NPR News: 01-17-2025 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 17, 2025, 1PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Source: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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CNN Found Guilty of Defamation

In a significant legal victory for a security consultant, a Florida jury has found CNN guilty of defamation. The court sided with the consultant, who contended that CNN published a story implying he was charging "exorbitant prices" to evacuate individuals amid the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Lakshmi Singh [00:13]: "Jurors sided with a security consultant who argued that the news network presented a story that suggested he was charging, quote, exorbitant price to evacuate people desperate to get out of Afghanistan."

This verdict raises important questions about media responsibility and the boundaries of reporting on sensitive subjects.

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Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban; White House Awaits Next Steps

The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that bans TikTok unless its ownership changes, citing national security concerns associated with the Chinese-owned app. The White House has indicated that the enforcement of this law will fall to the incoming Trump administration.

Deepa Shivaram [00:53]: "The Biden administration says they believe TikTok should remain available to Americans, but exist under American ownership or different ownership because of national security concerns over the Chinese owned app."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre emphasized the timing, pointing out that with President Trump set to take office on Monday, the administration will determine the next steps. The law, originally passed by Congress in April, mandates the ban to begin on January 19th unless TikTok alters its ownership structure. As of now, it remains unclear whether TikTok will comply by shutting down or await further instructions.

Deepa Shivaram [00:53]: "The law the Supreme Court is upholding was passed by Congress in April and mandates that TikTok will be banned in the US starting on January 19th unless it changes ownership."

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Israel's Security Cabinet Approves Ceasefire Deal with Hamas

In a pivotal move towards ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel's security cabinet has given preliminary approval to a proposed ceasefire with Hamas. The full Israeli cabinet is expected to ratify the deal shortly, despite reservations from some hardline members.

Greg Myre [01:37]: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet gave its blessing to the ceasefire deal."

The agreement, potentially effective as early as Sunday, outlines the cessation of hostilities, the release of 33 hostages by Hamas, and the liberation of approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees by Israel. However, the situation remains volatile, with over 100 Palestinians having been killed since the ceasefire was announced on Wednesday.

Greg Myre [01:52]: "Hamas would release 33 hostages and Israel would free around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees."

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Biden Administration Announces Next 15 Drugs for Medicare Price Negotiation

President Biden's administration has unveiled a list of 15 new medications slated for Medicare price negotiations, aiming to reduce costs for beneficiaries. Notably, this list includes diabetes medication Ozempic and its counterpart Wegovy, which are increasingly utilized for weight management.

Sidney Lepkin [02:33]: "The type 2 diabetes blockbuster [Ozempic] is joined by its obesity drug cousin, Wegovy, which has the same active ingredient."

The selection also encompasses treatments for various cancers, asthma, psoriasis, and bipolar disorder. These additions are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which outlines criteria for eligible drugs, ensuring that only specific medications are targeted for price negotiations.

Sidney Lepkin [02:43]: "To be clear, the government can't pick just any drugs in Medicare. This all comes from Biden's Inflation Reduction act that gives rules for which drugs are eligible."

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Remembering Joan Plowright, Celebrated British Actress

The entertainment world mourns the loss of British actress Joan Plowright, who passed away Thursday at the age of 95. With a career spanning over six decades, Plowright was renowned for her vibrant portrayals on both stage and screen, including performances in "A Taste of Honey," "An Enchanted April," and her Oscar-nominated role in "Enchanted April."

Bob Mondello [03:08]: "She was squeaky when she first made an impression on movie audiences as Laurence Olivier's adoring granddaughter in 'The Entertainer.'"

Plowright's partnership with Laurence Olivier was both personal and professional, deeply influencing her early career. Post-Olivier's passing, she continued to distinguish herself with roles that showcased her versatility and depth, particularly in literary adaptations.

Bob Mondello [03:30]: "Declining eyesight forced Plowright to retire from acting in 2014, but she was amusing as herself in the 2018 documentary Nothing Like a Dame alongside fellow acting legends Maggie Smith and Judi Dench."

Her legacy remains a testament to her dedication and talent in the performing arts.

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Archaeological Discovery: 2,000-Year-Old Thermal Spas in Pompeii

In a remarkable archaeological breakthrough, researchers have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved thermal spas in Pompeii, the ancient Roman city tragically buried by volcanic ash and lava in 79 AD. This discovery sheds light on the sophisticated infrastructure and daily life of Pompeii's inhabitants.

