NPR News: 12-08-2024 8PM EST
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What are the latest updates on the situation in Syria?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, President Biden says the U.S. is monitoring the militant group ISIS to make sure it doesn't take advantage of the situation. Today, U.S. forces conducted dozens of strikes on more than 75 ISIS targets in Syria to post President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to Moscow. Meanwhile, more than a million Syrians who fled the 13-year-old civil war are now heading home Empire's Joed Rezala has more from a border crossing in Lebanon.
The road to Syria, once we reach close now to the border crossing, is full with traffic. Cars with Syrian revolutionary flags, people cheering, people on the sides of the road cheering them on as well. Everyone is excited.
What is the significance of the UN's position on Syria?
NPR's Jawad Rassala reporting. And meanwhile, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria calls it a watershed moment, but the U.N. is calling now for talks on building an inclusive government, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
UN envoy Ger Pedersen says a dark chapter left deep scars in Syria, but he's now looking forward with, quote, cautious hope for a new chapter to begin. Pedersen has been trying for years to negotiate a transitional government in Syria and now may have a real chance at that with Assad out of the way. The lead rebel group, though, is a UN-designated terrorist organization. Pedersen says he's heard from armed groups and Syrian activists alike that they're willing to protect state institutions, Against retribution and harm, he says it's time for everyone to prioritize dialogue. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
How are tariffs affecting American consumers?
President-elect Donald Trump is standing by his calls for a tariff hike on America's top trading partners, Canada, Mexico and China. Economists say this will increase prices for American consumers. NPR's Luke Garrett reports many of Trump's tariffs from his first presidency remain in effect.
During an interview with NBC News, President-elect Trump defended his tariff proposals, but stopped short of promising that all consumers won't see a jump in prices.
What are Donald Trump's views on trade and tariffs?
I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow.
The Nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimates that tariffs from Trump's first term cost Americans $80 billion. The president-elect said they cost the consumer, quote, nothing, and promised to also use tariffs for foreign policy reasons.
They also solve another problem. If we were going to have problems having to do with wars and having to do with other things, tariffs, I have stopped wars with tariffs.
Trump did not provide an example of when he stopped war with tariffs. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.
Asia markets are trading in mixed territory at this hour. The Nikkei in Japan up a fraction. The Asia Dow is down about three-tenths of a percent. U.S. futures contracts are trading flat. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. South Korean prosecutors detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week's brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Sung-yeol. Ex-defense minister Kim Jong-un voluntarily appeared at a prosecutor's office and was detained. His detention comes a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him, with most ruling party makers boycotting a floor vote to prevent a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala takes place in Washington, D.C. in about a half hour. The Grateful Dead and the Apollo Theater in New York City are among this year's honorees.
And here's Elizabeth Blair has more on some of the others being celebrated tonight.
Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein calls filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola a masterful storyteller. The five-time Oscar winner's canon includes The Godfather, American Graffiti, and Apocalypse Now.
I love the smell of napalm in the morning.
Chosen for pushing creative boundaries and influencing American culture, this year's class of honorees also includes multiple Grammy-winning musicians Arturo Sandoval and Bonnie Raitt. The Kennedy Center Honors will broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount Plus on December 22nd. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News, Washington.
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