NPR News: 12-27-2024 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – December 27, 2024

Released: December 27, 2024

Hosted by Windsor Johnston, this episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive snapshot of the most pressing news stories from around the globe. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the broadcast.

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1. North Korean Troop Losses in Russia's War Against Ukraine

Timestamp: [00:17]

NPR’s Michelle Kellerman reports significant developments regarding North Korea’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to the Biden administration and the National Security Council, North Korean forces are incurring substantial losses.

• John Kirby, Spokesman for the National Security Council, stated:

  "1,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in the past week alone. Russia treats them as expendable."
  [00:37]

Kellerman emphasizes skepticism towards Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent statements about initiating peace talks with Ukraine. She argues that Putin’s actions contradict his claims of seeking a negotiated settlement.

• Michelle Kellerman remarked:

  "This is not a man who anyone should take seriously when it comes to saying he's ready for a negotiated settlement. He has proven quite the contrary in almost every single possible way."
  [00:53]

John Kirby added that the Biden administration is actively working to bolster Ukraine’s position in preparation for any potential peace negotiations.

• John Kirby concluded:

  "Kirby says the Biden administration is trying to put Ukraine in a stronger position ahead of any potential peace talks."
  [01:09]

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2. NATO Enhances Presence in the Baltic Sea Amid Sabotage Incidents

Timestamp: [01:19]

NATO is escalating its presence in the Baltic Sea following incidents of sabotage involving power cables between Finland and Estonia. Authorities in Finland are investigating these disruptions as deliberate acts.

• Alexander Stubb, Finnish President, stated:

  "NATO has already responded to my call for backup in the Baltic Sea."
  [01:34]

The Finnish and Estonian governments requested NATO reinforcements after four power cables were destroyed or damaged. Additionally, a vessel departing from a Russian port was seized upon crossing the affected area.

• Terry Schultz reported:

  "It's too soon to draw conclusions yet why this happened. We know who did it."
  [01:55]

Further investigation revealed that the seized ship, although flying under a Cook Islands flag, is suspected of transporting oil in violation of international sanctions imposed on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.

• Alexander Stubb added:

  "Although sailing under a flag from the Cook Islands, the ship is believed to be among those used by Russia to transport oil in contravention of international sanctions imposed for its war on Ukraine."
  [02:01]

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3. Sudanese Hospital Shutdown Amid Paramilitary Attacks

Timestamp: [02:14]

A critical hospital in Al Fashir City, Sudan, serving over a million residents, has been forced to shut down due to relentless attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group engaged in conflict with Sudan’s army since last year.

• Emmanuel Akinwatha reports:

  "The Saudi hospital was the only hospital functioning in Al Fasha City, but doctors there say it's been forced to close after being hit with constant artillery shells and drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces."
  [02:34]

These attacks are part of a broader siege on El Fashir, the last major city in Darfur’s western region not yet captured by the RSF since the war began. Recent drone strikes resulted in nine fatalities and twenty injuries, driving thousands to seek refuge in nearby camps, which have also come under shelling.

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4. New Climate Legislation and Medical Advances in New York

Timestamp: [03:13]

a. Climate Legislation:

New York State has enacted a groundbreaking law aimed at combating climate change by fining major greenhouse gas emitters. The funds generated will be allocated to address climate-related impacts. This legislation emerges in the wake of numerous costly weather disasters that have struck the state this year.

b. FDA Approval of Zepbound for Sleep Apnea:

The FDA has approved Eli Lilly’s Zepbound as the first and only medication to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients with obesity.

• Cindy Lupkin explains:

  "The Food and Drug Administration has approved Eli Lilly Zepbound as a treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients who have obesity."
  [03:54]

Originally approved for obesity treatment in November 2023, this second approval extends Zepbound’s potential insurance coverage under Medicare and Medicaid, as these programs are mandated to cover drugs for approved medical conditions like sleep apnea, unlike those solely approved for weight loss.

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5. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Status Update

Timestamp: [04:35]

NASA provides an update on the Parker Solar Probe, which recently made an unprecedented close approach to the sun, the closest of any human-made object.

