NPR News: 09-20-2024 10PM EDT
Digest
The podcast begins with a message from the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation, highlighting their online form for requesting absentee ballots. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigned in Madison, Wisconsin, emphasizing her focus on winning the battleground state and urging voters to reject Trump's plans. Trump faced criticism from Jewish groups for his statements about Jews and Israel in a speech to the Israeli-American Council. He repeated claims about Israel's future and criticized those supporting Harris. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalated with an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, killing a senior Hezbollah leader and at least 13 others. The Federal Trade Commission is suing three major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for allegedly engaging in anti-competitive practices that artificially raised insulin prices. The FTC claims PBMs favor higher-priced drugs to maximize their fees, potentially harming patients. A trial over a South Dakota ballot measure on abortion rights has been delayed until after the November election due to scheduling issues. The case involves a lawsuit challenging the validity of the petition process. Global coffee prices are increasing due to unusually hot and dry weather in Brazil and Vietnam, the world's top two coffee producers. Both countries are experiencing severe droughts, leading to potential supply shortages.
Outlines
U.S. Elections and International News
This podcast covers a range of news stories, including Kamala Harris's campaign in Wisconsin, Trump's remarks on Jews and Israel, the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the FTC's lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers over insulin prices, and the delay of a South Dakota abortion ballot measure trial.
Kamala Harris Campaigns in Wisconsin
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigned in Madison, Wisconsin, emphasizing her focus on winning the battleground state and urging voters to reject Trump's plans. She highlighted her campaign theme of moving forward and noted the importance of absentee ballots in the state.
International News and Controversies
Trump faced criticism from Jewish groups for his statements about Jews and Israel in a speech to the Israeli-American Council. He repeated claims about Israel's future and criticized those supporting Harris. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict escalated with an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, killing a senior Hezbollah leader and at least 13 others.
Domestic Issues and Global Trends
The Federal Trade Commission is suing three major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for allegedly engaging in anti-competitive practices that artificially raised insulin prices. The FTC claims PBMs favor higher-priced drugs to maximize their fees, potentially harming patients. A trial over a South Dakota ballot measure on abortion rights has been delayed until after the November election due to scheduling issues. The case involves a lawsuit challenging the validity of the petition process. Global coffee prices are increasing due to unusually hot and dry weather in Brazil and Vietnam, the world's top two coffee producers. Both countries are experiencing severe droughts, leading to potential supply shortages.
Keywords
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
Entities that act as intermediaries between insurance companies and pharmacies, negotiating drug prices and managing prescription drug benefits. They have been criticized for their role in rising drug costs.
Anti-competitive Practices
Actions by companies that restrict competition in a market, such as price fixing, market allocation, or predatory pricing. The FTC is alleging that PBMs engaged in such practices to inflate insulin prices.
Absentee Ballots
Ballots that are cast by voters who are unable to vote in person on Election Day, typically due to illness, disability, or being away from their home precinct. They are often used by voters living abroad or those who are unable to vote in person.
Battleground State
A state in a U.S. presidential election that is considered to be closely contested and could potentially swing the outcome of the election. Wisconsin is considered a battleground state due to its close results in recent elections.
Israeli-American Council
A non-profit organization that advocates for the interests of Israeli-Americans in the United States. It aims to promote understanding and cooperation between Israel and the United States.
Hezbollah
A Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group that has been involved in armed conflict with Israel since the 1980s. It is considered a terrorist organization by some countries.
South Dakota Abortion Ballot Measure
A proposed ballot measure in South Dakota that would have restricted access to abortion. The trial over the measure's validity has been delayed until after the November election.
Global Coffee Prices
The prices of coffee beans on the global market, which have been rising due to droughts in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam.
Q&A
What is the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation and how does it help U.S. citizens living abroad?
The Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides resources and assistance to U.S. citizens living abroad who wish to vote in U.S. elections. They offer an online form that helps voters request their ballots.
What are the main points of Kamala Harris's campaign in Wisconsin?
Harris emphasized her focus on winning the battleground state of Wisconsin, urging voters to reject Trump's plans and highlighting her campaign theme of moving forward. She also noted the importance of absentee ballots in the state.
What are the allegations against pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the FTC lawsuit?
The FTC alleges that PBMs engage in anti-competitive practices that artificially raise insulin prices. They claim PBMs favor higher-priced drugs to maximize their fees, potentially harming patients.
What is the current status of the South Dakota abortion ballot measure trial?
The trial has been delayed until after the November election due to scheduling issues. The case involves a lawsuit challenging the validity of the petition process for the ballot measure.
What is causing the rise in world coffee prices?
Unusually hot and dry weather in Brazil and Vietnam, the world's top two coffee producers, is leading to potential supply shortages and driving up global coffee prices. Both countries are experiencing severe droughts.
Show Notes
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