NPR News: 12-26-2024 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 26, 2024, 11 PM EST

NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive roundup of the latest developments shaping our world. This episode covers significant legislative actions on climate change, geopolitical tensions involving Russia, transformative shifts in the automotive industry, escalating conflicts in Yemen, emerging health concerns related to microplastics, and noteworthy events in entertainment and sports.

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New York Launches Climate Super Fund

New York State has enacted groundbreaking legislation to address the escalating costs of human-induced climate change. NPR's Alejandra Barunda (00:34) reports that the state has experienced eight weather disasters this year alone, each incurring expenses exceeding $1 billion. The newly passed law is inspired by the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund program, aiming to hold major greenhouse gas emitters accountable for environmental degradation. Under this initiative, the state plans to impose fines of up to $3 billion annually on climate polluters over the next 25 years. "Human-caused climate change is expensive," Barunda emphasizes, highlighting the urgency of the legislation. Vermont has already introduced similar measures, and legal experts predict that New York's law may soon face judicial challenges.

EU Considers Sanctions on Russia Over Underwater Cable Sabotage

Tensions escalate between the European Union and Russia following allegations of sabotage against a Russian-associated cargo ship. BBC's Paul Moss (01:25) details the incident where the S Link 2 cable, a vital electricity conduit between Finland and Estonia, ceased functioning abruptly. Surveillance indicated that the vessel Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands—a registration considered non-threatening—was directly over the cable at the time of the disruption. Finnish authorities suspect that the ship, potentially operating on behalf of Russia, intentionally severed the cable using its anchor. "This kind of sabotage is accelerating," Moss warns, noting similar attacks on critical infrastructure in Germany-Finland and Sweden-Lithuania connections the previous month. In response, the EU has threatened to impose additional sanctions on Russia to deter further hostile actions.

Honda and Nissan Enter Talks for Potential Merger Amid Automotive Industry Shifts

The automotive landscape is undergoing significant transformation with the dual pressures of electrification and the rise of Chinese automakers. NPR's Rafael Nam (02:14) reports that industry giants Honda and Nissan are engaged in merger discussions to bolster their competitiveness in an electric vehicle (EV)-dominated future. Both companies have struggled to produce the 'buzzy' EVs necessary to capture consumer interest. By combining resources, Honda and Nissan aim to enhance their R&D capabilities and streamline production processes. Additionally, the surge of Chinese automakers, who have adeptly adapted to the EV trend and now dominate both domestic and international markets, presents a formidable challenge. "China has become the world's biggest auto exporter and therefore a big threat to companies like Honda and Nissan," Nam explains, underscoring the strategic necessity of the potential merger.

Israeli Airstrikes Intensify in Houthi-Controlled Yemen

Conflict in Yemen has intensified as Israeli forces conducted airstrikes targeting key infrastructure in Sana'a, the Houthi-held capital. NPR reports that multiple ports and the country's major airport were struck, the latter moments before the World Health Organization's Director-General was scheduled to board a flight. The Israeli military asserts that the attacks were aimed at infrastructure utilized by the Houthi rebels, who have recently increased their assaults on Israeli territories. This escalation marks a significant deepening of hostilities, raising concerns about regional stability and the potential for further international involvement.

Rising Concerns Over Microplastics Detected in Human Tissues

Scientific research is drawing increased attention to the pervasive presence of microplastics in the human body. NPR's Will Stone (03:32) discusses a new study revealing that these tiny plastic particles have been found in various organs and tissues. The study's authors suggest that microplastics may adversely affect reproductive, digestive, and respiratory health, with potential links to colon and lung cancer. Despite the accumulating evidence of microplastics in U.S. populations, establishing a direct causal relationship with specific health conditions remains challenging. Tracy Woodruff, a researcher at UC UCSF, notes, "Much of the data in our review came from animal studies, which can be hard to extrapolate from." Nevertheless, as Alejandra Barunda asserts, "The field of environmental health, when we have concerning signals, we should be concerned," highlighting the need for ongoing research and preventive measures.

Tragic Loss in the Entertainment Industry

The episode mourns the untimely passing of actor Hudson Meek at the age of 16. Officials confirmed that Meek succumbed to injuries sustained when he fell from a moving vehicle in Alabama earlier this month. Meek made his on-screen debut in the 2014 film The Santa Con and gained recognition for his role as a younger version of the titular character in the 2017 blockbuster Baby Driver. His promising career was tragically cut short, prompting tributes from fans and colleagues alike.

