NPR News: 12-18-2024 12PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 18, 2024, 12 PM EST – Detailed Summary

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the most pressing issues of the day. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.

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1. U.S. Supreme Court to Hear TikTok’s Constitutionality

Host: Lakshmi Singh

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on January 10 concerning the constitutionality of a federal law that aims to ban TikTok in the United States unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests. The central question revolves around whether this law infringes upon TikTok's First Amendment rights to free speech.

Key Points:

• The U.S. government fears that TikTok could allow China access to sensitive American data.
• TikTok boasts over 170 million users in the U.S., highlighting its significant footprint.
• Congressional leaders introduced a comprehensive 1,500-page bill to fund the federal government through mid-March.

Notable Quote: Barbara Sprunt of NPR reports, “The federal government is on track to shut down at midnight on Friday unless lawmakers pass the legislation and send it to President Biden's desk” (01:08).

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2. Congressional Funding Bill Faces Frustration Amid Shutdown Threat

Reporter: Barbara Sprunt

Congress has unveiled a broad funding bill encompassing approximately $100 billion in federal aid for natural disasters, rebuilding the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and various provisions related to healthcare and consumer protections. However, the bill has sparked frustration among Republicans, particularly regarding Speaker John Biden's management of the process, the tight timeline, and the bill's extensive scope.

Key Points:

• The legislation includes critical investments to support disaster recovery and infrastructure.
• Lawmakers express concerns over the bill’s size and the expedited approval process.
• A government shutdown looms as the deadline approaches for passing the funding package.

Notable Quote: Barbara Sprunt emphasizes, “The broad legislation includes roughly $100 billion in federal aid...” (01:08).

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3. 'Hospital at Home' Programs at Risk of Losing Federal Coverage

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Craig Lemolt

Federal coverage for hundreds of 'hospital at home' programs across the U.S. is endangered as the current waiver, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to expire. These programs allow Medicare and Medicaid to fund home-based hospital-level care, including doctor and nurse visits and 24-hour virtual monitoring.

Key Points:

• The waiver has supported 378 programs in 39 states, providing patients with comfortable, home-based care.
• Nancy Foster from the American Hospital Association highlights patient preference for home care options.
• Congress may consider renewing the waiver to maintain these essential services.

Notable Quotes: Nancy Foster states, “They want this care in their home where it's more comfortable, where they are surrounded by their loved ones” (02:16).
Craig Lemolt adds, “There are now 378 Hospital at Home programs in 39 states” (02:30).

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4. Assassination of Russian General Linked to Ukrainian Security Service

Host: Lakshmi Singh

A deadly attack targeted Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirilov, with the Russian Security Service attributing the act to an Uzbek national. Ukrainian security sources confirmed Ukraine's involvement, aligning with their recent indictment of Kirilov for allegedly using banned chemical weapons during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The assassination occurred when a remotely detonated device killed Kirilov and an aide outside his home.

Key Points:

• The attack underscores escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russian forces.
• Kirilov's indictment by Ukraine highlights ongoing accusations of chemical weapon usage.
• The incident may have broader implications for international security dynamics.

Notable Quote: Lakshmi Singh notes, “A day later, Kirlov and an aide were killed outside the general's home by remotely detonated device” (02:38).

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5. FBI Advises Against Plain Text Messaging Over Security Concerns

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Bill Chappell

The FBI has recently advised Americans to cease sending plain text messages due to their vulnerability to hacking, particularly by Chinese actors. While texts on platforms like Apple and Android can be secure, this requires universal adoption of the same security systems and proper configuration—prerequisites that many find complex.

Key Points:

• The standard texting systems are deemed too insecure for sensitive communications.
• Experts recommend switching to end-to-end encrypted applications to enhance security.
• Maintaining up-to-date phone software is also crucial for safeguarding personal information.

Notable Quotes: Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation urges, “You shouldn't have to keep track of this stuff. What you should be doing instead is using an end to end encrypted app” (03:53).
Bill Chappell concludes, “She recommends using apps like Signal or WhatsApp, and to keep your phone's software up to date” (03:59).

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6. Astronauts’ Return from International Space Station Delayed

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Reporter: Giles Snyder

The return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station, who traveled aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June, has been postponed yet again. NASA cites the need for additional time to ensure the readiness of a new SpaceX cabin capsule, essential for safely transporting a new four-person crew to the ISS.

