NPR News: 12-30-2024 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 30, 2024, 5AM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant global and national events in its December 30, 2024, episode. Hosted by Dave Mattingly, the episode covered the passing of a former U.S. president, severe weather impacts across the southern United States, political shifts in Syria, a tragic airliner crash in South Korea, and health and political challenges faced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed.

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1. Former President Jimmy Carter Passes Away

Timestamp: [00:18]

NPR's Dave Mattingly opened the episode with the somber news of former President Jimmy Carter's death at the age of 100. President Biden expressed his condolences, describing Carter as "an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian." Carter, the 39th President of the United States, served from 1976 to 1980 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian efforts post-presidency.

Don Gonyea provided an insightful look into Carter's political journey:

Timestamp: [00:51]

Don Gonyea detailed Carter's unexpected rise to the presidency, highlighting his status as an outsider who garnered support amidst the distrust of Washington following the Watergate scandal. Carrie narrowly won the 1976 election against incumbent President Gerald Ford but was defeated by Ronald Reagan four years later.

Timestamp: [01:36]

Mattingly announced Carter's funeral schedule, set for January 9th at Washington National Cathedral, underscoring the nation's respect and admiration for the late president.

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2. Severe Weather Impacts Across the Southern United States

Timestamp: [01:36]

The episode reported on the recent severe weather, including tornadoes, that swept through the southern U.S., resulting in at least four fatalities. The states affected include Texas, Mississippi, and North Carolina.

Rebecca Ackerman shared a personal account from Alvin, Texas:

Timestamp: [02:01]

Ackerman expressed the emotional toll of the tornado aftermath, stating, "It's really hard to process. It's like, I know it's real. I can see that it's real, but still, sometimes it doesn't feel real."

The National Weather Service confirmed receiving over 40 reports of tornado damage spanning from Texas to Georgia, emphasizing the widespread impact of the storm system.

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3. Political Developments in Syria

Timestamp: [02:09]

Amidst ongoing turmoil, Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Shahra, addressed the future of the nation following the ouster of longtime President Bashar al-Assad.

Dia Hadid reported from Damascus:

Timestamp: [02:29]

Al-Shahra, speaking to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, outlined his vision for Syria's path forward. He indicated that holding elections might take up to four years due to the lack of a recent census and the need for a new constitution. He emphasized the importance of a national conference with Syrian representatives to set the agenda, stating, "the time of the Syrian revolution was over and the time of nation building had begun." Al-Shahra also mentioned plans to dismantle the militant group HTS (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham), signaling a move towards stabilization and reconstruction.

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4. Deadly Airliner Crash in South Korea

Timestamp: [03:14]

Tragedy struck South Korea as a domestic commercial Boeing 737-800 crashed at an airport in the southwest, resulting in 179 fatalities and leaving only two survivors. The plane collided with a concrete fence and caught fire after skidding off the runway.

Dave Mattingly provided details on the investigation:

The pilots had attempted to abort their first landing but had to proceed with a second attempt without the front landing gear deployed. Investigators noted that air traffic controllers had issued a bird strike warning before the pilots sent out a distress signal, indicating possible factors that may have contributed to the accident.

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5. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Health and Political Challenges

Timestamp: [04:17]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently recovering from prostate surgery to remove a benign growth. His office confirmed the procedure was successful.

Emily Fang reported from Tel Aviv:

Timestamp: [04:17]

Fang highlighted that Netanyahu's health issues are occurring amidst multiple fronts of conflict, including ongoing fighting with Hamas in Gaza, confrontations with Houthi militants in Yemen, and territorial disputes in Syria where Israeli troops remain active. Additionally, Netanyahu is embroiled in a corruption trial, with a Jerusalem court allowing him to postpone several days of testimony due to his recent surgery. At 75, Netanyahu remains one of the world's more senior leaders, having previously undergone pacemaker implantation and hernia surgery earlier in the year.

