NPR News: 11-17-2024 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 17, 2024, 11 AM EST

Hosted by Norah Rahm, NPR News Now delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. In this episode, key topics range from President Biden's international engagements and Social Security concerns in the U.S., to political unrest in Israel, climate-related disasters in North Carolina, and a remarkable sale of a historical artifact.

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President Biden’s Historic Journey to the Amazon Rainforest

Timestamp: [00:17]

President Joe Biden made history as the first sitting U.S. President to visit the Amazon rainforest. His aerial tour included meetings with local and indigenous leaders in Brazil, underscoring the administration's commitment to environmental conservation and international cooperation.

International Diplomacy:

• APEC Summit in Peru: Prior to the Amazon visit, Biden attended the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru.
• Meeting with Xi Jinping: During the summit, Biden met separately with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Reflecting on their relationship, Biden stated at [00:48], “We haven't always agreed, but our conversations have always been candid and always been frank. We have never kidded one another. We've been level with one another.” This highlights the ongoing dialogue between the two nations despite differences.

Upcoming Engagements:

• After his Amazon tour, Biden is scheduled to attend the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, involving leaders from the world's largest economies to discuss global economic policies and cooperation.

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Social Security Under Scrutiny Ahead of New Administration

Timestamp: [00:59]

As the incoming administration prepares to take office, there is growing concern among Americans regarding the future of Social Security. President-elect Donald Trump has proposed measures aimed at ensuring the program's solvency, but experts express skepticism about their effectiveness.

Expert Analysis:

• Charles Blahouse, Social Security Specialist at George Mason University: At [01:25], Blahouse critiques Trump’s proposals, including eliminating the taxation of Social Security benefits, suggesting it could "likely accelerate its insolvency."

  “Trump has promised not to raise the Social Security retirement age or reduce benefits,” Blahouse adds at [01:59], indicating that while some promises are made, the proposed financial measures may undermine the program's stability.

• Further Commentary from Social Security Expert: Discussing the long-term impacts, the expert notes that the existing delays and funding shortfalls have already inflicted significant damage on Social Security’s finances, making Trump’s proposals comparatively minor in scale but still harmful.

Conclusion: The panel highlights that without comprehensive reforms, Social Security continues to face challenges that could affect its future sustainability.

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Political Unrest in Israel Amid Security Incidents

Timestamp: [02:07]

Israel faces heightened political instability as three individuals were arrested in connection with flares fired at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence. The incident has intensified the existing political turmoil surrounding Netanyahu’s administration.

Key Developments:

• Justice Minister’s Statement: Israel's Justice Minister, Yariv Levine, described the flare incident as part of a "chain of violent and anarchic actions" aimed at overthrowing the government.

  “...aim to overthrow the government,” Levin emphasized, reflecting the severity of the threats facing Netanyahu.

• Public Sentiment: Demonstrations against Netanyahu's war policies have been persistent, with surveys indicating a strong public desire for conflict resolution.

  • A Channel 12 poll reveals that nearly 70% of Israelis favor a hostage deal, signaling war-weariness.
  • Trust in the Prime Minister falls below 30%, and overall government trust is just over 20%.

Expert Insight:

• Michael Levitt, NPR News, Tel Aviv: Levitt highlights the declining public support for Netanyahu amid ongoing conflict and political strategies that are increasingly seen as untenable by the populace.

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Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah Spokesman in Lebanon

Timestamp: [03:02]

In a significant escalation, Israel conducted an airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in the death of Hezbollah's main spokesman. The attack targeted a building, signaling heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanese militants.

Implications:

• The targeted assassination underscores Israel's ongoing efforts to weaken Hezbollah's influence and operational capabilities within Lebanon.
• The incident may lead to further retaliatory actions or heightened diplomatic strains in the region.

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Tropical Storm Sahara Brings Devastation to Central America

Timestamp: [03:02]

Residents of Belize are bracing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Sahara, which is moving inland over the Yucatán Peninsula. The storm is projected to cause severe flash floods and landslides, with warnings extended to parts of Guatemala and Mexico.

Forecast and Preparations:

• Rainfall Expectations: Authorities anticipate more than a foot of rain in the affected regions, exacerbating the risk of natural disasters.
• Emergency Measures: Tropical storm warnings have been issued, urging residents to secure their properties and stay informed about evacuation procedures.

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Climate Change-Induced Beach House Collapses in North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Timestamp: [03:49]

North Carolina’s Outer Banks have experienced a concerning trend with the collapse of six beach houses between May and November. The latest incident involved an unoccupied house that gave way due to powerful waves triggered by a storm.

Climate Factors:

• Juliana Kim, NPR News: Kim reports that the collapses are attributed to a combination of strong winds, large waves, and rising sea levels—factors driven by human-induced climate change.

