NPR News: 12-05-2024 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 5, 2024, 7 PM EST

Host: Jack Speer
Reporter Contributions: Janet McLaughlin, Brendan Byrne, Jonathan Lampert

---

1. Tragic Shooting of United Healthcare CEO in New York City

Timestamp: 00:15
In a shocking incident, a masked gunman fatally shot Brian Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO of United Healthcare, on the streets of New York City. The attack occurred as Thompson was en route to a hotel for an investor conference. Police are intensifying their search for the shooter, having recovered ammunition from the scene with disturbing messages inscribed on it.

Janet McLaughlin reported, "00:42 The police also said that several shell casings used in the attack had some words written on them, including 'deny' and 'defend.' These words are believed to reference the policies of major insurance companies like United Healthcare, potentially shedding light on the shooter's motive."

Despite ongoing investigations, authorities remain unclear about the exact reason behind the attack. John Maria Aspen continues to follow this developing story.

---

2. Cybersecurity Threat: Chinese Hackers Targeting Telecommunications

Timestamp: 01:00
The White House has revealed that at least eight telecommunications companies have fallen victim to sophisticated Chinese hacking groups. These adversaries are deeply embedded within various industries worldwide, posing significant espionage threats.

Janet McLaughlin elaborated, "01:26 Adam Myers, leading CrowdStrike's countering digital adversaries team, stated, 'Chinese hackers are buried inside companies in every industry in every region around the globe.'"

Speed of the Threat:
Jack Speer quoted Myers saying, "01:36 'I'd say it's become endemic.'"

The group known as Liminal Panda is highlighted as one of the most advanced, possessing deep understanding of telecommunications technologies. As McLaughlin further explained, "01:53 'Telecoms will have to step up defenses and better monitor their systems to eject the hackers, but experts expect them to return.'"

---

3. NASA's First Human Moon Mission Delayed to 2026

Timestamp: 02:04
The long-anticipated first human mission to the moon in over fifty years faces another delay. Originally set for late next year, the mission is now rescheduled for no earlier than April 2026.

Brendan Byrne, reporting from Orlando, detailed, "02:13 'The mission will launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, carrying three NASA astronauts and one Canadian astronaut on a trip around the moon and back. A surface landing mission is planned for mid-2027.'"

The postponement arises from issues with the Orion spacecraft's heat shield discovered during a 2022 uncrewed test mission. Engineers have opted to proceed with the existing heat shield while modifying the spacecraft's return trajectory to minimize heat exposure during atmospheric reentry.

---

4. Potential Inflation Concerns Amid Trump’s Borrowing Cost Policies

Timestamp: 02:59
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to reduce borrowing costs, a move anticipated to stimulate economic growth. However, some of his proposed policies might inadvertently heighten inflation rates.

Should inflation rise, Trump is expected to attribute the blame to the Federal Reserve and its Chairman, Jerome Powell. Powell has consistently emphasized the necessity of the Fed maintaining its independence in monetary policy decisions.

---

5. $2 Million Settlement for Fort Lauderdale Police Incident

Timestamp: 03:XX (Exact timestamp not provided)
Latoya Ratleaf, a 38-year-old woman, has been awarded nearly $2 million following a federal lawsuit settlement. Ratleaf sustained severe eye damage when a Fort Lauderdale police officer fired a rubber bullet at her during a 2020 protest against George Floyd's murder.

Police officials issued an apology, explaining that Ratleaf was inadvertently struck after she moved into the path of a protester who was retaliating by throwing a tear gas canister towards law enforcement.

---

6. Climate Change Poses Severe Extinction Risks for Global Species

Timestamp: 03:59
A comprehensive study published in Science reviewed nearly 500 previous research pieces to assess the impact of climate change on global biodiversity. The findings are alarming, indicating that up to 2% of species worldwide could face extinction by the century's end if current warming targets under the Paris Agreement are met.

Jonathan Lampert reported, "04:13 'That percentage grows significantly with each additional degree of warming. Under the worst case scenario of 5 degrees of warming, about 1 in 3 species could disappear.'"

Amphibians, along with species inhabiting mountainous and island regions, are identified as the most vulnerable to the changing climate, struggling to migrate or adapt swiftly enough to survive.

---

7. Pantone Announces Mocha Moose Brown as 2025 Color of the Year

Timestamp: 04:32
Pantone's Color Institute has unveiled Mocha Moose Brown as the Color of the Year for 2025. This choice marks the first brown shade selected in 25 years, diverging from the vibrant green trends of the preceding year.

Jack Speer explained, "04:32 'Mocha Moose Brown is a far softer shade, described as nuggety. Trend forecasters at Pantone considered fashion design and the current cultural zeitgeist to arrive at this earthy tone.'"

This selection reflects a shift towards more grounded and natural hues in fashion and design, resonating with broader societal movements towards sustainability and simplicity.

