The latest comes from German news magazine that says NSA has a team of lead hackers who intercept computer delivers and “get the ungettable”. The magazine bases story on documents leaked by former government contractor Edward Snowden. Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, former CIA and NSA director Michael Hayden says Snowden’s leaks have made the NSA “infinitely weaker”. He then defended one surveillance program in question. 

 

Our history as a people demanded what we be alarmed, what we be concerned about this. But our concerns should be governed on the facts of the case and not the emotion of the case.

 

And the fact, he says, is that the phone data collected by NSA is hardly touched and only used when there is a reasonable suspension that is associated with terrorism. Nathan Rott, NPR News.

 

In Russia, South City of Volgograd a suicide bomber detonated an explosive at a busy train station today, killing at least 16 people. The bomber struck as millions of Russians are traveling to celebrate the New Year. This is the second suicide bombing in Volgograd in two months. No one is claimed responsibility but the attack comes several months after Chechnya separatist leader called for new attacks on civilian targets.

 

Iranian officials meet in Geneva tomorrow with the negotiators from the US, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. As Teri Schultz reports they will try to advance the landmark deal to Iran made in November to scale back its nuclear programs. 

 

Though Iran agreed in last month to suspend its most sensitive nuclear activities for six months and exchange for some relief in western sanctions, technical talks on practical details “are moving slowly”. This will be the third meeting between the experts from the so-called P5+1 nations and Iran focus on setting up a framework and timeline for implementing the deal hopes to eventually lead to a longer term accord.  One round was suspended by the Iranian side because the US blacklisted 19 Iranian companies and individuals during the negotiations. Teheran said that violated the spirit of agreement. Negotiators will discuss Monday when the deal will take affect and how to verify whether Iran has stopped the activities before sanctions are lifted. For NPR News, I am Teri Schultz in Brussels.

 

Libya is defending the brief detention Friday of four US military personal. The Libyan government says the Americans were stopped after part of their convey sped through a checkpoint in western Libya and were taken into custody when they were found being carrying weapons. They were released several hours later. The US says the Americans were apparently scoping out potential evacuation routes for US diplomats in Tripoli to use. 

 

This is NPR.

 

Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is hospitalized in critical condition after a skiing accident in the French Alps. Hospital officials in Grenoble say Schumacher arrived in a coma after sustaining a serious head trauma and underwent a brain surgery. 

 

Flu activity is increasing across this country especially in the South-Central US. NPR’s Jim Hawk reports federal health officials now report widespread activity in ten states. 

 

In its latest weekly report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the cases of influenza are now turned the widespread in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Wyoming and Alaska. This is an increase from just four states reporting widespread activity the week before. 23 more states are reporting regional flu outbreaks. Only the southwestern US has managed to escape the worst of this year’s flu season so far. The predominate strain people are suffering from as the H1N1 virus which is actually good news because this year’s flu vaccine protest against it. Jim Hawk, NPR News. 

 

In New York City’s Time Square in New Year’s Eve Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will leave the final 60-second countdown to 2014.  The Bronx native will push the ceremonial button starting to descend the giant crystal ball. Tim Tomkins is one of the coordinators of the event. 

 

You know there are sometimes when we go with the most significant person in pop culture but there are other times when we pick someone who is inspirational and aspirational because that matches some the deeper themes of New Year’s Eve as well.

 

Once again organizers are expected a million people to crowd into the Time Square for the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration.