Loading summary
NPR Sponsor
This message comes from BetterHelp. BetterHelp is committed to making mental well being a priority and offering support in taking on everything life demands. With therapists available to communicate via video chat or phone@betterhelp.com news.
Dale Willman
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President elect Donald Trump caused some controversy when he said earlier this month he'll nominate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. To be his secretary of health and human Services. Kennedy has in the past taken a number of controversies positions on health issues. Now attention is being given to other Trump picks. NPR's Ping Huang tells us more about Trump's selection of Dr. Marty Makary as food and drug commissioner.
NPR Sponsor
He's published books criticizing the high cost of healthcare, medical errors, lack of transparency in medicine, and he's talked about some of those as a medical contributor on Fox News recently. Just in September, he joined Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. At a roundtable in Congress on health and nutrition where he criticized how food in the US is grown and processed.
Dale Willman
That's NPR's Ping Huang. President elect Donald Trump, meanwhile, has an ambitious economic agenda that includes big tariffs and tax cuts. One group could stand in his way, though, bond investors. NPR's Raphael Nam has that story.
Raphael Nam
Many investors in Wall street were excited when Trump was elected, not in bond markets, however, Trump's promise of sweeping tariffs would likely increase the cost of all kinds of imports, from shoes to phones, and that could lead to higher inflation. And he's also promising to cut taxes, which could make the country's fiscal deficits even bigger. Those concerns have led to a major sell off in bond markets, and that's not good news for regular Americans. All kinds of interest rates are influenced by the bond markets, from mortgages to car payments. So when bonds fall, those loans can become much more expensive. Raphael Nam, NPR News.
Dale Willman
President Biden participates in his final holiday turkey pardon at the White House later today. And as NPR's Amy Held tells us, the puns will fly at the 77th annual events.
NPR Sponsor
Political preening and Thanksgiving theater are once again on full display this year. It's a lame duck president pardoning the birds for nothing foul. They're picked by the chair of the National Turkey Federation. That's John Zimmerman, who tells Minnesota Public Radio he auditioned them on his farm using a podium. The pretty ones that don't ruffle feathers get a leg up. He picked the winner plus a backup bird to drive by minivan to DC Then they won't have to worry about winding up fresh or frozen winging their retirement. They'll live out their days at Farm America in Minnesota. Today's White House tradition dates back decades, ironically promoting the turkey industry with a poultry poultry pardon while tens of millions get gobbled up each turkey day. Amy Held, NPR News.
Dale Willman
As negotiators continue their efforts to reach a ceasefire in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The militant group fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles at central and northern Israel on Sunday. At least seven people were injured. It was one of Hezbollah's heaviest barrages in months. This is NPR News. Authorities in China are increasing their vigilance after a string of mass public attacks that have left dozens of people dead. NPR's John Ruich reports.
John Ruich
In the past couple of weeks, a a man who police said was upset about his divorce drove a car through a crowd, killing 35 people. And a college student stabbed eight people to death on campus when he failed to graduate. There have been other high profile incidents in recent months, too, raising concerns that so called revenge against society attacks are on the rise as the economy sputters. Several government agencies from the top on down have met to discuss public safety in recent days, though reports in state media don't mention the attacks specifically. The Ministry of Justice called for detailed investigations of conflicts linked to things like inheritance or wage arrears and marriages. In the city of Wuxi, where the deadly campus attack happened, Communist Party leaders called for better school safety and probes into social risks and hidden dangers. John Ruich, NPR News, Shanghai.
Dale Willman
Left center challenger Yamando Orsi has won Uruguay's runoff election for president this weekend. He quickly announced that his goal is to unite the entire country behind him. Orsi defeated Alvaro Delgado from the conservative union that has governed the country for the past five years. Almost 90% of eligible voters turned out for that election. It was a big weekend at North American box offices. The debut of Wicked and Gladiator 2 broke the fall doldrums with the combined $270 million in ticket sales. Wicked was the big winner, bringing in $164.2 million in global sales. And the sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 best picture, winning original, managed a haul of $55.5 million in domestic sales. I'm Dale Williams.