  “Local officials say these homes are falling as a result of strong winds, large waves and rising sea levels, which are fueled by human caused climate change.” [03:49]

• Historical Context: Since 2020, eleven houses have been lost to the ocean in the area, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of coastal structures to extreme weather events.

Local Response:

• Authorities are investigating the collapses and assessing the long-term sustainability of remaining structures in the face of ongoing environmental changes.

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Historic Pocket Watch from Titanic Rescue Sells for Nearly $2 Million

Timestamp: [04:32]

A gold pocket watch with significant historical value was sold for nearly $2 million. The watch belonged to Captain Arthur Rostron, who heroically rescued survivors from the Titanic disaster.

Historical Significance:

• Captain Rostron’s Legacy: Rostron diverted his ship to the Titanic's sinking site, facilitating the rescue of numerous survivors. In gratitude, widows of three wealthy businessmen who perished with the ship gifted him the pocket watch.

  "The watch had been given to him by widows of three wealthy businessmen who went down with the ship,” reports Norah Rahm at [04:32].

• Auction Details: The sale underscores the enduring fascination and high value placed on artifacts connected to one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

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NPR News Now provides concise and timely updates on pressing issues around the globe. For more detailed coverage, visit NPR's website.

Transcript

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[Norah Rahm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Norah Rahm. President Biden takes an aerial tour of the Amazon rainforest today, the first sitting US President to visit the world's largest tropical rainforest. He'll also meet with local and indigenous leaders in Brazil. Yesterday, Biden was in Peru for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. He met separately with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, reminding Xi the two countries worked together in the past four years and while Biden was vice president.

[President Biden]

We haven't always agreed, but our conversations have always been candid and always been frank. We have never kidded one another. We've been level with one another.

[Norah Rahm]

After visiting the Amazon rainforest, Biden will fly to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit, attended by the leaders of the world's largest economies. Some Americans are concerned about what the incoming administration will mean for Social Security. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports. President elect Donald Trump has put forward an agenda to keep the program solvent, but some experts are skeptical of his proposals.

[Charles Blahouse]

Charles Blahouse specializes in Social Security at George Mason University. He says while Trump's proposals, including eliminating taxation on Social Security benefits, would likely accelerate its insolvency, the program has been facing a funding shortfall for years.

[Expert on Social Security]

There has been more damage done to Social Security finances by the delay of the last several decades than would be done by a proposal like this. A proposal like that would be damaging to Social Security finances, but not at the same order of magnitude what we are already living with.

[Charles Blahouse]

Trump has promised not to raise the Social Security retirement age or reduce benefits. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Norah Rahm]

In Israel, three people were arrested in connection with two flares that were fired at the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night. No one was hurt. This comes as the prime minister faces worsening political trouble. NPR's Michael Levitt has more.

[Michael Levitt]

In a post on social media, Israel's Justice Minister Yariv Levine described the incident as a link in a chain of violent and anarchic actions which he says aim to overthrow the government. Netanyahu's government has been hurting in the face of falling public support. Demonstrations against Netanyahu's war politics have been persistent throughout the country, and a survey From Israel's Channel 12 shows a strong desire for the war to end, with nearly 70% in favor of a hostage deal. Another recent poll showed public trust in the prime Minister at under 30% and overall trust in the government at just over 20. Michael Levitt, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Norah Rahm]

An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon reportedly killed the main spokesman for Hezbollah today. The attack struck a building in central Beirut. You're listening to NPR News. In Washington. Residents of Belize are being hit by Tropical Storm Sahara, which is moving inland over the Yucatan Peninsula. It's expected to bring flash floods and landslides. Tropical storm warnings are also posted for portions of Guatemala and Mexico. The region could see more than a foot of rain. An empty beach house collapsed in North Carolina's Outer Banks last week. That makes it the sixth house there to fall this year. As NPR's Juliana Kim reports, local officials say this can be attributed in large part to climate change.

[Juliana Kim]

From May to November, six beach houses have crumbled in North Carolina's Outer Banks. The most recent collapse occurred in the overnight hours between Thursday and Friday after a storm triggered powerful waves along Rodanthe. The house was unoccupied and officials have been in contact with the property owner. Less than a mile away, three other homes collapsed in September. And since 2020, 11 houses in the area have been swept away into the ocean. Local officials say these homes are falling as a result of strong winds, large waves and rising sea levels, which are fueled by human caused climate change. Those conditions are causing beaches to wash away. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

[Norah Rahm]

A gold pocket watch sold for nearly $2 million yesterday. It had belonged to a ship captain who had rescued survivors of the Titanic. Captain Arthur Rostron had diverted his ship to the site where the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. The watch had been given to him by widows of three wealthy businessmen who went down with the ship. I'm Nora Rommel, NPR News, in Washington.

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