NPR News: 12-27-2024 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 27, 2024, 9 PM EST Summary

Hosted by Jeanine Herbst

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Azerbaijani Passenger Plane Crash Under Investigation

Washington D.C. – A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday when an Azerbaijani passenger plane crashed in Kazakhstan. The White House is closely monitoring the ongoing investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that the jet went down due to "physical and technical external interference."

Windsor Johnston, NPR: The passenger jet was en route from the Azerbaijani capital to Chechnya, Russia, before it was unexpectedly diverted. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby indicated the possibility of Russian involvement, stating, "We have seen some early indications that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down by Russian air defense system" (00:51).

The investigation revealed damage to the plane's tail consistent with explosive impact. In response, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended all flights to Russian airports. Moscow, however, has categorically denied any involvement or wrongdoing in the incident.

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Closure of Gaza's Last Functioning Hospital Sparks Controversy

North Gaza – In a move that has sparked international concern, the Israeli military has shut down the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, Kemal Adwan Hospital. The Israeli authorities claimed the facility was being used as an operational base for Hamas fighters, a charge vehemently denied by the hospital staff.

Emily Feng, NPR: Despite persistent orders from the Israeli army, the hospital's staff, led by its director, refused to evacuate, fearing that relocation would result in patient fatalities. However, escalating shelling and lethal strikes in the vicinity forced the Israeli military to take control on Friday. The Gaza health authorities reported that parts of the hospital were subsequently burned down. Noor Omukayed, a nurse at the hospital's ICU, shared a harrowing account: "The Israeli military first set fire to buildings surrounding the hospital before shelling sections of the hospital itself" (01:37).

The shutdown has left Gaza's population with severely limited access to medical care amidst ongoing conflicts.

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FDA Approves Obesity Drug for Sleep Apnea Treatment

Health News – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to Eli Lilly's Zepbound as the first and only drug treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in patients with obesity. This marks a significant expansion beyond its initial approval as an obesity drug in November 2023.

Sydney Lupkin, NPR: "Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which someone temporarily pauses breathing in their sleep because their upper airway collapses," Lupkin explained. The approval of Zepbound opens the door for broader insurance coverage, especially for individuals on Medicare and Medicaid, as these programs are mandated to cover treatments for sleep apnea but not necessarily for weight loss (02:32).

This development not only offers a new treatment avenue for sleep apnea sufferers but also potentially alleviates financial barriers to accessing the medication.

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Passing of Greg Gumbel, Renowned Sports Broadcaster

Entertainment News – Greg Gumbel, the esteemed sports announcer and host known for his work with CBS and NBC, has passed away at the age of 78 after battling cancer. His family released a statement confirming that he died peacefully.

David Burson, CBS Sports President: "Greg was a tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller who will be dearly missed," Burson remarked, highlighting Greg's significant contributions to sports journalism. Greg was also the brother of Brian Gumbel, former host of NBC's "Today" show.

Gumbel's legacy in sports broadcasting is celebrated by colleagues and fans alike, marking the end of a notable career.

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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Survives Record Solar Flyby

Space Exploration – NASA's Parker Solar Probe achieved a historic milestone by surviving its closest-ever approach to the Sun. On December 24, the probe ventured approximately 3.8 million miles from the Sun's surface, surpassing all previous human-made objects in proximity to a star.

Jonathan Lambert, NPR: "The Parker solar probe barreled towards the sun on Dec. 24, getting closer than any human made object has ever gotten to a star," Lambert reported. Although communication was lost during the flyby, the probe sent a final message before midnight Eastern Standard Time on December 26, confirming its survival. The mission team anticipates receiving detailed data by January 1, which is expected to provide valuable insights into solar heating and the formation of solar wind (03:54).

This successful flyby will enhance our understanding of the Sun's complex mechanisms and influence future space exploration missions.

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Mega Millions Announces a $1.2 Billion Jackpot

Lottery News – The Mega Millions lottery is set to draw tonight with an estimated jackpot of $1.2 billion, marking another record-breaking prize. No grand prize winner has emerged in the last 30 drawings, keeping hopes high among participants.

Jeanine Herbst noted, "Mega Millions says the odds of winning are high, 1 in 302,575,350," emphasizing both the excitement and the slim chances of securing the jackpot (04:31). The substantial prize continues to attract a surge of ticket sales nationwide as players dream of life-changing winnings.

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Note: This summary excludes sponsor messages, introductory remarks, and concluding segments to focus solely on the core news content presented in the episode.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The White House says it's monitoring the investigation into the Azerbaijani passenger plane that crashed in Kazakhstan Wednesday. NPR's Windsor Johnston says preliminary reports show the jet went down because of, quote, physical and technical external interference.

[Windsor Johnston]

The passenger jet was traveling from the Azerbaijani capital to Chechnya, Russia, when it was diverted. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says it's possible that Russian weapons hit the plane.

[John Kirby]

We have seen some early indications that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down by Russian air defense system. That said, we have offered our assistance to that investigation should they need it, should they want it.

[Windsor Johnston]

Images of the plane's tail show damage consistent with explosives. Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to airports inside of Russia. Moscow has denied any wrongdoing. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The Israeli military shut down the last functioning hospital in north Gaza, saying it was being used as an an operating base for Hamas fighters. The hospital staff deny this but were forced to evacuate today, and peer's Emily Feng has more.

[Emily Feng]

For weeks, the staff of Kemal Adwan Hospital in north Gaza refused to evacuate despite orders from the Israeli army. The hospital's director insisted that some of his patients would die if moved. But on Friday, after weeks of intense shelling and deadly strikes near the hospital, the Israeli military forcibly shut it down. The Gaza health authorities said parts of the hospital were later burned down. This is Noor Omukayed, a nurse in the hospital's ICU unit. She said in a voice note shared by her sister with NPR that the Israeli military first set fire to buildings surrounding the hospital before shelling sections of the hospital itself. Emily Feng, NPR News, Tel Aviv, Israel.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A popular obesity drug is now the first and only drug approved to treat some people with sleep apnea. NPR's Sydney Lupkin reports the FDA's approval could also help expand insurance coverage of the drug.

[Sydney 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 Medicai, which are not required to cover drugs approved for weight loss, but the programs would have to cover a drug for sleep apnea. Cindy Lupkin, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Greg Gumbel, the longtime sports announcer and host for CBS and NBC, has died from cancer, According to a statement from CBS Sports. His family says he died peacefully at the age of 78. CBS Sports President David Burson called Gumbel a tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller who will be dearly missed. He was the brother of Brian Gumbel, former Today show host on NBC. NASA's Parker Solar Probe has survived its closest ever approach to the Sun. NPR's Jonathan Lambert has more on how the flyby could help scientists better understand the sun.

[Jonathan Lambert]

The Parker solar probe barreled towards the sun on Dec. 24, getting closer than any human made object has ever gotten to a star about 3.8 million miles. After getting cut off from communication, the mission team received a message from the probe just before midnight Eastern standard time on December 26 indicating the probe survived. The team expects more detailed data from the flyby on January 1st. Measurements taken so close to the sun's surface will help scientists study questions including how matter in this region gets heated to millions of degrees and how solar wind forms. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

There's another billion dollar plus lottery jackpot in the US this time it's the Mega Millions lottery and the drawing is tonight. The estimated jackpot is $1.2 billion. No one's won the grand prize in the last 30 drawings, and Mega Millions says the odds of winning are high, 1 in 302,575,350. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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