NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-26-2024 2AM EST

Episode Date: December 26, 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. Officials in Kazakhstan say 38 people have been killed in an Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near the city of Akto. The aircraft had been trying to make an emergency landing, almost half of the 67 passengers

and crew survived. Here's the BBC's Duncan Kennedy. The dramatic final moments of the aircraft coming down were filmed by an eyewitness on the ground. The footage shows the aircraft descending at high speed with its landing gear down before bursting into flames on impact. Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have begun investigations into the incident. The plane is made by the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer,

which has a strong safety record. A spokesman from the company told the BBC it was ready to assist all relevant authorities. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke to his Turkish counterpart by phone on Tuesday. The Pentagon says they discussed the situation in Syria. MPR's Fatma Tanis reports from Istanbul. Secretary Austin and Turkish Defense Minister Yashar Güler discussed mutual security concerns in Syria following the ouster of dictator Bashar al-Assad. Turkey is playing an influential role in Syria after opposition rebels it supported

for years toppled the Assad regime. The United States is concerned about a possible resurgence of the extremist group ISIS amid a power vacuum, and Austin urged close coordination with Turkey to ensure the success of the ongoing mission to defeat ISIS. In a post on X, Austin said the two men had agreed to remain in close communication. He said Turkey and the United States quote, will continue to work together to defeat terrorism and support a more secure and stable Syria. Fatma Tanis, NPR News, Istanbul. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued his Christmas message to his country.

As Dan Karpanchuk reports, it comes as Trudeau faces intense pressure to step down, even from within his own party. Trudeau wished joy to everyone celebrating Christmas and comfort to those who are suffering. He said it's a time to gather with loved ones and give thanks and to celebrate the spirit of the season. It's likely Trudeau's last Christmas message as Prime Minister.

All the opposition parties have lined up against him vowing to bring down his minority government at the first opportunity. His popularity has plummeted over the past year, and Liberal Party insiders say Trudeau is taking the Christmas holidays to reflect on his course of action. An election call is unlikely, but he may prorogue Parliament for a couple of months so that the party can elect a new leader to take it into a spring election. But as of now, it's looking highly unlikely that he will remain at the helm and take his chances. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpanchuk in Toronto.

A baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza. The three-week-old baby is the third to die from the cold in the enclave's tented camps in recent days. Conditions in the sprawling refugee camps in Gaza are poor. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been living in the camps after leaving their homes because of the fighting between Israel and Hamas. You're listening to NPR News. Japan Airlines has been hit by a cyber attack. Airline officials say the incident caused delays to more than 20 domestic flights.

Ticket sales were temporarily suspended for both domestic and international travel while the issue is being resolved. Other Japanese airlines were not affected by the issue. A total fire ban is in place at this hour in Australia's second most populous state of Victoria as multiple wildfires threaten rural communities there. As Christina Kukolia reports, hot winds and extreme temperatures are fanning dangerous fire conditions across several states in southeast Australia.

Residents of central and western Victoria have been evacuated as authorities raise the wildfire risk to extreme in most of the state Thursday. Emergency management services say conditions are extremely difficult for firefighters in the Grampians National Park. Residents in the area have been told to take shelter as it's too late to leave. The blaze has damaged over 135,000 acres of land. Authorities report considerable environmental damage, loss to livestock and properties, and say they're preparing for possible damage to homes. Dangerous fire conditions are also threatening parts of South Australia and New South Wales, where farmers in several regions have been asked to stop harvesting due to the wildfire risk.

For NPR News, I'm Christina Kukalja in Melbourne, Australia. Baltimore's Lamar Jackson broke the NFL career-rushing record for quarterbacks on Christmas Day. He passed the 6109 yards of Michael Vick in the Ravens 31-2 win over the Houston Texans. Patrick Mahomes mewile through three touchdowns and passed for 320 yards as the Kansas City Chiefs beat Pittsburgh 29-10. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.