NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-23-2024 3PM EST

Episode Date: December 23, 2024

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Hi, I'm Ram Teen Adab Louis 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. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has pleaded not guilty. Luigi Maggioni was arraigned in New York City today. NPR's Sarah Venturi reports the 26-year-old is facing numerous counts, including first-degree

murder and illegal weapons charges. In a brief court appearance, Mangione pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges. His attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, said during the hearing that she's concerned about Mangione's right to a fair trial. He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest staged perp walk I've ever seen in my career. There was no reason for the NYPD and everybody to have these big assault rifles that frankly, I had no idea it was in their arsenal. And what was the New York City mayor doing at this press conference? If he's found guilty in the state case, the 26 year old faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mangione has also been charged with four federal counts,

including murder through the use of a firearm, which is eligible for the death penalty. Sarah Ventry, NPR News, New York. President Biden is using his clemency powers to commute the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row. The inmates, who are all men, will now serve life in prison

without parole. NPR's Deepa Sivaram reports it's one of the most significant moves against capital punishment in recent presidential history. He says his decision to commute the sentences for the 37 men was guided by his conscience, his experience as a public defender, his time as a senator, vice president and president. And Biden said, quote, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level. That's NPR's Deepa Sivaram reporting. The UN's top aid official wrapped up his first trip to the Middle East, warning of massive needs in Gaza and rising violence in the West Bank. NPR's Michelle

Kellerman reports the official visited Syria, Lebanon and Jordan where he met with teams working in the occupied Palestinian territory. In a statement UN humanitarian coordinator Tom Fletcher describes Gaza as the world's most dangerous place for aid workers. He says North Gaza has been under near total siege for more than two months, raising the specter of famine. He blames Israel for blocking meaningful aid and says there's a breakdown of law and order in Gaza, where armed gangs steal the aid that makes it in. Israel routinely blames Hamas of stealing aid and putting civilians at risk. In the West

Bank, Fletcher warned of rising settler violence and home demolitions. The UN has said nearly 800 Palestinians have been killed in the last year there, the highest on record. Michelle Kelliman, NPR News, the State Department. On Wall Street, the Dow is down 51 points, the Nasdaq up 129. This is NPR News. Thousands of Amazon workers remain on strike two days before Christmas. Delivery drivers and other employees walked off the job last week in a number of cities across four states, including California, New York, and Georgia. The Teamsters Union says it's pushing Amazon to recognize them as unionized employees represented

by the Teamsters. The online retailer argues that they're third-party employees. Americans visiting family this holiday may want to take extra health precautions. The CDC says flu season has officially started after seeing a sharp rise in cases across the nation. Scott Mazzione from member station WYPR has more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's seen a surge in flu cases. Recent clinical lab tests show a 9 percent spike in the disease over the last week. Thirteen states are reporting high or very high levels of influenza. Medical officials say there's

still no dominant strain of the flu, but say getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious complications. The CDC says about 41 percent of Americans have received their flu shots. Health officials say in addition to getting vaccinated, people should wash their hands frequently, cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, and avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. For NPR News, I'm Scott Massione. A NASA spacecraft has started its approach to the sun. The plan is for the Parker Solar Probe to get closer to the sun's surface than any other human-made object ever has. NASA says Parker will fly within nearly 4 million miles of the solar surface by Tuesday

morning. This is NPR.