NPR News: 12-31-2024 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 31, 2024, 3 PM EST Summary

1. Chinese State-Sponsored Cyberattacks Target U.S. Treasury and Telecoms

Reporter: Luis Schiavone and Jenna McLaughlin

The U.S. Treasury Department, in collaboration with the FBI and national security officials, is actively investigating a significant cybersecurity breach that occurred earlier in December. The breach involved several Treasury workstations being compromised by what authorities describe as a state-sponsored actor from China. Although Chinese hackers have been reportedly shut out from Treasury systems, the U.S. government continues to uncover new victims affected by this extensive espionage campaign.

Jenna McLaughlin elaborates on the scope of these attacks, highlighting that the Chinese hacking group gained unauthorized access to millions of American phone records by infiltrating major U.S. telecom networks, including Verizon and AT&T. "[The] Chinese hackers accessed millions of Americans' phone records," McLaughlin reports (00:59).

In response to these persistent threats, President Biden's deputy national security advisor, Ann Neuberger, announced that a new victim has been identified, underscoring the ongoing nature of the cyber campaign. Conversely, President-elect Donald Trump's incoming national security adviser, Mike Walz, has pledged to adopt offensive cyber measures to counteract such espionage efforts. Despite these aggressive stances, cybersecurity experts are advocating for a foundational approach, emphasizing the importance of basic cyber hygiene to fortify defenses against future breaches.

2. Panama Canal Treaty Under Scrutiny Amid Presidential Threats

Reporter: Luis Schiavone and Rolando Arrieta

Leaders in Panama are commemorating former President Jimmy Carter's pivotal role in negotiating the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, which transferred control of the strategically vital waterway from the United States to Panama. This historic agreement not only recognized Panama's sovereignty but also ensured the canal's neutrality and accessibility to vessels from all nations.

Rolando Arrieta provides historical context, detailing the treaty's passage through a divided U.S. Senate. Faced with formidable opposition, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina vehemently opposed the treaty, asserting, "The canal is ours. We bought and paid for it and we should keep it." (01:58). Despite such resistance, the treaty established a phased 20-year transition plan, culminating in Panamanian full operational control and the cession of the surrounding Canal Zone land to Panama.

However, the treaty's future is now in jeopardy as President-elect Donald Trump has hinted at reversing these established terms, threatening to renegotiate or undo the agreement. This potential shift has stirred concerns both domestically and internationally, given the canal's critical role in global maritime trade.

3. Global New Year’s Eve Celebrations Amid Diverse Challenges

Reporter: Luis Schiavone

As the world transitions into 2025, New Year’s Eve celebrations unfolded with varying levels of enthusiasm and challenges across different regions:

• Bangkok, Thailand: Spectacular fireworks illuminated the sky, marking the commencement of festivities.

• Sydney, Australia: Approximately one million attendees gathered at the iconic Sydney Harbour to welcome the new year.

• Copacabana Beach, Brazil: Anticipation was high with two million expected to join the celebrations.

In contrast, adverse weather conditions cast a shadow over festivities in the United Kingdom. A severe storm swept through, bringing high winds, heavy rain, potential snowfall, and flooding threats. Consequently, Edinburgh's renowned Hogmanay celebrations, famously held near the city's castle, were canceled due to safety concerns (02:41).

South Korea experienced a somber turn to its celebrations following a devastating plane crash on Sunday, leading to muted observances as the nation mourned the tragedy.

Financial markets also felt the year's final impact, with Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average dipping by 79 points, reflecting investor anxieties amid global uncertainties.

In New York City, preparations for the iconic Times Square ball drop were underway despite inclement weather forecasts. Security measures were heightened, with counterterrorism authorities overseeing the designated party area. Entry restrictions included prohibiting chairs, large bags, and umbrellas to ensure public safety. As reported by Luis Schiavone, "[...] everyone who enters will be cleared by counterterrorism authorities" (02:41).

4. Widespread Power Outage Plagues Puerto Rico

Reporter: Kevan Antonio Haidari

Puerto Rico is grappling with another extensive power outage affecting nearly 90% of its population. The blackout stems from a failed underground electrical line, triggering a cascading failure within the island's outdated power grid, a vulnerability exacerbated since Hurricane Maria devastated the infrastructure in 2017.

Roberto Olson, a local resident, expressed the severity of the situation: "The lights went out this morning, early this morning. We can't travel anywhere in the island. All of the traffic lights are out." (04:19).

In response, residents have resorted to using generators to maintain essential services. Despite the widespread blackout, San Juan’s airports and flights remain operational, minimizing disruption to air travel. Energy provider Luma has indicated that full power restoration may take up to three days, a timeline that presents significant challenges for the island’s residents and businesses.

5. Hollywood’s High-Profile Divorce Settlement: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Reporter: Luis Schiavone

After an extended and highly publicized separation, Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have officially settled their divorce. The actors confirmed their written settlement through a court filing on December 30, 2024, bringing an end to one of the most prolonged and contentious separations in the entertainment industry.

