NPR News: 12-31-2024 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 31, 2024, 2PM EST

Hosted by Louise Schiavone | Published on December 31, 2024

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Ongoing Conflict in Gaza: Ceasefire Talks Stall

Reporter: Emily Feng
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel

The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains unresolved as ceasefire negotiations face significant hurdles. Emily Feng reports that disagreements persist over the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange for hostages held by Hamas. Additionally, while Hamas is advocating for a permanent ceasefire, Israel is seeking a temporary truce as a preliminary step.

Notable Insight: Jamal Zahaka, a former member of Israel's parliament and close collaborator with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commented on the stalled negotiations:

"I think Netanyahu is waiting for Trump." [01:00]

Zahaka explains that Netanyahu believes he can extract more concessions once Donald Trump assumes the U.S. presidency again, viewing Trump as a more favorable political ally.

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Mexico Introduces App to Aid Migrants Facing Detention

Reporter: Nina Kravinski
Source: Member station kjzz

In response to President-elect Donald Trump's promise of mass deportations upon taking office in January, Mexico is piloting a smartphone application designed to assist migrants in the United States. The app allows users to promptly notify the Mexican consulate if they anticipate impending detention by U.S. Immigration authorities.

Key Features:

• One-Tap Alert: Migrants can alert the Mexican consulate instantly if they believe they are about to be detained.
• Government Support: Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary, Juan Ramon de la Fuente, highlighted the app as a proactive measure to support nearly 5 million undocumented Mexican nationals residing in the U.S.
• Current Status: The application is undergoing small-scale testing and has shown promising results.

This technological initiative aims to provide timely assistance and improve the safety of Mexican migrants amidst looming deportation threats.

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2024: A Prosperous Year for Stock Investors Amid Global Economic Shifts

Reporter: Scott Horsley
Location: Washington, D.C.

The year 2024 has proven lucrative for stock investors, with significant gains observed across major indices. The S&P 500 has surged by over 20% compared to the previous year, while the tech-centric Nasdaq has experienced an impressive nearly 30% increase.

Additional Economic Indicators:

• Gas Prices: According to AAA, the average price of regular gasoline rose to just over $3.04 per gallon, maintaining a slight decrease of about 7 cents compared to the same period last year.
• China’s Manufacturing Sector: Recent data indicates marginal growth in China’s manufacturing, suggesting that government stimulus efforts may not be sufficiently robust to sustain broader economic momentum.
• Market Variations: While Shanghai's stock market saw declines, Hong Kong experienced gains. Overnight markets in Tokyo and Seoul remained closed due to the New Year's holiday.

Market Update: As of the latest figures, Wall Street closed with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down by 91 points and the Nasdaq down by 167 points. Bond markets were the exception to the day's trading activities, which will resume after the New Year holiday.

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"Home Alone" Remains a Source of Comfort in War-Torn Ukraine

Reporter: Brian Mann
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Amidst the ongoing hardships in Ukraine, including frequent power outages and missile strikes, the beloved American film "Home Alone" continues to offer solace to many Ukrainian families. The movie, featuring the adventures of young Kevin McCallister, has been a holiday favorite in Ukraine since the 1990s.

Community Reactions: Anna Bondarenko, a long-time fan, shared her appreciation for the film:

"Really a small kid. It's a universal language." [03:50]

Her son, Sasha, aged 10, finds particular joy in the comedic elements, especially the scenes where Kevin outsmarts the bumbling burglars:

"Robber gets into this door for dogs or cats and he has like shotgun or something." [04:01]

The film's popularity even spurred a local adaptation by a Ukrainian production company, featuring Volodymyr Zelensky, who transitioned from acting to become Ukraine's wartime president.

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Gabriela Dabrowski: Triumph Over Adversity in Professional Tennis

Reporter: Louise Schiavone
Location: Washington, D.C.

Canadian tennis star Gabriela Dabrowski has made an inspiring comeback in 2024 after battling breast cancer. At 32 years old, Dabrowski secured a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics and achieved a third-place ranking in women's doubles.

Journey to Recovery:

• Diagnosis and Treatment: Dabrowski was diagnosed with breast cancer in April, leading her to withdraw from competitions in May due to surgery.
• Return to Competition: Demonstrating remarkable resilience, she resumed playing in June and even participated in Wimbledon, temporarily postponing further treatment.
• Advocacy: Dabrowski emphasizes the importance of early detection, stating that it "saves lives."

