NPR News: 12-29-2024 1AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of December 29, 2024, 1AM EST Episode

On the December 29, 2024, episode of NPR News Now, host Dale Willman delivers a comprehensive rundown of the latest national and international news. This summary captures all key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, structured into clear sections for ease of understanding.

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1. Tragic Plane Crash in South Korea

Timestamp: [00:01]

Dale Willman opens the episode with breaking news about a devastating plane crash in South Korea. A Jeju Air flight carrying 175 passengers and six crew members tragically veered off the runway, resulting in a catastrophic fire. The incident occurred at Muon Airport in southwest Cholla Province, approximately 179 miles southwest of Seoul. At least 96 people lost their lives in the accident.

Anthony Kuhn provides further details, explaining that the malfunctioning landing gear caused the plane to crash into a fence before igniting. Emergency responders managed to extinguish the flames and initiate rescue operations, but the exact cause of the crash and subsequent fire remains under investigation.

“A flight belonging to budget carrier Jeju Air was returning from Bangkok, Thailand. It landed at Muon Airport... The landing gear malfunctioned.” – Anthony Kuhn [00:16]

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2. Ukraine Reacts to Slovak Energy Allegations

Timestamp: [00:43]

The episode shifts focus to geopolitical tensions involving Ukraine and Slovakia. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for suggesting a potential winter electricity cutoff for Ukraine. Zelenskyy accuses Fico of acting under Russian orders, effectively opening an "energy front against Ukraine."

Prime Minister Fico has indicated that Slovakia might cease electricity supplies to Ukraine unless Kyiv agrees to resume the transit of Russian gas through Slovak territory. Zelenskyy counters that Ukraine's reliance on electricity imports stems solely from Russian attacks on Ukrainian thermal and hydroelectric power plants, emphasizing that Fico's actions could cost Slovakia $200 million annually.

Hanna Palomarenko reports from Kyiv, highlighting the strained relations and the economic implications of such energy disputes.

“Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Slovakia's prime minister of opening energy front against Ukraine on the orders of Russia.” – Hanna Palomarenko [00:55]

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3. Texas Attorney General Blocks Biden Administration on Border Wall Materials

Timestamp: [01:37]

In a significant legal move, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has successfully blocked the Biden administration from disposing of border wall materials. This decision comes ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump taking office.

Jerry Clayton of Texas Public Radio explains that a federal judge granted Paxton's request to halt the disposal of raw materials for 30 days. Despite Paxton's assertions that the administration is undermining Trump's immigration policies, the sale of these materials had been previously approved by Congress in 2023. The Department of Homeland Security reports that materials donated to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Texas, and California accounted for about 60% of the stock. Additionally, Texas invested an extra $12 million in unused materials last summer, enough to construct approximately 4 miles of the border wall.

“A federal judge on Friday granted Paxton's request to halt the Biden administration from disposing of any more of the raw material for 30 days.” – Jerry Clayton [01:50]

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4. Severe Weather Disrupts Holiday Travel Across the U.S.

Timestamp: [02:29]

Severe weather conditions have severely impacted holiday travel across the United States. On Saturday, the Southeast experienced deadly tornadoes, with at least 10 tornadoes touching down in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Concurrently, the West Coast was battered by heavy snow and high winds, leading to widespread travel disruptions.

According to FlightAware, over 7,000 flights were delayed, and 200 flights were canceled, with many delays concentrated at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

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5. President-Elect Trump's Stance on H1B Visa Program

Timestamp: [02:29]

President-Elect Donald Trump has publicly expressed support for the H1B visa program, which facilitates the entry of highly skilled foreign workers into the United States. This stance comes amid criticism from many of his supporters, who are generally opposed to immigration and have been vocal against the H1B program on social media platforms.

The debate over the H1B visas highlights the delicate balancing act Trump faces as he prepares to address one of his top policy issues—immigration.

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6. Loneliness Among Older Adults Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Timestamp: [03:36]

The podcast also sheds light on social issues affecting older adults. Loneliness has surged back to pre-pandemic levels among individuals aged 50 to 80. According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan, one-third of older adults report feeling lonely at least some of the time.

Emily Kwong reports that chronic loneliness poses significant health risks, including an increased chance of cardiovascular disease and dementia. Preeti Malani, the study's author, emphasizes the importance of treating loneliness as a preventable and manageable health issue.