The couple, who initially filed for divorce in 2016, faced protracted legal battles over the division of assets and child custody arrangements. The recent settlement marks a significant development, providing closure to both parties and their extensive families. Details of the agreement remain confidential, but the resolution is seen as a positive step toward stability for their children and professional endeavors.

Conclusion

The December 31, 2024 episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a diverse array of global and national issues, from escalating cybersecurity threats and geopolitical treaty disputes to the joys and challenges of global New Year’s celebrations. Additionally, the segment sheds light on critical infrastructure vulnerabilities in Puerto Rico and a notable cultural moment in Hollywood. Featuring insightful reporting and authoritative quotes, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events shaping the world as it transitions into 2025.

---

For more detailed updates and continuous news coverage, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

[Santa Claus]

Ho, ho, ho. Santa here coming to you from the North Pole where the elves in our podcast division have just completed work on this season's best gift for public radio lovers. NPR give the gift of sponsored free listening and even bonus episodes from your favorite NPR podcasts, all while supporting public media. Learn more at plus.NPR.org live from NPR News.

[Luis Schiavone]

In Washington, I'm Luis Schiavone. The U.S. treasury Department is working with the FBI and national security officials to investigate a breach earlier this month of several treasury workstations by what is calling a state sponsored actor in China. The agency says that Chinese hackers access to treasury systems has been shut down. The US Government is still finding new victims of the widespread espionage campaign from the Chinese hacking group that broke into U.S. telecoms to spy on Washington's elite. NPR's Jenna McLaughlin reports.

[Jenna McLaughlin]

Government spying on digital communications is nothing new. However, US Officials have been raising the alarm over a Chinese hacking campaign targeting US Telecoms, one that has given Beijing broad access to millions of Americans phone records. Verizon and AT&T say they finally evicted the Chinese hackers from their networks. But President Biden's deputy national security advisor, Ann Neuberger recently said that the US Government has found a new victim of the spying operation. President elect Trump's incoming national security adviser, Mike Walz, has vowed to use offensive cyber attacks in response to efforts like China's telecom spying. But Experts are urging U.S. officials to focus on defense like basic cyber hygiene first. Jenna McLaughlin, NPR News.

[Luis Schiavone]

Leaders in Panama are remembering former President Jimmy Carter for negotiating the Panama Canal Treaty, which handed over control of the waterway, an act that President elect Donald Trump is now threatening to undo. NPR's Rolando Arrieta has more.

[Rolando Arrieta]

In 1977, President Carter and Panamanian military dictator Omar Torrijos signed treaties that acknowledged the Republic of Panama's sovereignty and declared the canal neutral and open to vessels of all nations. The Carter administration faced stiff opposition in the U.S. senate. Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina voiced his by saying, quote, the canal is ours. We bought and paid for it and we should keep it. Ultimately, however, the treaty set a course for a 20 year staggered transition to Panamanians having full operations, operational control of the Panama Canal. The US Also ceded control of the surrounding land, known as the Canal Zone. Rolando Arrieta, NPR News.

[Luis Schiavone]

In many parts of the world, it's already 2025. There were lots of fireworks in Bangkok, Thailand, heralding the new year. A million people gathered at Sydney Harbour in Australia. Two million were expected at Copacabana beach in Brazil, the weather is not cooperating in the UK Where a storm has moved in, bringing high winds, heavy rain, the possibility of snow and the threat of flooding. In Scotland, Edinburgh's famous Hogmanay festivities from the city's famous castle were called off. And celebrations in South Korea have been muted by Sunday's devastating plane crash. Wall street the dow is down 79 points. This is NPR News in Washington. Around 6:00 tonight, New York City kicks off its iconic New Year's Eve celebrations with the rise of the famous crystal ball. By midnight, hundreds of thousands of partiers are expected in Times Square. The designated party space is opening right now, and everyone who enters will be cleared by counterterrorism authorities. Chairs, big bags and umbrellas are not permitted, and rain is in the forecast. Puerto Ricans found themselves without electricity again overnight, leaving nearly 90% of its population in the dark. K. VAN Antonio Hidari files this report from Miami.

[Kevan Antonio Haidari]

Puerto Rico's latest outage was caused by a failed underground line, which started a cascade in the outdated electrical grid pulverized by Hurricane Maria in 2017. This leads more than 1 million people, including Roberto Olson, without power and stranded.

[Luis Schiavone]

The lights went out this morning, early this morning. We can't travel anywhere in the island. All of the traffic lights are out.

[Kevan Antonio Haidari]

People are resorting to generators. But San Juan's airports and flights are functioning normally. Energy company Luma says it could take up to three days for full power restoration. For NPR News, I'm Kevan. Antonio Haidari.

[Luis Schiavone]

One of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history has been settled. Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jones Lee filed a court document yesterday saying they had reached a written settlement. She filed for divorce in 2016, but they have been wrestling with the division of assets and child custody. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

[Kevan Antonio Haidari]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.