NPR News: 09-04-2025 2PM EDT
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What did Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. say about vaccine policy on the Senate Finance Committee?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Sangh. Well, the national debate over the future of public health under the Trump administration played out in heated exchanges today on Capitol Hill. Between Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and members of his Senate committee, including members of the Republican Party. And Pierre's Yukinaguchi reports on Kennedy's testimony today, in which he tangled with senators over his changes to health and science policy.
The Senate finance committee's grilling of Kennedy was full of rancor, including from his own party. Louisiana Republican and physician Bill Cassidy accused Kennedy of going back on a specific promise not to undermine Americans' access to vaccines. Now Cassidy says Kennedy is going against science, quote, effectively denying people vaccine, end quote, by removing the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
It also surprises me because you've canceled, or HHS did, but apparently under your direction, five hundred million dollars in contracts using the mRNA vaccine platform that was critical to Operation Warp Speed. Again, an accomplishment that I think President Trump should get a Nobel Prize for.
Kennedy at times got agitated at the hearing, arguing he is defending a gold standard of science, Yukinaguchi and PR News.
The United Arab Emirates says its ties with Israel will be undermined by If Israel imposes sovereignty over parts of the occupied West Bank NPR's A Batrawi reports that Israel's Prime Minister then tabled a planned discussion on annexation scheduled today.
In a statement to NPR, the UAE's foreign ministry said Israeli proposals to annex Palestinian territory in the West Bank constitutes a quote red line. It said this will severely undermine the vision and spirit of the so-called Abraham Accords, which saw Israel establish ties with the UAE and other Arab states under President Trump in 2020. The UAE said that, quote, extremists of any kind cannot be allowed to dictate the region's trajectory. An apparent reference to both MS in Gaza and settler ministers in Israel's far-right government. Israel is meanwhile expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, including one that splits the territory in two. Israel's government has been threatening to annex parts of the West Bank following vows by several Western governments to recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel takes meaningful steps toward lasting peace.
How did the United Arab Emirates respond to Israel’s proposed annexation of West Bank territory?
Ayabaltrawi, NPR News, Dubai.
A series of wildfires sparked by lightning strikes this week continues to burn in California and prompt evacuations. To Wallamy County resident Randall Hoffman.
Yeah, devastation. Utter I think we lost ninety five percent of the town.
Homes were burned this week in the historic Chinese camp established by Chinese immigrants during California's nineteenth century gold rush era. From Washington, this is NPR News. Flags are flying at half staff in Portugal, which declared a day of mourning. For the victims of yesterday's railway crash in Lisbon, local authorities say at least sixteen people died. And at least eighteen others were injured. The accident involved the Gloria funicular train that's designed for steep slopes and popular with tourists. Authorities are trying to determine what caused a cable to fail. The NFL season kicks off tonight when last year's Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, host the Dallas Cowboys. NPR Specky Sullivan reports Eagles
Our top contenders for this year's title alongside a trio of
teams from the AFC. The Eagles dominated the Super Bowl last year, so it's no surprise they're the early favorites to win it all again. Their key players have all returned, including quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley. The Green Bay Packers are a new favorite after a blockbuster trade with the Cowboys to add superstar defensive end Micah Parsons. In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs have reached the Super Bowl five of the last six years running. The Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens would like to end that streak.
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