NPR News: 11-19-2024 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 19, 2024

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Russia's Nuclear Doctrine and the Ukraine Conflict

Korva Coleman reports significant developments in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin has amended Russia's nuclear doctrine, permitting the use of nuclear weapons in response to a massive air assault. This strategic shift coincides with U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to deploy U.S.-made long-distance missiles into Russian territory.

As Ukraine commemorates 1,000 days since Russia's invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains steadfast in his commitment to ally with Europe against Russian aggression.

Notable Quote:

Volodymyr Zelensky [00:46]: "Together, Ukraine, all of Europe, and our partners in America and around the world, we have succeeded not only in preventing Putin from taking Ukraine, but also in defending the freedom of all European nations."

Despite these tensions, Russia has asserted that Ukraine recently fired U.S.-made missiles into Russian territory. However, there have been no reports of casualties resulting from this incident.

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2. Looting of Food Aid Convoy in Gaza

The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with Hamas security forces reporting the killing of over 20 individuals suspected of looting a significant food aid convoy. This convoy, consisting of 109 trucks, was intended to deliver crucial food supplies to starving populations. According to Aya Batrawi of NPR:

Notable Quote:

Aya Batrawi [01:25]: "Out of 109 trucks carrying food aid on Saturday, only 11 made it to their intended warehouse in central Gaza, the rest of it stolen and the truck severely damaged with even their fuel taken."

The United Nations has characterized this as the largest looting incident of its kind in recent memory. Investigations suggest that the Israeli military altered the convoy's schedule and route at the last minute, inadvertently exposing it to the risk of theft along unfamiliar pathways. The Israeli military has yet to respond to inquiries about the incident.

With over a year of conflict between Hamas and Israel, Gaza is struggling to maintain order. Armed gangs continue to operate, leading humanitarian organizations to urge Israel to secure aid routes, especially in areas near Israeli military presence.

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3. US Congressional Measure on Transgender Restroom Use

In a contentious move at the U.S. Capitol, a Republican representative is introducing a measure aimed at restricting transgender individuals from using women's restrooms. This action emerges as Delaware's Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress, prepares to take office.

Notable Quote:

Nancy Mace [02:29]: "Biological men should not be in women's restrooms."

Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina seeks to amend House rules, proposing that the House sergeant at arms enforce this ban. Concurrently, Sarah McBride has publicly criticized the measure, attributing it to distraction tactics by far-right extremists and emphasizing the need to focus on making the American dream more attainable.

Notable Quote:

Sarah McBride [02:29]: "...the focus should be on making the American dream more affordable and accessible."

This legislative attempt comes amidst broader national debates on transgender rights and representation within governmental institutions.

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4. Donald Trump's Nomination and Addressing Loneliness in America

In pre-market trading news, Dow futures have declined by 1%. On the political front, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Sean Duffy, a former congressman and current FOX News host, for the position of Transportation Secretary. Duffy's background includes serving as a district attorney in Wisconsin and representing a Wisconsin congressional district before transitioning to media.

Amidst these political shifts, social issues are also in focus. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the nation is grappling with unprecedented levels of loneliness and isolation among parents. NPR's Katie Ariddle explores how co-housing communities are emerging as a solution to this growing problem.

Notable Quote:

Chris Damgan [03:48]: "The trade-offs, the ability for our kids to go out the door and play on the grass knowing that there's 20 or 30 other sets of eyes out there that care about them and look after them... that has certain lovely nostalgia that we all as parents, I think, aspire to have."

Co-housing arrangements, where families maintain separate living units while sharing communal responsibilities, are becoming increasingly popular, with nearly 200 such communities established across the United States. These setups aim to foster strong communal ties and support networks, helping individuals combat feelings of loneliness.

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5. West Coast Braces for Powerful Storm

The National Weather Service has issued a warning about an impending powerful storm targeting the West Coast. Expected to make landfall tonight, the atmospheric river is forecasted to bring wind gusts nearing hurricane strength to Northern California, Oregon, and Washington state.

