Ukraine's New Year's Agony, Puerto Rico Power Outages, Dry January Tips

Summary

Up First from NPR - January 1, 2025

Hosts: Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez
Episode Title: Ukraine's New Year's Agony, Puerto Rico Power Outages, Dry January Tips

NPR’s Up First kicks off the new year with a compelling mix of international crisis, infrastructural struggles, and personal well-being tips. Hosted by Leila Fadel and Steve Inskeep, the episode delves into the harrowing experiences of Ukrainians as they enter 2025 amidst renewed conflict, Puerto Rico’s persistent battle with power outages, and actionable advice for those embarking on Dry January. Below is a detailed summary of the key segments discussed in this episode.

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Ukraine's New Year's Agony

The episode opens with a poignant exploration of Ukraine’s tumultuous start to the new year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed his nation amidst fresh Russian drone attacks, highlighting the ongoing agony and uncertainty faced by Ukrainians.

Zelenskyy's Address:
Zelenskyy acknowledged the severe challenges on the front lines, stating, “Ukraine, with the support of allies, including the US, is forcing Russia to pay a steep price. You paid the occupiers back, you brought the war back to Russia” (03:27).

Brian Mann from Kyiv:
NPR’s correspondent, Brian Mann, provides an on-the-ground perspective from Kyiv. He describes the latest drone attack targeting the capital:

“This is what it sounded like just before dawn as air defenses began to fire… One civilian was killed, six others injured, and the attack set an apartment building on fire” (03:01).

State of the War:
Mann discusses the grim reality despite Ukraine's resilient efforts:

“The Russian army appears to be losing more than 30,000 soldiers killed and wounded every month… Ukraine is still on the back foot. They’re facing a desperate manpower shortage and deep fatigue among their soldiers” (04:11).

Looking Forward:
Concerns are mounting about future support from allies, especially with the impending inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has shown ambivalence towards Ukraine’s war effort:

“There are growing doubts about support from allies… How or if Ukraine can muster more soldiers for its exhausted army adds up to deep uncertainty” (04:58).

Voices of Pessimism:
Young Ukrainians express fear and uncertainty about the future. Yaroslav Mishkov, a 24-year-old, shares his bleak outlook:

“I do not have a lot of hopes maybe that Ukraine will be existing next year and that my friends will be alive” (05:32).

This segment underscores the ongoing human and strategic challenges Ukraine faces as it strives to maintain its sovereignty amidst relentless aggression.

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Puerto Rico Power Outages

Shifting focus to the Caribbean, Up First examines the recent collapse of Puerto Rico’s power grid, plunging nearly half the island into darkness on New Year’s Day.

Overview of the Crisis:
Steve Inskeep outlines the situation:

“A collapse of the power grid left nearly all the island without electricity yesterday, the latest outage since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017” (06:14).

Interview with Alex Figaro:
Reporter Alex Figaro from El Nuevo Día provides detailed insights:

“There was some kind of failure on a major underground cable… When the plant was not able to send energy out, it protected itself by shutting down. Without major disasters, all the other power plants went down also in a chain reaction” (07:20).

Historical Context and Infrastructure Issues:
Figaro explains the longstanding infrastructural problems:

“For decades it didn’t receive the maintenance properly, and important upgrades were not made. The government agency in charge went into a $9 billion debt… Restoration projects with FEMA funds are still waiting to start” (08:20).

Recovery Efforts:
Progress towards restoring power is ongoing, with 77% of the 1.4 million affected customers back online. Full restoration is expected within 24 to 48 hours:

“Full restoration will take from 24 to 48 hours” (08:59).

Preparedness and Community Resilience:
While some Puerto Ricans have become adept at handling outages, vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, remain at risk:

“There's an increasing sector of the population that have been gearing up, but there are a lot of people, especially elderly, that doesn't have the resources” (09:29).

Figaro’s account highlights the fragility of Puerto Rico’s power infrastructure and the lingering impacts of past natural disasters, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive repairs and upgrades.

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Dry January Tips

Concluding the episode, NPR’s Life Kit host Marielle Segarra and Jen Chavez offer valuable advice for listeners participating in Dry January—a month-long commitment to abstain from alcohol.

Health and Wellness Benefits:
Chavez underscores the health implications of alcohol consumption:

“The World Health Organization says there’s no safe amount of alcohol to drink… You’ll be giving yourself a break from something that can be very harmful to your health” (10:19).

Cultural Challenges:
They discuss the pervasive role of alcohol in social settings and how to navigate it:

“People will be like, you want to meet up for a drink? And I'll tell you full disclosure, I don't drink anymore” (11:05).

Practical Tips for Success:
To support those undertaking Dry January, several strategies are recommended:

• Setting Boundaries:

  “If people are giving you a hard time about not drinking, don’t feel like you have to apologize or explain” (11:36).

