NPR News: 12-29-2024 7AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 29, 2024, 7 AM EST

Hosted by NPR

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Severe Storms and Tornadoes Devastate the Southeast United States

Timestamp: [00:16]

The Southeast United States continues to grapple with the aftermath of severe storms that swept through Texas to Georgia yesterday. Tens of thousands of customers remain without power due to the extensive damage caused by these storms, which have not only destroyed homes but also flipped vehicles. The Houston area, in particular, experienced multiple tornadoes, including a significant one near the Brazoria County town of Alvin.

Emily Trevino shared her firsthand experience, stating, “It really didn't stick around” ([00:40]), highlighting the suddenness and intensity of the tornadoes. Tragically, the outbreak has resulted in at least two fatalities and six injuries.

In addition to the immediate physical damage, these natural disasters have exacerbated issues for undocumented communities. With many not qualifying for federal disaster aid, nonprofits dedicated to assisting these populations have had to pivot their focus solely to disaster relief. Nate Perez elaborates on this shift:

Nate Perez: “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.” ([01:02])

Gabriela Emanuel adds, “So they were forced to become disaster organizations on top of the other missions and programmatic work” ([01:22]), underscoring the increased burden on these organizations.

As climate change continues to intensify hurricane activity, experts like Michael Mendez from the University of California, Irvine, emphasize the growing need for nonprofits to expand their capacity to support the most vulnerable communities ([01:30]).

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Aviation Incidents Raise Concerns in South Korea and Canada

Timestamp: [01:41]

A tragic aviation incident in South Korea has resulted in a rising death toll of at least 177 individuals after a passenger plane skidded off the runway, collided with a concrete wall, and burst into flames. Emergency responders successfully rescued two survivors, but two others remain unaccounted for. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities considering a possible bird strike as a potential cause. South Korea's Transport Ministry confirmed that the flight data recorders have been recovered.

In parallel news from Canada, Halifax's airports faced temporary closures last night following a landing mishap. According to the CBC, a passenger reported that one of the plane's tires failed to deploy properly, causing the aircraft to skid and partially catch fire ([01:41]).

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UNICEF Reports Record High of Children Affected by Global Conflicts

Timestamp: [02:41]

UNICEF has released alarming statistics indicating that over 473 million children are living in areas affected by conflicts—the highest number ever recorded. These conflicts span the globe, affecting regions from Haiti and Lebanon to Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gabriela Emanuel explains, “There are more conflicts now than at any point since World War II. And since the world's population has more than tripled since then, the total number of kids affected is at an all-time high.” ([02:41])

Joe English from UNICEF elaborates on the severe repercussions for children in conflict zones:

Joe English: “Growing up in a conflict zone makes a child more likely to be out of school and malnourished... And there are often long lasting impacts on a child's mental health.” ([02:41])

These findings highlight the urgent need for global intervention to protect and support children whose lives are disrupted by ongoing conflicts.

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Political Turmoil in Georgia and Presidential Elections in Croatia

Timestamp: [03:13]

In the former Soviet republic of Georgia, Suarian Mikhail Kavalashvili has been appointed as president amid a deepening political crisis that has mobilized thousands of Georgians to the streets. Kavalashvili, a former soccer player affiliated with the Georgia Dream party, assumes leadership after the opposition alleges that the October elections were rigged with Russian assistance. The outgoing president refuses to relinquish power, maintaining that she remains the legitimate leader of the country.

Meanwhile, Croatia is witnessing its first round of presidential elections today, featuring eight contenders, including the incumbent President Zora Milanovic. Often compared to Donald Trump, Milanovic is a vocal critic of Western military support for Ukraine. Given the competitive field, the election is anticipated to proceed to a second round next month ([03:13]).

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TikTok Influencer Charli D'Amelio Makes Her Broadway Debut in "and Juliet"

Timestamp: [04:12]

Broadway is embracing a new wave of star casting by featuring TikTok sensation Charli D'Amelio in the ensemble of the musical "and Juliet." Unlike traditional lead roles, D'Amelio's participation highlights the evolving landscape of theater casting.

