NPR News: 12-26-2024 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of December 26, 2024, 7 PM EST Episode

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest global and national events in its December 26, 2024, episode. Hosted by Jeanine Herbst and featuring reports from Terri Schultz, Bobby Allen, and Will Stone, the episode covered significant topics ranging from international aviation accidents to corporate lobbying, economic indicators, public health concerns, and financial markets. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode.

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1. Tragic Azerbaijan Airlines Crash in Kazakhstan

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Terri Schultz
Timestamp: [00:18]

The episode opened with distressing news about the Azerbaijan Airlines flight crash in Kazakhstan, resulting in the loss of at least 38 out of 6,067 passengers on board. Jeanine Herbst reported that NATO has called for a comprehensive investigation into the crash's cause.

Terri Schultz elaborated on the incident, highlighting the day of mourning observed by Azerbaijan for the deceased and injured. The flight was en route from Baku, the Azerbaijani capital, to Grozny, the capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Schultz noted that there is increasing speculation regarding the crash's cause, with images suggesting damage to the aircraft's tail that is consistent with an explosive device.

Quote:

"NATO calls for a full investigation into the crash to determine its exact cause," stated NATO spokesperson Farah Daklala at [00:34].

Investigations are ongoing, with Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan each launching criminal probes to understand why the flight was diverted and allegedly not permitted to enter Russian airspace.

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2. Meta's Lobbying Efforts Against the Kids Online Safety Act

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Bobby Allen
Timestamp: [01:14]

Jeanine Herbst introduced the issue of Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, employing a sizable lobbying team to impede the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act in Congress. Bobby Allen provided an in-depth report on the matter.

The Kids Online Safety Act, which successfully passed the Senate, aimed to impose a "duty of care" on social media companies. This legislation would legally require tech firms to enhance their efforts in policing online bullying, harassment, sexual exploitation, and other related harms affecting children.

Quote:

"Meta employed 14 full-time lobbyists in addition to numerous external firms to fight the Kids Online Safety Act," explained Bobby Allen at [01:30].

Despite the bill's progress in the Senate, it stalled in the House of Representatives, largely due to Meta's vigorous lobbying efforts. A pivotal moment occurred earlier in the year when Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg addressed a Senate hearing, expressing remorse to parents suffering from the negative impacts of social media. This apology was a notable event that underscored the contentious nature of the legislation.

Quote:

"I apologize for the pain many parents have experienced due to social media," Mark Zuckerberg declared during the Senate hearing, as reported by Bobby Allen at [01:30].

Child safety advocates remain hopeful that the bill will be reintroduced in the upcoming legislative session.

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3. Robust Holiday Spending Signals Economic Resilience

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Steve Sadov via MasterCard's Spending Pulse
Timestamp: [02:14]

Jeanine Herbst reported on the surprising surge in holiday spending for the current year, surpassing both expectations and last year's figures. This analysis was based on data released by MasterCard's Spending Pulse, which monitors in-store and online retail sales.

Steve Sadov, MasterCard's Senior Advisor and former CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, interpreted the data positively, indicating strong consumer confidence and economic stability.

Quote:

"This year's holiday spending growth rate exceeded our forecast of 3.2%, indicating robust consumer engagement," stated Steve Sadov at [02:14].

Consumers demonstrated a keen focus on value, investing in both goods and experiences despite economic uncertainties. This trend suggests that shoppers are discerning in their purchases, balancing essential spending with discretionary expenditures.

Additional Insight: Sadov emphasized that the higher-than-expected growth rate is a healthy indicator for the economy, reflecting sustained consumer activity during the critical holiday season.

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4. Health Alert: Bird Flu Threatens Domestic Pets

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Will Stone
Timestamp: [04:06]

In a concerning development, NPR's Will Stone reported on health officials issuing warnings about the risk of bird flu transmission to pets, particularly cats, through the consumption of raw milk and raw pet food. Recent incidents include the death of a house cat in Los Angeles after ingesting raw turkey from Northwest Naturals, a Portland-based brand.

Kristen Coleman from the University of Maryland reviewed the evidence linking bird flu to feline infections, noting a shift in symptom presentation.

Quote:

"The symptoms in cats are becoming more neurological, often mimicking rabies," Kristen Coleman explained at [04:36].

Coleman advised pet owners to keep their animals away from wild birds and to avoid feeding them raw poultry products to minimize the risk of infection. The outbreak has prompted recalls and increased scrutiny of raw pet food products in the market.