• Avoiding Pressure:

  “Don’t volunteer to be a designated driver just because you’re not drinking… You can bail out” (11:58).

• Managing Withdrawal:
  For individuals concerned about alcohol dependency, seeking medical advice is crucial:

  “If you think you have a physical addiction to alcohol, talk to your doctor about how to detox safely” (12:26).

Positive Reinforcement:
Emphasizing the emotional and physical benefits:

“Once you get past that, you start feeling much better. You actually start feeling more joy and more emotionally stable and more excited about life” (12:43).

Alternative Pleasures:
Encouraging the discovery of new hobbies and activities:

“You can order sushi or watch a movie… Alcohol is not the only way to feel good” (12:55).

This segment provides a supportive framework for listeners seeking to improve their health and well-being by reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption for a month.

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Conclusion

NPR’s Up First delivers a comprehensive and engaging start to 2025, balancing the gravity of geopolitical tensions and infrastructural crises with practical advice for personal well-being. Through in-depth reporting and insightful discussions, listeners are equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate both global events and individual challenges in the new year.

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Notable Quotes:

• Leila Fadel: “One man says he hopes his country still exists in a year and that his friends will be alive” (05:41).
• Brian Mann: “Ukraine is still on the back foot. They’re facing a desperate manpower shortage and deep fatigue among their soldiers” (04:11).
• Marielle Segarra: “Once you get past that, you start feeling much better. You actually start feeling more joy and more emotionally stable and more excited about life” (12:43).

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Support and Additional Resources:

Listeners are encouraged to support NPR’s journalism efforts by subscribing to Up First+ for sponsor-free listening and accessing additional content at plus.npr.org/upfirst.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

So how did you spend your New Year's Eve, Layla?

[Leila Fadel]

I mean, it was a wild night. I went at nine. Congratulations. I couldn't figure out who was celebrating the New Year. Finally figured out was Greenland. Oh, rang it in with Greenland, went to sleep. What'd you do?

[Steve Inskeep]

I stayed up with the kids until Rio de Janeiro at 10:00 Eastern Time. Anyway, we also want to start the year by thanking everyone who joined NPR or made a donation to the NPR network or your local station during our end of the year fundraising campaign. And thanks if you already were an NPR supporter and you might have heard.

[Leila Fadel]

Us say it before, but we'll say it again. You fund one of the most trusted news outlets in the United States today, and our responsibility is to you. And that's no small thing in 2025. We are immensely grateful for your support.

[Steve Inskeep]

If you missed making your donation before the end of the year. No worries. It's never a bad time New year. Sign up for NPR today and get perks from more than 25 NPR podcasts.

[Leila Fadel]

At plus.NPR.org or make a gift@donate.n thanks again. And on to the show. A big share.

[Steve Inskeep]

Exactly. Ukrainians set modest goals for the year now beginning.

[Leila Fadel]

One man says he hopes his country still exists in a year and that his friends will be alive. The new year started with Russian drone attacks. So what happens next?

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steve Inskeep with Leila Fadel, and this is up first from NPR News. A collapse of Puerto Rico's power grid left hundreds of thousands in the dark. Getting the lights back on everywhere could take more than a day. And a hurricane more than seven years ago may be at least partly to blame.

[Leila Fadel]

Plus, what's behind these resolutions to make January dry.

[Marielle Segarra]

You actually start feeling more joy and more excited about life.

[Leila Fadel]

Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[Steve Inskeep]

This message comes from Carvana. Sell your car the convenient way, enter.

[Leila Fadel]

Your license plate or vin, answer a.

[Steve Inskeep]

Few questions and get a real offer in seconds.

[Brian Mann]

Go to Carvana.com today.

[Jen Chavez]

Evergreen trees are Pacific Northwest icons in journalism. An evergreen story isn't tied to one news cycle. It goes deep and helps you understand the world. The Evergreen is also a podcast from OPB about the Northwest. I'm Jen Chavez. Listen to the Evergreen podcast from OPB every Monday, part of NPR Network.

[Leila Fadel]

The capital of Ukraine is starting the new year under a new wave of Russian drone attacks.

[Steve Inskeep]

They began shortly after Ukraine's president addressed his nation. Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the agony of 2024 with heavy casualties and Russia's army advancing, many Ukrainians fear this year will be harder.

[Leila Fadel]

NPR's Brian Mann joins us from Kyiv. Hi, Brian.

[Brian Mann]

Good morning, Leila.

[Leila Fadel]

So what can you tell us about this latest drone attack on the Capitol?

[Brian Mann]

Well, this is what it sounded like just before dawn as air defenses began to fire here in Kyiv. Military officials say Russia targeted the city with drones packed with explosives. One civilian was killed, six others injured, and the attack set an apartment building on fire.

