NPR News Now – Episode Released November 19, 2024
President-Elect Trump's Treasury Secretary Selection Sparks Public Debate
In the latest developments surrounding President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet appointments, the selection of the next U.S. Treasury Secretary remains uncertain. Host Shea Stevens reports that billionaire investors Howard Lutnick and Scott Besant are strong contenders for the position. "It's turned into a little bit of Game of Thrones at Mar-a-Lago," explains NPR's Maria Aspin ([00:46]). Both Lutnick and Besant have been actively campaigning, writing op-eds, and participating in interviews to showcase their support for Trump.
The competition intensified over the weekend when Elon Musk, the influential CEO of Tesla, publicly weighed in on the selection process. Musk took to the social media platform X, stating that Besant would be a "business as usual choice" and expressed his preference for Lutnick ([00:46]). This endorsement has added significant pressure to the decision-making process, highlighting the high stakes and internal dynamics at play within Trump's circle.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Backs Republicans in Mail-In Ballot Dispute
Transitioning to the political arena, Shea Stevens highlights a pivotal decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court favoring Republican groups in the ongoing battle over mail-in ballots. Hansi Lewong details the court's ruling, which mandates that county election officials refrain from counting mail-in ballots that arrived on time but have discrepancies in the return envelope dates ([01:38]).
State law requires voters to sign and date the outer return envelope, raising questions about the constitutionality of rejecting ballots based on incorrect dates. The Republican National Committee prompted the court to intervene after several counties opted to count what are known as "undermined ballots." Additionally, a related lawsuit filed by Republican candidate David McCormick, who is undergoing a recount in Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race, seeks to have undated and misstated ballots counted, echoing his arguments from two years prior ([01:38]). This decision underscores the ongoing partisan tensions surrounding election integrity in the state.
President Biden Authorizes Ukraine to Utilize U.S. Ballistic Missiles Inside Russia
In international news, President Joe Biden has granted Ukraine permission to deploy U.S. ballistic missiles deeper into Russian territory, a move that Ukrainian forces have long awaited. Greg Myhre reports that this authorization permits the use of ATACMS missiles against Russian and North Korean forces amid intense clashes ([02:22]).
Ukraine aims to retain territories it seized in western Russia in August, contending that Russian military movements behind the front lines justify long-range attacks. Initially, Biden resisted approving such actions, citing concerns that Ukrainian strikes within Russia could escalate the conflict further. However, as the Biden administration approaches the final months of its term, signals indicate a commitment to providing robust support to Ukraine. Myhre summarizes, "The Biden administration has been signaling that it wants to do what it can to help Ukraine during his final months in office" ([02:31]).
Former U.S. Soldier Sentenced for Capitol Riots Attack
Shea Stevens reports a significant legal development involving former U.S. soldier Edward Richmond Jr., who has been sentenced to over four years in prison for assaulting police officers during the Capitol riots in January 2021 ([03:15]). At 41 years old, Richmond had previously faced court-martial charges related to a decades-old fatal shooting of a handcuffed civilian in Iraq.
During the sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John Bates remarked that Richmond "seemed to be genuinely remorseful" for his actions ([03:15]). This sentencing marks a notable case in the ongoing efforts to address and hold accountable those involved in the violent events at the Capitol, reflecting the broader legal and societal repercussions of the January 6th insurrection.
Russia Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Amid Sudan Crisis
The United Nations Security Council faced a setback as Russia exercised its veto power against a resolution aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire in Sudan. Linda Fasulo provides an in-depth analysis of the situation, where the proposed resolution by Britain and Sierra Leone sought to end hostilities between Sudanese government forces and the rebel RSF, urging dialogue toward a national ceasefire ([03:59]).
The resolution also called for humanitarian pauses to facilitate the safe passage of civilians and the delivery of aid across Sudan. Following the veto, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield condemned Russia's action as "unconscionable," emphasizing the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan ([03:59]). In contrast, the Sudanese government praised the veto, aligning with Russia's stance amidst ongoing violence that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 10 million people since the civil war began in April 2023.
Wall Street Futures Remain Flat After Mixed Market Performance
Concluding the episode, Shea Stevens touches on the financial markets, noting that U.S. futures remained flat in after-hours trading following a mixed close in Asia-Pacific markets. Despite variations in regional performances, Wall Street showed stability as investors digested the latest economic indicators and global events ([04:42]).
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode, providing listeners and readers with a clear understanding of the major news stories covered, complete with notable quotes and attributions.