Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org.
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Well, there's a New Year's Day block party at City Hall this hour for the new mayor of New York City.
Mayor Doron Mamdani and First Lady Rama Diwaji.
Chapter 2: What significant event is happening in New York City on New Year's Day?
Saram Mamdani, just before he was set to be sworn in for a second time, this time by Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and introduced in part by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to the most prominent faces of the country's far left progressive movement. Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, is the first Muslim person elected mayor of New York City.
He used to lay out his priorities for the city centered around the affordability promise that catapulted his campaign to election victory. Israeli forces started the new year by arresting dozens of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank overnight. The Israeli military did not comment or provide additional information when asked by NPR about the arrests.
Israel has been carrying out what it calls counter-terror raids almost daily in Palestinian cities and towns.
Nawat Musleh reports. Palestinian authorities say at least 50 people were arrested from different parts of the West Bank, many taken from their homes in the middle of the night by Israeli forces. Head of the authority that tracks arrests, Abdullah Zaghari, told NPR many of those arrested were former detainees, including a woman who was recently released.
The Palestinian Prisoners Commission says more than 9,000 Palestinians are currently in Israeli custody, most of whom are being held without charge. For NPR News, this is Noha Musleh reporting from the West Bank.
Authorities say dozens of people are presumed dead after a fire broke out at a popular ski resort town in Switzerland overnight. Terry Schultz reports more than 100 people suffered serious injuries.
Swiss authorities say the fire broke out in a bar at the Crowne Montana ski resort in the heart of the Swiss Alps about 1.30 a.m. during New Year's Eve festivities. Victims are believed to be from several different countries.
In a press conference, officials downplayed early reports that an explosion had caused the tragedy and said it's too early to conclude whether appropriate fire safety measures were in place. Firefighters and first responders were called in from around the region. Local hospitals are completely full, authorities say, and patients are being transferred to nearby facilities.
They're appealing to everyone in the area to be particularly careful to avoid accidents that would put more strain on medical and emergency services. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz.
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