NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-23-2024 1PM EST

Episode Date: December 23, 2024

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Hi, I'm Katharine Maher, CEO of NPR, where we're guided by a bold mission, to create a more informed public. Join us today by giving at donate.npr.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The House Ethics Committee has released its report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz. The panel had launched an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use by the Florida Republican. NPR's Barbara Sprunt has the details of the panel's findings.

The committee found evidence that Gaetz violated House rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and obstruction of Congress. The panel did not find that Gates violated the federal sex trafficking statute. Gates resigned his seat before the panel voted on the report and denies the allegations against him. He sued the ethics panel in an attempt to block the report's release, arguing the committee no longer

has jurisdiction over him as a private citizen. Barbara Sprint and Pure News, The Capital. The man accused of fatally shooting, the CEO of United Healthcare, was arraigned in New York City today. 26-year-old Luigi Maggioni pleaded not guilty to numerous counts, including first degree murder and firearms charges.

His attorney, Karen Freeman Agnifilo, says her client's rights are being violated. Karen Freeman Agnifilo, Attorney, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York

Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New by government officials. The shooting tipped off a massive manhunt for the suspect after CEO

Brian Thompson was killed in front of a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Maggioni was eventually spotted at a fast food restaurant in Pennsylvania where he was taken into custody. President Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 inmates who are on federal death row to life in prison without the possibility of parole. NPR's Deepa Sivaram reports it's a major move against capital punishment in the United States. Biden says his conscience and his experience as a former public defender and his time in elected office led him to commute the sentences of the 37 men. But there are three men who will remain on federal death row, who were involved in cases of terrorism

and hate-fueled mass murder, like Dylann Roof, who killed several people at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Biden said he sympathizes with the victims of the crimes committed by those on death row, but he cited President-elect Donald Trump as a reason he took this action. Biden put a moratorium on federal executions in 2021,

but Trump, who had a high execution rate in his first term, could undo that action. Deepa Sivaram, NPR News. Stocks are trading mixed on Wall Street at this hour. The Dow Jones Industrial averages down 53 points. The Nasdaq Composite trading higher, up 135, the S&P 500 trading up 22 points. This is NPR News in Washington. Palestinian medics say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 20 people in the Gaza Strip.

One of the strikes hit a tent camp in the Israeli declared humanitarian zone, killing eight people, including two children. The Israeli military says it was targeting a Hamas militant in the humanitarian zone. Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced they plan to merge, creating the world's third largest carmaker behind Toyota and Volkswagen. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports. The plan is for Honda and Nissan to have a formal merger agreement by June and establish a new holding company by summer of 2026. Mitsubishi Motors, which is partially owned by Nissan, may also join the deal. Nissan has been struggling financially, and if Honda doesn't bail

it out, analysts see it as a choice target for a foreign takeover. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said at a press conference that they need to pool resources to stay competitive in the world's largest car market, China, where local firms are squeezing out foreign carmakers. Mibe said the merger could still fall through, or as he put it, the possibility of this not being implemented is not zero. Anthony Kuhn in PR News Seoul. France is observing a national day of mourning to honor the people who died after a powerful cyclone hit the French territory of Mayotte this month.

President Emmanuel Macron led today's tribute by holding a moment of silence. At least 35 people were killed when the storm hit the island. Flags are flying at half staff across the country. This is NPR News from Washington. All this year, NPR traveled the country, hearing from voters not just about the issues, but about their hopes for the country's future. We should be able to disagree with each other without bullying each other into submission. And what it means to be a part of a democracy.

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