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GiveWell
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Korva Coleman
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Officials in Gaza say Israel killed five journalists overnight, as well as heavily bombing the northern parts of the strip. Israel says it's targeting militants, not civilians or media workers. NPR's Emily Fang reports. Aid groups say the constant assaults are cutting off residents in northern Gaza from vital assistance.
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Emily Fang
Among those killed this week were five people a television channel associated with the Palestinian militant group said were journalists. Israel says the people were Islamist fighters. Meanwhile, health officials at one of the last functioning healthcare facilities in northern Gaza say they continue to be under attack by Israel's military. Doctors there say an employee was seriously injured by shrapnel after what they say was a remote control robot detonated Oxfam. The British aid group, says Israel has only allowed in 12 trucks of food and supplies to civilians in northern Gaza since October. Israel's military insists they do not target medical facilities in only areas where they say militants are fighting. Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Korva Coleman
Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda are pushing forward with their plans to merge. The deal could create the world's third largest automaker. Both car companies are facing a big global change, the move to electric vehicles. And their biggest competitor in making EVs are Chinese automakers. China is selling more electric vehicles abroad, especially to consumers in Europe. And NPR's Rafael Nam says those growing Chinese EV sales in Europe are challenging the Japanese automakers.
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Rafael Nam
I think for people in the U.S. it's kind of hard to see the threat posed by Chinese automakers like BYD because the US has managed to prevent them from coming in with big tariffs and other restrictions. But in Europe, where I'm from, you can really see how successfully Chinese companies have pivoted to producing EVs.
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Korva Coleman
NPR's Rafael Nam reporting. This month, Congress passed a major bill to help military veteran caregivers. As NPR's Quill Lawrence reports, the bill will cost about a billion dollars over the next decade.
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Quill Lawrence
Named for senator and military family caregiver Elizabeth Dole, the act vastly expands caregiver benefits, especially for elderly or sick veterans who prefer getting help at advocates say loved ones can often do a better job than hospitals or nursing homes. Work done by military family home caregivers is estimated to save the VA tens of millions of dollars each year in recognition of the relentless nature of the work the act also adds services for the caregivers themselves, including mental health support. The measure had been held up since last spring because it also expands access for veterans to get reimbursed for private medical care outside va. In the incoming Trump administration, use of private care outside the VA system is expected to increase. Quill Lawrence, NPR News.
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Korva Coleman
On Wall street, in premarket trading, Dow futures are down about 160 points. This is NPR. Crews in Ukraine are repairing parts of the country's power grid following Russia's Christmas Day attacks. Russia fired scores of missiles and drones with explosives. Ukraine shot down many of them, but some got through and power and heat were knocked out across the country. Much of the electricity has since been restored. In a statement, President Biden called the attacks outrageous. In Australia, officials have imposed a total fire ban in the country's second most populous state, Victoria. Multiple wildfires there are threatening rural communities. Christina Cuclia reports.
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Christina Cuclia
Residents of central and western Victoria have been evacuated as authorities raise the wildfire risk to extreme in most of the state Thursday, emergency management services say conditions are extremely difficult for firefighters in the Grampians National Park. Residents in the area have been told to take shelter as it's too late to leave. The blaze has damaged over 135,000 acres of land. Authorities report considerable environmental damage lost to livestock and properties and say they're preparing for possible damage to homes. Dangerous fire conditions are also threatening parts of South Australia and New South Wales, where farmers in several regions have been asked to stop harvesting due to the wildfire risk. For NPR News, I'm Chris in Melbourne, Australia.
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Korva Coleman
Last evening in the US Celebrants marked the first night of Hanukkah by lighting the national menorah in front of the White House. Speakers at the event discussed hopes for peace during the holiday, including in the Israel Hamas war. They also cited the need to come together in unity to address antisemitism. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.
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