NPR News: 12-28-2024 10PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of December 28, 2024, 10 PM EST Episode

NPR News Now provides listeners with the latest updates in a concise five-minute format. The December 28, 2024, episode covers a range of significant news stories from around the globe and the United States. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.

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1. Tragic Aviation Incidents: South Korea and Azerbaijan Airlines

South Korea Plane Crash
At [00:19], Jeanine Herbst reports a devastating plane crash in South Korea where at least 47 people lost their lives. The aircraft veered off the runway, collided with a wall, and burst into flames at an international airport. The country's emergency office indicated a malfunction in the plane's landing gear, and there were 181 individuals on board.

Putin's Apology Over Azerbaijan Airlines Crash
Shortly after, at [00:58], Herbst transitions to Russian President Vladimir Putin's response to the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, which resulted in 38 fatalities. President Putin issued an apology to Azerbaijani leader President Aliyev for the tragedy, described as a "tragic incident in Russian airspace." However, he refrained from taking direct responsibility. The BBC’s Steve Rosenberg elaborated that the Embraer 190 aircraft likely suffered damage from missiles fired by a Russian air defense system as it attempted to land in Grozny. This incident raises suspicions of accidental downing by Russian forces.

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2. Internal Discord Among Trump's Supporters Over H1B Visas

At [01:31], Jeanine Herbst highlights emerging tensions within President-elect Donald Trump's supporter base concerning H1B visa policies. Trump, addressing the New York Post, affirmed his support for H1B visas, stating, "I’ve always been a supporter of H1B visas." He pledged to curb illegal immigration in his forthcoming administration. Despite this, some MAGA (Make America Great Again) loyalists criticize legal immigration measures, leading to online conflicts characterized by racist rhetoric on X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk.

Herbst notes that Elon Musk responded negatively to Trump supporters opposing H1B visas, particularly in industries like technology. The future implications of this discord on immigration policy remain uncertain, especially with the Republican-controlled House and Senate and President-elect Trump's influence pending.

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3. Fatal Prison Beating in New York: Officer Accountability

At [02:30], Eva Pukach reports on a harrowing incident captured on body cam footage, revealing the fatal beating of Robert Brooks, a black inmate, by 14 white corrections officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York. The video shows officers repeatedly punching, kicking, and choking Brooks while he was handcuffed and lying on a medical examination table ([02:30]).

Attorney General Letitia James stated, "The body cam footage shows officers [...] repeatedly punching and kicking inmate Robert Brooks." The preliminary autopsy identified the cause of death as asphyxia due to neck compression ([02:57]). In response, Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the termination of the involved officers, with potential criminal charges looming over the 14 individuals.

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4. US Debt Ceiling Crisis: Impending Deadline and Political Stalemate

At [03:09], Jeanine Herbst reports that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the U.S. government will hit its debt limit by mid-January. To avert default, the Treasury plans to implement special measures to continue paying government obligations temporarily. The situation places Congress under intense pressure to act, with differing opinions on how long the country can sustain these measures.

Analysts are divided, with some suggesting the US could stretch its remaining funds until the summer. However, resolving the debt ceiling issue largely depends on the actions of the incoming Republican-controlled House and Senate alongside President-elect Trump. The political impasse raises concerns about the nation's financial stability and economic repercussions if an agreement is not reached promptly.

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5. Passing of Olivia Hussey: Legacy of a Classic Film Star

At [03:09], the episode shifts to a somber note as Olivia Hussey, famed for her role in the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, passes away peacefully at age 73 ([03:56]). Chloe Veltman of NPR elaborates on Hussey's illustrious career, highlighting her discovery by Franco Zeffirelli during a stage performance in London, leading to her iconic casting in Romeo and Juliet.

Notably, Hussey's portrayal included a controversial nude scene, earning international acclaim. She continued to act in significant productions such as the 1977 series Jesus of Nazareth and the 1978 adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile. Hussey also engaged in activism, notably suing Paramount Pictures over allegations of sexual abuse and harassment related to her scenes in Romeo and Juliet, although the case was dismissed in the previous year.

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6. Mega Millions Jackpot Winner in Northern California

Concluding the episode, Jeanine Herbst shares that a single Mega Millions ticket purchased in Northern California won the staggering $1.2 billion jackpot ([04:41]). This marks one of the largest lottery winnings in recent history, offering life-changing prospects for the fortunate winner.

