NPR News: 12-28-2024 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – December 28, 2024

Release Date: December 29, 2024

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1. Tragic Plane Crash in South Korea

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [00:19] – [01:14]

The episode opens with a heartbreaking report of a plane crash in South Korea. A Jeju Air flight returning from Bangkok, Thailand, tragically veered off the runway at Muon Airport in southwest Cholla Province, approximately 179 miles southwest of Seoul. The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, experienced a malfunction with its landing gear, leading to the crash into a fence and subsequent fire. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, and rescue operations were swiftly initiated to evacuate passengers from the burning wreckage.

Notable Quote:
Choi Sang Mok, South Korea’s acting president, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We will do our utmost to rescue the passengers” ([00:58]).

Authorities are actively investigating the precise causes of both the landing gear malfunction and the ensuing fire. The nation is also grappling with political turbulence, as both the president and acting president have faced impeachment in recent weeks, adding a layer of complexity to the crisis response.

Reporter: Anthony Kuhn, reporting from Seoul.

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2. WHO Director’s Narrow Escape in Yemen

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [01:14] – [02:02]

In a startling development from Yemen, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed a near-fatal encounter during an Israeli airstrike targeting Sana'a International Airport. Tedros and his colleagues narrowly escaped death when a missile struck the terminal where he was awaiting a flight.

Notable Quote:
Tedros stated, “I’m lucky to be alive after Israeli airstrikes hit the Sana’a International Airport” ([01:25]).

The Israeli military has asserted that the strike was aimed at infrastructure used by Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels. They claimed unawareness of the UN delegation’s presence at the airport, highlighting the chaotic and perilous environment in the region.

Reporter: Scott Newman provides additional details on the front lines.

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3. U.S. Approaches Debt Ceiling Limit

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [02:02] – [02:57]

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen issued a cautionary statement regarding the United States' approaching debt ceiling, projecting that the government will reach its limit by mid-January. Should Congress fail to act, the U.S. will need to implement "extraordinary measures" to continue fulfilling its financial obligations.

Notable Quote:
Yellen informed Congress, “Sometime between January 14 and January 23, the US will hit its debt limit” ([02:15]).

These measures involve strategic accounting tactics to conserve cash, such as suspending planned investments. While Yellen did not specify the duration these measures would suffice, analysts predict that the U.S. could maintain operations until summer. The situation intensifies as the incoming Republican Congress and the next President, Donald Trump, hold the reins to either raise or suspend the debt ceiling. Failure to do so risks a catastrophic default with severe economic repercussions.

Reporter: Rafael Nam explains the implications for Congress and national economy.

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4. Train Collision in Florida Causes Injuries

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [02:57] – [03:32]

A devastating accident occurred in Florida when a fire truck collided with a high-speed passenger train. The incident resulted in the fire truck being torn in two, scattering debris over several hundred feet. Early reports indicate that three firefighters and twelve passengers sustained injuries, though the firefighters are currently in stable condition.

Notable Quote:
Dale Willman reports, “The fire truck was torn in two and debris from the crash was spread for several hundred feet” ([02:57]).

Local fire officials are actively working to manage the aftermath and ensure the safety of those affected.

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5. 2024's Top-Grossing Movies: A Franchise-Driven Year

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [03:32] – [04:16]

The film industry in 2024 has been dominated by franchise films, with sequels and established characters topping the box office charts. Noteworthy successes include entries like Deadpool, Wolverine, and Despicable Me 4.

Notable Quote:
Nita Ulaby observes, “Unlike last year, when originals like Barbie and Oppenheimer were among the top grossing films, we saw lots of number twos at the movies this year” ([03:32]).

However, the year also saw significant flops. High-budget projects such as the latest Joker installment and the Borderlands video game adaptation failed to resonate with audiences, grossing only a fraction of their production costs. The Borderlands adaptation, in particular, was costly, with over $100 million invested but only earning slightly more than $30 million.

Exclusive Insight:
An amusing moment occurred during the segment when the character Riley from Inside Out 2 humorously interjected, “I'm one of Riley's new emotions,” to which Scott Newman replied, “We are just super jazzed to be here” ([03:50]).

Reporter: Nita Ulaby provides an in-depth analysis of the film industry's performance.

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6. Devastating Fires in Australia

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [04:16] – [04:58]

Southern Australia is battling a fierce wildfire that has scorched over 180,000 acres around the Grampians National Park. The inferno has led to the destruction of several homes and sheds, and significant damage to farmlands, posing a severe threat to both wildlife and human settlements.

Notable Quote:
Dale Willman updates listeners, “Fire officials in southern Australia are still working to contain a blaze that's burned more than 180,000 acres” ([04:16]).

Efforts to control the fire continue as authorities strive to prevent further devastation and protect vulnerable areas from the rapidly spreading flames.

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7. College Football Updates

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [04:16] – [04:58]

In sports news, Iowa State achieved a historic season by winning 11 games for the first time. The team triumphed over Miami with a close score of 42-41, thanks to a last-minute touchdown by Rocco Beck from the one-yard line with just 56 seconds remaining. Additionally, Nebraska secured a narrow victory against Boston College with a final score of 20-15, while TCU dominated Louisiana. Miami of Ohio and East Carolina also celebrated wins against Colorado State and North Carolina State, respectively.

