NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-22-2024 6AM EST

Episode Date: December 22, 2024

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Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Two U.S. Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea early this morning. The military says the incident was due to friendly fire. The military was conducting airstrikes targeting Yemeni militants who struck Israel in recent

days. Here's NPR's Kerry Kahn reporting. Kerry Kahn, NPR News. According to the U.S. military, two pilots ejected from their aircraft after being struck by a cruise missile, apparently fired from a different US carrier, also operating in the Red Sea. Both pilots were recovered, one suffered minor injuries. The US says it was conducting precision attacks in Yemen targeting sites used by Iranian-backed

Houthi rebels. Yemen's state media reported airstrikes rocking the capital. Just hours earlier, Houthi rebels had fired a missile into Israel. The weapon evaded Israel's air defense systems and landed in the Tel Aviv suburb, injuring 16 people. The Houthis have been targeting Israel as well as cargo ships in the Red Sea during the 14th month long war between Hamas and Israel. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. between Hamas and Israel. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Kerry Kahn, N were killed, some 200 injured. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped a television producer to be his special envoy to the United Kingdom. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports on his announcement this weekend. In his post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said Mark Burnett would bring, quote, a unique blend of diplomatic acumen and international recognition to his role as special envoy to the UK. The British Emmy Award winning

producer is known for reality TV shows such as Survivor, Shark Tank and The Apprentice. The latter starred the president-elect. That show, which ran from 2004 to 2017, was instrumental in turning Trump into a huge national celebrity. During the run-up to the 2016 presidential elections, Emmy Awards host Jimmy Kimmel joked about Burnett's role in boosting Trump's profile. If Donald Trump gets elected and he builds that wall, the first person we're throwing over it is Mark Burnett. In the YouTube clip, Burnett can be seen laughing in the audience. Chloe Veltman, NPR News. A family member of the 14-year-old who was killed in last week's school shooting at Madison, Wisconsin's Abundant Life Christian School is urging the community not to blame itself.

Hear me, do not for one minute blame yourselves for anything that has happened here. My family releases you from any feelings of guilt and we encourage you to continue your faithful teaching of Christian values in God's everlasting word. Andy Riema speaking during Saturday's service for his niece, Ruby Vergara, who was killed in the shooting along with teacher Aaron West. And you're listening to NPR News. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a weight loss drug to treat sleep apnea among

people who are obese. And Imperial's Juliana Kim reports, it's also become the first FDA-approved medication to treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when a person's upper airway becomes blocked. It can affect anyone, but it tends to be more common among people who are obese. That's where the weight loss drug ZetBound comes in. The Food and Drug Administration referred to two studies involving adults with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. After about

a year, participants on ZetBound reported significantly fewer sleep apnea symptoms compared to those on a placebo. That was true for both participants who use a CPAT machine and those who don't. The FDA approval highlights the growing potential of weight loss drugs. Last year, another brand was approved by the FDA to prevent heart problems in patients who are overweight. Juliana Kim, NPR News. Albania is shutting down the video sharing app TikTok for a year. The prime minister blames TikTok for inciting violence and bullying, especially

among children. Concerns increased last month after the stabbing death of a teenager by another teen after a quarrel that started on the app. The ban is to begin sometime in the new year. Ukraine's Oleksandr Yusik is being hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as embodying the fighting spirit of Ukrainians. Yusik successfully defended his unified heavyweight world titles last night, beating the British boxer Tyson Fury by a unanimous decision in Riyadh. He remains undefeated as a professional.