NPR News Now: December 26, 2024, 7 PM EST
Hosted by NPR, "NPR News Now" delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. Below is a detailed summary of the December 26, 2024, episode.
1. Japanese Automakers Prepare for Potential US Tariffs
Reporter: Anthony Kuhn
Timestamp: [00:31]
As the Trump administration prepares to implement new trade policies, Japanese automobile manufacturers are bracing for possible tariffs on their exports to the United States. Toyota has announced a significant gesture by pledging to donate $1 million to President-elect Trump's inauguration — a first-time contribution from the company to a US Presidential inauguration. This announcement followed similar moves by Ford and General Motors (GM).
Toyota's Response: "Toyota plans to donate a million dollars to President Elect Trump's inauguration," Kuhn reports. This strategic donation comes amidst Trump's proposal of a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico, a key location where Toyota manufactures pickup trucks for the US market.
Analysts suggest that Trump might exempt car exporters who relocate production to the US, potentially mitigating the impact of these tariffs. Additionally, there is speculation that tariffs could be retracted if they lead to significant domestic inflation. The situation also poses risks for Japan, which could grapple with the repercussions of a potential US-China trade war, given China is Japan's main trading partner.
2. Turkey's Action Plan to Rebuild Syria's Infrastructure
Reporter: Fat Matanis
Timestamp: [01:15]
In a significant development for the war-torn region, Turkey has unveiled an action plan aimed at repairing and rebuilding Syria's infrastructure. The Turkish transportation minister highlighted the extensive damage to Syria's airports, bridges, railways, and roads.
Key Findings from Inspections: "A Turkish team recently went to inspect Syria's five airports and found only two of them, the ones in Damascus and Aleppo, were operational, but both needed significant upgrades," reported Matanis. The inspection team discovered critical deficiencies, including the absence of radar systems — with Syrian airport staff resorting to using radar applications on cell phones to manage flights. Additionally, outdated computer systems from the 1990s, lack of metal detectors, and deteriorating runways were among the pressing issues.
The transportation minister emphasized that comprehensive reconstruction is essential for Syria to recover and rebuild from the ground up.
3. Holiday Reflections: Pope Francis and Notre Dame's Christmas Celebration
Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [02:12]
In his traditional Christmas message, Pope Francis called for global unity and peace. He encouraged individuals to "find the courage to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions that plague the world."
Additionally, today marks the commencement of the 2025 holy celebration, with pilgrims gathering early to walk through the holy door at the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica.
In a heartwarming event, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted its first Christmas service since the devastating fire in 2019. Thousands of attendees filled the cathedral, expressing awe at the restoration and renovation efforts that have revitalized the centuries-old landmark.
"Merry Christmas," extended Anthony Kuhn and Jeanine Herbst further highlighted the restored beauty and significance of Notre Dame as a beacon of faith and resilience.
4. NIH Allocates $300 Million for Long Covid Research
Reporters: Sarah Bowden and Megan Stone
Timestamp: [03:37]
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has committed $300 million over the next four years to study treatments for Long Covid, a condition affecting numerous individuals post-COVID-19 infection. This initiative comes in response to persistent advocacy and pressure from patient activists demanding more robust clinical trials and research funding.
Patient Advocacy Perspective: "People have been suffering for years with Long Covid, and patients say that the pace of the NIH's search for new treatments has been too slow and the $300 million probably isn't enough money to produce a new drug," stated Megan Stone, the executive director of the Long Covid campaign.
Strategic Allocation: Megan Stone emphasized the importance of smart investments given the limited funding relative to the problem's scale. She noted, "What's critical when you have limited funding that doesn't yet match the scale of the problem is that those investments are even smarter, and so that's going to require making good bets on good people. And that includes labs and researchers working on Long Covid that the NIH hasn't traditionally funded."
Despite the funding boost, concerns remain about the sufficiency and speed of the NIH's efforts to develop effective Long Covid treatments. The NIH has acknowledged the urgency, asserting the need for a solid understanding of Long Covid's biological mechanisms before advancing treatment research.
5. FDA Recalls Eye Drops Due to Fungal Contamination
Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [04:22]
A safety alert has been issued for consumers of Sustain Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra Pf after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected potential fungal contamination. The recall affects products manufactured by Alcon Labs based in Texas.
Details of the Recall: The recall was initiated voluntarily by Alcon Labs following a customer complaint about foreign material within the sealed, individual-use containers. Upon investigation, the company identified that the foreign substance was fungal in nature, posing a risk of eye infections to users.
Consumers are urged to discontinue use immediately and consult healthcare professionals if any adverse effects are observed.
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