NPR News: 12-04-2024 6PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now - December 4, 2024, 6PM EST Summary

Hosted by NPR

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1. Allegations Against Piek Hegseth, Trump’s Pentagon Nominee

At 00:18, host Jack Speier introduces a troubling story regarding President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for the Pentagon, Piek Hegseth. Accusations of sexual misconduct and heavy drinking have surfaced, threatening his nomination.

Former Fox News colleague David Falkenflik elaborates at 00:40:

"Hegseth made unwelcome physical advances while inebriated on multiple occasions, including groping her bottom at a Manhattan bar."

Hegseth's attorney, Timothy Palatori, vehemently denies these allegations, labeling them "false claims." Additionally, a Fox News spokesperson stated:

"We have not received any complaints regarding this accusation."

Despite these denials, NBC reported that ten current and former Fox colleagues allege Hegseth's excessive alcohol consumption. In a surprising turn, Hegseth's mother appeared on "Fox and Friends" to support his nomination, despite privately denouncing his behavior.

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2. Jared Isaacman Nominated to Lead NASA

At 01:23, Jack Speier announces President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Jared Isaacman, a billionaire astronaut and private citizen, to lead NASA. Jeff Brumfiel provides further insights into Isaacman's background.

Isaacman, the founder of the online payments company Shift4, became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk earlier this year aboard a SpaceX capsule. Daniel Estrin shares at 01:48:

"Back at home, we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, first term looks like a perfect world."

Brumfiel highlights Isaacman's close relationship with Elon Musk and notes:

"His company, Shift4, does business with SpaceX and has invested millions in the spaceflight company over the years."

If confirmed, Isaacman would oversee billions in government contracts allocated to SpaceX, potentially strengthening the partnership between NASA and private space enterprises.

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3. Israel's Intelligence on Hostages in Gaza

At 02:12, Jack Speier brings attention to a critical development in the Israel-Gaza conflict. An Israeli military official revealed that Israel possesses intelligence regarding the locations of some hostages held in Gaza.

Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv:

"Israel has changed its military tactics in Gaza to avoid operating areas where hostages are held."

The official, speaking anonymously to protect the families of the 101 hostages still in Gaza, added:

"We have intelligence on the whereabouts of some of the hostages with various levels of certainty."

This announcement follows the Israeli military's confirmation that six male hostages were likely killed by their captors after an Israeli airstrike targeted a nearby Hamas tunnel. Consequently, Israel has adjusted its operations to ensure they do not endanger hostages further.

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4. Wall Street Surge, Amazon Lawsuit, and Health Study Insights

At 03:10, Jack Speier covers a range of topics affecting both the economy and public health.

Wall Street Performance:

"The Dow is up 308 points today," Speier reports, indicating a robust performance on Wall Street.

Amazon Lawsuit: The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging discriminatory practices. Speier states:

"Amazon secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to its Prime members in two predominantly black neighborhoods while continuing to charge for it."

Amazon has responded by citing:

"Concerns over driver safety" as the reason for the exclusion of these services in specific low-income zip codes.

Health Study on Physical Activity: Maria Godoy shares findings from the British Journal of Sports Medicine at 03:58:

"Just three and a half minutes of vigorous activity each day can significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks in middle-aged women."

The study tracked participants using physical activity trackers and concluded that even brief bursts of activity, such as climbing stairs or power walking, can lead to a 51% reduction in heart attack risk and a 67% decrease in the likelihood of developing heart failure.

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5. U.S. Senate Hearing Targets Airline Fees

At 04:37, Jack Speier reports on a Senate hearing addressing the proliferation of airline fees.

Members of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations criticized major carriers for imposing numerous fees for services like early boarding and seat upgrades. Senators, along with members of the Biden administration, referred to these charges as "junk fees," arguing that they have collectively raised billions of dollars while making travel "less affordable" for consumers.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode aired on December 4, 2024, at 6PM EST. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode through NPR's platforms.

Transcript

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[Jack Speier]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. President elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon is battling accusations of sexual misconduct and heavy drinking for Former colleague at Fox News tells NPR that Piek Hegseth made unwelcome physical advances while inebriated on multiple occasions. More from NPR's David Falkenflik.

[David Falkenflik]

The former colleague tells NPR that Hegseth once even groped her bottom at a Manhattan bar. She asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. Hegseth came to prominence as the host of Fox and Friends Weekend. Hegseth's attorney, Timothy Palatori, called the allegation a false claim. Through a spokesperson, Fox tells NPR that it had not received complaints about that accusation. On Tuesday, NBC reported that 10 current and former Fox colleagues allege Hegseth drank alcohol to excess. Politore said that had been debunked by allies at Fox who have stepped forward to defend his name in 2018. Hegseth's mother privately denounced her son's behavior. This morning, she appeared on Fox and Friends to try and help him save his nomination. David Falkenflik, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

President elect Donald Trump has nominated a billionaire private citizen astronaut to run NASA. NPR's Jeff Bromefield has more on that story.

[Jeff Brumfiel]

His name is Jared Isaacman. He's made a fortune in the online payments business, and earlier this year he became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk. Isaacman made that trip aboard a capsule built by elon Musk's company, SpaceX. SpaceX broadcasts his view live as he looked down on the planet.

[Daniel Estrin]

Back at home, we all have a lot of work to do, but from here, first term looks like a perfect world.

[Jeff Brumfiel]

Isaacman is a friend of Musk's. His company, Shift4, does business with SpaceX and has invested millions in the spaceflight company over the years. If confirmed as NASA's next administrator, Isaacman would now be in charge of billions in government contracts going to SpaceX. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

An Israeli military official says Israel has knowledge of where some of the Israeli hostages are being held in Gaza. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv. Israel has changed its military tactics in Gaza to avoid operating areas where hostages are held.

[Daniel Estrin]

In a briefing to reporters. The military official said Israel has intelligence on the whereabouts of some of the hostages messages in Gaza with various levels of certainty. The official spoke on condition of anonymity out of sensitivity for the families of the 101 hostages dead and alive still in Gaza. This information comes as Israel's military announced that it has concluded that six male hostages found dead in a Gaza tunnel this year were likely shot and killed by their captors shortly after the Israeli air force struck an underground Hamas target nearby. The military official says Israel no longer launches operations in parts of Gaza until it is determined no hostages are being held in those areas. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jack Speier]

Stocks kicking ground on Wall street today. The dow is up 308 points. You're listening to NPR. The District of Columbia has filed suit against online retailer Amazon, alleging the company secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to its prime members in two predominantly black neighborhoods while at the same continuing to charge for it. According to the lawsuit, the company put an exclusion on two low income zip codes. Other predominantly black areas in the city were not affected. Amazon says the changes remain on concerns over driver safety. Just a few minutes of short burst of vigorous physical activity each day can significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks in middle aged women. That's according to a new study in the British Journal of Sports medicine. More from NPR's Maria Godoy.

[Maria Godoy]

Participants wore physical activity trackers for almost 24 hours a day for seven days during a two year period. Hospital and death records were used to track major cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke and heart failure for the nine years following the start of the study. The researchers found that middle aged women who averaged just three and a half minutes of vigorous activity each day, such as climbing stairs or briefly power walking, were 51% less likely to have a heart attack and 67% less likely to develop heart failure compared with women who did not do similar tiny bouts of vigorous activity. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

Airline fees for everything from early boarding to seat upgrades were the topic of the U.S. senate hearing today. Members of the U.S. senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations saying the major carriers have raised billions of dollars by imposing them. Senators and members of the Biden administration have labeled them junk fees and say they're making travel less affordable. This is npr.

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[Maria Godoy]

Com.