[Leila Fadel]

Now, Ukrainians have been living through these kinds of attacks for nearly three years. What did Zelensky say last night about the state of the war?

[Brian Mann]

Well, these New Year's Eve addresses are a tradition here in Ukraine. Zelenskyy was, of course, once a popular actor, and he's known for giving powerful speeches. So a lot of Ukrainians I spoke to were really waiting for this moment last night. They wanted to hear his take on the crisis. And Zelenskyy last night described the situation on the front lines as extremely, extremely difficult. But his speech then turned to a kind of pep talk where he said Ukraine, with the support of allies, including the US Is forcing Russia to pay a steep price. You paid the occupiers back, Zelensky said. You brought the war back to Russia.

[Leila Fadel]

And how accurate is that? Is that a rosy picture? Is that the truth?

[Brian Mann]

Well, Ukraine is finding ways to punch back. And let me describe some of that. The Russian army, and this is important, appears to be losing more than 30,000 soldiers killed and wounded every month. Last summer, of course, Ukraine invaded Russia in a surprise move. They still occupy a chunk of the Kursk region. Last month, Ukraine's spy agency claimed credit for assassinating a top Russian general in Moscow. And Ukraine is launching frequent drone attacks of its own, striking industrial and military targets deep inside Russia. But every military analyst I talk to, even members of Ukraine's general staff, they say that all hasn't been enough. Ukraine is still on the back foot. They're facing a desperate manpower shortage and deep fatigue among their soldiers.

[Leila Fadel]

Okay, so let's look forward. What are Ukrainians saying about the next stage of this war?

[Brian Mann]

Yeah, they're frightened. You know, there are growing doubts about support from allies. On Monday, the Biden administration announced another $2.5 billion in military aid. But President elect Donald Trump will be sworn in January 20th. Trump's promise to push for a quick end to this war, and he's voiced ambivalence about supporting Ukraine's war effort. And then there's a second huge question here. How or if Ukraine can muster more soldiers for its exhausted army. And that adds up to deep uncertainty. I spoke last night with Yaroslav Mishkov. He's 24 years old.

[Marielle Segarra]

I think I do not have a lot of hopes maybe that Ukraine will be existing next year and that will.

[Alex Figaro]

Be great and that my friends will be alive.

[Brian Mann]

So there's a lot of pessimism here, especially among young people I've been talking to. Meshkov told me one of his best friends had just been conscripted into the army. So this New Year's he and his friends weren't celebrating sobering his wishes just.

[Leila Fadel]

To exist next year. NPR's Brian Mann in Kyiv. Thank you, Brian.

[Brian Mann]

Thank you.

[Leila Fadel]

At least half of Puerto Rico is starting the New Year in the dark.

[Steve Inskeep]

A collapse of the power grid left nearly all the island without electricity yesterday, the latest outage since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

[Leila Fadel]

Alex Figaro is on the line. He's a reporter for El Nuevo Dia in San Juan. Hi, Alex.

[Alex Figaro]

Hi. Good morning. Happy New Year.

[Leila Fadel]

Good morning. Happy New Year. So Puerto Rico, how did it look and sound on New Year's after a day without power?

[Alex Figaro]

Well, people woke up in shock yesterday, and that humming from the power generators across towns was a terrible flashback from New Year's celebration 2017 after the hurricane. But partial outages have been a plague for years now. But it's been a while since there was a total blackout without a natural disaster. And it happened in a day when people were preparing for their celebrations at home and elsewhere. So many had to make adjustments to gather with loved ones and to receive the new year.

[Leila Fadel]

Now, you mentioned the hurricane, Hurricane Maria, that happened more than seven years ago. What do we know about what caused the blackout here?

[Alex Figaro]

Well, Luma Energy, which is the company in charge of the power lines in Puerto Rico, said in a statement that there was some kind of failure on a major underground cable that carries energy out of one of the principal power plants located in the south coast of the island. At this point, Luma has not said what caused that damage. Last night it said that the investigation was ongoing. All we know is that when the plant was not able to send energy out, it protected itself by shutting down. That's supposed to happen, but what we haven't seen in a long time is that without the major disasters going on, all the other power plants went down also in a chain reaction.

[Leila Fadel]

Now, the hurricane happened more than seven years ago, but infrastructure has struggled since. Why is the island's infrastructure still so shaky that the failure of a cable can plunge nearly everyone into darkness like that.

[Alex Figaro]

Yeah. That's something that almost everybody here still can understand. There was a time that other countries in this region studied our grid because it was ahead of this time. But for decades it didn't receive the maintenance properly, and important upgrades were not made. At the same time, the government agency that was in charge of the grid for decades went into a $9 billion debt that is right now in court. Plus, many of the restoration projects with money from FEMA after Maria are still waiting to start.

