TikTok case in Supreme Court; Government shutdown : NPR

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As we speak’s prime tales

TikTok and the Division of Justice are headed to the Supreme Courtroom, the place justices may determine whether or not a legislation banning the app subsequent month except it’s offered is constitutional. The excessive court docket accepted TikTok’s emergency request to listen to arguments concerning the legislation and the justices moved shortly and intentionally. Oral arguments have been set for Jan. 10, which is 9 days earlier than the app’s sell-or-be-banned deadline.

The TikTok Inc. constructing is seen in Culver Metropolis, Calif., on March 17, 2023.

Damian Dovarganes/AP

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Damian Dovarganes/AP

The TikTok Inc. constructing is seen in Culver Metropolis, Calif., on March 17, 2023.

Damian Dovarganes/AP

• 🎧 That is TikTok’s final authorized shot to not should shut down within the U.S., except it splits off from its Chinese language dad or mum firm, ByteDance, NPR’s Bobby Allyn tells Up First. The case is concerning the steadiness between freedom of speech and the attainable menace of a international adversary. TikTok has stated the Chinese language authorities does not accumulate information on People nor does it push propaganda, however U.S. officers stated the danger stays too excessive. The Supreme Courtroom has by no means taken on the case over the U.S. authorities trying to close down an enormous social media platform, which makes this uncharted territory, Allyn says.

Republican lawmakers are working to keep away from a authorities shutdown with lower than per week till Christmas after President-elect Donald Trump and allies spoke out towards a bipartisan spending invoice. Authorities funding runs out on the finish of the day on Friday. Congressional leaders launched a roughly 1,500-page bipartisan spending invoice, which might fund the federal government till March 14 and covers priorities like farm subsidies, catastrophe support and a pay elevate for lawmakers. Yesterday, GOP leaders and Trump advisers pushed Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to again out of the deal. Home Democrats stated they’re unwilling to again away.

Syrians and refugees on both aspect of the nation’s battle can go dwelling now that dictator Bashar al-Assad has been ousted. The nation is now accessible to journalists, permitting for a fuller take a look at it whereas in transition.

• 🎧 NPR’s Jane Arraf, who’s in Syria, says Damascus has drastically modified for the reason that fall of the Assad regime. Arraf traveled via Syria’s southern desert to the Rukban camp — a spot she’s tried to journey to for years. Individuals fleeing from ISIS thought they may cross via to Jordan there, however have been trapped. For 9 years, 7,000 folks have been reduce off. For the primary time, refugees in their very own nation have the chance to go dwelling and reunite with their households.

As we speak’s hear

Mariah Carey launched “All I Need For Christmas Is You” in 1994, but it surely took 25 years for the track to achieve the highest of Billboard‘s Scorching 100 pop chart. Since 2019, it has topped the chart every December for a complete of 16 weeks at No. 1 — to date.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photos

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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Photos

It is the time of 12 months when acquainted Christmas songs take excessive spots on the Billboard pop chart. The annual invasion options the present prime 5 songs from the Fifties and ’60s. When the No. 1 track, Mariah Carey’s “All I Need for Christmas Is You,” was launched in 1994 it did not take the highest spot. That occurred 25 years later. The highest 5 songs this week are predictable 12 months after 12 months, however a couple of newer songs are making a play to affix in on the annual vacation playlist. Study what modified since these songs have been launched and take heed to a number of the vacation music vying for prime spots.

Life recommendation

Annelise Capossela for NPR

As days get darker and colder, folks could expertise seasonal affective dysfunction, or SAD. Because the seasons change, chances are you’ll really feel sluggish, depressed or bored with doing the stuff you used to take pleasure in. You might also oversleep or overeat. Round 1 in 20 folks within the U.S. has SAD. Many extra folks have the winter blues, a milder model of SAD, the place you are feeling like a sadder, sleepier or slower model of your self. This is spot it and what you are able to do.

• ❄️ It may be laborious to acknowledge a sample of change as a result of signs can creep up on you, says Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a scientific professor of psychiatry at Georgetown College College of Drugs.
• ❄️ Not getting sufficient gentle is on the coronary heart of the dysfunction. A SAD lamp, which offers extra intense gentle than indoor lighting, is commonly really useful.
• ❄️ Find time for motion. You could really feel much less energetic when the seasons change, and that may flip right into a vicious cycle. Train is an environmental cue that helps sign your inner clock.

This is extra on why chances are you’ll really feel this manner and methods to really feel higher.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Teamsters Normal President Sean M. O’Brien, heart, rallies with Amazon employees exterior the Staten Island Amazon facility JFK8 on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in New York.

Stefan Jeremiah/AP

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Stefan Jeremiah/AP

1. 1000’s of Amazon employees have licensed a strike to start this morning, throughout a key buying interval, as they search higher pay, safer situations and longer breaks.
2. This week, the Home of Representatives handed a invoice to formally designate the bald eagle, a logo of the USA for hundreds of years, because the nation’s nationwide chook.
3. Have you ever ever been caught red-handed regifting throughout the holidays? If the reply is sure, NPR desires to listen to your tales. The extra embarrassing they’re, the higher.

This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.