NPR News: 01-07-2025 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – January 7, 2025

Release Date: January 7, 2025 | Host: Giles Snyder

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1. Peaceful Certification of Election Results Celebrated by Vice President Harris

In the early hours of January 7, 2025, Vice President Kamala Harris lauded the successful and peaceful certification of President Elect Donald Trump's victory in the November elections. Speaking to NPR News at [00:33], Harris emphasized the resilience of American democracy:

“I do believe very strongly that America's democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it. Every single person, their willingness to fight for and respect the importance of our democracy.”

Her remarks underscored the administration's commitment to upholding democratic processes amidst a polarized political climate.

2. Capitol Security Remains Tight as Tours Continue Without January 6 References

Giles Snyder highlighted the meticulous security measures implemented during the certification process, a direct response to the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021. NPR’s Barbara Sprunt provided context on the current state of Capitol tours:

“Footage of January 6, 2021, shows rioters trampling police as they broke through barricades, breaking into congressional offices and forcing lawmakers into hiding. But the official policy for tour guides showing the capitol to nearly 2 million tourists a year is not to mention any of that.”

Maryland Democrat J. Jamie Raskin, a member of the committee that investigated the January 6 attack, advocated for more transparency in these tours:

“The people who come here want to know about it. They want to know where it took place. They want to know where different police officers were injured and where people were hiding.” ([01:35])

However, Sprunt noted resistance to changing the current narrative, particularly from the Republican Party, which is currently led by incoming President Donald Trump.

3. President Biden Honors Victims of New Year's Truck Attack in New Orleans

President Biden addressed the nation from New Orleans, offering solace to the community devastated by a tragic New Year's truck attack that claimed 14 lives. Speaking at a cathedral in the historic French Quarter, Biden paid tribute to the victims and their families:

“[Biden] paid tribute to the victims of the New Year's truck attack that killed 14 people.”

After meeting with survivors and families, Biden and First Lady Jill Biden laid a bouquet of flowers at a makeshift memorial on Bourbon Street, reaffirming the administration's support and solidarity with the affected individuals.

4. Devastating Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Over 50 Dead

A powerful earthquake rocked the Tibet region, with Chinese state media reporting over 50 fatalities. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at a magnitude of 7.1, originating in the Himalayas approximately 50 miles north of Mount Everest. NPR’s John Ruich detailed the aftermath:

“Photos and videos online showed collapsed walls, rubble in streets and overturned... Shigatse is the site of a major Buddhist monastery that's the traditional home of the Panchen Lama, the second most important spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama.” ([02:38])

Ruich also noted discrepancies in the reported magnitude, with Chinese media citing a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. The city of Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest, bore the brunt of the destruction, affecting both civilian infrastructure and significant religious sites.

5. China Expands Insurance Coverage for Assisted Reproductive Services to Combat Declining Birth Rate

In a strategic move to address China’s declining birth rate, the Chinese government announced that assisted reproductive services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), would now be covered by insurance nationwide. NPR’s Owen Cao reported on the implications:

“Health authority said in the New Year message that over 1 million people have benefited from the assisted reproductive services last year since it has been covered by insurance.” ([03:34])

This policy shift comes in response to a national population decline for the second consecutive year in 2023, with the birth rate dropping to a record low of 6.39 births per 1,000 people. However, Cao pointed out ongoing restrictions:

“In China, the assisted reproductive services are only available to married couples. Single women seeking to have children through IVF are still excluded.” ([03:34])

These measures reflect China’s broader efforts to encourage population growth amidst economic and demographic challenges.

6. Biden Blocks Nippon Steel’s Acquisition of U.S. Steel, Legal Battle Ensues

President Biden’s recent decision to block Japan’s Nippon Steel from acquiring Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel in a nearly $15 billion deal has escalated into a legal confrontation. Both companies have initiated a lawsuit to overturn the administration’s move, alleging that the blockade was politically motivated. Additionally, former President Donald Trump has voiced his opposition to the deal, aligning with Biden’s stance.

