NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-15-2024 8PM EST

Episode Date: December 16, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Hurst. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he spoke to President-elect Trump this weekend about Lebanon, Syria, and negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. And Piers Michelle Kellerman has more. Netanyahu says he had, in his words, a very friendly, warm and important conversation with Trump about the efforts to bring hostages back from Gaza, there are seven Americans among the 100 still held by Hamas. Biden administration officials say they hope a deal can be finalized this month for a hostage and ceasefire deal that would also allow much needed aid to get into Gaza.

Israel continues to carry out deadly airstrikes there. It's also been pounding military targets in Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Netanyahu says Israel has no interest in confrontation with rebel leaders there. He says the Israeli actions are defensive to keep weapons out of the wrong hands. Michelle Kelliman, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Federal officials say increased drone activity in the Northeast poses no threat, but state and local officials are calling for more action. And here's Ava Puketch has more. New York Governor Kathy Hochul says federal partners are deploying

a quote, state-of-the-art drone detection system to the state. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer explained how that technology works. We're asking the DHS, the Department of Homeland Security, to deploy special detection systems like the Robin, which use not a linear line of sight, but 360-degree technology that has a much better chance of detecting these drones. Drone activity Friday night temporarily shut down a New York airport. Drone sightings have been going on for weeks. Ava Pukac and PR News. The Federal Reserve is holding its last meeting

of the year this week. As NPR's Rafael Nam reports, many investors on Wall Street are expecting policymakers to cut interest rates for a third consecutive time. The Fed has a delicate task heading into 2025. Policymakers have already cut rates twice starting in September, and Wall Street is betting they will do that again this week. But after that, the outlook becomes more uncertain. That's because inflation may be easing, but is still above where the Fed would like it to be, and the

economy has remained pretty healthy. So the Fed believes it can afford to go slow in cutting rates. That has analysts thinking this may be the last rate cut for now, with the Fed then growing more cautious as the state assesses economic conditions. Rafael Nam, NPR News. You as futures contracts are trading slightly higher this hour. Dow futures are up about one-tenth of a percent. You're listening to NPR News. One of the earliest tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments is going up for auction

at Sotheby's Wednesday. And Pierce Jason DeRose reports the auction house is estimating bids could reach $2 million. The two-foot-tall marble tablet dates from as early as the fourth century. According to Sotheby's, workers unearthed it in 1913, just south of Tel Aviv during railroad construction. For several decades, it served as a paving stone in a home until someone discovered what the text actually was. The 115 pound tablet includes the well-known prohibitions against murder and adultery,

however it's missing the commandment about not taking God's name in vain. The inscription also says to worship God on Mount Gerizim, near what's now the city of Nablus. Scholars say that means the object was likely used by Samaritans rather than Jews or Christians. Jason DeRose, NPR News. its sands would break the curse, bring our people together again. I know what I have to do. Moe, I could really use your help. Moana 2 took the top spot again with an estimated $26 million in ticket sales. So far it's the fourth highest grossing film of the year, surpassing Dune Part 2 with $717 million globally.

In second place, Wicked, with $22 million, it's in its fourth weekend. Worldwide Wicked has made more than $500 million. I'm Janine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.