NPR News: 12-13-2024 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 13, 2024, 10AM EST

NPR's "News Now" delivers the latest headlines in a concise, five-minute update. This episode covers significant developments in international politics, U.S. affairs, the economy, social issues, and natural disasters.

---

International Politics: Shifting Dynamics in Syria and Iran

President Biden's G7 Virtual Meeting on Syria
At the outset, Washington’s President Joe Biden is convening a virtual meeting with leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations to address the evolving situation in Syria. The focus is on the recent overthrow of former dictator Bashar al-Assad by anti-government rebels and the prospects for establishing a transitional Syrian government.

Changing Iran-Syria Relations
NPR's Jackie Northam provides an insightful analysis of the altered relationship between Iran and Syria.

"Syria allowed Iran to set up a critical land bridge to Lebanon, a corridor to funnel weapons to Hezbollah for many years... Now that the anti-government rebels control Syria, that strategic route to Lebanon is really most likely off limits to Iran."
(00:50) Northam explains that this shift hampers Iran's ability to support its proxy militants in Lebanon, potentially impacting regional stability.

Secretary Blinken's Diplomatic Efforts
In related developments, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made an unannounced visit to Iraq. His mission involves discussions with Middle Eastern officials aimed at stabilizing the turmoil in Syria.

"Secretary Blinken is actively engaging with key stakeholders to navigate the complexities of the Syrian conflict and its broader implications for the region."
(01:13) This visit follows his recent stops in Turkey and on Capitol Hill, signaling a strategic push for diplomatic solutions.

---

U.S. Politics: Senate Questions Over RFK Jr.'s Nomination

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Nomination Controversy
In U.S. domestic politics, questions persist in the Senate regarding President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). NPR's Luke Garrett reports on Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski's upcoming meeting with Kennedy.

"I am from a state where vaccines have saved whole villages and so I want to talk to him about the issue of vaccines."
(01:39) Senator Murkowski, representing Alaska, expresses her intent to discuss vaccines, reflecting the broader debate over Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance.

Kennedy's Political Background and Controversies
Kennedy, who previously ran for president as an independent, has been a polarizing figure due to his promotion of anti-vaccine messages and conspiracy theories. Despite dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Trump, his nomination to HHS has raised eyebrows.

"Beyond vaccines, I also want to hear his ideas about pesticide use and nutrition."
(02:09) Murkowski also seeks insights into Kennedy's opinions on broader public health issues, including food safety and nutrition.

---

Business and Economy: Mixed Signals in the Stock Market

Stock Market Opens Mixed Amid Corporate Forecasts
The stock market opened with a mixed sentiment today, influenced by varied corporate earnings and forecasts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a slight decline of approximately 35 points in early trading. NPR's Scott Horsley delves into the specifics:

"Stock in Broadcom rose after the computer chip company reported better than expected financial results... Restoration Hardware is projecting double-digit sales growth in the fourth quarter despite a slumping housing market."
(02:22) Broadcom’s optimistic outlook is buoyed by the rising demand for artificial intelligence technologies, while Restoration Hardware defies market trends with robust sales projections.

Freddie Mac and Chinese Market Movements
Additionally, Freddie Mac announced a minor decrease in mortgage rates to an average of 6.6%, which has implications for the housing sector. On the international front, Chinese stock indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong fell by about 2% overnight following a meeting where policymakers made vague commitments to increase government spending to support the economy.

"Chinese policymakers wrapped up a meeting this week with vague promises to increase government spending to support the world's second-largest economy."
(02:32) This uncertainty has led to a cautious atmosphere among investors globally.

---

Conflict: Escalation in Ukraine

Russian Missile and Drone Attacks on Ukraine
In a concerning development, Ukraine has reported significant missile and drone strikes by Russian forces. President of Ukraine announced:

"Russia fired nearly 100 missiles and at least 200 drones into my country."
(03:13) The attacks have predominantly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, exacerbating the ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges.

---

Social Issues: Landmark Rulings on Same-Sex Marriage in Japan

Japanese Courts Rule Against Same-Sex Marriage Bans
In a progressive turn for LGBTQ+ rights, a Japanese court has declared the country's refusal to legally recognize same-sex marriage unconstitutional. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports on the Fukuoka High Court's landmark decision:

"The civil law's lack of recognition of same-sex marriage violates constitutional rights to the pursuit of happiness, equality under the law, and equality of the sexes."
(03:50) This is the third such ruling this year, intensifying the pressure on the Japanese government to amend its stance, despite opposition from the conservative ruling party.

Government Response and Public Opinion
The government, represented by Chief Spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi, stated intentions to monitor ongoing and future cases while considering public opinion, which largely favors legalizing same-sex marriage. However, the conservative party remains hesitant to dismantle the existing ban.

---

Natural Disasters: Cyclone Threatens Eastern Africa

Approaching Tropical Cyclone in Mozambique and Madagascar
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center has issued alerts about a powerful tropical cyclone nearing the northern tip of Madagascar. With sustained winds reaching nearly 120 miles per hour, the cyclone is projected to make landfall in Mozambique by the weekend’s end.

