NPR News: 12-31-2024 3AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 31, 2024, 3AM EST

NPR News Now brings you the latest developments from around the world in this comprehensive summary of the December 31, 2024, episode. Covering significant events from political transitions to climate concerns, aviation incidents, and legal battles, this edition provides a detailed overview of key news stories shaping our global landscape.

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Funeral Arrangements for Former President Jimmy Carter

Dan Ronan opens the broadcast with heartfelt news about the passing of former President Jimmy Carter at the age of 100. Grant Blankenship of Georgia Public Broadcasting provides an intimate look into the funeral preparations in Carter's hometown, Plains, Georgia.

"Carter spent most of his life in the southwest Georgia farming community of Plains," reports Blankenship at 00:28. The town is transitioning from festive Christmas decorations to patriotic symbols, reflecting the nation's mourning. Agnes McAllister, a longtime inn cleaner, shares her personal connection and dedication to preparing for the Carters' stay:

"I have to get everything ready upstairs because all the Carters will be staying upstairs. It makes me feel good that I'm able to do that for them." (00:49)

The funeral proceedings will span multiple locations, beginning and ending in Plains, with interim services at the Carter Center in Atlanta and a final state service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Blankenship concludes this segment at 01:13.

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UN’s 2025 Vision and Climate Change Concerns

In an end-of-year address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined a vision for 2025 aimed at fostering a more peaceful, stable, and healthy future globally. He emphasized the urgent need for increased renewable energy adoption and collective action against climate change.

A Climate Expert underscores the gravity of the situation:

"We have just endured a decade of deadly heat. The top 10 hottest years on record have happened in the last 10 years, including 2024. This is climate breakdown in real time." (01:33)

Despite these alarming trends, Guterres remains optimistic. He credits civic activism and public pressure as driving forces pushing governments and organizations towards meaningful climate action.

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South Korean Jetliner Crash Investigation

Tragedy struck in South Korea as a jetliner crashed, resulting in the deaths of 179 individuals. Anthony Kuhn provides a solemn report on the aftermath and ongoing investigations.

Families of the victims are receiving support from officials, volunteers, and church groups, many of whom have taken shelter in tents at Muon International Airport. The emotional toll is palpable as Kuhn describes the scene:

"Anguished cries and sobs occasionally rose from the tents." (02:06)

Authorities are meticulously recovering and examining the wreckage. Only five bodies were relatively intact, necessitating careful sorting before return. The flight recorders are under scrutiny in Seoul to determine the cause of the crash.

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FAA Investigates Near-Runway Incident at LAX

An alarming incident at Los Angeles International Airport prompted immediate action from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A charter jet carrying Gonzaga University's men’s basketball team nearly veered onto an active runway as a Delta flight was taking off, narrowly avoiding a potential disaster. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The FAA has launched a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the factors that led to this close call, prioritizing passenger and airport safety.

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Legal Battles Over New York's Congestion Pricing Plan

New York City's ambitious congestion pricing strategy for Lower Manhattan is set to commence next Sunday amidst significant legal challenges. The plan aims to fund mass transit by charging motorists $9 daily to enter Manhattan below 60th Street.

A federal judge ruled that the city and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have satisfied most prerequisites to implement the program but mandated further reviews on certain aspects. This decision has reignited disputes, particularly from New Jersey, which argues that the judge's directive effectively halts the program's initiation.

The congestion pricing initiative is a pivotal move towards sustainable urban transportation, yet its future remains uncertain as legal proceedings continue.

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State of Emergency Declared in Trinidad and Tobago

In response to escalating gang-related violence, Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency. Orlando Thiel from the BBC reports that the government attributed the decision to a surge in criminal activities threatening public safety.

"Security forces will have powers to conduct searches without a warrant," Thiel explains (04:02). The Caribbean nation is grappling with one of the highest murder rates in the region, with over 620 fatalities this year linked primarily to the international drug trade. The state of emergency aims to restore order and mitigate the ongoing violence.

