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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org.
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The FDA says it's planning to take a tougher approach to regulating vaccines, as NPR's Rob Stein reports officials claim they've uncovered new evidence questioning the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines.
FDA Commissioner Marty McCary says the agency will require much stricter evidence that vaccines are safe and effective. McCary says the new approach was prompted by evidence that the deaths of at least 10 children were caused by the COVID vaccines. McCary's top deputy, Vinay Prasad, made that claim in an email distributed Friday.
NPR obtained the email after it was reported by other news organizations. Independent public health experts, however, questioned the claim that the COVID vaccines caused these deaths, citing the administration's pattern of making unsupported and misleading claims. Rob Stein, NPR News.
Hondurans will be heading to the polls Sunday to elect a new president, and President Trump is getting involved. NPR's Eder Peralta has more on our story.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump endorsed conservative Tito Asfura for president, and he also said he would issue a pardon to former President Juan Orlando Hernández. Hernández was convicted of drug trafficking in a federal court in the United States. And he was also implicated in huge corruption scandals at home.
Asfura took the National Party reins from Hernández, and he lost to a leftist candidate in 2021. In his post, Trump threatened to pull USA to Honduras if Asfura doesn't win. The most recent polls show three candidates are in a dead heat for the presidency.
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Chapter 2: What new evidence has the FDA uncovered regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety?
Ed Peralta, NPR News, Mexico City.
Holiday spending has begun with a record-setting Black Friday. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online transactions, says sales this year are topping last year by more than 9%. NPR's Alina Selyuk reports.
Adobe Analytics says online shoppers on Black Friday spent big on televisions, the latest Nintendo Switch, and Apple AirPods, appliances, toys, and gift cards. Adobe says retailers are offering deeper discounts than anticipated and earlier in the season to get shoppers to spend despite all the worries about inflation, tariffs, and economic uncertainty.
Consumer sentiment is near the lowest level since the pandemic. Still, the National Retail Federation forecast overall holiday sales might top $1 trillion for the first time. Shoppers say they are hunting for deals, but also eager to celebrate with family and friends ready to deck the halls. Plus, much of the spending has been propped up by wealthier shoppers this year. Alina Seluk, NPR News.
Pope Leo was in Istanbul on Saturday where he visited the famed 17th Century Blue Mosque. He was given a tour of the 17th Century Mosque but did not pray. The Vatican says the Pope took the tour in the spirit of contemplation and listening. After the visit, he met with Turkey's Christian leaders and prayed with Patriarch Bartholomew, who is the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople.
You're listening to NPR News. Melania Trump has announced the launch of her own production company. As NPR's Chloe Velpen reports, Muse Films arrives ahead of the release of a big-budget Amazon MGM Studios documentary about the First Lady's life.
Melania Trump announced the launch of Muse Films on her official social media accounts. Accompanied by a short music video showing the company's logo, a giant black and white letter M radiating beams of light, Trump's post states the documentary Melania is to be the company's first film and shares its January 30th, 2026 theatrical release date.
Muse also happens to be the codename the US Secret Service used for Melania Trump during her husband's first term in office. Amazon paid $40 million for the rights to the upcoming film. It is directed by Brett Ratner. The filmmaker is known for directing the 1998 action comedy Rush Hour and was accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct in 2017. Ratner denied wrongdoing.
Chloe Veltman, NPR News.
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