NPR News: 12-09-2024 4AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 9, 2024

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: December 9, 2024
Duration: 4 minutes, 58 seconds

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Israel Strikes Suspected Chemical Weapon Sites in Syria

[00:19] In a significant military action, Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, announced that Israel has targeted suspected chemical weapon sites and long-range rocket positions in Syria. Saar stated, “The only interest the country has is in the security of Israel and its citizens” (00:19). These strikes aim to prevent hostile groups from acquiring dangerous weapons. Concurrently, the US Military conducted airstrikes against Islamic State camps and operatives in central Syria (00:19), amidst escalating tensions as former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and his family relocated to Moscow overnight due to advancing rebel forces near Damascus.

From the White House, President Joe Biden commented on Assad's departure, deeming it a positive development: “The departure of Assad was a good thing” (00:59).

Donald Trump's Reaction

In a separate development, President-elect Donald Trump lauded the fall of Assad’s regime, declaring, “At long last, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long suffering people of Syria” (00:59).

US Tariff Hike Proposal Faces Economic Scrutiny

[01:19] Donald Trump remains steadfast in his proposal to increase tariffs on America's primary trading partners—Canada, Mexico, and China—despite warnings from economists about potential price hikes for American consumers. In an interview with NBC News, Trump defended his tariff plans but refrained from assuring that consumers would remain unaffected: “I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow” (01:41).

NPR’s Luke Garrett highlights the economic implications, noting that the nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimates tariffs from Trump’s first term already cost Americans $80 billion. Trump countered these concerns by stating tariffs address broader issues: “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” (01:56). However, Garrett pointed out that Trump did not provide specific instances where tariffs have successfully halted wars (02:05).

China's Inflation Rates Drop to Five-Month Low

[02:12] China has reported a significant decrease in consumer price inflation, reaching a five-month low in November according to government statistics. Despite the Chinese government's recent initiatives to stimulate economic growth, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) only rose by 0.2% compared to the previous year, slightly below October’s figures and short of economists' predictions (02:27).

John Ruich of NPR explains that while food prices contributed to inflation, other sectors saw price declines, including home appliances and rent. Additionally, the Producer Price Index (PPI) fell by 2.5% in November, marking the 26th consecutive month of deflation for factory prices. The Chinese government’s efforts, including a $1.4 trillion debt package in November aimed at relieving local government financial pressures, appear to have had limited success thus far (02:27).

Notre Dame Cathedral Holds First Mass Post-Fire

[03:14] In a momentous event, a Mass was celebrated at Paris Notre Dame Cathedral on Sunday, marking the first service since the devastating fire in 2019. Eleanor Beardsley reports that the Archbishop of Paris led a purification rite, involving the sprinkling of holy water on the congregation with pine branches (03:32). The ceremony was attended by over 200 bishops and priests, along with President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.

The cathedral, now restored and brighter than ever, boasts gleaming blond stone, vibrant stained glass windows, and magnificent golden chandeliers. The official reopening on Saturday night was a grand affair, witnessed by 50 world leaders and heads of state. Notre Dame is now hosting a public Mass every second Sunday, symbolizing a new chapter for the historic landmark (03:32).

Europe Faces Record-Breaking Heat Amidst Escalating Climate Change

[04:14] A recent report from the European Climate Service Copernicus warns that 2024 is on track to be the first calendar year with an average temperature exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, likely making it the hottest year ever recorded. The primary driver of this alarming trend is the continued burning of fossil fuels (04:14).

Taylor Swift Concludes ERAS Tour with Historic Achievements

[04:14] In the realm of entertainment, global pop sensation Taylor Swift has wrapped up her highly acclaimed ERAS Tour, which spanned over 150 concerts across five continents in two years. The tour not only broke sales and attendance records but also set new standards for live performances. Swift's dedication provided a significant source of joy for her dedicated fanbase, known as Swifties. Her efforts have not only cemented her legacy in the music industry but also created a lasting impact on her fans worldwide (04:14).

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Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Israel's foreign minister says it has hit suspected chemical weapon sites and long range rockets in Syria is he said the attacks were launched to keep the weapons from falling into the hands of hostile groups. Gideon Saar said the only interest the country has is in the security of Israel and its citizens. The US Military, meanwhile, launched airstrikes against Islamic State camps and operatives in central Syria on Sunday. The attacks came as ousted Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and his family turned up in Moscow after leaving Syria overnight as rebel forces closed in on the country's capital. Speaking from the White House, President Joe Biden said the departure of Assad was a good thing.

[Donald Trump]

At long last, the Assad regime has fallen. This regime brutalized and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long suffering people of Syria.

[Dale Willman]

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 has more.

[Luke Garrett]

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.

[Donald Trump]

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

[Luke Garrett]

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 to also use tariffs for foreign policy reasons.

[Donald Trump]

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.

[Luke Garrett]

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

[Dale Willman]

Consumer price inflation hit a five month low in China in November. That's according to government statistics there. That's despite a number of fresh steps by the government to support economic growth there. NPR's John Ruich has more on our story.

[John Ruich]

The consumer price index rose by just 0.2% last month compared with the same month in 2023. It came in a touch slower than in October and missed economists expectations. Food drove inflation in November, while prices fell for many other things, including home appliances and rent. Meanwhile The Producer Price Index, a measure of factory gate inflation, dropped by 2.5% in November. That marks the 26th consecutive month of deflation for factory prices. The government has been taking incremental steps to try to shore up the economy, including a $1.4 trillion debt package in November to ease the crushing burden on local government finances. But the latest inflation data shows that so far the measures appear to have had limited effects. John Ruic, NPR News, Shanghai.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. Mass was celebrated at Paris Notre Dame Cathedral on Sunday. It was the first Mass since a fire in 2019 that gutted the church. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

The archbishop of Paris conducted a purification rite during Mass, dipping pine branches in holy water and sprinkling the congregation as he walked through the church. He was joined by more than 200 bishops and priests from all over France, as well as President Emmanuel Macron and first Lady Brigitte Macron. The cathedral has not only been restored, it's been freed from centuries of grime and now gleams with its blond stone, vivid stained glass windows and dazzling golden chandeliers. The cathedral officially reopened Saturday night in a ceremony attended by 50 world leaders and heads of state. Notre Dame is holding a second Sunday Mass for the public. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Dale Willman]

A report just released in Europe says climate change continues to get worse. The European Climate Service Copernicus says 2024 is expected to be the first calendar year in which the average temperature was more than 1.5 degrees above pre industrial times. It's also expected to be the hottest year ever measured. The main driver of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels. Taylor Swift is looking for a new job. The international pop star's ERAS tour has finally ended after more than 150 concerts on five continents over two years, she's shattered sales and attendance records and set a new standard for concert performances. But perhaps most of all, she created a beacon of joy for her fans, who are known collectively as Swifties. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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