Financial markets in Asia responded variably to the news. While Wall Street experienced a positive rally led by tech giant Nvidia, Asian markets showed mixed reactions:

• Japan, South Korea, and Australia: Benchmarks in these regions gained ground following the positive trends on Wall Street. ([04:10])

• Hong Kong: Shares in Hong Kong declined despite the broader regional gains. ([04:10])

The S&P 500 increased by 0.6%, and the NASDAQ rose by 1.2%, reflecting investor confidence in the equity markets in the wake of the global financial news.

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This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on January 7, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Vice President Kamala Harris says Monday was a good day for democracy. She spoke after overseeing Congress's peaceful certification of President Elect Donald Trump's victory in the November election.

[Kamala Harris]

I do believe very strongly that America's democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it. Every single person, their willingness to fight for and respect the importance of our democracy.

[Giles Snyder]

The formal process went off without a hitch. It was conducted under tight security because of what happened four years ago when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory. As NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports, no details of that day are included on official tours of the U.S. capitol.

[Barbara Sprunt]

Footage of January 6, 2021, shows rioters trampling police as they broke through barricades, breaking into congressional offices and forcing lawmakers into hiding. But the official policy for tour guides showing the capitol to nearly 2 million tourists a year is not to mention any of that. Maryland Democrat J. Jamie Raskin, who served on the committee investigating the attack, thinks that should change.

[J. Jamie Raskin]

The people who come here want to know about it. They want to know where it took place. They want to know where different police officers were injured and where people were hiding.

[Barbara Sprunt]

An official change seems unlikely. Trump isn't just a former president, but the incoming president and leader of the Republican Party, a party that largely doesn't want to revisit or relitigate what happened that day. Barbara Sprunt, NPR News, the Capitol President.

[Giles Snyder]

Biden has told New Orleans that it is not alone. Biden spoke Monday evening at a cathedral in the city's historic French Quarter, paying tribute to the victims of the New Year's truck attack that killed 14 people. Biden spoke at the prayer service after meeting with victim victims, family members and after he and First Lady Jill Biden laid a bouquet of flowers in front of a makeshift memorial on Bourbon Street. Chinese state media say more than 50 people are dead following a strong earthquake that struck the Tibet region region not far from Nepal. NPR's the U.S. geological Survey says the quake had a magnitude of 7.1. As NPR's John Ruich reports, the quake.

[John Ruich]

Struck a little after 9am local time, and USGS registered several substantial aftershocks. The epicenter was high in the Himalayas, some 50 miles north of Mount Everest. The earthquake rattled Tibet's second biggest city, Shigatse, the center of which is over 100 miles to the northeast. Photos and videos online showed collapsed walls, rubble in streets and overturned. Chinese media said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8. Shigatse is the site of a major Buddhist monastery that's the traditional home of the Panchen Lama, the second most important spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. John Ruich, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. The Chinese government recently announced that assisted reproductive services, including ivf, are now covered by insurance nationwide. It's part of broader effort to address the country's declining birth rate. As NPR's Owen Cao reports, the Chinese.

[Owen Cao]

Health authority said in the New Year message that over 1 million people have benefited from the assisted reproductive services last year since it has been covered by insurance. It comes at a time when China's population dropped for a second year in 2023 and hit a record low birth rate with 6.39 births per 1,000 people. But access remains restricted. In China, the assisted reproductive services are only available to married couples. Single women seeking to have children through IVF are still excluded. Alan Cao, NPR News, Beijing.

[Giles Snyder]

President Biden's decision to block Japan's Nippon Steel from acquiring Pittsburgh based US Steel in a nearly $15 billion deal is now in the hands of a federal appeals court. The companies have filed a lawsuit in an effort to overturn Biden's. It alleges Biden's decision to block the transaction on Friday was political. Incoming President Donald Trump also opposes the deal. The financial markets in Asia mostly higher in Tuesday trading, although shares down in Hong Kong. The benchmarks in Japan, south and Australia are gaining ground following Monday's rally on Wall street led by shares in Nvidia. The S&P 500 added 0.6 of a percent and the NASDAQ gained 1.2%. I'm Jael Snyder. This is NPR News.

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