NPR News Now: December 27, 2024, 9AM EST

Presented by NPR

South Korea Impeaches Acting President

Korva Coleman opens the episode with significant political developments in South Korea. The country's parliament has voted to impeach Acting President Han Deok Soo, marking a swift response following previous impeachment actions against President Yoon Song Yeol for declaring martial law.

Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul:

"Lawmakers in the opposition-controlled parliament voted unanimously to impeach Acting President Han Deok Soo for his refusal to appoint three justices to vacancies on the country's constitutional court." [00:30]

Han Deok Soo's refusal was based on his belief that appointing justices is the prerogative of the elected president, not an acting president. This move sets the stage for the constitutional court to begin hearings on both President Yoon's and Han's impeachments. Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Choi Sang Mok, has been appointed as the new acting president. Choi emphasized the government's focus on stabilizing state affairs following the political upheaval.

Azerbaijan Airlines Suspends Flights After Crash

In aviation news, Korva Coleman reports that Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to several Russian airports following the Christmas Day crash of one of its passenger planes. The airline attributes the crash to "physical and technical external interference" but has not provided further details. Preliminary investigations suggest that the damage to the plane's tail is consistent with the use of explosives, raising concerns about potential sabotage.

Surge in Journalists Killed in Conflict Zones

Korva Coleman also highlights a troubling report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), indicating a five-year high in the number of journalists killed in conflict zones globally.

Clayton Weimers, Executive Director of RSF USA, states:

"In Gaza alone, at least 145 journalists have been killed since October 7, 2023, in direct connection with their work, which is an important distinction that we like to make at Reporters Without Borders because killing a journalist is on top of being a war crime." [01:42]

Weimers underscores the severity of targeting journalists, noting that such actions not only constitute war crimes but also eliminate essential witnesses to historical events.

Supreme Court Ruling Impacts Homeless Shelters in the US

Korva Coleman transitions to domestic issues, focusing on the repercussions of a recent Supreme Court ruling on homeless shelters.

Aaron Bolton from Montana Public Radio reports:

"Shortly after the Supreme Court ruled on Grants Pass in June, the city council in Kalispell, Montana, revoked the Flathead warming center zoning permit." [02:27]

The Grants Pass decision removed the requirement for cities to provide shelters before banning public sleeping, leading to closures of existing shelters. Jeff Rose, Attorney with the Institute for Justice, expresses concern:

"And if the city of Kalispell can do that, then it's open season on the homeless everywhere." [02:54]

Rose is assisting the warming center in suing the city, arguing that such actions undermine protections for homeless individuals. The case in Kalispell is expected to advance to the Supreme Court, potentially setting a nationwide precedent.

International Relations: Israeli Strikes in Yemen and US-Canada Border Talks

Korva Coleman provides updates on international affairs, including Israeli military actions and US-Canada border discussions.

Israeli Strikes in Yemen: The Israeli military has conducted its most severe attack yet against Houthi rebels in Yemen, targeting the capital’s airport. The assault damaged the runway and control tower, resulting in at least six fatalities and dozens injured. Notably, Dr. Tedros Adhanam Ghebreyesos, head of the World Health Organization, was present at the airport during the attack but was unharmed.

US-Canada Border Talks: Two Canadian cabinet ministers, Finance Minister Dominique Leblanc and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, are set to meet with members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming team in Florida.

Dan Karpenschuk reports:

"They will advance talks that began a month ago, focusing on what Ottawa has done so far to address Trump's border concerns, including a proposal to spend $1.3 billion Canadian over the next five years to boost border security." [03:56]

These discussions aim to alleviate tensions stemming from Trump's threat of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods unless Canada intensifies efforts to curb illegal drug and migrant flows across the border.

Wall Street and Weather Updates

Korva Coleman provides a brief financial update:

"On Wall Street, Dow futures are lower." [03:11]

Weather Forecast: A series of storm systems is expected to continue impacting the Western United States. The Pacific Northwest is bracing for heavy rain and strong winds as another storm approaches.

"Another storm system is moving into the Pacific Northwest with heavy rain and wind." [04:41]

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