---

Conclusion

The December 5, 2024, episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing issues ranging from tragic events and cybersecurity threats to advancements in space exploration and environmental concerns. Additionally, cultural highlights such as Pantone's color announcement provided a glimpse into evolving trends. For in-depth coverage and ongoing updates, listeners are encouraged to follow NPR News Now's hourly updates.

---

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been omitted to focus on essential news topics.

Transcript

[Janet McLaughlin]

This message comes from Bolin Branch. Bowlin Branch's best sale of the year is right now. Try the organic cotton sheets loved by millions. Go to bolinbranch.com and use code NPR for 25% off everything. Limited time only exclusions apply.

[Jack Speer]

Csite for details, live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. Even as the search for a masked gunman who shot and killed a healthcare CEO on the streets of New York City continues, police say they are looking to find more clues. Law enforcement officials say they've already recovered ammunition found on the street after yesterday's shooting with apparent messages written on it. Appears Maria Aspen has more.

[Janet McLaughlin]

The police also said that several shell casings used in the attack had some words written on them, words including deny and defend. And those words have been seen as a possible reference to how big insurance companies, including United Healthcare deny claims. And they may point to a motivation for the shooter.

[Jack Speer]

Still not clear why the GU gunman shot 50 year old United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson early yesterday. Surveillance video showed a masked man opening fire on Thompson from behind as he was walking to a hotel to attend an investor conference. The White House is working with at least eight telecommunications companies whose systems were penetrated by Chinese hackers. But Chinese hackers are experts, and it would be hard to eject them. NPR's Janet McLaughlin has the story.

[Janet McLaughlin]

Adam Myers leads the team countering digital adversaries at cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. He says Chinese hackers are buried inside companies in every industry in every region around the globe.

[Jack Speer]

I'd say it's become endemic.

[Janet McLaughlin]

Chinese hackers are especially interested in spying on politicians, calls and texts. To do that, Chinese hackers have steadied up on telecoms, says Myers. A group his team calls Liminal Panda is one of the most advanced.

[Jack Speer]

Liminal Panda understands what that technology looks.

[Janet McLaughlin]

Like and how to take advantage of it. Telecoms will have to step up defenses and better monitor their systems to eject the hackers, but experts expect them to return. Jenna McLaughlin, NPR News.

[Jack Speer]

The launch of the first human mission to the moon in more than half a century has been delayed once again. As Central Florida Public Media's Brendan Byrne reports, it was slated for the end of next year.

[Brendan Byrne]

The mission to the moon and back will now launch from Florida's Kennedy Space center no earlier than April of 2026. The mission will take three NASA astronauts and one Canadian astronaut on a trip around the moon and back. A surface landing mission will follow sometime in mid-2027. The delay comes after a lengthy investigation into problems related to the Orion spacecraft's heat shield, which were uncovered in 2022 during an uncrewed test mission to the moon and back. Engineers found pieces of the heat shield had broken off, which was not expected. NASA is moving forward with the same heat shield, but changing the trajectory of the spacecraft's return to limit its exposure to the heat of atmospheric reentry. For NPR News, I'm Brendan Byrne in Orlando.

[Jack Speer]

President elect Donald Trump has campaigned on a promise to lower borrowing costs, but some of his policies run the risk of increasing inflation. In the event that might happen, though, Trump could also point an accusatory finger at the Federal Reserve and Chairman Jerome Powell. Powell has stressed the importance of the Fed's independence. You're listening to NPR. A woman who was injured by Fort Lauderdale police during a 2020 protest over the murder of George Floyd has been awarded nearly $2 million from Latoya Ratleaf settled her federal lawsuit this week. The 38 year old suffered severe eye damage when she was hit in the face by a rubber bullet fired by an officer. Police apologized for the incident, saying the woman was hit after she moved into the path of a protester who was throwing a tear gas canister back at police. Species are adopted to a particular climate in a particular place. And when the climate changes, many species may not be able to move or adapt in time. And Bureau's Jonathan Lampert reports it puts them at risk of extinction.

[Jonathan Lampert]

A new study in Science took stock of nearly 500 previous studies that estimated how various species might fare under future climates. Almost 2% of species worldwide could go extinct by the end of the century if countries meet the Paris Climate Agreement warming targets. That percentage grows significantly with each additional degree of warming. Under the worst case scenario of 5 degrees of warming, about 1 in 3 species could disappear. Amphibians are at greatest risk of extinction in a warmer world, along with species that live on mountains and islands. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[Jack Speer]

And the color of the year for 2025? Mocha Moose Brown, a far softer shade than the brat green that was a major theme this year. Pantone's Color Institute says its trend forecasters looked at fashion design and zeitgeist to land on the nuggety brown shade. It is the first time in 25 years that Pantone is chosen a shade of brown. I'm Jack Speer, NPR News, in Washington.

[Jonathan Lampert]

This message comes from Viking, committed to exploring the world in comfort. Journey through the heart of Europe on an elegant Viking longship with thoughtful service, destination focused dining and cultural enrichment on board and on shore and every Viking voyage is all inclusive with no children and no casinos. Discover [e-mail].