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Closing Notes

Throughout the episode, NPR ensures listeners are informed about critical global events, political developments, tragic incidents, and notable passings. The inclusion of direct quotes and specific timestamps enhances the credibility and detail of the reporting, providing a thorough overview for those unable to listen to the broadcast.

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Notable Quotes:

• President Putin at [00:58]: "President Putin apologized to President Aliyev for what the Kremlin calls a tragic incident in Russian airspace and expressed condolences to the families of the dead."

• Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at [03:09]: "The government will reach its debt limit by mid-January and will have to adopt special measures to continue paying its bill."

• Letitia James at [02:30]: "The body cam footage shows officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York repeatedly punching and kicking inmate Robert Brooks in the face and groin and choking and striking him in the chest or shoe as he lies on a medical examination table."

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This summary encapsulates the major stories covered in the NPR News Now episode, providing listeners with a clear and detailed understanding of the day's most pressing news topics.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcer]

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[Jeanine Herbst]

From NPR News In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In South Korea, at least 47 people are dead after a plane veered off a Runway, hit a wall and caught fire at an international airport. The country's EM emergency office says the plane's landing gear appears to have malfunctioned. There were 181 people on board that plane. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized today to Azerbaijan's leader for this week's crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that killed 38 people, but he stopped short of taking blame. It's been widely suspected that Russia accidentally shot the plane down as it tried to land in Grozny Wednesday. The BBC's Steve Rosenberg has more.

[Steve Rosenberg]

According to the Kremlin readout of their conversation, President Putin apologized to President Aliyev for what the Kremlin calls a tragic incident in Russian airspace and expressed condolences to the families of the dead. 38 people were killed when Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, having failed to land at Grozny Airport in the Russian North Caucasus, was redirected over the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan, where it crash landed. The Embraer 190 is widely believed to have been damaged by missiles fired by a Russian air defense system.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The BBC Steve Rosenberg reporting. President elect Donald Trump is weighing into a debate that's exposing rifts among his most loyal supporters. He tells the New York Post he's always been a supporter of H1B visas, which are used to sponsor high skilled workers from other countries. Trump says he'll work to curb illegal immigration in his next administration, but some MAGA faithful are critical of legal immigration policies. An online feud over the program, at times devolving into racist rhetoric, has been playing out on X, owned by Trump backer Elon Musk. And Musk lashed out at other Trump supporters who oppose H1BS, which are common in the text industry. It's unclear what the rhetoric would mean for a policy once Trump is in office. New York's attorney general released a video of a fatal prison beating of an inmate. The video shows several white corrections officers beating a black handcuffed inmate who died the next day appears Ava Pukic has more.

[Eva Pukach]

Attorney General Letitia James says the body cam footage shows officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York repeatedly punching and kicking inmate Robert Brooks in the face and groin and choking and striking him in the chest of a shoe as he lies on a medical examination table.

[Jeanine Herbst]

During the incident, he was handcuffed with.

[Sponsor Announcer]

His hands behind his back. He was pronounced dead at Wynn Hospital in Utica on December 10th.

[Eva Pukach]

Initial autopsy reports listed the cause of death as asphyxia due to the compression of the neck. Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the termination of the 14 individuals involved, Eva Pukach.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And PR News and those 14 could face criminal charges. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the government will reach its debt limit by mid January and will have to adopt special measures to continue paying its bill. And now the pressure is on Congress to take action. Some analysts think the US can stretch its money until the summer, but it will be up to the incoming Republican controlled House and Senate along with President Elect Trump, to raise or suspend the debt ceiling. Olivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, has died. Her family says she died peacefully yesterday at her home at the age of 73. NPR's Chloe Veltman has this Olivia Hussey.

[Chloe Veltman]

Was in her mid teens when Franco Zeffirelli spotted her on stage in London and promptly cast her in his Romeo and Juliet.

[Steve Rosenberg]

My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep.

[Chloe Veltman]

The more I give to thee, the.

[Steve Rosenberg]

More I have, for both are infinite.

[Chloe Veltman]

Hussey won international acclaim for the role, which controversially for the time, involved a nude love scene. She went on to appear in the 1977 series Jesus of Nazareth, the 1978 version of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile, and many other movies and TV show. Hussey later sued Paramount Pictures alleging sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud over the nudity in Romeo and Juliet. The case was dismissed last year. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

There was one Mega Millions winning ticket. It was purchased in Northern California. The lottery last night was $1.2 billion. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from from Washington.

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