NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-13-2024 6AM EST

Episode Date: December 13, 2024

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Otagraff Collection Hotels with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Otagraff Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at otagraffcollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. The Israeli defense minister is telling his troops to prepare to stay through the winter at their positions in Syria. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports U.S. officials say that the Israelis are assuring them that

this move is defensive and temporary. When Bashar al-Assad's regime fell, Israeli troops took over more than a half dozen Syrian positions in a buffer zone that was set up in 1974. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the Israelis have security concerns about what comes next in Syria. J.J. S. S. We do have every expectation that it will be temporary.

The prime minister, the Israeli government have made that point not just to the United States but have made that point publicly. Arab states accuse Israel of a land grab. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News Tel Aviv. President Biden will attend a virtual meeting today with leaders from the group of seven nations. They're expected to discuss the situation in Syria and the rest of the Middle East.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Turkey, meeting with leaders there to discuss the future of Syria, following the toppling of the Assad regime. The White House is downplaying the threat risk from mysterious drone sightings in New York and New Jersey. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, this comes as state and local officials are raising alarms and demanding answers. The reported drone sightings, which began in late November, are being investigated by

the Department of Homeland Security and FBI. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said federal investigators, as well as state and local law enforcement, have not been able to corroborate the sightings. Upon review of available imagery, he said many of the objects appear to be manned aircraft, not drones, and operated lawfully. We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. Kirby says the investigation will continue.

Tamara Keith, NPR News, The White House. President-elect Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next January. The news surprised some, but many lawmakers, including Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, say they are not opposed. It's President Trump's inaugural. He's entitled to have anyone he'd like and I think it always helps for foreign leaders to see democracy in action. Some observers say it is unlikely the Chinese leader would accept. She would only be allowed to watch and listen during the inaugural address and not respond. This comes as Trump has threatened to slap China with hefty additional tariffs that could

impede or damage trade ties between the world's two biggest economies. Big tech company Amazon says it will donate $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund. It will also stream the inauguration on Prime Video. Amazon is a financial supporter of NPR. It's NPR. Ukraine says it's been hit by scores of Russian missiles and drones. Writing online, Ukraine's president says Russia fired nearly 100 missiles and at least 200 drones into his country. Ukraine's energy minister says Russia targeted energy infrastructure sites. Russia has been attacking the infrastructure for more than two years, cutting off power

and heat supplies to civilians as winter sets in. The National Weather Service says another atmospheric river is headed for the West Coast. It will bring torrential rain, snow, and powerful winds to southern Oregon and northern California starting today. California fire officials say the wildfire burning northwest of Los Angeles is nearly a third contained. They say the fire is not growing that much in size. It is Friday the 13th.

This day can be considered as unlucky, but not in the world of tattoos. Colorado Public Radio's Stina Sieg reports it's become tradition for tattoo shops all across the country to offer cheap designs on these days. Some call it the Black Friday of tattoos. In Grand Junction, Colorado, a long line stretched out the door at First Street Tattoo Parlor on the last Friday the

13th in September. Evan Linko got the first tat of the day, the cartoon Felix the Cat on his cap. Oh, it looks so cool. Artist Tobias Peltier vowed to stay until everyone who wanted a tattoo got one. Until the sun comes up. He ended up working until nearly 4 a.m. The next Friday the 13th is in June. For NPR News, I'm Steena Sieg.

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