NPR News: 12-08-2024 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 8, 2024, 1PM EST

Hosted by NPR

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1. President-Elect Donald Trump Upholds Tariff Strategies

Overview: In the early segment of today’s episode, host Norah Rahm reports on President-elect Donald Trump’s steadfast position regarding the imposition of tariffs on major trading partners—Canada, Mexico, and China. These tariffs, largely inherited from Trump’s initial presidency, have sparked debate among economists and consumers alike.

Key Points:

• Tariff Defense: Trump maintains that the tariffs are essential for America's economic and foreign policy objectives. Despite economic predictions, he asserts their long-term benefits.

  Donald Trump [00:38]: "I can't guarantee tomorrow."

• Economic Impact: The nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimates that the tariffs have already cost American consumers approximately $80 billion. Trump, however, claims the impact on consumers has been negligible.

  Donald Trump [00:49]: "They cost the consumer nothing."

• Foreign Policy Tool: Trump emphasized the role of tariffs in resolving international conflicts, though he did not provide specific instances where tariffs have successfully averted wars.

  Donald Trump [01:02]: "I have stopped wars with tariffs."

Attribution: Reporting by NPR’s Luke Garrett from Washington.

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2. Historic Shift in Syria as Rebels Seize Damascus

Overview: A momentous development in the Syrian civil war has unfolded as rebel factions have captured Damascus, marking a significant turn after over 13 years of conflict. This advancement has galvanized Syrian nationals and displaced individuals seeking to return home.

Key Points:

• Crowded Celebrations: Jawed Rizala describes jubilant scenes at the Damascus border crossing, with crowds waving revolutionary flags and expressing widespread excitement.

  Jawed Rizala [01:43]: "Everyone is excited."

• UN’s Role in Transitional Governance: U.N. Special Envoy Gare Pedersen views this as a pivotal opportunity to establish an inclusive government, encouraging dialogue among diverse Syrian factions, including groups previously designated as terrorist organizations by the UN.

  Gare Pedersen [02:17]: "It's time for everyone to prioritize dialogue."

• International Response: The White House anticipates remarks from President Biden concerning these developments, while local tensions continue as various international incidents unfold.

Attribution: Reports by NPR’s Jawed Rizala from Lebanon and Michelle Kellerman from Tel Aviv.

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3. Global Headlines

a. South Korea’s President Faces Treason Inquiry

Overview: In South Korea, President Yoon Sung Yeol is under investigation for treason following his recent declaration of martial law. Although a motion to impeach him failed yesterday, opposition parties are preparing to renew their efforts this week.

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b. Tragic Explosion in The Hague Claims Lives

Overview: A devastating explosion and subsequent fire in an apartment building in The Hague resulted in at least five fatalities and five injuries. Emergency services continue to search the rubble, with the cause of the incident yet to be determined.

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c. Ghana’s Vice President Concedes Presidential Race

Overview: Ghana’s Vice President, Muhammadu Bawumiya of the National Patriotic Party, conceded defeat to John Muhammad in yesterday’s presidential election. The concession was made prior to the official release of results, aiming to ensure a peaceful transition amidst reports of unrest during the vote count.

Key Points:

• Election Results: Bawumiya cited polling station data indicating a decisive victory for Muhammad.

  Emmanuel Akinwotu [03:46]: "Baumiya said data collected at polling stations showed Muhammad won decisively."

• Context: The outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo, who has been in office since 2016, faced significant challenges, including economic turmoil exacerbated by the pandemic and allegations of corruption.

Attribution: Reporting by NPR’s Emmanuel Akinwotu from Lagos.

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4. Kennedy Center Honors Celebrates Artistic Icons

Overview: Tonight’s Kennedy Center Honors in Washington will spotlight lifetime achievements in the arts, recognizing influential figures across various disciplines.