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5. Financial Markets Update

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [04:46]

Concluding the episode, Jeanine Herbst provided a brief update on the financial markets. U.S. futures contracts were trading flat at the time of the report, reflecting a mixed performance in the stock market.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a modest increase of 28 points, while the Nasdaq Composite fell by 10 points. This mixed terrain indicates a period of uncertainty and stabilization as investors navigate the current economic landscape.

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Conclusion

The December 26, 2024, episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a wide array of pressing issues, from international aviation safety and corporate influence in legislative processes to economic indicators and public health alerts. Through detailed reporting and insightful commentary, the episode provided listeners with a nuanced understanding of the events shaping the world at that time.

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This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the NPR News Now episode for those who have not had the opportunity to listen. All quotes and attributions are based on the provided transcript.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. NATO is calling for a full investigation into the cause of the crash yesterday of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight in Kazakhstan. Terry Schultz reports at least 38 of the 6067 people on board died as.

[Terri Schultz]

Azerbaijan observed a day of mourning for the dozens of dead and injured. Speculation is mounting as to what brought down the plane on its way from the Azerbaijani capital Baku, to Grozny, the capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. NATO spokesperson Farah Daklala posted on social media offering condolences for the victims, saying the alliance calls for a full investigation. Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan have all launched criminal probes into why the flight was diverted from its path and was reportedly not allowed Russian territory. Images of the crash appear to show damage to the aircraft's tail consistent with explosives. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz.

[Jeanine Herbst]

New federal disclosures show that tech giant Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, employed 14 lobbyists to kill a kid's online safety bill in Congress. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, the legislation passed the Senate but stalled in the House.

[Bobby Allen]

Child safety advocates had hoped Congress would pass the Kids Online Safety act before Congress adjourned this year, but it faltered. New lobbying disclosures show Meta had a team of 14 full time lobbyists fighting the bill in addition to numerous outside firms. The legislation imposed a so called duty of care on social media companies, essentially putting the legal onus on tech firms to better police bullying, harassment, sexual exploitation and other harms. The bill was shelved after a remarkable moment earlier this year when Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg turned to parents in the audience of a Senate hearing and apologized for the pain they experienced after they say social media fueled self harm and physical altercations. Safety advocates hope the bill will be reintroduced next year. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Holiday spending surged this year, exceeding expectations and outpacing numbers from last year's gift buying season. That's according to numbers released today by mastercard Spending Pulse, which tracks in store and online retail sales. MasterCard's senior advisor and former Saks CEO Steve Sadov says this year's data is a good sign for the economy.

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This is a healthy number. It was a little bit higher growth rate than the forecast of 3.2%.

[Will Stone]

And it indicates that the consumers were.

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Shopping, and they were out there in the stores.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Speaking there to ABC News, he says shoppers focused on value as they shop for both goods and experiences. Initial claims for unemployment benefits were down slightly this week. The Labor Department says jobless claims were down 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 219,000, but continuing claims rose 46,000 to 1.9 million. Wall street ended the day in mixed territory, The Dow up 28, the Nasdaq down 10. This is NPR News. In Syria, there's an uneasy calm today after the country's new security forces checked IDs and searched cars in the central city of Homs. This a day after protests by members of the Alawite minority erupted in gunfire and raised fears that the country's frag peace could break down. Checkpoints were set up throughout the country's third biggest city, which has Sunni and Shia Muslims, Alawites and Christians. The security forces are controlled by the former insurgent group hts, which led the charge that unseated former President Bashar al Assad. Health officials are warning that pets could be at risk of contracting bird flu if they consume raw milk or raw pet food. That's after reports that some cats falling ill and dying after eating it. NPR's Will Stone has more.

[Will Stone]

Raw pet food made with turkey or poultry can harbor the virus. A brand based in Portland, Oregon, called Northwest Naturals recently issued a recall after a house cat died from bird flu. Health officials confirmed the cat had contracted the virus from the brand's frozen turkey offering. In Los Angeles, several cats have also caught bird flu and died after consuming raw milk. Kristen Coleman at the University of Maryland has reviewed the evidence on bird flu in felines. She says sometimes cats will have respiratory symptoms, but recently, recently it's presented differently.

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It seems more neurological. It often mimics rabies.

[Will Stone]

She advises keeping your cat or pets away from wild birds to minimize the risk. Will stone, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading flat at this hour. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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