NPR News Now: December 17, 2024, 12 PM EST
Assassination of Russian Lieutenant General in Moscow
In a significant development, a high-ranking Russian military official was assassinated in Moscow, marking the most prominent killing of a Russian military leader away from the frontline since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. Lakshmi Singh reported:
"A Russian lieutenant general has been killed in Moscow. A Ukrainian official has confirmed to NPR that Ukraine was behind the assassination." [00:20]
Joanna Kakissis provided further details from Kyiv:
"Russian law enforcement authority said in a statement that Igor Kirilov and one of his aides were killed after an explosive device planted in a scooter was set off near the entrance to a residential building in southeastern Moscow where Kirilov apparently lived." [00:41]
Kakissis added context regarding the ongoing tensions:
"Ukrainian prosecutors did charge Kirilov on Monday with the use of banned chemical weapons on the front line. Ukraine's security service says Russia has used chemical weapons nearly 5,000 times in the war." [00:41]
President Elect Trump's Felony Conviction Upheld
In a pivotal legal setback for President Elect Donald Trump, a New York Supreme Court judge dismissed Trump's attempt to overturn his 34-count felony conviction related to hush money payments. Lakshmi Singh introduced the story:
"A judge in New York has rejected an effort by President Elect Trump to toss out the 34 count felony conviction in his hush money trial." [01:17]
Ryan Lucas from NPR elaborated on the court's decision:
"New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan rejected Trump's argument that prosecutors shouldn't have been allowed to offer certain evidence from Trump's time in office in light of the US Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity." [01:27]
Lucas explained the judge's rationale:
"Merchan says that the evidence in question relates to Trump's unofficial conduct and thus is not covered by the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision." [01:27]
The conviction stems from July when Trump was found guilty on multiple counts of falsifying business records linked to payments made to an adult film star. His legal team has pursued various grounds to dismiss the case, all of which were declined by the court. [01:27]
Retail Sales Exceed Expectations
The Commerce Department released robust retail sales figures for November, surpassing forecasts and signaling economic resilience. Lakshmi Singh introduced the segment:
"Retail spending rose by 0.7% in November. Much of the extra spending came at car dealers where sales jumped nearly 3%." [02:05]
Scott Horsley of NPR detailed the contributing factors:
"Spending at home improvement stores was also up, fueled in part by rebuilding efforts after Hurricanes Milton and Helene." [02:12]
Horsley contrasted these gains with declines in other sectors:
"By contrast, spending at grocery stores and restaurants was down in November. Sales at online retailers jumped near nearly 2%." [02:12]
The uptick in car sales and home improvement indicates consumer confidence and adaptive spending patterns amidst recent natural disasters.
Investigation into Wisconsin School Shooting
A tragic mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, has left the community in mourning as authorities investigate the motives and circumstances surrounding the attack. Lakshmi Singh reported:
"Investigators are scouring the social media accounts and personal belongings of the 15-year-old girl accused in yesterday's mass shooting... The accused shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound." [02:36]
Police Chief Sean Barnes provided updates:
"Officers are speaking with the suspect's friends and her family's been cooperating. They're also trying to determine how the teen got hold of the firearm used in the attack, which killed two people and injured several others." [02:36]
Barnes expressed his commitment to uncovering the truth:
"I hope to have more answers in a news briefing this afternoon." [02:36]
The incident has had immediate repercussions on the stock market, with the Dow dropping nearly 200 points in reaction. [02:36]
Medical Breakthrough: Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Transplant
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, surgeons at NYU Langone Health successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a living patient, marking a significant milestone in xenotransplantation. Lakshmi Singh introduced the story:
"Doctors in New York City are reporting a medical first. Surgeons have transplanted a new kind of genetically modified pig kidney into a living person." [02:36]
Rob Stein provided an exclusive account:
"Surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York City transplanted the kidney into an Alabama woman three weeks ago. 53-year-old Tawana Looney couldn't get a human kidney, so doctors did an experimental procedure using a pig kidney that was genetically modified to help her body accept the organ." [03:35]
Stein highlighted the procedure's significance and previous attempts:
"Two other living patients have previously gotten other kinds of modified pig kidneys and two men have received modified pig hearts. None of those patients survived more than three months, but Looney is healthier, raising hope she may fare better." [03:35]
This advancement opens new avenues for addressing organ shortages and improving transplant success rates.
Release of Anti-Whaling Activist Paul Watson
Denmark has released renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson from custody in Greenland, following his five-month detention under a Japanese arrest warrant. Lakshmi Singh reported:
"Denmark has released anti-whaling activist Paul Watson from a jail in Greenland. He was detained five months ago on an arrest warrant from Japan, where he's wanted for allegedly throwing explosives at a Japanese whaling research ship in 2010." [04:12]
The Associated Press provided additional context:
"Watson denies the allegation. He says his people used harmless stink bombs. The Associated Press reports Watson, a Canadian American national, will not be extradited to Japan this hour." [04:12]
Watson's release marks a significant moment in the long-standing conflict over whaling practices, with implications for international activism and environmental policy.
Market Update
The stock market experienced a downturn amid the day's events. Lakshmi Singh summarized:
"The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 200 points or nearly half a percent at 43,517. The S&P is down 23 points and the Nasdaq is down 91 points or nearly half a percent." [04:12]
This decline reflects investor sensitivity to the unfolding news, including the Wisconsin shooting and geopolitical tensions.
Closing Note
NPR News Now continues to deliver timely and comprehensive updates on pressing national and international issues, ensuring listeners stay informed amidst a rapidly changing world.