NPR News: 12-26-2024 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 26, 2024, 9AM EST

On December 26, 2024, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on global and national events, ranging from international conflicts and diplomatic negotiations to natural disasters and significant legislative advancements. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics covered in the episode.

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1. Russia's Massive Christmas Day Attack on Ukraine

Reporter: Korva Coleman and Brian Mann
Timestamp: [00:18] - [01:17]

On Christmas Day, Russia launched a substantial assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, deploying approximately 70 missiles and 100 drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that while the majority of these attacks were intercepted, at least 20 missiles breached Ukraine’s defenses, causing widespread power outages and disrupting heating across the nation. Brian Mann reported from Kyiv, highlighting the resilience of Ukrainian citizens despite the devastation:

“There were strikes all around my house,” said Svitana Artyzhova of Kharkiv. “It was frightening. But we're still standing. We're still alive.” ([00:32])

The attack resulted in casualties, including the death of an engineer from Ukraine’s largest private energy company, dtec. President Joe Biden described the strike as “outrageous,” a sentiment echoed by incoming President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, both condemning Moscow’s aggression.

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2. Stalled Ceasefire Negotiations Between Israel and Hamas

Reporter: Korva Coleman and Emily Fang
Timestamp: [01:17] - [02:16]

Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remain unresolved, despite indications of progress over recent weeks. NPR's Emily Fang reported that disagreements persist over several critical issues:

• Hostage Release: Debates center on whether Hamas will release hostages in stages or all at once.
• Detente of Detainees: Israel demands the release of specific Palestinian prisoners, a point of contention.
• Military Withdrawal: Discussions on the timeline and conditions under which the Israeli military would withdraw from Gaza.
• Governance Post-Ceasefire: Uncertainty remains about who will govern Gaza following a potential ceasefire.

A Hamas official indicated some flexibility regarding detainee releases but noted that Israel is insisting the ceasefire be temporary, potentially allowing hostilities to resume. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Hamas's last-minute changes as “lying” ([01:30]).

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3. Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [02:16] - [02:56]

Today marks two decades since a catastrophic earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the Indian Ocean region, claiming over 230,000 lives across approximately a dozen countries, primarily in Southeast Asia. The tsunami’s immense power extended its destructive reach to East Africa, resulting in hundreds of fatalities. Reflecting on the tragedy, Korva Coleman highlighted the enduring impact and the ongoing remembrance of those lost.

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4. Altercation at Phoenix International Airport

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [02:16] - [03:07]

An incident at Phoenix International Airport caused temporary suspensions of operations inside one of its terminals. The altercation occurred near a restaurant outside security checkpoints, resulting in three individuals being shot and a fourth stabbed. Phoenix Police Sergeant Mayra Resent provided an update:

“This incident has been resolved. It was resolved very quickly. There's nobody outstanding. We are not looking, we do not believe that there's any suspects out there outstanding. I want to put everybody at ease.” ([02:57])

One victim remains in critical condition. Authorities assure the public that the situation is under control and the airport has resumed full operations.

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5. Investigation into Power Cable Interruption in the Baltic Sea

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [03:07] - [03:56]

Finnish officials are currently investigating a disruption to a major power cable located on the floor of the Baltic Sea, which provides electricity to Estonia. The power supply ceased abruptly at midday yesterday, raising suspicions amid recent incidents of sabotage in the region. Notably, two international data cables were severed the previous month, and underwater gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were attacked in September 2022. Estonia's government is actively reviewing the incident to determine the cause and prevent future disruptions.

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6. U.S. Congress Passes Landmark Caregiver Support Bill

Reporter: Quill Lawrence
Timestamp: [03:56] - [04:40]

Congress has enacted a significant legislative measure named after Senator Elizabeth Dole, aimed at supporting military veteran caregivers. Quill Lawrence reported that the Elizabeth Dole Caregiver Act will allocate approximately one billion dollars over the next decade to expand benefits for caregivers assisting elderly or sick veterans at home. Key provisions include:

• Enhanced Caregiver Benefits: Recognizing that family members often provide more effective care than institutional settings.
• Financial Savings: Estimated to save the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) tens of millions annually.
• Support Services: Includes mental health resources for caregivers themselves.

The bill also broadens veterans' access to private medical care outside the VA system, anticipating increased utilization under the incoming Trump administration. This expansion addresses long-held recommendations to better support those who care for veterans, acknowledging the critical and relentless nature of caregiving roles.

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7. Winter Storm Warnings Across the Western United States

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [04:40] - [04:56]

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories from Washington state to Utah. These alerts are in response to a series of Pacific Ocean storms currently affecting the West Coast. Residents are advised to prepare for heavy snowfall, strong winds, and potential travel disruptions as the weather systems continue to impact the region.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a broad spectrum of important events, providing listeners with in-depth reporting and vital updates on pressing issues around the world and within the United States.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Utility crews are working across Ukraine to restore power and clean up rubble after Russia launched a massive Christmas Day attack. Dozens of missiles and drones targeted Ukraine's energy grid. NPR's Brian Mann reports from Kyiv.

[Brian Mann]

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said most of the roughly 70 missiles and 100 drones were shot down, but at least 20 got through, knocking out power and heat across the country. Svitana Artyzhova says her city Kharkiv was hit hard. There were strikes all around my house, she said. It was frightening. But we're still standing. We're still alive. Ukraine's largest private energy company, dtec, said in a in a statement an engineer was killed in Moscow's attack. Most cities and most homes have seen power restored. In a statement, President Joe Biden called the Christmas Day strike outrageous. President elect Donald Trump's incoming special envoy for Ukraine and Russia also condemned Moscow's attack. Brian Mann, NPR News, Keef.

[Korva Coleman]

Israel and Hamas cannot agree on cease fire negotiations to stop the war in Gaza and release surviving hostages. They've hinted for weeks that they're close, but as NPO's Emily Fang reports, significant sticking points remain.

[Emily Fang]

The main disagreements have been about how Hamas would release hostages still alive in stages or all at once. Also, an issue is which Palestinian detainees Israel would release from its prisons and when and for how long Israel's military would withdraw from Gaza. It's also not clear yet who would govern Gaza after a ceasefire. A Hamas official familiar with the negotiations told NPR there was flexibility on the militant group's part regarding detainee releases. But the official says Israel is now insisting the fire be temporary. So he says it could one day resume its war in Gaza. Asked about last minute changes by Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas was, quote, lying. Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv, Israel.

[Korva Coleman]

Today marks the 20th anniversary of a massive earthquake and tsunami that rolled across the Indian Ocean. More than 230,000 people were killed in about a dozen countries, mostly in Southeast Asia. But the tsunami was so powerful it rolled across the Indian Ocean and crashed into East Africa, killing hundreds of people. Operations inside one of the terminals at the Phoenix International Airport were briefly suspended last night. Phoenix police say several people were involved in an altercation near a restaurant outside of security checkpoints. Three people were shot. A fourth person was stabbed. Phoenix police Sergeant Mayra Resent says the incident is over and the airport is in full service.

[Mayra Resent]

This incident has been resolved. It was resolved very quickly. There's nobody outstanding. We are not look, we do not believe that there's any suspects out there outstanding. I want to put everybody at ease.

[Korva Coleman]

One of the victims from the altercation is now hospitalized in critical condition. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Officials in Finland are investigating why a major power cable on the floor of the Baltic Sea has been interrupted. The cable runs to Estonia, and officials in Estonia's government are meeting to review the incident. The cable's power supply mysteriously vanished at midday yesterday. Authorities in northern Europe are worried after two international data cables were severed last month. Two underwater gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were sabotaged in September 2022. 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.

[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 home. 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.

[Korva Coleman]

There are winter storm warnings and advisories posted from Washington state to Utah today. The National Weather Service says that is because of a series of Pacific Ocean storms that are still moving into the West Coast. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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