NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-31-2024 10AM EST

Episode Date: December 31, 2024

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On the latest NPR Politics podcast, we look back on the life and legacy of Jimmy Carter. The former president died Sunday at the age of 100. And unlike other presidents, his accomplishments after leaving the Oval Office are arguably what most define his story. Listen to our remembrance of the 39th president on the NPR Politics podcast. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The funeral plans for former president Jimmy Carter have been announced. His state funeral will be held in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, January 9th.

President Biden has ordered federal agencies to close on the 9th. Carter will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. South Korea's acting president has ordered improvements to the nation's airline operation system. This follows Sunday's plane crash that killed 179 people. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul that two crew members were the only survivors. At a government disaster response meeting, acting president Choi Sang-mok ordered the transportation ministry to re-examine the nation's airline operation systems and make

necessary improvements. The government has launched an emergency safety inspection of six local airlines using the Boeing 737-800, which was involved in the crash. Personnel from the US National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing are assisting with the investigation into the crash. South Korea is in a week-long national period of mourning. Seoul usually welcomes the new year with a bell-ringing ceremony.

Performances this year will be replaced by a moment of silence. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul. Last weekend, the Israeli military shut down the last major hospital functioning in northern Gaza. NPR's Ayah Batraoui reports the hospital was the last remaining lifeline for many Palestinians in northern Gaza.

Israel says this hospital was being used by Hamas. And in the raid that shut it down over the weekend, they detained 240 suspected militants in the area, some of whom they believe were involved in last year's October 7th attack on Israel. Israel describes this raid as swift and covert, but among those detained is Dr. Abel Safieh. NPR's Eya Batraoui reports he is the hospital's director. He was also detained by the Israeli military. Stocks opened higher on this final trading day of 2024

and PR Scott Horsley reports the Dow Jones industrial average rose about 200 points in early trading. Stocks are ending the year with double-digit gains. The S&P 500 index is up more than 20% from a year ago while the tech-heavy Nasdaq jumped nearly 30%. Crude oil prices rose overnight. Retail gasoline prices are also up slightly. Triple A says the average price of regular gas climbed to just over $3.04 a gallon. That's still about 7 cents less than this time last year. New figures out of China show that country's manufacturing sector is still growing, but

just barely. Government efforts to stimulate the world's second-largest economy appear to be falling short. Stocks were lower in Shanghai, but up in Hong Kong overnight. Markets in Tokyo and Seoul were closed for the New Year's holiday. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. On Wall Street, the Dow is now up about 180 points. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

The Pentagon says U.S. forces have fired airstrikes on multiple targets in Yemen. U.S. Central Command says the targets are held by Houthi rebels. They have been firing missiles at Israel and attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Eastern European nation of Moldova is facing an energy crisis. Tomorrow Russia is expected to stop shipping natural gas to Europe. That's because a deal to keep Russian gas flowing to Europe is expiring. Other nations are finding some energy workarounds, but people in the small nation of Moldova are concerned they'll lose power

and heat as winter sets in. Celebrations to mark the start of 2025 are underway. Christina Kukuljev reports in Australia, tens of thousands of people attended New Year's events. The biggest and most spectacular New Year's celebration in Australia was around the iconic Sydney Harbour, where thousands of spectators had queued for hours for the best viewing spots.

The most popular spots had views of the massive fireworks show that lit up the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Melbourne and other Australian cities also marked the arrival of 2025 with huge fireworks displays. In New Zealand, wet and windy weather caused the cancellation of New Year's Eve events in Christchurch. However, Auckland put on an impressive show to become the first major city to bring in 2025. For NPR News, I'm Christina Kukola in Melbourne, Australia. Forecasters say a stream of Arctic air will blanket much of the U.S. this week. The frigid temperatures will stretch from the northern Rockies to the East Coast. I'm Corva Kuhlman,

NPR News in Washington.