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Federal Court Upholds Civil Award Against Donald Trump

In a significant legal development, a federal appeals court has upheld a $5 million civil judgment against former President Donald Trump. The case pertains to allegations of sexual abuse by E. Jean Carroll, a columnist who testified that a friendly encounter with Trump in a department store dressing room turned sexually abusive 28 years ago.

This ruling reaffirms the court's stance on addressing and validating the experiences of abuse victims, marking another chapter in the ongoing legal challenges faced by Trump.

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NPR News Now continues to bring you concise and comprehensive coverage of the most pressing news stories. Stay informed with our hourly updates to navigate the complexities of today's world.

Transcript

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[Dan Ronan]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Funeral preparations are coming together for former President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100. Grant Blankenship of Georgia Public Broadcasting reports his hometown is already preparing.

[Grant Blankenship]

Carter spent most of his life in the southwest Georgia farming community of Plains. Normally, the Christmas decorations outside the main strip of shops downtown would have another week before they came down. Now most have been replaced with red, white and blue ribbons, and the flags are at half staff. Agnes McAllister has cleaned rooms at the Plains Inn on the corner of the strip for about five years.

[Agnes McAllister]

And I have to get everything ready upstairs because all the Carters will be staying upstairs. It makes me feel good that I'm able to do that for them.

[Grant Blankenship]

Carter's funeral schedule will both begin and end in Plains. Between, he will lie in repose at the Carter center in Atlanta and lighten state at the capitol in Washington, D.C. for NPR News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Plains, Georgia.

[Dan Ronan]

In an end of the year message, the UN general secretary, Antonio Guterres, pledged in 2025 to move to a more peaceful, stable and healthy future for all people. He also said more be done to encourage the use of renewable energy and nations and people should come together to battle climate change.

[Unknown Climate Expert]

We have just endured a decade of deadly heat. The top 10 hottest years on record have happened in the last 10 years, including 2024. This is climate breakdown in real time.

[Dan Ronan]

Despite the global warming temperatures. The secretary general said he's optimistic because citizens are forcing government and others to to come together. The investigation continues into that jetliner crash in South Korea Sunday. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports. 179 people died.

[Anthony Kuhn]

Officials, volunteers and church groups comforted bereaved families, many of whom sheltered in tents in the Muon International Airport in South Cholla Province. Anguished cries and sobs occasionally rose from the tents. Family members asked officials to quickly return the bodies of their loved ones, but officials replied that only five of the bodies were relatively intact, while most were in pieces that needed to be properly sorted before being returned. South Korean authorities will Inspect all Boeing 737-800s in service with the country's airlines. The flight recorders recovered from the crashed plane have been taken to Seoul for examination. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Muon County, South Korea.

[Dan Ronan]

The FAA has launched an investigation after a charter jet Friday carrying Gonzaga University's men's Baske team nearly crossed onto an active Runway as a Delta flight was taking off from Los Angeles International Airport. No one was hurt. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. New York's controversial congestion pricing plan for lower Manhattan is set to take effect next Sunday, but there's disagreement if it's going to happen. A federal judge Monday found the city and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority had taken most of the necessary steps to begin the program. But the judge also ordered federal officials to review and explain further aspects of the plan. And the state of New Jersey, which is sued to stop it, said the judge's action means it cannot begin. Congestion pricing will provide funding for mass transit by charging most motorists $9 a day to enter Manhattan at 60th street or below. A state of emergency has come into force in Trinidad and Tobago, which is now in the grips of gang related crime. The BBC's Orlando Thiel has the government.

[Orlando Thiel]

Of Trinidad and Tobago said the state of emergency followed increased violence from criminal gangs, which it said endangered public safety. Security forces will have powers to conduct searches without a warrant. The Caribbean twin island republic currently has one of the highest murder rates in the region, with more than 620 people killed so far this year out of a population of 1 1/2 million. Most of the deaths are linked to the international drugs trademark.

[Dan Ronan]

A federal appeals court has upheld the $5 million civil award against Donald Trump in connection with the sexual abuse of a columnist in a department store dressing room 28 years ago. The writer E. Jean Carroll, testified at trial a friendly encounter turned sexual. From Washington, you're listening to NPR News.

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