NPR News: 12-13-2024 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 14, 2024 – Episode Summary

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on December 14, 2024, covering a range of significant national and international events. This episode delved into the celebratory atmosphere in Syria following political upheaval, the ongoing legal battle surrounding TikTok in the United States, initiatives supporting foster youth in education, upcoming economic indicators, efforts to reduce food waste through clearer labeling, proposed Social Security legislation, and movements in the oil market. Below is a detailed breakdown of each segment discussed in the episode.

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A New Chapter for Syria: Celebratory First Friday Prayers in Damascus

Timestamp: [00:01 - 00:21]

NPR’s Jack Speier reported on a historic event in Syria, where tens of thousands gathered in Damascus for the first Friday prayers since rebel insurgents ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Nbirzadi Al Shalchi provided on-ground coverage from the Al Umayyad Mosque, highlighting the joyful mood among attendees. Al Shalchi described the gathering as both a religious and celebratory occasion, noting, “Some of them say for security reasons, they could never even enter it before the fall of President Bashar al Assad. And this is their first time” (00:21). The imam encouraged the congregation to celebrate peacefully, emphasizing the significance of the moment for the Syrian populace.

TikTok Faces Potential U.S. Ban: Legal Bid and Political Implications

Timestamp: [00:47 - 01:44]

In a segment addressing digital privacy and national security, Bobby Allen reported that the federal appeals court denied TikTok’s request to delay the enforcement of a new law set to ban the app in the U.S. starting January 19th, unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests from the app—a move ByteDance is unwilling to make (01:04). Allen highlighted the stakes involved, noting that TikTok is used by approximately 170 million Americans. He pointed out that the ultimate resolution may lie with President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to rescue TikTok without detailing his approach. The law’s backing by the Biden administration underscores the ongoing tensions between U.S. national security interests and global digital platforms.

Empowering Foster Youth: Virginia’s "Great Expectations" Community College Program

Timestamp: [01:44 - 01:58]

Megan Pauly reported on Virginia’s Great Expectations program, an initiative aimed at increasing college graduation rates among current and former foster youth. The program, which has been operational for over 15 years, provides both financial and emotional support. Alexandria Davis, a beneficiary, shared her experience, stating, “It feels like they saved my life in a way” (01:58). Through emergency funding and monthly stipends, the program helps students navigate financial hardships that might otherwise derail their education. The success of Great Expectations is evident, with nearly a 10% graduation rate among participants—a figure significantly higher than the national average for foster youth.

Economic Indicators and Efforts to Reduce Food Waste: Clarifying Date Labels

Timestamp: [02:40 - 03:14]

Jack Speier outlined the week’s economic agenda, including the release of inflation numbers and updates on retail sales and home sales, alongside a noted decline in the Dow Jones by 86 points. Transitioning to consumer issues, Maria Godoy discussed the confusion surrounding food date labels such as "Sell by" and "Use by." She explained that these labels are intended to indicate peak freshness rather than spoilage, but misinterpretation leads to substantial food waste. Godoy highlighted, “Food date labels are supposed to indicate when food is freshest, not when it's gone bad” (03:14). The USDA and FDA are seeking public and industry input to standardize these labels as part of a broader strategy to reduce waste and its environmental impact.

Social Security Fairness Act Advances Amid Oil Market Fluctuations

Timestamp: [03:59]

In the final segment, Jack Speier reported on the advancement of the Social Security Fairness Act, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. This legislation aims to restore full Social Security benefits to approximately 2.8 million retirees by eliminating provisions that currently reduce benefits for those receiving pensions from non-covered employment, such as state and federal workers, teachers, and postal workers (03:59). Additionally, Speier touched on the energy sector, noting that crude oil futures rallied by over a dollar and 27 cents per barrel by the week’s end, reflecting significant movements in the oil markets.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with in-depth coverage of pivotal issues ranging from international events and technological security to social support programs and economic developments. Notable quotes and firsthand reports enriched the narrative, offering a clear and engaging overview of the day's most pressing news.

