NPR News: 12-29-2024 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – December 29, 2024

Released on December 29, 2024, at 2 PM EST

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1. South Korea Plane Crash Declared a National Tragedy

Host: Nora Ram
Reporter: Anthony Kuhn
Timestamp: [00:20]

South Korea is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic aviation disaster as the government has announced a seven-day period of national mourning. The crash, which occurred in the morning, resulted in the deaths of 179 individuals, leaving only two survivors. Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul:

"Video shot by eyewitnesses show the airplane skidding fast down the runway on its fuselage, its landing gear still up. It slammed into a concrete fence and exploded into flames." ([00:38])

The ill-fated Boeing 737-800, operated by the budget carrier Jeju Air, was en route from Bangkok, Thailand, to Muon International Airport in South Cholla Province, approximately 180 miles from Seoul. The majority of the passengers were South Koreans, with two Thai nationals among them. In the wake of the disaster, Jeju Air's CEO has issued a public apology, and authorities are diligently investigating the cause of the crash.

2. Syria’s New Islamist Leader Outlines Long Road to Stability

Host: Nora Ram
Reporter: Steve Jackson
Timestamp: [01:21]

In the turbulent wake of Bashar al-Assad’s ousting, Syria faces the challenging task of rebuilding its political foundation. Ahmed Al Shara, the country's new Islamist leader, has provided insights into the nation's path forward, indicating that drafting a new constitution could take up to three years and organizing elections might extend over four years. Steve Jackson from the BBC elaborates:

"In his interview, he warned that it could be a year before people see any drastic changes to the services they receive... Syria would need a comprehensive population census... and would also need to rebuild its legal system." ([01:38])

Al Shara emphasized his role in a collective effort, stating:

"I do not see myself as the liberator of the country and that the Syrian people had saved themselves." ([01:38])

His candid remarks aim to manage the expectations of a hopeful yet uncertain Syrian populace, highlighting the substantial work required to restore governance and public services.

3. Severe Tornadoes Hit Texas and Mississippi; Aid Challenges for Undocumented Migrants

Host: Nora Ram
Reporter: Nate Perez
Timestamp: [02:13]

Overnight, severe tornadoes swept through parts of Texas and Mississippi, resulting in at least two fatalities and injuring six others. Amid the escalating impact of climate change, which intensifies hurricane and tornado activity, nonprofits are increasingly stepping in to assist undocumented individuals who fall outside the eligibility for federal disaster aid. Nate Perez reports:

"Only U.S. citizens, a person born in a U.S. territory, a green card holder or refugee, can apply for FEMA's cash aid after an extreme weather event." ([02:37])

Michael Mendez, an environmental policy and planning professor at the University of California, Irvine, explains the situation:

"So they were forced to become disaster [aid providers]." ([02:57])

With human-induced climate change exacerbating the frequency and severity of natural disasters, these nonprofit organizations are expanding their roles to fill the gaps left by governmental aid programs, ensuring that vulnerable and undocumented communities receive necessary support.

4. Deadly English Channel Crossings and Belgium’s New Health Regulations

Host: Nora Ram
Reported by: Multiple Sources
Timestamp: [03:16]

Migrant Tragedies in the English Channel

French authorities have reported the tragic deaths of at least three migrants attempting to cross the English Channel to Britain, with an additional 45 individuals rescued from the perilous journey. Local officials suspect that overcrowding in the migrant boats contributed to the fatalities. This incident underscores a grim trend, marking 2024 as a particularly deadly year for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty by daring the hazardous crossing between France and England.

Belgium Implements Stricter E-Cigarette and Smoking Laws

In a significant move for public health, Belgium is set to become the first European Union country to ban disposable electronic cigarettes and vapes. Additionally, the nation is tightening existing restrictions on smoking in public areas. Authorities aim to curb smoking rates and protect citizens from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. These regulations reflect a broader commitment to public health and environmental safety, aligning with global efforts to reduce tobacco and vape usage.

5. "House of the Dragon" Tops 2024 Piracy Charts

Host: Nora Ram
Reporter: Neta Ulaby
Timestamp: [04:12]

The television landscape saw "House of the Dragon," the prequel to HBO's acclaimed "Game of Thrones," emerge as the most illegally downloaded show of 2024. Neta Ulaby reports on the surprising findings from Torrent Freak:

"According to the website Torrent Freak, it was the number one pirated show, followed by the series 'The Boys Shogun' and 'Arcane'." ([04:27])

This trend is notable given that torrenting has generally declined with the rise of streaming services. Despite this, "House of the Dragon" managed to captivate a vast audience, leading to its prominent position atop piracy statistics. Interestingly, other major series like "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" did not make the top ten, highlighting the exceptional popularity and possibly the intense demand for "House of the Dragon."

