NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-02-2025 11AM EST

Episode Date: January 2, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korova Coleman. Investigators are learning more about the man they say drove a truck into crowds of people celebrating New Year's in New Orleans. Fifteen people were killed. The Texas newsroom's Lauren McGaughy has more on Shamsuddin Jabbar. We know that he started a handful of realty ventures in Texas and then he also had a realtors license here. But state business records also show that two of his ventures

recently went defunct, just in the last few years. He also went through divorce proceedings here about five years ago, that's according to court records, and those show that he and his ex-wife were fighting over money and that they had a child together. Lauren McGahee reporting. The FBI's field office in Denver says its agents and other authorities are conducting law enforcement activity at a residential address in Colorado Springs. The officials say this is linked to the explosion of a cyber truck yesterday

in the front of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. The driver of the truck was killed. President Biden will award the Presidential Citizens Medal today to former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Mississippi Congressman Benny Thompson. NPR's Tamara Keith reports they led the congressional committee that investigated the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Tamara Keith, NPR's Tamara Keith, NPR The Presidential Citizens Medal honors Americans who've performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens. It is among the highest civilian honors a president can bestow, and awarding it to Cheney and Thompson

sends a signal. President-elect Trump has criticized the pair repeatedly, falsely accusing them of breaking the law with their investigation into his actions on and around January 6th. Biden is also set to award the medal to several civil rights leaders and advocates who worked on issues he championed in his career, among others. In all, he will award the citizen's medal to 20 people. Tamara Keith, NPR News. The Taliban government of Afghanistan is warning aid groups that are working in the country they have to fire any women whom they have employed or else they will be shut down. NPR's The ban is the latest in a series of moves by the Taliban to prevent Afghans from finding workarounds to their strict rules that seek to deny women and girls any option but to

stay home, raise children and be economically dependent on men. The ban does not cover UN humanitarian operations, but local media reports that it covers over 800 aid groups. While Afghan women are banned from most employment, some of them were allowed to work in the aid sector, primarily in education, food distribution and health care, mostly to provide services to other women. Under the Taliban, women and girls may not study beyond grade six, work in most professions, and can't leave their homes without a male guardian. Diya Hadid, NPR News. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

Police in Hawaii say three people died after fireworks exploded in a home in the Honolulu area around midnight on New Year's. Authorities say mortar-style fireworks tipped over and ignited other fireworks in a crate. More than 20 other people have been injured with burn and shrapnel wounds. There is a new dog breed joining the official lineup that's recognized by the American Kennel Club. It's the Danish Swedish farm dog. As NPR's Eva Pukac reports, this means the breed can now compete for best in show trophies. The Danish Swedish farm dog is a small compact lively smooth-coated working dog initially known for hunting rodents and herding livestock. The American Kennel Club says it also sometimes

appeared in circuses as the clown's playmate. Denmark and Sweden recognized the breed in 1987. This year, the Danish-Swedish farm dog will be eligible to compete for Best in Show trophies at the National Dog Show and the American Kennel Club National Championship. And next year, it'll be eligible to compete at the most well-known show of them all, the Westminster Dog Show. The American Kennel Club now recognizes 202 breeds. Ava Pukac and PR News. Police in London are searching for the armed thief who burgled a city mansion in early

December. The thief made off with more than $13 million in jewels, designer handbags, and cash. One of the stolen items includes a 10.7-carat diamond ring. There is a large reward. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.