Honorees Include:

• Francis Ford Coppola: Celebrated for his monumental contributions to film directing.
• The Grateful Dead: Honored for their enduring impact on music and culture.
• Bonnie Wright: Recognized for her achievements in singer-songwriter endeavors.
• Apollo Theater: Acknowledged for its pivotal role in promoting generations of Black artists.

Attribution: Reported by Norah Rahm from Washington.

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Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to provide a focused overview of the key news discussed in the episode.

Transcript

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[Norah Rahm]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Norah Rahm. President elect Donald Trump is standing by his calls for a tariff hike on America's top trading partners, Canada, Mexico and China. Economists say this will increase prices for American consumers. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. Many of Trump's tariffs from his first presidency remain.

[Donald Trump]

During an interview with NBC News, President Elect Trump defended his tariff proposals but stopped short of promising that all consumers won't see a jump in prices.

I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow.

The nonpartisan Tax foundation estimates that tariffs from Trump's first term cost Americans $80 billion. The President elect said they cost the consumer, quote, nothing and promised also use tariffs for foreign policy reasons.

They also solve another problem. If we were going to have problems having to do with wars and having to do with other things, tariffs, I have stopped wars with tariffs.

Trump did not provide an example of when he stopped war with tariffs. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Norah Rahm]

Crowds gathered in the Syrian capital Damascus today to celebrate the collapse of the government of Bashar al Assad. The rebels took control of the city Today, less than two weeks after launching a major offensive after more than 13 years of civil war. It's estimated that more than a million Syrians fled the war into Lebanon. Now many of them are trying to go home. NPR's Jawed Rizala reports from a border crossing in Lebanon.

[Jawed Rizala]

The road to Syria, once we reach close now to the border crossing, is full with traffic, cars with Syrian revolutionary flags, people cheering people on the sides of the road, cheering them on as well. Everyone is excited.

[Norah Rahm]

NPR's Jawed Rizlala, the United nations special envoy for Syria, calls this a watershed moment. The UN Is now calling for talks on building an inclusive government in Syria. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.

[Michelle Kellerman]

U.N. envoy Gare Pedersen says a dark chapter left deep scars in Syria, but he's now looking forward with, quote, cautious hope for a new chapter to begin. Pederson has been trying for years to negotiate a transitional government in Syria, Syria and now may have a real chance at that with Assad out of the way. The lead rebel group, though, is a UN designated terrorist organization. Pedersen says he's heard from armed groups and Syrian activists alike that they're willing to protect state institutions against retribution and harm. He says it's time for everyone to prioritize dialogue. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Norah Rahm]

The White House says President Biden will shortly deliver remarks on the latest developments in Syria. In South Korea, prosecutors are investigating investigating President Yoon Sung Yeol for treason after he declared martial law last week. A motion to impeach him failed yesterday, but the opposition says it will try again this week. This is NPR News. In the Hague, workers are still searching through rubble in an apartment block after an early morning explosion and fire yesterday. At least five people were killed and five others were injured. The cause has not yet been determined. Ghana's vice president has conceded defeat in yesterday's presidential election and congratulated former President John Muhammad on his victory. The early concession came before official results were released. NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu reports.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Vice President Muhammadu Bawumiya from the ruling National Patriotic Party conceded to his main opponent, John Muhammad, in a press conference on Sunday morning. Baumia said data collected at polling stations showed Muhammad won decisively. Baumiya said he conceded early to make sure of a peaceful transfer of power. Before his concession, unrest had been reported at many local constituency centers, where results from polling stations were collated. Mahama will succeed outgoing President Nana Akufuado, who was elected with mass approval in 2016. But in the wake of the pandemic, he has overseen Ghana's worst economic crisis in decades and allegations of corruption and poor governance. Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

[Norah Rahm]

The Kennedy center holds Honors celebration will be held tonight at the Kennedy center in Washington. Winners for lifetime achievement in the arts this year include director Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead and singer songwriter Bonnie Wright. The Apollo Theater in Harlem is also being honored tonight for its role in promoting generations of black artists. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News, in Washington.

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