"The United Nations estimates some 1.7 million people in Mozambique are in the path of the cyclone."
(04:31) The impending storm poses significant risks to Eastern Africa, necessitating urgent preparedness and response measures to mitigate its impact.

---

Timestamps:

• 00:50 - Jackie Northam on Iran-Syria relations
• 01:13 - Korva Coleman on Secretary Blinken’s visit
• 01:39 - Lisa Murkowski on meeting RFK Jr.
• 02:09 - Murkowski on broader health discussions
• 02:22 - Scott Horsley on stock market
• 02:32 - Scott Horsley on Freddie Mac and Chinese markets
• 03:13 - Korva Coleman on Ukraine attacks
• 03:50 - Anthony Kuhn on Japanese court ruling
• 04:31 - Korva Coleman on upcoming cyclone

---

This summary encapsulates the key news segments from NPR News Now's December 13, 2024, episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who missed the broadcast.

Transcript

[Lisa]

This message is brought to you by Lisa in collaboration with West Elm. Discover the new natural hybrid mattress, expertly crafted from natural latex and certified safe foams, designed with your health and the planet in mind. Visit leesa.com to learn more.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korova Coleman. President Biden is holding a virtual meeting today with other leaders from Group of Seven nations. They'll discuss the fluid situation in Syria. Anti government rebels toppled former dictator Bash days ago. They say they'll create a transitional Syrian government. Assad was propped up in power with help from Iran. Officials in Iran used Syria to get material to its proxy militants in Lebanon. NPR's Jackie Northam says the relationship between Iran and Syria has now changed.

[Jackie Northam]

Syria allowed Iran to set up a critical land bridge to Lebanon, so a corridor to Lebanon so it could funnel weapons to Hezbollah for many years. You know, this was crucial to get fighters weapons going both ways actually. But now that the anti government rebels control Syria, that strategic route to Lebanon is really most likely off limits to Iran.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Jackie Northam reporting. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made an unannounced visit to Iraq. He's visiting officials in Mideast countries to discuss stabilizing the situation in Syria. He was previously in Turkey on Capitol Hill. Questions remain in the Senate a month after President elect Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. To lead the Department of Health and Human Services. NPR's Luke Garrett has more.

[Luke Garrett]

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska tells NPR she is meeting with RFK Jr next week.

[Lisa Murkowski]

I am from a state where vaccines have saved whole villages and so I want to talk to him about the issue of vaccines.

[Luke Garrett]

RFK Jr. Ran for president as an independent and spread anti vaccine messages and conspiracies. Kennedy dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump. Murkowski says beyond vaccines, she also wants to hear his ideas about pesticide use and nutrition.

[Lisa Murkowski]

I'm curious to talk to him about some of the food issues as well, so it should be a great conversation.

[Luke Garrett]

Kennedy has been highly critical of big food and pharmaceutical industries. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Stocks opened mixed this morning after some upbeat corporate forecasts. NPR Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average slipped about 35 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

Stock in Broadcom rose after the computer chip company reported better than expected financial results. Broadcom also projected positive results in the future thanks to demand for artificial intelligence. The home furnishing store rh, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, is projecting double digit sales growth in the fourth quarter despite a slumping housing market Freddie Mac says mortgage rates did inch down this week to an average of 6.6%. Chinese policymakers wrapped up a meeting this week with vague promises to increase government spending to support the world's second largest economy. Stock indexes in both Shanghai and Hong Kong fell about 2% overnight. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, the Dow is now down nearly 40 points. This is NPR. Ukraine says it has been hit by scores of Russian missiles and drones. Writing online, Ukraine's president says Russia fired nearly 100 missiles and at least 200 drones into his country. Ukraine's energy minister says Russia targeted energy infrastructure sites. A Japanese court has ruled that the country's refusal to legally recognize same sex marriage is unconstitutional. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports. It's the third such ruling in the country this year, and it increases pressure on the Japanese government to change its stance.

[Anthony Kuhn]

The Fukuoka High Court ruled that the civil law's lack of recognition of same sex marriage violates constitutional rights to the pursuit of happiness, equality under the law and equality of the sexes. Since 2019, eight court rulings have found the ban unconstitutional. One has found it constitutional. All of the courts have rejected plaintiffs demands for damages. The government's chief spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said after the ruling that the government will continue to monitor similar pending cases and public opinion. Opinion polls show most Japanese favor legalizing same sex marriage, but the conservative ruling party has been reluctant to scrap the ban. Anthony Kun, NPR News, Seoul.

[Korva Coleman]

The Joint Typhoon Warning center says a powerful tropical cyclone is brushing the northern tip of Madagascar. Its top sustained winds are nearly 120 miles per hour. The cyclone is expected to make landfall in the eastern African nation of Mozambique by the end of the weekend. The United nations estimates some 1.7 million people in Mozambique are in the path of the cyclone. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[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 [e-mail] NPR.