Record-Breaking College Football Overtime Thriller

In the realm of sports, college football witnessed an exhilarating showdown as Toledo defeated Pittsburgh with a score of 48 to 46 in a game that extended into six overtimes—a new bowl record. Purdue's Tucker Gleason emerged as a standout performer, running for one overtime touchdown and throwing four more passes. Pittsburgh's freshman Julian Duggar also made significant contributions, running for two overtime scores and passing for two additional touchdowns. Concurrently, Kansas State staged a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter to overcome Rutgers with a final score of 44 to 41, showcasing the unpredictable and thrilling nature of college football.

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Transcript

[Dale Willman]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Rosetta Stone, an expert in language learning for 30 years. Right now, NPR listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership to 25 different languages for 50% off. Learn more at Rosetta Stone.com NPR LIVE from NPR News. I'm Dale Willman. New York has passed legislation to create a climate super fund. The law will let the state find major emitters of greenhouse gases and use that money collected to better protect people from weather. NPR's Alejandra Barunda reports.

[Alejandra Barunda]

Human caused climate change is expensive. This year alone, New York State saw eight weather disasters that cost more than $1 billion each, and that cost is likely to increase as the planet heats up. New York's new law works like the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund program, where polluters pay the cost of cleaning up an environmental problem they caused. The state will be able to fine Climate polluters some $3 billion each per year over the next 25 years. Vermont signed a similar bill into law earlier this year. Legal experts say it's likely New York's new law will be challenged in court. Alejandra Burunda, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

The European Union has threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia after one of its cargo ships was blamed for cutting an underwater cable. As the BBC's Paul Moss reports, the S Link 2, which carries electricity between Finland and Estonia, stopped working on Wednesday.

[Paul Moss]

What we're told is that at the exact moment that the cable stopped working, a ship was passing exactly over the point where the cable is. This ship, the Eagle S. Now the Eagle S is an interesting ship registered to the Cook Islands, which means nothing. The Finns suspect it's operating on behalf of Russia. They raided the ship. They didn't waste much time, and they now have suspicion that its anchor was what was used to break the cable that stopped working. This kind of sabotage is accelerating. Last month, November saw two crucial cables also cut, one between Germany and Finland, one between Sweden and lithuania.

[Dale Willman]

That's the BBC's Paul Moss reporting. The auto sector is now facing two seismic changes, the rise in electrification and the emergence of Chinese automakers. And as NPR's Rafael Nam reports, that's why Honda and Nissan are in talks about a merger.

[Rafael Nam]

Honda and Nissan are two major Japanese automakers with long histories. This week they said they're in talks to merge. What's driving this is first, the need to adapt to an electric future. Neither Honda nor Nissan are producing the buzzy electric vehicles they need to. Combining forces could allow them to become more competitive. There's another major reason behind the talks. Chinese automakers have been pretty successful so far in adapting to EVs. They now largely dominate China and are targeting markets abroad. China has become the world's biggest auto exporter and therefore a big threat to companies like Honda and Nissan. Rafael Nam.

[Dale Willman]

In PR News, Israeli airstrikes Thursday hit the Houthi rebel held capital of Sana'a as well as multiple ports across the country. The country's major airport was also hit as the World Health Organization's director general was about to board a flight. Israel's military says it targeted infrastructure used by the Houthis. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks on Israel. This is NPR News. Scientists are now paying more attention to tiny plastic particles known as microplastics in as NPR's Will Stone reports, according to a new study, these particles are being detected in many different organs and tissues in the human body.

[Will Stone]

The authors conclude that microplastics are suspected to harm reproductive, digestive and respiratory health, with a possible link to colon and lung cancer. While scientists know these plastic particles are accumulating inside of US, proving a direct link to health conditions remains challenging. The review did include several studies that showed associations with concentrations of microplastics and birth weight, also chronic sinusitis. Tracy Woodruff, a UC UCSF researcher, says much of the data in their review came from animal studies, which can be hard to extrapolate from.

[Dale Willman]

But I just want to say in.

[Alejandra Barunda]

The field of environmental health, when we have concerning signals, we should be concerned.

[Will Stone]

It's already known that some chemicals in plastic can be hazardous to human health. Will Stone, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Actor Hudson Meek has died. Officials say the 16 year old could not recover from injuries he received when he fell out of a moving vehicle in Alabama earlier this month. Meek made his on screen debut in 2014's The Santa Con, but is perhaps best known for his role in the 2017 film Baby Driver, where he played a younger version of the title character. Tucker Gleason ran for one overtime score and threw four more as Toledo beat Pittsburgh 48 to 46. Today. The game set a bowl record of six overtimes. The previous record of five overtimes was just set on Tuesday. Pitt freshman Julian Duggar ran for two overtime scores and threw two more. Kansas State, meanwhile, came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Rutgers 44 to 41. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News. This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. The average water damage claim costs over $13,000. Don't let a small leak turn into a big expense. Learn prevention [e-mail] water.