Chapter 1: What recent developments occurred in the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. U.S. and Ukrainian officials are meeting in Switzerland after the release of a U.S.-drafted peace plan aimed at ending the war with Russia. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports many Ukrainians say the proposal gives up too much.
In the western city of Ternopil, bulldozers sift through rubble looking for bodies at an apartment block hit by Russian missiles this week. More than 30 people were killed, including several children. Others are still missing. Since Russia's full-scale invasion, thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed.
They're proposing some kind of peace for us, without us.
Resident Inga Shkarupa says the U.S.
Chapter 2: What were the outcomes of the COP30 climate negotiations?
peace plan is pro-Russian and done behind Ukraine's back. We're paying the price.
People are dying. Cities are getting destroyed. And everybody's doing nothing towards Russia. Nothing.
Shkarupa says people here feel betrayed by the U.S.,
Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Ternopil, Ukraine. Climate negotiations at the United Nations COP30 conference ended on Saturday with a last-minute deal. The resolution calls for an increase in money going to nations affected by global warming to help them adapt.
Chapter 3: What safety measures were taken after the Los Angeles container ship fire?
But as NPR's Julia Simon reports, the agreement doesn't really address phasing out the main driver of climate change, fossil fuels.
More than 80 countries were calling for this conference to emerge with a clear roadmap to move away from fossil fuels. Burning oil, gas and coal make up about 70 percent of the greenhouse gases driving global warming. The final agreement did not mention fossil fuels.
That's NPR's Julia Simon reporting. The United States skipped the talks after the Trump administration refused to send a delegation. A fire that broke out on a container ship in the port of Los Angeles Friday night has been mostly contained. Steve Futterman reports officials say a shelter-in-place order for surrounding communities has been lifted.
The order was due to toxic smoke from the blaze, the result of hazardous material on board the ship burning. The ship has now been moved out of the port and anchored around a mile offshore, reducing the threat.
Chapter 4: How is the Department of Transportation addressing unruly travel behavior?
L.A. Fire Captain Adam von Gerpen says officials know exactly what's inside the 40 containers. We do have very specific information from the manifest, and I have identified what are in all of these. So there are certain ones that are identified for hazardous materials. At one point, four of the L.A. port's seven terminals were shut down.
It's believed the fire likely was the result of an electrical malfunction. An investigation is underway. 23 crew members were on the ship. There were no injuries.
Chapter 5: What new initiatives are being introduced in New York City's subway system?
For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.
This is NPR News. The Department of Transportation is launching what it's calling a new civility campaign to address unruly travel. In a newly released video, the department is requesting that passengers mind their manners and, quote, dress with respect. NPR's Amy Held reports.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy calls it... The video showcases a bygone time when passengers in suits and gloves... Then the video descends into today. Passengers in PJs or barefoot, biting... fighting, getting arrested. Let's bring civility and manners back. Duffy says that includes checking.
Chapter 6: How are current events shaping public sentiment in the U.S.?
Are you dressing with respect? Passengers say if they're stressed, it's mostly from delays and cancellations. Under Duffy, the department moved away from a Biden-era plan to compensate stranded passengers. In announcing the civility campaign, DOT cited sky-high outbursts since pre-pandemic, but FAA data show they have come way down since spiking in 2021 as cancellations have eased.
Amy Held, NPR News.
A new ad campaign is giving part of New York City's Grand Central subway station a festive makeover. Bath & Body Works has sent up scent diffusers on one of the busiest platforms, filling the air with vanilla and fresh pine. Transit officials say it's part of a revenue-boosting partnership. Commuters say the holiday smell is a welcome change from the city's usual subway odor.
I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington.