NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-22-2024 7PM EST

Episode Date: December 23, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Hurst. Health officials in Gaza say they're under a quote, unprecedented attack by Israeli forces in the north of the enclave, leaving at least 22 people dead. And Pierce Carey-Kahn has more. The director of one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza says the facility has been shelled by sniper fire and drones. The director of Kamal Adman Hospital says the attacks have come with no warning and no protection for patients and civilians. He insists there are no military targets or fighters within his hospital, which he says has hundreds of patients and civilians there, including babies in the neonatal unit.

Israel says Hamas militants operate in hospitals and schools endangering civilians. In a statement to NPR, the Israeli military says its forces have been operating in the vicinity, but not within the hospital's premises. In the past 48 hours, more than 50 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry there. Carrie Cahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. AMT. CARRIE CAHN, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, NPR News, Tel Aviv. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan says the incoming Trump administration will have to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to

end Russia's more than two-year-old war in Ukraine. Putin has shown in the past he's willing to do deals as long as he feels he's under enough pressure. So I think Trump's got to keep the pressure on. And then I do believe a deal is achievable. But if we pull the rug out from under Ukraine, if we say we're not giving them any more, if we accept whatever terms Putin offers, I think that that would end up harming America's interest in the long term in a profound way. Sullivan speaking there to CNN. Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing diplomatic pressure from European countries over its decision to cut off the flow of cheap Russian natural gas in less than two weeks. Despite Russia's war in Ukraine, Kyiv has let the gas flow through the pipelines across the country. At least three European countries, including Austria,

still rely heavily on low-cost Russian gas. This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and water experts say the law is doing its job. New protections are needed in the decades to come. Alex Hager from member station KUNC has more. The Safe Drinking Water Act created new quality standards for the country's tap water. Experts say the rules are working and the next 50 years of water oversight should focus on water supply. Chad Seidel, a water engineer in Colorado, says threats are posed by

climate change and aging infrastructure. It's going to take vigilance to keep that up to date and avoid the risk of failure. And by doing so, we can make sure that everybody has safe, affordable and reliable water for everybody everywhere all the time. Seidel says he's concerned that declining investment in water infrastructure could jeopardize pipes, treatment plants, and the people who keep them running. For NPR News, I'm Alex Hager. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Millions of people are traveling for the holidays and some are facing delays at the airport

and also on the roads because of wet roads. And Pierre-Chan Delis-Duster has more on how the weather is impacting travel across the U.S. Travelers at several airports like Boston Logan International Airport have experienced delays because of snow and ice. Heavy fog has also been the blame for hundreds of delays at San Diego International Airport. Nearly 3,500 flights in and out of the U.S. have been delayed as of Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service says rain will fall across parts of the West Coast early this week, and snow will blanket portions of the Great Lakes.

Travel will also be messy for some on Christmas Eve because of thunderstorms and wintry weather. The National Weather Service also says travelers in the Northeast could see one to three inches of snow. TSA says travelers should arrive at airports early and allow more time to check luggage and move through airport security. Chandelis Duster, NPR News. Birdie City says it will wind down its retail

and wholesale operations as it prepares to close nearly 700 stores around the country. The company also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The New Jersey-based retailer says it will keep more than 95 percent of its 12,000 employees to help with the process of closing down. Party City sells items for all holidays, including Halloween costumes, favors for children's birthday parties and Christmas and New Year's decorations, but it has faced increased competition from Walmart and Target and also from occasion-based

pop-up stores such as Spirit Halloween. You're listening to NPR News.