The storm is anticipated to deliver heavy rainfall, leading to potential storm damage and widespread power outages. Residents in the affected areas are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions and heed all safety warnings issued by weather forecasters.

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Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a change in his country's nuclear doctrine. It allows Russia to use nuclear weapons if attacked by a massive air assault. This comes as President Biden is allowing Ukraine to fire U S Made long distance missiles into Russian territory. Putin's decision comes as Ukraine is marking 1,000 days since Russia invaded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country will remain united with Europe to resist Russia.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

Together, Ukraine, all of Europe, and our partners in America and around the world, we have succeeded not only in preventing Putin from taking Ukraine, but also in defending the freedom of all European nations.

[Korva Coleman]

Meanwhile, Russia claims Ukraine has fired US Made missiles into Russia today. There are no reports of injuries. Hamas security forces in southern Gaza say they killed more than 20 people, suspected of looting 100 trucks carrying food to starving people. NPR's E.A. batrawi reports. THE the U.N. says this is the largest convoy of its trucks looted in recent memory.

[Aya Batrawi]

UN agencies say out of 109 trucks carrying food aid on Saturday, only 11 made it to their intended warehouse in central Gaza, the rest of it stolen and the truck severely damaged with even their fuel taken. The UN Says Israel's military changed the date, time and route of the convoy at the last minute and that the looting took place along an alternate unfamiliar route. The Israeli military has not yet responded to NPR's questions on the incident. Although Hamas security attacked some of the suspected looters Monday evening, the group is struggling to maintain control over Gaza after more than a year of war with Israel. With armed gangs still active, humanitarian agencies have called on Israel to secure aid routes in areas near Israeli troops and under military surveillance. Aya Botrawi, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

A Republican member of the House of Representatives is introducing a measure to stop transgender people from using women's restrooms. At the U.S. capitol, NPR's Giles Snyder reports. The move comes as the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress prepares to take office.

[Giles Snyder]

The two page resolution is being introduced by South Carolina House Republican Nancy Mace. Mace wants to amend the rules of the House, telling reporters that biological men should not be in women's restrooms. Her resolution would put the House sergeant at arms in charge of enforcing the ban. Mace is pushing for the change as Delaware's Sarah McBride prepares to become the first transgender person Congress. She is to take her oath of office along with other new members in January. In a social media post, McBride did not name Mace but referred to an attempt at distraction from far right wing extremists, saying the focus should be on making the American dream more affordable and accessible. Jael Snyder, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street in pre market trading, Dow futures are down 1%. It's NPR. President elect Donald Trump has tapped former congressman and current FOX News host Sean Duffy as his nominee for transportation secretary. Duffy was previously a district attorney in Wisconsin, then served as a congressman for a Wisconsin district. He now hosts a show on the Fox Business Network. According to the US Surgeon General, parents across the country are experiencing record levels of loneliness and isolation. NPR's Katie Ariddle has been looking at places where people are beating this trend. And co housing is one example.

[Katie Ariddle]

Co housing where families live in separate units but share responsibilities and purposely build community. There are close to 200 of these kinds of arrangements across the U.S. chris Damgan lives in one in Portland, Oregon. He and his wife share a two bedroom unit with their three kids. He admits that part's not ideal, but.

[Chris Damgan]

The trade offs, the ability for our kids to go out the door and play on the grass knowing that there's 20 or 30 other sets of eyes out there that care about them and look after them, you know, that that has certain lovely nostalgia that we all as parents, I think, aspire to have.

[Katie Ariddle]

For our kids and a community for themselves as they navigate modern day parenting. Katie Ariddle, NPR News, Portland, Oregon.

[Korva Coleman]

The National Weather Service says a powerful storm is aiming for the west coast and should arrive tonight. The atmospheric river could bring wind gusts to Northern California, Oregon and Washington state that are close to hurricane strength. Heavy rain is forecast and weather forecasters are warning of storm damage and power outages. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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