NPR News: 12-26-2024 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 26, 2024, 9 PM EST Summary

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Release Date: December 27, 2024
Source: NPR News

World Health Organization Leader Caught in Israeli Airstrikes in Yemen

NPR News begins with a critical international incident involving the World Health Organization (WHO). Jeanine Herbst reports that Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, was present in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, during a devastating attack by Israeli airstrikes.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the harrowing experience:

“I was just about to board a plane in the Yemeni city of Sana'a when the airport came under bombardment” (00:32).

The strikes resulted in significant damage to the airport's infrastructure, including the air traffic control tower, the departure lounge, and the runway. Tragically, one crew member was injured, and two individuals lost their lives. Dr. Tedros was in Yemen with the dual purpose of negotiating the release of detained UN staff and assessing the broader humanitarian situation amidst ongoing conflicts.

Israel's actions are part of a broader strategy to target Houthi leaders and infrastructure in response to the group's continued missile attacks since the escalation of the Gaza war last year. The situation underscores the volatile security landscape in Yemen and its impact on international humanitarian efforts.

President Biden Vetoes Federal Judgeships Expansion Bill

In domestic news, Jeanine Herbst covers President Joe Biden's recent decision to veto a significant bill aimed at addressing the judicial backlog in the United States. Asma Khalid provides an in-depth analysis of this political move.

The bill in question proposed the creation of 66 new federal judgeships over the next three presidential terms. Despite strong bipartisan support, particularly in the Senate during the summer, the initiative faced delays in the House of Representatives until the election of Donald Trump in November.

President Biden justified his veto by highlighting procedural concerns:

“The House's actions were hurried, and the bill fails to resolve questions about how the new judgeships are allocated” (01:31).

Senator Todd Young, the Republican lead author from Indiana, criticized the veto as a manifestation of “partisan politics at its worst” (01:31). This legislative standoff reflects deeper divisions within Congress and raises questions about the future of judicial appointments and efforts to alleviate the backlog in federal courts.

Health Officials Warn Against Raw Pet Food Amid Bird Flu Outbreak

Shifting to public health, Jeanine Herbst reports on alarming developments regarding bird flu's impact on pets. Health authorities have issued warnings against feeding raw pet food, following the detection of the virus in a specific brand. Reports of cats falling ill and dying have heightened concerns.

Michael Bailey, a veterinarian and incoming president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, emphasized the risks:

“There have been some reports of cats particularly acquiring bird flu predominantly from raw food sources” (02:42).

Bird flu, historically prevalent in wild birds and various domestic poultry, has now been confirmed in dairy cattle in the United States since March. The virus poses a serious threat to animals consuming raw meat, especially those products made with turkey or other poultry, which can harbor the virus. One notable case involved Northwest Naturals, a pet food brand that issued a recall after a cat succumbed to bird flu. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with raw pet food consumption.

Obituary: Richard "Dick" Parsons, Renowned Business Troubleshooter, Passes Away

In a poignant segment, Jeanine Herbst announces the passing of Richard Parsons, a distinguished figure in the business world. At 76 years old, Parsons was celebrated for his exceptional ability to turn around struggling companies.

Rafael Nam details Parsons’ illustrious career:

“Known for his affable personality, Parsons is remembered as one of the business world's most prominent black leaders” (03:35).

Born in New York, Parsons began his career in law before moving to the Dime Savings Bank of New York in the late 1980s, where he first made his mark by steering the lender through a savings and loans crisis. His reputation as a troubleshooter was further solidified through his roles at Time Warner and Citigroup. Despite the controversial sale of Time Warner to AOL, often cited as one of the worst corporate deals, Parsons was credited with vital contributions that helped stabilize and save these institutions during turbulent times.

Additionally, his leadership extended to the sports industry, where he took on a turnaround role with the Los Angeles Clippers, enhancing his legacy as the ultimate troubleshooter in both corporate and sports management arenas.

Rising Mortgage Rates Continue Trend Amid Economic Uncertainty

The economic outlook remains tense as Jeanine Herbst reports on the latest trends in mortgage rates. Freddie Mac has indicated that the average 30-year mortgage rate has risen to 6.8%, marking the highest level since mid-July. This increase follows a consecutive week of rises, reflecting broader economic pressures.

