NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-23-2024 2AM EST

Episode Date: December 23, 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, I'm Dale Willman. President-elect Donald Trump was in Arizona on Sunday, where he spoke at a conference being put on by a conservative group. He revisited many of his favorite topics, including immigration and TikTok, but his threats toward Panama and the Panama Canal drew the most attention.

The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama I say very foolishly by the United States this complete ripoff of our country will immediately stop. Trump also threatened to reassert US control over Panama. The canal was turned over to Panama by the US in 1999. Syria's new leader says all weapons in the country need to come under state control. He made those comments during a joint press conference with Turkey's foreign minister. The BBC's Sebastian Asher reports.

Ahmed Asher has promised to unite Syria after years of war and division, insisting that Syrians themselves must come together to work for a better future without foreign interference. That was how he framed his call for the state to take over all military operations, but he was speaking to the foreign minister of Turkey which has given him vital support. Ankara sees the Syrian Kurds as a terrorist group and wants to prioritize the dismantling of their armed forces. If Mr. Arshara follows the Turkish lead, it may result in new conflict. That's the BBC's Sebastian Usher with our report.

Israeli strikes across Gaza Strip have killed at least 22 people this weekend. That's according to Palestinian health officials. One of the most recent attacks hit a school in Gaza City that houses displaced people. That strike killed at least eight people, including three children. Israel's military, though, says it was targeting Hamas militants who were taking shelter in the school. The New York Police Department has made an arrest in the killing of a woman who was set

on fire while on a subway train on Sunday. WNYC's Catalina Ganella has this report. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch says it was three high school-aged New Yorkers who called 911 after recognizing the suspect from police flyers. We asked the media to broadcast those images far and wide so we could use the viewing public as a force multiplier and New Yorkers came through again. She says the suspect and victim were riding in the same F train car.

As it pulled into the last stop in Brooklyn, he calmly walked up to the motionless victim and used what they believe was a lighter to set her on fire. Officials say images captured by body wornworn cameras and cameras onboard the train helped police quickly determine what happened and identify a person of interest. For NPR News, I'm Catalina Gonella in New York City. And you're listening to NPR News. In Hawaii, an estimated 50,000 spectators are crowding onto Oahu's North Shore this weekend to see more than 40 of the world's top surfers compete.

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Contest is historical, as well as a prestigious one-day event. Jackie Young from Hawaii Public Radio has the details for us. Crowds gathered overnight and parking lots filled up before dawn for what has been called the Super Bowl of surfing. The event has run only 10 times in 40 years and was last held in January 2023. The invite only contest is named for a big wave champion surfer and lifeguard Eddie Icao and will only run if surf heights consistently reach 40 feet. Monster swells are expected to run throughout the day up to 50 feet.

Last year's champ Honolulu City lifeguard Luke Sheppardson will be defending his title. Emergency officials are warning spectators to stay far away from the shore because last year's high surf washed dozens of people and their belongings into the ocean. For NPR News, I'm Jackie Young in Honolulu. Following three months of renovations, Rome's famous Trevi Fountain is once again open. Officials say they wanted to make sure the work was done before the inauguration of the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year. That event is expected to draw millions of visitors.

The fountain has played a role in many movies and visitors often toss coins into its pool. That raises about one and a half million dollars a year for charity. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. Hi, I'm Ramtin Adabluy from ThruLine. Electricity, internet, cell service, all the things we rely on every day can be unreliable or inaccessible in an emergency. But through any storm or crisis, radio is a lifeline. Support the resource that's here for you no matter what. Give today at donate.npr.org.