NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-18-2024 3AM EST

Episode Date: December 18, 2024

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Announcer Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Shea Stevens Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. The Federal Reserve Board is expected to lower interest rates when policymakers wrap up a

two-day meeting this afternoon. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, the Fed may be more cautious about additional rate cuts next year. Markets are betting that the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate by another quarter percentage point. The central bank has already lowered rates by three-quarters of a point since September. Lower rates make it less expensive to borrow money to buy a car, grow a business or carry a balance on your credit card. Fed officials

will also share some guesses this afternoon about where they think interest rates are going next year. On average, policymakers had expected to lower rates by another full percentage point in 2025 when they last issued a forecast back in September. That forecast for cuts could be dialed back a bit today since inflation in recent months has proven stickier than expected. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. Congressional negotiators have unveiled a proposal that would keep federal agencies funded through mid-March. If approved, the proposal would also avert a partial government shutdown on Saturday.

In New York, a grand jury has expanded its indictment of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the December 4th slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. From member station WNYC, Samantha Max says more. He's facing first- murder, second degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and then also criminal possession of a forged instrument for allegedly having a fake ID. And something that I should note

is that some of these murder charges allege that the killing was committed in furtherance of terrorism. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg called the shooting brazen and said it was meant to cause shock and intimidation. So there's still a lot that we don't know about the shooter's motives, but there are questions about whether Thompson was targeted for his role at this major insurance company

that's known for high rates of insurance claim denials. Samantha Max in New York. NCAA President Charlie Baker has told a Senate hearing that he supports elements of a new bill that would place federal regulations on the gambling industry. Details from NPR's Becky Sullivan. The Safe Bet Act was introduced this fall by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The bill would ban some gambling promotions, limit TV commercials, and prevent bettors from using credit cards to make deposits.

And at the hearing, there was support for a ban it would place on prop bets in college sports. Charlie Baker said those have led to harassment of student athletes, both online and from classmates in person. They basically say, look, you're my friend. I'm not looking for you to lose a game. I just need you to miss the first two free throws. Sports gambling has swept the U.S. since a Supreme Court decision in 2018 paved the way for its legalization. Since then, problem gambling and bankruptcies have risen too. Becky Sullivan, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR News. Illinois' attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission have reached a settlement with Grubhub over alleged deceptive business practices.

The Chicago-based online food delivery company was accused of misleading customers about delivery costs, including the price for subscriptions. Grubhub was also accused of listing restaurants without their knowledge or permission and deceiving drivers about the amount of money they could make. The company denies those allegations but said that the settlement will allow it to move on. The World Health Organization has opened an academy funded by France. NPR's Gabriella Emanuel reports the Lyon-based academy will train people around the world.

There are not enough health care workers around the world. There are not enough health care workers around the world. By 2030, it's projected there will be a shortfall of 10 million health workers. This new WHO Academy aims to help by training 3 million health workers by 2028. The WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyeses, spoke at the opening ceremony. More than 5,000 learners from 172 countries have already registered in the learning platform.

The courses will be both in person and online. The focus is lifelong learning rather than initial training. The courses are aimed at health workers as well as managers, public health officials, and policymakers. Gabriella Emanuel, and policy makers. Gabriella Emanuel, NPR News. U.S. futures are flat and after hours trading on Wall Street following Tuesday's losses. On Asia Pacific market shares are mixed down a fraction in Tokyo.

This is NPR News. This is Ira Glass. On This American Life, we like stories that surprise you. For instance, imagine finding a new hobby and realizing... To do this hobby right, according to the ways of the masters, there's a pretty good chance that you're going to have to bend the law to get the materials that you need. If not break it. Yeah. To break international laws.

Real life stories, really good ones. This American Life.