[Leila Fadel]

And when's the power expected to come back on?

[Alex Figaro]

The power has been coming back gradually. The latest update we received just moments ago, it was that 77% of the 1.4 million clients are back on service. But according to Luma, full restoration will take from 24 to 48 hours because.

[Leila Fadel]

Of the time and really quickly. I mean, Puerto Ricans have been through these types of outages before. Were residents prepared? Are they prepared?

[Alex Figaro]

Many have. There's an increasing sector of the population that have been gearing up, but there are a lot of people, especially elderly, that doesn't have the resources.

[Leila Fadel]

Alex Figaro reports for El Nuevo Dia. Thank you so much, Alex.

[Alex Figaro]

Thank you.

[Steve Inskeep]

Because it is January 1st, some people, maybe a few, might be listening to this. With a slight hangover after ringing in.

[Leila Fadel]

The new year, some people will also use this fresh start to take a break from alcohol. The 31 days of dry January offer a chance to dry out after the holidays and give people a glimpse of what looks like without alcohol at all.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Life Kit host Marielle Segarra is here. Good morning.

[Jen Chavez]

Good morning, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

And happy New Year. Why might someone consider participating in dry January?

[Jen Chavez]

I think alcohol is everywhere in our culture, so it's easy to forget that it's actually not good for us. The World Health Organization says there's no safe amount of alcohol to drink, and that can be true even if you're drinking only a moderate amount. Two drinks are less a day for men, one drink or less a day for women. So you'll be giving yourself a break from something that can be very harmful to your health. And if you're not really worried about those health effects long term, you might think about whether alcohol is enriching your life right now. Are you getting hangovers all the time? Are you sleeping poorly after you drink? Are you spending a ton of money on it? Then it might be worth taking a break, seeing what life is like without it.

[Steve Inskeep]

You mentioned it's everywhere in the culture. People are often expected to have a drink when they go out it's how many people socialize.

[Jen Chavez]

Yeah. You know, this comes up in dating a lot. People will be like, you want to meet up for a drink? And I'll tell you full disclosure, I don't drink anymore. And there's plenty of other stuff you can do together, like do an arts and crafts night, go roller skating, cook together.

[Steve Inskeep]

Boring.

[Jen Chavez]

Yeah.

[Steve Inskeep]

No, I'm sorry.

[Jen Chavez]

Stuff is really can be really fun. And when you stop drinking, even for a time, it does leave an empty space to figure out what you actually like doing. And that's scary, but it's also exciting. Right?

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, what's some other advice for people to get through 31 days of this?

[Jen Chavez]

One is if people are giving you a hard time about not drinking, don't feel like you have to apologize or explain. You can simply say, you know, I'm just not drinking right now. I'd love your support. And if you do end up at a bar for a friend's birthday or something. One tip from Casey Davidson. She's a sobriety coach and the host of the hello Someday podcast for sober, curious women.

[Marielle Segarra]

Don't volunteer to be a designated driver just because you're not drinking. People tend to immediately say, oh, you're doing a no alcohol challenge. Great, you can drive us. And then you're stuck there till the end with a whole bunch of people who might get drunk, and it's really annoying.

[Steve Inskeep]

I love that insight. If you're not the designated driver, you're not stuck there. You can bail out. So if people do this, can they expect, I don't know, some side effects in their lives?

[Jen Chavez]

Yeah. And Casey says if you think you have a physical addiction to alcohol, if you're worried about that, talk to your doctor about how to detox safely. But even if you don't drink a ton the first couple weeks, you might feel some symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, like interrupted sleep and fatigue.

[Marielle Segarra]

Once you get past that, you start feeling much better. You actually start feeling more joy and more emotionally stable and more excited about life. And sober sleep is fantastic.

[Jen Chavez]

She says you can also kind of prop yourself up by giving yourself sober treats like get a pedicure or order sushi or watch a movie. Cause alcohol is not the only way to feel good.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Mariel Segarra. Cheers. Cheers to you, Steve, and happy New Year. If you want more from Life Kit about how to navigate Dry January, they have a special newsletter you can sign up [e-mail] dry January.

[Leila Fadel]

And that's a first for Wednesday, January 1st, 2025. I'm Leila Falden.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Your next listen as Consider this from npr. We hear it up first, give you three big stories of the day. Consider this digs in on one big story. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Leila Fadel]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Rylan Barton, Meghan Keane, Jan Johnson and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Katie Klein, Ben Abrams and Julie Deppenbrock. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Stacey Abbott. Join us again tomorrow.

[Steve Inskeep]

You know, every single one of those people probably has a New Year's Eve story, exciting as ours was, maybe a.

[Leila Fadel]

Little more exciting in some cases, maybe.

[Brian Mann]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to up first sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get up first [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.