Transcript

[Jack Speier]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. Tens of thousands of Syrians gathered in the country's capital today for the first Friday prayers since rebel insurgents drove out the authoritarian president. Nbirzadi Al Shalchi reports the mood was joyful at the mosque considered to be the most famous shrine in Damascus, standing.

[Nbirzadi Al Shalchi]

In the middle of the courtyard of Al Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. Not only a day for Friday prayers, it's also a day of celebration. Thousands of Syrian men and women have gathered here today. Some of them say for security reasons, they could never even enter it before the fall of President Bashar al Assad. And this is their first time. The imam calls on people to celebrate and to leave the mosque in a calm and orderly fashion.

[Jack Speier]

NPR's Adil Al Shawchi reporting from Damascus. A federal appeals Court is rejecting TikTok's request to pause the start of a law next month that could ban the widely popular popular app from operating in the U.S. nPR's Bobby Allen reports. TikTok is vowing to take its fight to the Supreme Court.

[Bobby Allen]

Earlier this month, a panel of federal judges in Washington, D.C. sided with the Biden administration that a law banning TikTok nationwide is legal because it protects U.S. national security interests. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a tech company in Beijing. The law banning TikTok starts January 19th unless ByteDance fully divest from the app, which the company says is not going to happen now. The same Court has denied TikTok's request for the start date to be delayed. The One wildcard in TikTok's future is President Elect Donald Trump, who has promised to rescue TikTok but has not explained how. According to the company, TikTok is used by some 170 million Americans, half the US population. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

People who've been in foster care tend to graduate from college at a much lower rate than the general student population. One program for community college students in Virginia aims to change that. As Megan Pauly, member station vpm, reports.

[Megan Pauly]

The mostly privately funded Great Expectations program started over 15 years ago and provides financial and emotional supports to current and former foster youth like Alexandria Davis. It feels like they saved my life in a way. Through the program, she received emergency funding to deal with a difficult housing situation, as well as a monthly stipend for other needs. Without the help, Davis says, I think I would have dropped out a school because I'd I would go back into that same cycle of realizing, hey, I can't afford this. The program is in every community college across the state. A new nearly 10% of those in the program have graduated with a two year degree, which is more than double the graduation rate some studies in other states have found. For NPR News, I'm Megan Pauley in Richmond, Virginia.

[Jack Speier]

This week, the government released inflation numbers ahead of next week's Federal Reserve meeting. On Tuesday, the Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of sales at the retail level. Later in the week, the national association of Realtors will put out its latest update on home sales. On Wall street, the dow was down 86 points. You're listening to NPR. Sell by used by Best Buy. Those are common phrases on food packaging, but many consumers are confused about what they actually mean. The USDA and FDA are working to change that, as we hear from NPR's Maria Godoy.

[Maria Godoy]

For the most part, food date labels are supposed to indicate when food is freshest, not when it's gone bad. But that's what many consumers think they mean, and that leads to a lot of food waste. The average American family spends at least $1,500 a year on food that gets tossed out, and it often ends up in landfills where it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. The USDA and FDA are asking the public and the food industry to weigh in on food date labels as part of a national strategy to reduce food waste. The agencies have previously asked food companies to voluntarily standardize the use of date labels. While many companies have complied, there's still lots of different labels and lots of confusion about what they mean. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

Under legislation introduced this week that is nearing a final vote, millions of people could have their full Social Security benefits restored. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process of looking to push through what's been dubbed the Social Security Fairness act, affecting about 2.8 million people. Legislation would eliminate a provision that reduces Social Security payments to some retirees who also collect a pension from jobs that aren't covered by the retirement program. That includes state and federal workers, including teachers, police officers and U postal workers. Crude oil futures prices rallied at week's end. Oil up a dollar and 27 cents a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.