NPR News Now – January 18, 2025
Released on January 18, 2025, at 2 AM EST
1. Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban Law
Dale Willman opens the episode with a significant legal development concerning the popular social media platform TikTok. The Supreme Court has upheld a bipartisan law that threatens to ban TikTok in the United States unless it severs ties with its Chinese parent company or ceases operations in the country.
Deepa Shivaram provides further insights into the administration's stance:
"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."
[00:42]
The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean Pierre, emphasized that the timing of the law’s implementation coincides with the transition to the incoming Trump administration:
"Given the sheer timing, implementing the law will fall under the next administration."
[00:42]
As the law mandates a potential ban starting January 19th, uncertainties linger regarding TikTok's future operations pending guidance from President-elect Donald Trump, who has indicated the need for time to review the decision on his new social media platform. The law, passed by Congress in April, remains a pivotal point in U.S.-China relations and national security discussions.
2. President-Elect Trump's Inauguration Amid Severe Cold Front
On the day of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Dale Willman reports that Washington, D.C., and much of the United States are bracing for a formidable cold front descending from Canada.
Andrew Orison from the National Weather Service warns:
"Going to be coming south from Canada is really going to be some of the coldest air of the season... temperatures that are going to be below zero."
[01:43]
With wind chills anticipated to plummet to as low as -30 degrees in certain regions, the nation faces not only the political significance of the inauguration but also the harsh realities of extreme winter weather affecting daily life and infrastructure.
3. LA Wildfires Cleanup Commences
As Washington grapples with political and climatic challenges, Dale Willman shifts focus to environmental concerns, specifically the aftermath of recent wildfires in Los Angeles. Cleanup efforts have officially begun, spearheaded by trained hazmat crews tasked with mitigating hidden dangers in burned areas.
Steve Kalanog, Deputy Incident Commander for the Southern California wildfires, highlights the complexities involved:
"In the wildfires, regular household items got burned with intense heat that can turn things like pesticides and propane tanks into explosions and toxic leaks waiting to happen."
[02:18]
The Environmental Protection Agency oversees the hazardous waste removal process, ensuring that dangerous materials such as asbestos and lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles are safely handled. Kalanog underscores the necessity of professional intervention:
"Given the dangers, says residents should not attempt this cleanup themselves."
[02:52]
Residents are advised to stay clear of affected areas to prevent accidents and health risks associated with the remnants of the wildfires.
4. Financial Markets Rise Amid Legal Settlements
Turning to economic news, Dale Willman reports a positive day for the stock market with notable gains:
"The Nasdaq closed up more than 1.5%. The Dow was up 0.78%."
[03:05]
In corporate legal developments, David Folkenflick discusses CNN's recent settlement of a defamation lawsuit. A Florida jury determined that CNN defamed a private contractor in a story about black market rescues following the 2021 fall of Afghanistan. The contractor, Zachary Young, received $5 million for lost earnings and personal suffering:
"The amount of the settlement was not disclosed. It was announced as the jury weighed additional punitive damages, which could have run far higher."
[03:38]
Young's case highlights the fine line between investigative reporting and personal rights, as he contended that the story adversely affected his business and family life despite not being implicated in any illegal activities.
5. International Relations and Domestic Unrest
In international affairs, Dale Willman reports on a significant agreement between Iran and Russia:
"The presidents of Iran and Russia both signed a broad cooperation agreement on Friday... covering everything from trade and military cooperation to science, education and culture."
[04:14]
This pact emerges amid escalating tensions, with Western nations intensifying sanctions against both countries. The Kremlin emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the treaty, signaling a deepening alliance amidst global geopolitical shifts.
Domestically, turmoil continues in South Sudan, where officials have imposed a nationwide curfew following widespread violence and looting in the capital, Juba, and other major towns. The unrest primarily targets individuals from Sudan to the north and is believed to be a retaliatory response to alleged killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan, exacerbating regional instability.
This episode of NPR News Now provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the day's pivotal events, from high-stakes legal battles and extreme weather challenges to international treaties and domestic unrest, offering listeners a well-rounded perspective on current affairs.