NPR Sponsor
This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial period@shopify.com NPR.
NPR News Now: November 25, 2024, 3 AM EST
Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [00:18]
President-elect Donald Trump has sparked controversy with his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Known for his contentious stances on various health issues, Kennedy's appointment has raised eyebrows among experts and the public alike. Additionally, Trump has nominated Dr. Marty Makary as the Food and Drug Commissioner, drawing attention due to Makary's critical views on the healthcare system.
Quote:
"He's published books criticizing the high cost of healthcare, medical errors, lack of transparency in medicine..."
— Dr. Marty Makary ([00:42])
Dr. Makary has been an outspoken critic of the current healthcare infrastructure, highlighting significant issues such as the escalating costs and frequent medical errors. His involvement in both academic and media spheres, including appearances on Fox News, positions him as a notable figure in Trump's administration.
Timestamp: [01:03]
President Trump’s ambitious economic plans, which include substantial tariffs and tax cuts, are encountering resistance from bond investors. These measures could potentially lead to increased import costs and higher inflation rates, as well as exacerbate the nation's fiscal deficits.
Quote:
"All kinds of interest rates are influenced by the bond markets, from mortgages to car payments. So when bonds fall, those loans can become much more expensive."
— Raphael Nam, NPR ([01:15])
The bond market's negative reaction reflects concerns over the long-term economic implications of Trump's policies. A sell-off in bond markets indicates rising interest rates, which could make borrowing more expensive for consumers and businesses alike, ultimately affecting everyday financial decisions.
Timestamp: [02:00]
As the holiday season approaches, President Biden is set to participate in his last annual turkey pardon ceremony at the White House. This longstanding tradition involves sparing a turkey from being slaughtered, a symbolic gesture that garners both amusement and critique.
Quote:
"They’re picked by the chair of the National Turkey Federation... The pretty ones that don't ruffle feathers get a leg up."
— John Zimmerman, National Turkey Federation ([02:11])
The selection process for the pardoned turkey involves evaluating various criteria to choose the most representative bird. Critics argue that the tradition ironically promotes the turkey industry while millions of turkeys are consumed each Thanksgiving.
Timestamp: [02:58]
Negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah are ongoing amidst a recent surge in hostilities. On Sunday, Hezbollah launched approximately 250 rockets and projectiles targeting central and northern Israel, resulting in at least seven injuries. This attack marks one of the group's most significant offensives in recent months, heightening tensions in the region.
Timestamp: [02:58 - 03:27]
China is increasing its security measures following a series of tragic public attacks that have resulted in dozens of fatalities. Recent incidents include a man driving a car into a crowd, killing 35 people, and a college student stabbing eight individuals on campus after academic failures.
Quote:
"The Ministry of Justice called for detailed investigations of conflicts linked to things like inheritance or wage arrears and marriages."
— John Ruich, NPR ([03:27])
In response to these violent acts, Chinese authorities are focusing on investigating underlying social conflicts and enhancing public safety protocols. Local leaders in cities like Wuxi are advocating for improved school security and addressing "hidden dangers" within communities to prevent future tragedies.
Timestamp: [04:13]
In a significant political shift, Yamando Orsi, a left-center challenger, has won Uruguay's presidential runoff election. With nearly 90% voter turnout, Orsi defeated Alvaro Delgado of the conservative Union, which has governed Uruguay for the past five years. Orsi has vowed to unify the nation and address pressing social and economic issues.
Timestamp: [04:13]
The North American box office experienced a robust weekend, breaking the fall doldrums with the release of highly anticipated films. "Wicked" emerged as the top performer, grossing $164.2 million globally, while "Gladiator 2," the sequel to Ridley Scott's acclaimed 2000 film, garnered $55.5 million in domestic sales.
This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key discussions and insights from NPR's "NPR News Now" episode aired on November 25, 2024. For full details and additional stories, listeners are encouraged to access the complete podcast episode.