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Concluding Remarks

Nora Ram wraps up the episode by summarizing the day's most pressing news stories, ranging from tragic accidents and political upheavals to public health initiatives and trends in media consumption. As always, NPR News Now provides listeners with concise and comprehensive coverage of current events, ensuring that audiences stay informed on the latest developments around the globe.

This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on December 29, 2024.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

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[Nora Ram]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. South Korea's government has declared a seven day period of national mourning for following the deadly crash of a passenger plane this morning. One hundred and seventy nine people were killed. Only Two people survived. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul.

[Anthony Kuhn]

Video shot by eyewitnesses show the airplane skidding fast down the Runway on its fuselage, its landing gear still up. It slammed into a concrete fence and exploded into flames. Firemen and soldiers combed through the wreckage in search of survivors and victims. Authorities say all but the two who were rescued are presumed to have been killed. The Boeing 737800 crashed at muon International Airport in South cholla Province, about 180 miles from Seoul. The budget carrier Jeju Air flight was returning from Bangkok, Thailand. Two passengers were Thai nationals, the rest were South Koreans. Jeju Air CEO publicly apologized for the crash. The cause of the disaster is under investigation. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[Nora Ram]

Syria's new Islamist leader has said it may take three years to draw up a constitution for the country and organizing elections may take four years. Ahmed Al Shara made the comments three weeks after Bashar al Assad was ousted. The BBC's Steve Jackson has more.

[Steve Jackson]

As Syrians face all the hope and uncertainty of the post Assad era, Ahmed Al Shara is trying to manage expectations. In his Al Arabiya interview, he warned that it could be a year before people see any drastic changes to the services they receive. And he gave his clearest indication yet that elections are still years away. Syria would need a comprehensive population census, he said, for elections to be valid and would also need to rebuild its legal system. He insisted that he did not see himself as the liberator of the country and that the Syrian people had saved themselves.

[Nora Ram]

The BBC's Steve Jackson. Several tornadoes swept through Texas and Mississippi overnight. Officials say at least two people died and six others were injured. Nonprofits that help undocumented people have shifted to disaster aid after three major hurricanes hit the Southeast this year. Since many of them don't qualify for Federal disaster aid, NPR's Nate Perez reports.

[Nate Perez]

Only U.S. citizens, a person born in a U.S. territory, a green card holder or refugee, can apply for FEMA's cash aid after an extreme weather event. Michael Mendez teaches environmental policy and planning at the University California, Irvine. He says migrant organizations step in to help undocumented people when federal, state and local governments ignore these communities.

[Michael Mendez]

So they were forced to become disaster.

[Nate Perez]

Organizations on top of the other missions and programmatic work.

With human caused climate change increasing the intensity of hurricanes, nonprofits will need to grow to assist communities most vulnerable to weather disasters. Nate Perez, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

This is NPR News. French authorities say at least three migrants died early this morning while trying to cross the English Channel to Britain. Another 45 people were rescued. Local officials say it appears their boat could not accommodate all who tried to cross. This has been a deadly year for migrants attempting the perilous journey between France and England to flee conflict or poverty. This week, Belgium will become the first European Union country to ban disposable electronic cigarettes or vapes. Belgium is also tightening existing limitations on smoking in public areas. Authorities want to discourage smoking and to protect people from secondhand effects. The TV show House of the Dragon was popular this year among pirates. The series was one of the most illegally downloaded in 2024. NPR's Neta Ulaby reports.

[Neta Ulaby]

It was the most illegally torrented show by far in 2024. Torrenting is not as widespread as it was before the rise of streaming, but pirates still use the protocol to download and distribute very large files, like ones filled with stories about Dr.

Your family has dragons.

House of the Dragon is a prequel to HBO's Game of Thrones. According to the website Torrent Freak, it was the number one pirated show, followed by the series the Boys Shogun and Arcane. It came as something of a surprise. The website said that the series Lord of the the Rings of Power did not even crack the top 10 most pirated list this year. Neto Ulubi, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

And I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message is brought to you by Lisa in collaboration with West Elm. Discover the new natural hybrid mattress, expertly crafted from natural latex and certified safe foams, designed with your health and the planet in mind. Visit leesa.com to learn.