Notable Quote:
Dale Willman highlights the thrilling conclusion of the Iowa State game, “Rocco Beck scored from a yard out on fourth and goal with 56 seconds left to win the game in New York” ([04:16]).

These results mark significant milestones for the respective teams and set the stage for an exciting continuation of the college football season.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive roundup of significant global and national events, from tragic accidents and geopolitical tensions to economic challenges and cultural highlights. Notable quotes from key figures like South Korea's acting president Janet Yellen and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus provide depth and personal insight into the unfolding stories. Additionally, the segment on the entertainment industry offers a reflective look at the year's cinematic successes and disappointments, while sports updates celebrate remarkable achievements in college football.

For listeners seeking to stay informed on the latest developments across various sectors, this episode provides a detailed and engaging synthesis of the day's most pressing news.

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Attributions:

• Host: Dale Willman, NPR News
• Reporters: Anthony Kuhn (Seoul), Scott Newman, Rafael Nam, Nita Ulaby
• Featured Speakers: Choi Sang Mok (Acting President of South Korea), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO Director-General)

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This summary is crafted to provide an in-depth overview of the NPR News Now episode for those who have not listened, emphasizing key points and memorable quotes to convey the essence of the broadcast.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Rosetta Stone, an expert in language learning for 30 years. Right now, NPR listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership to 25 different languages for 50% off. Learn more at Rosetta Stone.com NPR.

[Dale Willman]

LIVE from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. A plane carrying 175 people and six crew members veered off the Runway, crashed and caught fire in South Korea, killing at least 62 people. And NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul.

[Anthony Kuhn]

A flight belonging to budget carrier Jeju Air was returning from Bangkok, Thailand. It landed at Muon Airport in southwest cholla Province, about 179 miles southwest of Seoul. The Yonhap news agency reports that the plane's landing gear malfunctioned. It veered off the Runway, crashed into a fence and caught fire. Firemen extinguished the flames and rescuers tried to get passengers off the plane. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the crash and the fire. South Korea's president and acting president have been impeached in recent weeks. The current acting president, Choi Sang Mok, ordered rescuers to do their utmost to rescue the passengers. Anthony Kuhn in PR News, Seoul.

[Dale Willman]

The head of the World Health Organization says he and colleagues who were at Yemen's main airport earlier this week escaped death narrowly when an Israeli airstrike targeted that facility. NPR Scott Newman has more.

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus]

WHO Director General Tedros Adenam Gabriel Basis says he's lucky to be alive after Israeli airstrikes hit the Sana'a International Airport on Thursday, including a missile that struck the terminal where he was waiting for a flight.

[Scott Newman]

There was a very heavy explosion, very close. It felt like actually he was just next to me.

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus]

Israel's military says the strike was aimed at infrastructure used by Iran and Yemen's Houthi rebels. The military says it wasn't aware of the presence of the UN Delegation at the airport. Scott Newman, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

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 bills. And as NPR's Rafael Nam reports, that puts pressure on Congress to take action.

[Scott Newman]

Sometime between January 14 and January 23, the US will hit its debt limit. That's according to a letter sent by Yellen to Congress on Friday. But Yellen says the US can adopt so called extraordinary measures to continue paying its bills. These are essentially accounting moves to conserve cash, like suspending some planned investments. Yellen did not say how long the U.S. can do that for. Some analysts believe the U.S. could stretch its money until summer, but it would likely be up to the incoming Republican Congress and the next President Donald Trump to raise or suspend the debt ceiling. Otherwise, the US Risks a devastating default. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Three firefighters and 12 passengers were injured early today after a fire truck drove into the path of a high speed passenger train in Florida. The fire truck was torn in two and debris from the crash was spread for several hundred feet. The three firefighters are listed in stable condition. You're listening to NPR News. Most of the top grossing movies of 2024 were huge franchise films with familiar names and characters. And as NPR's Nita Ulaby reports, the year's biggest box office hits include Deadpool and Wolverine and Despicable Me 4.

[Nita Ulaby]

Unlike last year, when originals like Barbie and Oppenheimer were among the top grossing films, we saw lots of number twos at the movies this year, Moana 2, Dune Part 2 and Inside Out 2 about a young girl named Riley and the squad of emotions inside her anxiety.

[Dale Willman]

I'm one of Riley's new emotions, and.

[Scott Newman]

We are just super jazzed to be here.

[Nita Ulaby]

Anxiety was likely not far from the minds of Hollywood executives who backed the year's biggest flops. Those included the latest Joker movie that barely broke even and the video game adaptation Borderlands. It cost more than $100 million to make and sold only slightly more than $30 million worth of tickets. Netta Ulibi, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Fire officials in southern Australia are still working to contain a blaze that's burned more than 180,000 acres in and near the Grampians National Park. The fires destroyed several homes and sheds and damaged farmlands. Number 18, Iowa State won 11 games in the season for the first time today, beating Miami 42:41. Rocco Beck scored from a yard out on fourth and goal with 56 seconds left to win the game in New York. Dylan Raiola passed for 228 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska hung on to beat Boston College 2015. TCU, meanwhile, easily handled Louisiana throughout. Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State 43 to 17 and East Carolina beat North Carolina State 26 to 21. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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