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Conclusion

The episode of NPR News Now on December 30, 2024, provided listeners with a thorough overview of pressing news topics, from national mournings and natural disasters to international political shifts and tragic accidents. By incorporating firsthand accounts and expert reporting, the podcast ensured that even those who didn't listen could stay informed on these critical events.

Transcript

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[Dave Mattingly]

Live from NPR News In Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. President Biden says he's lost a dear friend with the death of former President Jimmy Carter. The country's 39th president died yesterday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100, more than a year after entering hospice care. Biden says Carter was an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. Carter was elected president in 1976 and later won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. NPR's Don Gagne has more.

[Don Gonyea]

Few took Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter seriously when he jumped into the race for president. The former peanut farmer announced his candidacy almost two years before Election Day.

[Unknown]

There was a major headline on the editorial page of the Atlanta Constitution that said Jimmy Carter is running for what.

[Don Gonyea]

Carter was an outsider capitalizing on distrust of Washington in the immediate aftermath of the Watergate scandal.

[Unknown]

We want Carter. We want Carter.

[Don Gonyea]

After emerging from a crowded Democratic primary field, he narrowly defeated President Gerald Ford in the general election, only to lose to another Washington outsider named Ronald Reagan four years later. Don Gonyea, NPR News.

[Dave Mattingly]

Carter's funeral is scheduled for January 9th at Washington National Cathedral. At least four deaths are reported after severe weather, including tornadoes, moved across the southern US over the weekend. Authorities say one fatality occurred in Texas, two in Mississippi and another in North Carolina. Rebecca Ackerman says she's still trying to process the aftermath of a tornado that went through Alvin, Texas.

[Rebecca Ackerman]

It's really hard to process. It's like, I know it's real. I can see that it's real, but still, sometimes it doesn't feel real.

[Dave Mattingly]

The National Weather Service says it received more than 40 reports of tornado damage from Texas to Georgia. Syria's new leader says it could take up to four years for the country to hold elections following following the recent ouster of longtime President bashar Al Assad. NPR's Dia Hadid has more from Damascus.

[Dia Hadid]

Ahmed al Shahra spoke to Saudi owned Larabiya to lay out his vision for the country barely three weeks after his rebels overran Damascus earlier this month, forcing the former leader Bashar al Assad to flee. Sharra said elections would take time because the country had not had a proper census in years and because Syria needs a new constitution. Sharra says he hopes to hold a national conference with Syrian representatives who can set the agenda. He says at the conference he'll dismantle the group he leads HTS or HAY at Tahrir. Al Sham Shara also told Arabiya that the time of the Syrian revolution was over and the time of nation building had begun. Dear Hadid, NPR News, Damascus.

[Dave Mattingly]

This is NPR News. Investigators in South Korea are trying to piece together the events leading up to yesterday's deadly crash of a domestic commercial airliner at an airport in the country's southwest. 179 people were killed when the Boeing 737800 slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames after skidding off the end of an airport Runway. Two passengers survived. Officials say the pilots aborted their first landing attempt and then issued a distress signal before touching down without the front landing gear deployed on their second try. Investigators say controllers issued a bird strike warning before the distress signal was sent by the pilots of the budget airliner. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is recovering from prostate surgery. His office says the procedure to remove a benign growth was successful. NPR's Emily Fang says Netanyahu's latest health issue comes amid ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and a corruption trial.

[Emily Fang]

This is not the first time the prime minister has had health problems while Israel is fighting on multiple fronts in Gaza against Houthi militants in Yemen and in Syria, where Israeli troops have occupied more territory. Netanyahu also is in the middle of testifying in his own corruption trial. A Jerusalem court agreed he could postpone several days of testimony this coming week due to surgery. At 75 years old, Netanyahu was among the more senior end of world leaders. He he was fitted with a pacemaker last year and earlier this spring had surgery for a hernia. Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv, Israel.

[Dave Mattingly]

I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.

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