Emily Trevino notes, “Than 155 million followers, Charli D'Amelio has the second most followed account on TikTok. And this fall, fans got to follow her journey online as she made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of the musical and Juliet” ([04:12]).

A spokesperson, Nate Perez, provides a glimpse behind the scenes:

Nate Perez: “Hi, I'm Charli D'Amelio and I want to take all of you behind the scenes to an and Juliet rehearsal.” ([04:27])

Since D'Amelio joined the production in October, "and Juliet" has seen a resurgence in ticket sales and a significant boost in social media engagement, despite the challenges Broadway faces in attracting audiences post-pandemic. Ava Pukach, NPR News, reports that the strategic casting has revitalized interest and participation in the musical ([04:33]).

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This summary provides an overview of the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on December 29, 2024. For full details and additional coverage, tuning into the episode is recommended.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Tens of thousands of customers remain without power from Texas to Georgia after severe storms swept through the region yesterday, damaging homes and flipping vehicles. Several tornadoes are reported to have have touched down in the Houston area, including at least one south of the city near the Brazoria county town of Alvin. Emily Trevino was there. It really didn't stick around.

[Emily Trevino]

It was just like so sudden and shocking.

[Giles Snyder]

At least two people were killed in the tornado outbreak and six others injured. Nonprofits that help undocumented communities have shifted to disaster aid after three major hurricanes hit the Southeast this year. Many undocumented people don't qualify for federal disaster aid. As NPR's Nate Perez reports, only U.S.

[Nate Perez]

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.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

So they were forced to become disaster organizations on top of the other missions and programmatic work.

[Nate Perez]

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.

[Giles Snyder]

A death toll from the crash of a passenger plane in South Korea is rising. Officials now say at least 177 people were killed after the plane skidded off a Runway, slammed into a concrete wall and burst into flames. Emergency workers were able to pull two survivors to safety, but two people remain missing. Authorities are investig investigating a possible bird strike as a potential cause of the crash. South Korea's Transport Ministry says the flight data recorders have been recovered. In Canada, the airports in Halifax was temporarily closed last night after a plane had trouble landing. The CBC is quoting a passenger as saying that one of the plane's tires did not deploy properly, the plane skidded down the Runway and part of it caught fire. UNICEF says more than 473 million children live in areas affected by conflicts. That's a record high. The conflict spanned the globe from Haiti to Lebanon, from Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of Congo. As NPR's Gabriela Emanuel reports, UNICEF says.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

There are more conflicts now than at any point since World War II. And since the world's population has more than tripled since then, the total number of kids affected is at an all time high. Joe English is with UNICEF everywhere where we have data, the numbers are worse than they have ever been. Growing up in a conflict zone makes a child more likely to be out of school and malnourished, he says. And there are often long lasting impacts on a child's mental health. Gabriela Emanuel, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. The former Soviet republic of Georgia, Suarian Mikhail Kavalashvili as president today amid a political crisis that has brought thousands of Georgians to the streets. Kavalashvili is a former soccer player allied to Georgia Dream, which retained control parliament in October elections that the opposition says were rigged with Russia's help. The outgoing president refusing to step down, saying she is the only legitimate president. Voters in Croatia going to the polls in the first round of a presidential election today. Eight contenders in the running, including incumbent President Zora Milanovic, who is often compared to Donald Trump. He is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine. The election expected to go to a second round next month. Broadway no stranger to star casting, but the musical and Juliet took a different approach, casting TikTok influencer Charli D'Amelio not in a lead role, but in the ensemble. As NPR's Ava Pukach reports, with more.

[Emily Trevino]

Than 155 million followers, Charli D'Amelio has the second most followed account on TikTok. And this fall, fans got to follow her journey online as she made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of the musical and Juliet.

[Nate Perez]

Hi, I'm Charli D'Amelio and I want to take all of you behind the scenes to an and Juliet rehearsal.

[Giles Snyder]

Let's go.

[Emily Trevino]

While some Broadway shows have struggled to find audiences post Pandemic and Juliet, sales have increased compared to the rest of the year since D'Amelio joined the show in October. And the show's social media accounts have seen a large boost in followers and engagement. Eva Pukach, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

And I'm Jael Snyder. This is NPR.

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