Her determination to return to champion-level tennis serves as an inspiring testament to overcoming personal and professional challenges.

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This summary is based on the December 31, 2024 episode of NPR News Now. Stay informed with the latest news every hour.

Transcript

[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]

This message comes from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Active and retired federal employees and military staff can support St. Jude during the 2024 Combined Federal Campaign. Visit stjude.org cfc and donate now using the code 10560.

[Louise Schiavone]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. The war in Gaza continues and no ceasefire has been struck between Israel and Hamas. NPR's Emily Feng reports from Tel Aviv that ceasefire talks this year have been rocky.

[Emily Feng]

There's still disagreement about which Palestinian prisoners and detainees Israel would release for surviving hostages in Gaza. Plus, Hamas wants a permanent ceasefire. Israel wants a temporary truce first. Jamal Zahaka, a former member of Israel's parliament who worked closely with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says he thinks the prime minister is no longer in a rush to secure a ceasefire.

[Jamal Zahaka]

I think Netanyahu is waiting for Trump.

[Emily Feng]

He says Netanyahu believes he can get more concessions after Trump becomes US President again because he sees Trump as a closer political ally. Emily Feng, NPR News, Tel Aviv, Israel.

[Louise Schiavone]

Mexico is testing a cell phone app that allows migrants in the United States to alert their consulate if they think they're about to be detained. From member station kjzz, Nina Kravinski reports. The app is part of Mexico's preparations in case of mass deport year.

[Nina Kravinski]

The app's alert button is designed so that with one tap, migrants who suspect they're about to be detained by the US Immigration Department can let the Mexican consulate know. President elect Donald Trump has said he will carry out mass deportations when he takes office in January. Mexico's foreign affairs secretary, Juan Ramon de la Fuente, presented the app as one of the ways his country's consulates in the US Are preparing for that possibility. This permits us to be notified from the moment someone perceives imminent risk that they could be detained. He says the app is already being tested on a small scale and is working well. The Mexican government estimates There are nearly 5 million undocumented Mexican nationals in the U.S. for NPR News, I'm Nina Kravinski.

[Louise Schiavone]

2024 has been a good year for stock investors. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the year's double digit market gains.

[Scott Horsley]

The S&P 500 index is up more than 20% from a year ago, while the tech heavy Nasdaq jump nearly 30%. Retail gasoline prices are also up slightly. AAA says the average price of regular gas climbed to just over $3.04 a gallon. That's still about 7 cents less than this time last year New figures out of China show that country's manufacturing sector is still growing, but just barely. Government efforts to stimulate the world's second largest economy appear to be falling short. Stocks were lower in Shanghai, but up in Hong Kong, overnight markets in Tokyo and Seoul were closed for the New Year's holiday. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Louise Schiavone]

On Wall street, except for the bond markets, trading closes as usual today, reopens the day after New Year's. At last check, The Dow was down 91 points, the NASDAQ off 167. This is NPR. During this difficult holiday season in Ukraine, with frequent power cuts and missile strikes, many families are turning to the American film Home Alone for comfort. The movie has been a holiday staple in Ukraine for decades. NPR's Brian Mann reports from Kyiv.

[Brian Mann]

The tale of Kevin, a little boy mistakenly left home by his parents, first caught on in Ukraine in the 90s, and it's broadcast every year here. Anna Bondarenko, a longtime fan of the movie, says Ukrainians love it because it's.

[Anna Bondarenko]

Really a small kid. It's a universal language.

[Brian Mann]

Her son Sasha, who's 10, says the film is hilarious, especially when Kevin gets the best of bungling burglars, when the.

[Anna Bondarenko]

Robber gets into this door for dogs or cats and he has like shotgun or something.

[Brian Mann]

The film was so popular, there was a knockoff version made by a Ukrainian production company. One of its stars was Volodymyr Zelensky, then a popular actor, now the wartime president of Ukraine. Brian Mann, NPR news, Kyiv.

[Louise Schiavone]

Former US Open doubles champion Gabriela Dabrowski, a 32 year old Canadian who won the bronze medal in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics, is revealing. On Instagram, she played champion level tennis throughout 2024 after undergoing treatment for breast cancer, third ranked in women's double. She received the diagnosis in April, skipped competition in that month in May due to surgery, but went back in June. Dabrowski briefly delayed further treatment to compete at Wimbledon and declared early detection saves lives. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]

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