NPR News Now: December 10, 2024, 3PM EST Summary

Released on December 10, 2024

1. International Affairs

Germany Freezes Asylum Processing for Syrian Nationals

In a significant policy shift, Germany has announced the suspension of asylum processing for Syrian citizens. Rob Schmitz from NPR reports that an official from Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees stated the decision was influenced by the "unclear and unpredictable political situation in Syria," rendering asylum decisions "on shaky ground" (01:02). This suspension impacts nearly 50,000 asylum applications from Syrian nationals in Germany. The country, home to over one million individuals of Syrian descent, faced a welcoming wave nearly a decade ago under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration. However, recent years have seen a marked decline in public and political support for immigration, prompting this drastic measure.

2. National News

Malibu Franklin Fire Prompts Mass Evacuations

A rapidly spreading wildfire, known as the Franklin Fire, has triggered widespread evacuation alerts across Southern California, particularly in Malibu. Lakshmi Singh reports that Sheriff Robert Luna conveyed the severity of the situation, noting that "approximately 18,000 people" are under evacuation alerts affecting "8,100 structures" (01:40). Specifically, out of these structures, 2,043 are under mandatory evacuation orders, while 6,046 face evacuation warnings (02:00). The fire has led to the closure of all Malibu schools as firefighters work to contain the blaze, the cause of which remains undetermined.

Future of Colorado River Conservation Funding in Question

Amidst ongoing environmental challenges, concerns loom over the future of water conservation programs in cities relying on the Colorado River. Alex Hager elaborates on the potential implications of a possible policy reversal under President-elect Donald Trump's administration (02:12). The Biden administration had allocated over $4 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act for water conservation and infrastructure upgrades in these regions. Hannah Holm from the conservation group American Rivers highlights the stakes, stating, “If that funding doesn't materialize, we just won't be able to adapt as well to the conditions we already have, let alone the conditions that are coming our way” (02:52). This funding has been instrumental in maintaining the nation's two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, by incentivizing reduced water usage and supporting cities in preparing for a drier future.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Suffers Minor Injury

In Capitol news, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell experienced a fall earlier today, resulting in a sprained wrist and a facial cut. Lakshmi Singh confirms that despite the injuries, McConnell is “back at work” (03:16), demonstrating resilience amidst a busy legislative schedule.

Exercise Linked to Enhanced Memory Performance

New research presented by Allison Aubrey underscores the cognitive benefits of physical activity. A study involving men and women aged 50 and older revealed that those who engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise exhibited improved memory test scores the following day (03:47). Michaela Bloomberg, the study's author, commented, “The improvements were modest, but the findings from the small study add to the evidence that a daily exercise habit can have a lot of different benefits” (04:08). Further insights from Alex Hager and Allison Aubrey indicate that regular physical activity not only boosts short-term memory but also contributes to long-term cognitive health by reducing the risk of strokes and dementia.

President-Elect Trump Criticizes Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau

In political developments, President-elect Donald Trump took to the social media platform Truth Social to criticize Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump referred to Trudeau as a “governor” and Canada as a “state,” signaling an intention to escalate trade tensions (04:28). He is advocating for increased tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, a move that has had immediate effects on the stock market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 13 points, the S&P dropping 11 points, and the NASDAQ decreasing by 74 points (04:28).

3. Health & Science

Physical Activity and Cognitive Function

Building on the earlier report about exercise enhancing memory, Allison Aubrey emphasizes that the benefits of physical activity extend beyond immediate cognitive improvements. Regular exercise is linked to a significant reduction in the likelihood of cognitive decline, with inactive individuals experiencing nearly twice the rate of memory deterioration compared to their active counterparts (04:12).

Conclusion

The December 10th episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing international and national issues, ranging from immigration policies in Germany and environmental crises in California to emerging research on health and the latest political maneuvers by President-elect Trump. By weaving together expert reports and timely updates, the episode delivered a nuanced understanding of the current global and domestic landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Rob Schmitz: "This means decisions on nearly 50,000 asylum applications by Syrian nationals in Germany are on hold until further notice." (01:02)

• Allison Aubrey: “If that funding doesn't materialize, we just won't be able to adapt as well to the conditions we already have, let alone the conditions that are coming our way.” (02:52)

• Michaela Bloomberg: “The improvements were modest, but the findings from the small study add to the evidence that a daily exercise habit can have a lot of different benefits.” (04:08)

• Allison Aubrey: "One study finds cognitive decline is nearly twice as common in people who are inactive." (04:12)

For full access to this episode and more, visit npr.org.