Lakshmi Singh [04:17]: "Researchers say the baths were adorned with mosaics and equipped with a series of hot, warm and cold spa-like rooms."

These thermal baths, previously unexplored, reveal intricate mosaics and a series of temperature-controlled rooms, indicating a high level of engineering and aesthetic design. Such findings provide invaluable insights into Roman recreational practices and architectural prowess.

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Financial Markets Update

The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a significant uptick today, increasing by 455 points, reflecting positive investor sentiment amidst ongoing global developments.

Lakshmi Singh [04:17]: "The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 455 points."

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Transcript Provided By: npr.org
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Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. A Florida jury has found CNN guilty of defamation. Jurors sided with a security consultant who argued that the news network presented a story that suggested he was charging, quote, exorbitant price to evacuate people desperate to get out of Afghanistan. Following the US withdrawal in August 2021. The US Supreme Court has decided to uphold a law banning TikTok unless the ownership changes. And now the White House says it's up to the incoming Trump administration to figure out what to do next. Here's NPR's Deepa Shivaram.

[Deepa Shivaram]

The Biden administration says they believe TikTok should remain available to Americans, but exist under American ownership or or different ownership because of national security concerns over the Chinese owned app. In a statement, White House press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said, given the sheer timing, implementing the law will fall under the next administration. Trump takes office on Monday, and he posted on his social media platform that he needs time to review the decision. The law the Supreme Court is upholding was passed by Congress in April and mandates that TikTok will be banned in the US starting on January 19th unless it changes ownership, though it's not yet clear if the app will shut itself down by then or wait for guidance from the incoming administration. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the White House.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Israel's security cabinet has voted today to approve the proposed ceasefire deal with Hamas. The move is an important step, though not yet a final one, towards stopping the fighting in Gaza. NPR's Greg Myre reports that the ceasefire could take effect as soon as Sunday.

[Greg Myre]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet gave its blessing to the ceasefire deal. The proposal now goes to the full Israeli cabinet, where it's expected to win approval despite opposition from some hardline ministers. The deal could take effect as early as Sunday, though it may be delayed a day or so. The first phase of the agreement would bring a halt to the fighting. Hamas would release 33 hostages and Israel would free around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Meanwhile, Israel is pressing ahead with airstrikes in Gaza. More than 100 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire agreement was announced Wednesday. Greg Myrey, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Biden's administration has announced the next 15 drugs up for Medicare price negotiation. NPR's Sidney Lepkin says they include diabetes medication that's increasingly being used for weight.

[Sidney Lupkin]

Loss the big news is that Ozempic is on this list. The type 2 diabetes blockbuster is joined by its obesity drug cousin, Wegovy, which has the same active ingredient. It's also joined by drugs for various cancers, asthma, psoriasis, bipolar disorder. To be clear, the government can't pick just any any drugs in Medicare. This all comes from Biden's Inflation Reduction act that gives rules for which drugs are eligible.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Sydney Lupkin. This is NPR News. British actress Joan Plowright, who brought stage and screen characters to vibrant life for more than six decades in such works as A Taste of Honey, an Enchanted April, died Thursday. She was 95. NPR's Bob Mondello offers a remembrance supremely.

[Bob Mondello]

Dignified in her later years. She was squeaky when she first made an impression on movie audiences as Laurence Olivier's adoring granddaughter in the Entertainer. They married shortly after the movie came out and Plowright became closely associated with Olivier's stage work. After his death, she came into her own in such films as Tea With Mussolini and her Oscar nominated performance in Enchanted April as a stern widow in literary circles.

[Deepa Shivaram]

Did you know Keats?

[Unknown]

Keats? No, I didn't. And I didn't know Shakespeare or Chaucer either.

[Bob Mondello]

Declining eyesight forced Plowwright to retire from acting in 2014, but she was amusing as herself in the 2018 documentary Nothing Like a Dame alongside fellow acting legends Maggie Smith and Judi Dench. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Archaeologists say they have unearthed remarkably well preserved thermal spas built 2,000 years ago. They were found in a previously unexplored area of Pompeii, the Roman city buried by ash and lava in 79 AD and where thousands died. Researchers say the baths were adorned with mosaics and equipped with a series of hot, warm and cold spa like rooms. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 455 points. You're listening to NPR News.

[Carvana]

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