Key Points:

• The delay extends the astronauts' stay beyond the initially planned little over a week.
• NASA emphasizes safety and reliability in scheduling crew transport missions.
• The extended mission reflects ongoing challenges with spacecraft readiness and coordination between NASA and SpaceX.

Notable Quote: Giles Snyder reports, “NASA says this latest holdup has to do with a new SpaceX cabin capsule, saying the agency and SpaceX need more time to be sure it's ready to send a new four person crew to the International Space Station” (04:21).

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Market Update

Throughout the broadcast, updates on U.S. stock markets indicated a positive trend, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 153 points, the Nasdaq by 41 points, and the S&P 500 by 12 points, reflecting investor optimism amidst the day's news.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of the latest developments. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The U.S. supreme Court will hear arguments Jan. 10 over the constitutionality of the federal law that would ban TikTok in the United States unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance, sells it. The justices will weigh whether the law infringes on TikTok's First Amendment rights to free speech. The US government's worry that China could gain access to sensitive Data in the US through TikTok, the short video sharing app that's popular around the world, has more than 170 million users in the US alone. Congressional leaders released more than 1500 page bill last night that would fund the Federal government through mid March. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports. This comes just days before funding is about to lapse.

[Barbara Sprunt]

The broad legislation includes roughly $100 billion in federal aid for natural disasters, funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed in March, and wide ranging provisions related to health care and consumer protections. But lawmakers, including various factions of Republicans, are frustrated by Speaker John Biden's handling of the process, the tight turnaround and the size and scope of the bill. The federal government is on track to shut down at midnight on Friday unless lawmakers pass the legislation and send it to President Biden's desk. Barbara Sprent, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Hundreds of programs that provide hospital level care in patients homes across the US Are at risk of losing federal coverage at the end of the year. Craig Lamolt of member station GBH reports that Congress may renew the waiver that makes those programs possible.

[Craig Lemolt]

The waiver dates back to the COVID pandemic and allows Medicare and Medicaid to pay for care delivered at patients homes with visits from doctors and nurses, as well as 24 hour virtual monitoring. Nancy Foster of the American Hospital association says patients don't want to lose access to this kind of care.

[Nancy Foster]

They like this option. They want this care in their home where it's more comfortable, where they are surrounded by their loved ones. So no one wants to take that option away when we know it can be effective for the patients.

[Craig Lemolt]

There are now 378 Hospital at Home programs in 39 states. For NPR News, I'm Craig Lemolt in Boston.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Russian Security Service says an Uzbek national carried out this week's deadly attack on a top Russian general. A source from Ukraine's security service confirmed to NPR that it was behind it. On Monday, Ukraine indicted Russian Lt. Gen. Igor Kirilov in absentia for allegedly using banned chemical weapons during Russia's invasion. Invasion of Ukraine. A day later, Kirlov and an aide were killed outside the general's home by remotely detonated device. US Stocks are trading higher this hour. The dow is up 153 points. This is NPR News. The FBI's recent advice telling people across the U.S. to stop sending plain text messages on their phones surprised a lot of consumers and led to a lot of questions. NPR's Bill Chappell has some answers.

[Bill Chappell]

The FBI says the standard texting systems we use every day are far too vulnerable to hackers in China. Texts on Apple and Android phones can be secure, but only if everyone is using the same system or has the right options turned on. If you think that sounds complicated, so do experts. Here's Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

[Eva Galperin]

You shouldn't have to keep track of this stuff. What you should be doing instead is using an end to end encrypted app.

[Bill Chappell]

She recommends using apps like Signal or WhatsApp, and to keep your phone's software up to date. Bill Chappell, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The return of two astronauts who flew to the International Space Station aboard Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft has been delayed yet again. NPR's Giles Snyder reports on what's holding up their homecoming.

[Giles Snyder]

NASA says this latest holdup has to do with a new SpaceX cabin capsule, saying the agency and SpaceX need more time to be sure it's ready to send a new four person crew to the International Space Station. The delay means astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stay at the station has been extended again. Wilmore and Williams took Boeing's Starliner into space in June for a mission that was only supposed to last a little more than a week.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's NPR's Giles Snyder reporting. U.S. stocks trading higher this hour. The Nasdaq is up 41 points, the S&P has gained 12, and the Dow is up 156 points. It's NPR.

[Capital One]

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