, harsher sentences for the possession of crack cocaine than for powdered cocaine. The sentencing disparity was fixed, but it wasn't retroactive."
[02:23 – 02:47]

Call for Further Action:
Allie Benard:
"That population is still in prison. As a matter of justice, we're asking the president to give clemency to that population."
[02:47]

Willoughby emphasizes the necessity of addressing systemic racism, highlighting that black individuals constitute 14% of the U.S. population but represent 40% of the federal prison population. She advocates for the ongoing efforts to rectify these disparities.

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5. Violence Erupts in Haiti Amidst Political Turmoil

In Haiti, chaos continues to escalate as armed men attacked the reopening of a hospital in Port-au-Prince yesterday. The Haitian Association of Journalists reported the tragic deaths of two reporters and a police officer, with several others wounded in the assault. The capital remains under the near-total control of armed gangs, further destabilizing the already fragile nation.

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6. Netflix Secures NFL Christmas Day Broadcast Rights

Contract Details:
Netflix has entered into a three-year agreement to broadcast NFL Christmas Day games, marking a significant expansion of the streaming giant into live sports. The deal, valued at $150 million, encompasses games featuring the Steelers, Chiefs, Ravens, and Texans.

Performance Highlight:
Beyoncé is set to headline the halftime show during the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game. This performance will showcase songs from her latest album, "Cowboy Carter," and represents Beyoncé's first halftime performance in her hometown of Houston.

Technical Considerations:
Given previous technical issues during Netflix's live broadcast of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, the company has implemented adjustments to mitigate similar problems. The NFL games will also be available for replay for three hours post-live stream.

Notable Quote:
Eva Pukasz, NPR:
"Netflix is paying the NFL $150 million to air the Steelers, Chiefs, and Ravens Texans games. And Beyoncé's halftime show in her hometown of Houston will be the first time the singer has performed songs off her latest album, Cowboy Carter. The streaming giant says it's made adjustments to avoid technical problems during the broadcast. Many viewers reported long buffering times during Netflix's previous live broadcast of the Jake Paul Mike Tyson fight last month. Netflix says the NFL games will be available for replay for three hours after the live stream ends."
[03:11 – 03:53]

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7. Caitlin Clark Honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year

The Associated Press has awarded Caitlin Clark the title of Female Athlete of the Year, recognizing her exceptional contributions to women's basketball. Clark has been instrumental in elevating the sport's profile both at the collegiate level and within the WNBA.

Achievements:

• Led the University of Iowa to the national championship game.
• Earned the Rookie of the Year title upon entering the professional league.

This accolade underscores Clark's impact and dedication, highlighting her as a role model and trailblazer in women's sports.

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Conclusion:
Today's NPR News Now episode provided a comprehensive overview of significant global events, ranging from peaceful Christmas celebrations in conflict zones to tragic incidents and pivotal moments in sports and civil rights. Through engaging narratives and insightful reporting, listeners are kept informed about the multifaceted issues shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Nora Ram]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. It's a quieter than usual Christmas Day in Bethlehem in the Israeli occupied West bank, where Christians believe that Jesus was born. The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is now in its second year. In Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral held its Christmas Eve mass more than five years after being nearly destroyed in a fire. American tourist Allie Benard was impressed by the renovation.

[Allie Benard]

They did such an amazing job. It looks beautiful. I saw it once before, many, many years ago. And so it's just really special to be back and just see all the hard work that's gone back into it. It was really nice, blew us away. It's a really special night. It was really a nice thing to be a part of.

[Nora Ram]

The cathedral was reopened on December 7th. A passenger plane with 67 people on board crashed in Kazakhstan today. Authorities say 28 people survived, but it's feared the rest perished. The Azerbaijan Airlines jet was on a flight from Azerbaijan to Russia. Protesters in Panama yesterday burned an image of US Protesting President elect Donald Trump following his threat that control of the country's interoceanic canal be returned to Washington. It was built by the US but handed to Panama in 1999. The BBC's Hugh Morgan reports.

[Hugh Morgan]

Dozens of noisy demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy in Panama City on Tuesday, chanting that President Trump should leave the canal alone. Some held banners describing him as a public enemy of Panama. On Sunday, Mr. Trump complained about what he considers unfair fees paid by US Ships, which are the waterways main customer. Panama's President Jose Raul Molino has insisted his country's control of the canal was non negotiable.

[Nora Ram]

The BBC's Hugh Morgan civil rights groups are praising President Biden for commuting some prison and death row sentences. The NAACP wants more. NPR's Sandhya Dierks reports.

[Patrice Willoughby]

The policies of the war on drugs and the 1994 crime bill left a legacy of mass incarceration that disproportionately impacted black people, says the NAACP's Patrice Willoughby. One example. She says longer, harsher sentences for the possession of crack cocaine than for powdered cocaine. She says that sentencing disparity was fixed but but it wasn't retroactive.

[Allie Benard]

That population is still in prison. As a matter of justice, we're asking the president to give clemency to that population.

[Patrice Willoughby]

Willoughby says it's an opportunity to address systemic racism, which is one major reason that black people who make up 14% of the U.S. population, comprise 40% of the federal prison population.

[Eva Pukasz]

Circumstances.

[Patrice Willoughby]

Cynthia Dirks, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

This is NPR News. In Haiti, armed men opened fire at the reopening of a hospital in Port au Prince yesterday. The Haitian association of Journalists says two reporters were killed and several others were wounded. A police officer was also killed. Armed gangs are in near control of the Haitian capital. Netflix is airing two NFL Christmas Day games today with with Beyonce set to perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans game. As NPR's Eva Pukasz reports, this is the first of a three year contract for Netflix to carry NFL Christmas Day games this season.

[Eva Pukasz]

Netflix is paying the NFL $150 million to air the Steelers, Chiefs and Ravens Texans games. And Beyonce's halftime show in her hometown of Houston will be the first time the singer has performed songs off her latest album, Cowboy Carter. The streaming giant says it's made adjustments to avoid technical problems during the broadcast. Many viewers reported long buffering times during Netflix's previous live broadcast of the Jake Paul Mike Tyson fight last month. Netflix says the NFL games will be available for replay for three hours after the live stream ends. Eva Pukach, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

The Associated Press has named basketball star Caitlin Clark as its Female Athlete of the Year, saying she's raised the profile of women's basketball to unprecedented levels for both college and the wnba. Clark led Iowa to the national championship game and was rookie of the year when she turned pro. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News.

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