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- [00:00]
Sarah Tamer
This message is from GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that sends cash directly to the world's poorest people. Pods Fight Poverty is supporting 700 families in Rwanda, with donations matched through December 31st.
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Ryland Barton
Visit GiveDirectly.org podcast live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Federal authorities have frozen all child care payments to Minnesota. It's the latest development amid escalating fraud investigations into alleged misuse of state and federal aid programs. Public Radio's Sarah Tamer reports.
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Sarah Tamer
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says federal agents are in Minneapolis this week investigating suspected fraud in childcare and other social services. The action follows years of work tied to the Feeding Our Future case, a major Covid era fraud prosecution. Tiki Brown is commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families. We have no tolerance for fraud and we're committed to doing everything we can to investigate allegations and quickly respond to issues. State officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, say they're cooperating with federal investigators. For NPR News, I'm Sarah Tamer in Minneapolis.
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Ryland Barton
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have backed competing sides in Yemen's decade long war against Iranian backed Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia has warned the UAE against actions there that threaten Saudi security. They're calling on the Emirates to take steps to preserve ties. Now the UAE says it'll withdraw its remaining forces. As NPR's Aya Batrawi reports, a years.
- [01:32]
Aya Batrawi
Long rivalry in Yemen between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi burst into the open with public statements by Saudi Arabia that rebuked the United Arab Emirates support of southern Yemeni forces who've taken control of more terrain in the country's east in recent weeks. The Southern Transitional Council, or stc, is backed by the UAE and is pushing for secession from Yemen's north. A Saudi military spokesman says Saudi forces bombed shipments from the UAE of weapons, equipment and military vehicles intended for use by the STC in Yemen. The UAE says the shipments refer its own Emirati forces in Yemen, not the stc. Saudi Arabia said in a statement it was Disappointed by the UAE's actions in Yemen and its, quote, pressuring of the STC to conduct military operations on Saudi Arabia's southern borders in Yemen, calling it a threat to the kingdom and regional security. Aya Baltrawi, NPR News, Dubai.
- [02:18]
Ryland Barton
Tatiana Schlossberg has died. The 35 year old granddaughter of John F. Kennedy was an environmental journalist. NPR's Julia Simon has this remembrance.
- [02:26]
Sarah Tamer
Last month in the New Yorker magazine, Tatiana Schlossberg wrote about the rare and aggressive blood cancer that was discovered hours after she gave birth to her daughter. She also described how the healthcare system she relied on felt, quote, strained and shaky because of the actions of her cousin, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Schlossberg worked as a science reporter for the New York Times, covering climate solutions like seagrass meadows that protect coastlines and store carbon dioxide and the urban planning concept of sponge cities, which soak up water in floods. She also wrote a book about climate solutions. Tatiana Schlossberg is survived by her family, including two small children whose faces, she wrote, live permanently on the inside of her eyelids. Julia Simon, NPR News.
- [03:13]
Ryland Barton
You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A surge of Arctic air is bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast. Tens of thousands of ratepayers are without power, with Michigan hardest hit. High waves on Lake Superior sent cargo ships into harbors for shelter. Now the National Weather Service predicts snow squalls and gusty winds for the Eastern U.S. a Trump administration plan to end the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate climate warming greenhouse gases has been delayed. The EPA had been expected to finish the wind down by the end of the year. As NPR's Jeff Brady reports, the Trump.
- [03:51]
Jeff Brady
Administration wants to eliminate the endangerment finding. In 2009, during the Obama administration, the EPA found that greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels are warming the climate and endangering public health and welfare. Trump has called climate change a con job and sought to reverse President Biden's climate agenda. The endangerment finding is the basis for regulating human caused climate pollution from power plants, cars and the oil and gas industry. EPA press Secretary Bridget Hirsch says the 43 day government shutdown this fall delayed work on rescinding the finding. While the rulemaking was expected to wrap up by the end of the year. That likely will come in the new year now. Jeff Brady, NPR News.
- [04:31]
Ryland Barton
Police in Germany say thieves stole tens of millions of dollars worth of property from safety deposit boxes inside a bank vault that they drilled into during the holiday lull. About 2,700 bank customers were affected by the theft. Investigators believe the theft could be worth more than $100 million. It could be one of Germany's largest heists. I'm Ryland Barton. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. This message comes from NPR sponsor ebay, who is home to millions of parts for your next project and free returns. If it doesn't fit or it isn't what you expected. EBay has your back. Eligible items only exclusions apply ebay things people love.