NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-24-2024 4AM EST

Episode Date: December 24, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Biden has vetoed legislation calling for 66 new federal judgeships, citing questions on how long the positions would last. The measure would have given three presidential administrations the opportunity to appoint new trial court judges. It was introduced in the U.S. House and swiftly approved by both chambers of Congress after last month's general election. Starbucks employees in Boston organized a walkout on Monday, joining a surge of strikes,

rallies and protests across the nation during the company's busiest season. As Tori Bedford with member station GBH reports from Boston, Barista says that Starbucks has engaged in unfair labor practices and stalled negotiations. No contract, no parties. Unionized Starbucks employees have been negotiating a contract with the company for three years. In that time, baristas like Hannah Rafferty say the company hasn't budged on important issues like wage increases. Starbucks United members want a 64% increase, and Starbucks offered 1.5% over a three-year contract. They haven't been engaging in actual bargaining with us, and we really want a contract, and

they've been promising a contract by the end of the year, and they just have not come through on that. A Starbucks spokesperson says the company has been able to reach meaningful agreements on hundreds of topics raised by the union and is willing to continue negotiating. For NPR News, I'm Tori Bedford in Boston. High surf warnings continue along the California coast following a city pier collapse on Monday in Santa Cruz. Two engineers working at the site had to be rescued from the water, while a third swam

to safety. Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keely says 100 feet of the wharf is gone and he fears even more damage. We have not had a thorough inspection of all of this. I'm giving you a first impression is that perhaps the rest of the wharf may do better, but we are thinking that we could in fact sustain greater damage. Keeley says the public has been advised to avoid the area. Pope Francis will launch a special holy year for Catholics worldwide later today, known as a Jubilee.

It occurs about once every 25 years. Francis will signal its beginning by opening the holy door of St. Peter's Basilica. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford has details. Catholics believe passing through the giant holy door, which is usually bricked up from the inside, will bring them what's known as an indulgence, full forgiveness for their sins. The first ever papal jubilee was in 1300. They're now usually marked every quarter of a century,

and this one has been dedicated by Pope Francis to a message of hope. Tonight, Pope Francis will say mass inside St Peter's followed by large crowds outside watching on giant screens. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford. This is NPR. US forces launched a precision airstrike in the eastern Syria province of Deir Ezzor Monday, killing two ISIS operatives and wounding a third. US Central Command says the attack occurred in an area formerly controlled by the Syrian regime and Russians. The airstrike is part of CENTCOM's ongoing commitment by the US and its partners in the

region to disrupt and degrade terrorist activities. The Container Store has filed for bankruptcy protection, citing growing debt. The move comes days after Big Lots and Party City announced they were closing their stores nationwide due to their own financial troubles. NPR's Juliana Kim has more. The Container Store was once the go-to shop for all things storage and organization, but over the years, it struggled financially. Big box chains generally have seen more and more consumers pivot online or to discount stores.

According to court documents, the Container Store has accumulated over $240 million in debt while only having about $ million dollars in cash on hand. The container store said in a statement that the bankruptcy process will help the company get back on track financially and they have no plans of going anywhere. The retailer assured customers that its some hundred locations will continue business as usual. Julianna Kim, NPR News. Julianna Kim, NPR News.

Famous for its cameo role in the 1986 hit film, Crocodile Dundee, Bert the Crocodile has died. Officials at the aquarium where Bert lived in Darwin, Australia say he died peacefully over the weekend. The 16-foot-long reptile was believed to be at least 90 years old. This is NPR.