• Windsor Johnston reports:

  "The agency had feared it may have been damaged when it passed the sun this week, closer than any object made by humans. But scientists say they received a signal late last night and it's operating normally."
  [04:35]

This successful maneuver allows the probe to collect invaluable data on solar activity, contributing to our understanding of the sun’s behavior and its effects on space weather.

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This episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with incisive coverage of international conflicts, climate initiatives, advancements in medical treatments, and significant achievements in space exploration. By highlighting key quotes and attributions, the summary ensures that even those who did not tune in can stay informed on these critical issues.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. North Korean troops are suffering major losses in Russia's war against Ukraine. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports that according to the Biden administration administration which has been watching their involvement closely, National Security Council.

[John Kirby]

Spokesman John Kirby says that 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in the past week alone. He says Russia treats them as expendable. He's also raising doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest comments about possible peace talks with Ukraine.

[Michelle Kellerman]

I mean, just over Christmas Day, he's launching waves of missiles and drones against Ukrainian infrastructure. This is not a man who anyone should take seriously when it comes to saying he's ready for a negotiated settlement. He has proven quite the contrary in almost every single possible way.

[John Kirby]

Kirby says the Biden administration is trying to put Ukraine in a stronger position ahead of any potential peace talks. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

NATO says it's stepping up its presence in the Baltic Sea after power cables between Finland and Estonia were damaged this week. Terry Schultz reports authorities in Finland are treating it as a case of sabotage.

[Alexander Stubb]

Finnish President Alexander Stubb says NATO has already responded to his call for backup in the Baltic Sea. The Finnish and Estonian governments called on the alliance for Reinforcements after four cables were destroyed or damaged around the same time as a vessel which left a Russian port a day earlier crossed over them. Finland seized the ship, and Stubbe says the crew is cooperating with investigators.

[Terry Schultz]

It's too soon to draw conclusions yet why this happened. We know who did it.

[Alexander Stubb]

Although sailing under a flag from the Cook Islands, the ship is believed to be among those used by Russia to transport oil in contravention of international sanctions imposed for its war on Ukraine. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.

[Windsor Johnston]

A hospital serving more than a million people in Sudan has shut down after attacks by a paramilitary group that's been at war with Sudan's army since last year. NPR's Emmanuel Akinwatha. According to reports, local groups say the hospital was deliberately targeted, which would be a war crime.

[Emmanuel Akinwatha]

The Saudi hospital was the only hospital functioning in Al Fasha City, but doctors there say it's been forced to close after being hit with constant artillery shells and drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces, or rsf. The attacks on the hospital are an extension of a wider siege since May on El Fashir, the last major city in the western region of Darfur not yet taken by the RSF since the war erupted last year. Earlier this month, nine people were killed and 20 injured in a drone attack on the hospital. Thousands of people have fled to nearby refugee camps that have also been shelled. Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR News. A new law in New York will allow the state to fine major emitters of greenhouse gases and use the money to address the effects of climate change. New York has been hit with numerous weather disasters this year that have cost the state billions of dollars. The law is likely to be challenged in court. Zepbound, a popular obesity medication, is now the first and only drug approved to treat some people with sleep apnea. NPR's Cindy Lupkin reports. The FDA's approval of the medication could also help expand insurance coverage of the drug.

[Cindy Lupkin]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Eli Lilly Zepbound as a treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients who have obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which someone temporarily pauses breathing in their sleep because their upper airway collapses. It can happen to anyone, but is more common among people who have obesity. Zepbound was originally approved as an obesity drug in November 2023. This is its second approval. The new approval could expand Zepbound's insurance coverage for people on Medicare and Medicaid, which are not required to cover drugs approved for weight loss. But the programs would have to cover a drug for sleep apnea. Sidney Lupkin, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

NASA is updating the status of its Parker solar probe. The agency had feared it may have been damaged when it passed the sun this week, closer than any object made by humans. But scientists say they received a signal late last night and it's operating normally. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[Carvana]

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