Economists predict that mortgage rates are likely to stay above 6% for the forthcoming year, impacting both new homebuyers and those looking to refinance existing mortgages. Additionally, the 15-year mortgage note has also seen an uptick, now averaging 6%.

This rise in mortgage rates comes at a time when US futures contracts are trading lower, signaling potential challenges for the housing market and broader economic stability. The sustained increase in borrowing costs may slow down the real estate market and affect consumer spending, contributing to ongoing economic uncertainty.

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode on December 26, 2024, providing listeners with a detailed overview of significant global and domestic issues covered during the broadcast.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

Support for this podcast and the following message come from Humana Employees are the heartbeat of your business. That's why Humana offers group dental vision, life and disability plans designed to protect them. Exceptional service, broad networks and modern benefits. That's the power of human care.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The head of the World Health Organization says he was in Yemen at the airport when it was hit by Israeli airstrikes. NPR's Fatma Tanis has more.

[Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus]

Dr. Tedros Adnan Ghebreyesa said he was just about to board a plane in the Yemeni city of Sana'a when the airport came under bombardment. One crew member was injured, he said, and two other people were reportedly killed. He said the air traffic control tower, the departure lounge and the Runway were all damaged. Tedros said he was in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained UN Staff there and to assess the humanitarian situation in the country. Israel said it hit the airport, two power stations and ports on the coast as it vowed to target Houthi leaders and infrastructure in Yemen after the group's repeated missile attacks at Israel since the beginning of the war in Gaza last year. Fatma Tanis, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Biden vetoed a bill this week that would have created dozens of new federal judge positions. NPR's Asma Khalid reports on why he rejected this effort that some lawmakers felt could help with a judicial backlog.

[Asma Khalid]

The Bill calls for 66 new federal judgeships over the next three presidential terms. The Senate passed this legislation in the summer with strong bipartisan support, but House Republicans failed to take up the bill until Donald Trump's victory in November. In a letter to Congress explaining his veto, Biden described the House's actions as hurried and said the bill failed to resolve questions about how the new judgeships are allocated. Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana, was the lead author of the bill, and he's criticizing Biden' decision in a statement he wrote, issuing this veto is partisan politics at its worst. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Health officials are warning people not to feed their animals raw pet food after bird flu was detected in one brand. That's after reports of some cats falling ill and dying. Bird flu has been spreading for years in wild birds, chickens, turkeys and other animals. It was confirmed first in the US in dairy cattle in March. Raw meat can be dangerous or fatal because raw pet food that's made with turke turkey or poultry can harbor the virus. Michael Bailey is a veterinarian and the incoming president of the American Veterinary Medical.

[NPR Sponsor]

Association we do have many reports of cats particularly. There have been some reports of dogs also, but cats particularly acquiring bird flu predominantly from raw food sources. So this goes with raw milk as well as raw meats. So I'm going to say raw proteins.

[Jeanine Herbst]

One brand, Northwest Naturals, recently issued a recall after a pet cat died from bird flu. Asian markets are trading higher at this hour than Nikkei in Japan, up 1.1%. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Richard Parsons, who held top positions at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. As NPR's Rafael Nam reports, Dick Parsons, as he was widely known, will be remembered as a trouble shooter who helped fix troubled companies.

[Rafael Nam]

Known for his affable personality, Parsons is remembered as one of the business world's most prominent black leaders. Born in New York, Parsons started his career in law and then joined Dime Savings bank of New York during the late 1980s. That was his first fix it job, helping the lender emerge from a savings and loans crisis. His bigger turnaround jobs came next. Parsons was at Time Warner when he was sold to aol. To this day, it's seen as one of the worst corporate deals ever. But Parsons was credited with helping save Time Warner. He had another major fix it job at Citigroup, steering the bank in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. Parsons also had a turnaround jobs at the Los Angeles Clippers, cementing his reputation as the ultimate troubleshooter. Raphael Nam, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Mortgage rates rose again this week for the second week in a row. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average 30 year note rose to 6.8% this week, the highest level since mid July. Many economists say they think rates will remain above 6% for the next year. Meanwhile, the popular 15 year mortgage note also rose. It's now at 6% this week. US futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Viori A new perspective on performance apparel. Check out the latest Dream Knit collection by visiting viori.com NPR for 20% off your first purchase. Exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions.