NPR News Now: December 26, 2024, 4 PM EST

Hosted by NPR

Azerbaijan Passenger Jet Crash Investigation

At 00:17, Windsor Johnston introduces a tragic incident involving an Azerbaijan passenger jet that crashed in Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of 38 lives. Reporter Brian Mann delves into the details, revealing that the aircraft, carrying 67 passengers, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it went down on Wednesday. Of those on board, 29 survived the harrowing crash. Mann describes the unsettling footage showing the plane flying erratically before the fiery impact.

Amidst the investigation, there is significant speculation, particularly from Ukrainian sources, suggesting that Russian anti-aircraft weaponry may have mistakenly targeted the airliner. Andriy Kovalenko, head of a think tank linked to Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, stated at 00:35, "A Russian anti-air system damaged the plane and disabled its systems." However, this claim remains unverified as NPR has not independently confirmed the analysis based on available photographs and videos of the crash.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

Switching gears, at 01:16, Johnston marks the 20th anniversary of the devastating magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Indonesia's coast, which triggered a catastrophic tsunami affecting Southeast Asia and East Africa. Margaretta Siragar, an international aid worker, shares poignant recollections from children who experienced the disaster firsthand.

At 01:39, Siragar recounts, "Some of the children told me that they saw the waves, such a giant cobra. The current was just flowing across the coconut trees. It was even higher than the coconut trees and it was kind of like chasing them. And some even said that the clothes that they wore were torn apart by the waves because it was so strong." These vivid descriptions highlight the enduring trauma and memories carried by survivors two decades later.

Aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

Three months following Hurricane Helene's impact on western North Carolina's mountain communities, Johnston reports at 02:05 that thousands remain displaced. Jay Price provides an on-the-ground perspective, emphasizing the ongoing struggles faced by survivors as winter weather hampers repair efforts.

At 02:25, Price shares the story of Pinky Anderson and her 14-year-old daughter, who are among over 5,000 storm survivors currently housed in FEMA-managed hotels. Anderson expresses frustration, stating, "It's just gone on too long and we need some help. We are totally forgotten. We're not seen right now." FEMA officials are exploring long-term solutions, including mobile units and rental housing; however, the region's pre-existing affordable housing shortage complicates these efforts. Consequently, FEMA has had to subsidize rents up to twice the fair market value to accommodate displaced residents.

President-Elect Donald Trump's Stance on Birthright Citizenship

At 03:12, amidst a brief financial update noting the Dow's 28-point increase, Johnston addresses a significant policy proposal from President-elect Donald Trump: ending automatic citizenship for individuals born in the United States. Julia Gillette from the Migration Policy Institute comments on the growing traction of this issue.

Gillette observes at 03:33, "I think that as unauthorized immigration has risen at certain periods of time, there's been more attention to what rights unauthorized immigrants have in the United States, and the right to have a child who's automatically a US Citizen is one of those rights." This proposal challenges the longstanding principle established by the 14th Amendment in 1868, which grants birthright citizenship regardless of parental status.

Health Concerns Over Microplastics in the Human Body

Shifting to environmental health, at 03:48, Johnston introduces a report by NPR's Will Stone on the growing scientific attention towards microplastics—tiny plastic particles detected in various human organs and tissues. Stone elaborates on the potential health risks associated with microplastics.

At 04:09, Stone states, "The authors conclude that microplastics are suspected to harm reproductive, digestive and respiratory health, with a possible link to colon and lung cancer." While the accumulation of these particles in the human body is well-documented, establishing a direct causal relationship with specific health conditions remains a complex challenge. Tracy Woodruff, a UCSF researcher, adds at 04:40, "But I just want to say, in the field of environmental health, when we have concerning signals, we should be concerned." She highlights that much of the existing data originates from animal studies, making it difficult to directly apply findings to human health outcomes.

Stone reinforces the urgency of the issue, noting at 04:45, "It's already known that some chemicals in plastic can be hazardous to human health."

Market Update

A brief financial note at 03:12 mentions that the Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen by 28 points, indicating positive movement in the stock market.

End of Summary

This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the NPR News Now episode released on December 26, 2024. It provides a comprehensive overview for listeners seeking to stay informed without tuning into the full broadcast.