“We can all walk across the street. We can knock on people's doors. We can make plans to visit.” – Preeti Malani [04:01]

Malani advocates for active measures to foster human connections, likening it to a form of medicine that can alleviate the pervasive sense of isolation among older adults.

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7. CDC Reports Surge in Norovirus Outbreaks

Timestamp: [04:12]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant spread of the norovirus, a highly contagious stomach virus, across the country. In the week of December 5th, there were 91 outbreaks recorded. Symptoms of norovirus infection include diarrhea and sudden vomiting, and it is commonly associated with environments that have crowded living conditions, such as cruise ships and nursing homes.

Dale Willman underscores the importance of awareness and preventive measures to curb the transmission of this virus, especially during the holiday season when such outbreaks can rapidly escalate in communal settings.

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This episode of NPR News Now presents a succinct yet thorough overview of pressing events, ranging from international conflicts and legal battles to public health concerns and social issues. By incorporating direct quotes and precise timestamps, the summary ensures that listeners and readers alike receive a clear and engaging depiction of the day's news.

Transcript

[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News. I'm Dale Willman. A plane carrying 175 passengers and six crew members veered off the Runway Saturday and crashed and caught fire in South Korea. At least 96 people were killed in the crash. 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.

[Dale Willman]

That's NPR's Anthony Kuhn. Ukraine's president has reacted to the Slovak prime minister's statement about a possible winter electricity cutoff for Ukraine. NPR's Hanna Palomarenko has more from Kyiv.

[Hanna Palomarenko]

Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Slovakia's prime minister of opening energy front against Ukraine on the orders of Russia. Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his country may stop supplying electricity to Ukraine if Kyiv does not agree to resume the transit of Russian gas through its territory. In a statement posted on X, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine's need for electricity imports arose only because of Russian attacks on Ukrainian thermal and hydroelectric power plants. He also pointed out Fico's decision would deprive Slovakia of $200 million a year. Hanna Polomarenko, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Dale Willman]

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has blocked the Biden administration from disposing border wall materials before President Elect Donald Trump takes office. Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton has more.

[Jerry Clayton]

A federal judge on Friday granted Paxton's request to halt the Biden administration from disposing of any more of the raw material for 30 days, despite Paxton's claim that Biden is trying to thwart Trump's immigration agenda. The sale of the material was approved by Congress in 2023. U.S. customs and Border Protection and the states of Texas and California received around 60% of the material through a donation process, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Paxton told Fox News recently that Texas purchased an additional $12 million of the unused material this past summer, enough to build about 4 miles of border wall. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio.

[Dale Willman]

Severe weather caused major problems for holiday travel across the US On Saturday. There were deadly tornadoes in the Southeast, with at least 10 touching down in Texas, Louisa and Mississippi. Heavy snow and high winds, meanwhile, pounded the west coast, according to the tracking site FlightAware. More than 7,000 flights have been delayed and 200 more were canceled. Many of the delayed flights were scheduled to leave from Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. You're listening to NPR News. President elect Donald Trump says he supports the use of the H1B visa program. The visas are used to allow entry for high skilled workers from other countries. Many Trump supporters say they're against all immigration into the US and they've been attacking the H1B program in social media. The fight is one indication of the balancing act Trump will be required to take as he prepares to deal with one of his top issues. Loneliness is back to pre pandemic levels in older adults. And as NPR's Emily Kwong reports, a lot can be done to support those Americans still struggling this holiday season.

[Emily Kwong]

Among older adults ages 50 to 80, 1/3 say, yeah, I feel lonely at least some of the time. That's according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging run by the University of Michigan. And that has health risks. Chronic loneliness can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. So study author Preeti Malani wants everyone to think of loneliness as a health problem that can be treated and prevented.

[Preeti Malani]

We can all walk across the street. We can knock on people's doors. We can make plans to visit.

[Emily Kwong]

Actively cultivating human connection is its own kind of medicine. For NPR News, I'm Emily Kwong.

[Dale Willman]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a stomach virus is spreading across the country. Officials say there were 91 outbreaks of the norovirus in the week of December 5th. Symptoms of the infection include diarrhea and sudden vomiting. Outbreaks of the virus are often seen in places with crowded living conditions, from cruise ships to nursing homes. I'm Dale Wilman, and you're listening to NPR News.