NPR News: 11-18-2024 3AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 18, 2024 – Detailed Summary

1. U.S. Grants Ukraine Permission to Use Long-Range Missiles in Russia

At the forefront of international developments, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukrainian forces to deploy Western-supplied long-range missiles targeting military installations deep within Russia. This significant policy shift comes after months of persistent lobbying from Kyiv.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s President, emphasized the strategic importance of this move in his nightly address:
“Our so-called victory plan to end the war on Ukraine's terms includes the use of these long-range missiles” [00:39].

However, Unnamed U.S. Official cautioned against media speculation regarding the permanence of this authorization, stating:
“There is a lot of talk in the media about us receiving permission for these actions, but strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves” [00:57].

Concerns loom over the sustainability of this decision, as the incoming Trump administration may seek to revoke it, adding uncertainty to Ukraine’s military strategy [01:09].

2. Brendan Carr Appointed as FCC Chair by President-Elect Trump

In a pivotal move ahead of his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Brendan Carr as the new Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr is recognized as a seasoned Republican with a strong track record within the FCC.

David Falkenflik, NPR’s correspondent, highlights Carr’s background:
“For years, Carr took a classic Republican line in favor of sweeping away regulations that limit the consolidation of media ownership.” [01:34].

Carr has also been vocal about regulating big tech and has criticized broadcast networks for their coverage of the presidential race. He played a key role in developing Project 2025, a pro-Trump Republican initiative aimed at reshaping the FCC’s policies. The appointment is expected to bring the semi-autonomous FCC under closer White House control, a move that is likely to face legal challenges [01:34 – 02:15].

3. Political Unrest and Security Incident in Israel

Israel faces escalating political instability as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confronts both internal and external challenges. On Saturday night, two rockets were fired at Netanyahu’s residence, leading to the arrest of three individuals. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Justice Minister Yariv Levine condemned the attacks, describing them as part of a broader strategy:
“A link in a chain of violent and anarchic actions which aim to overthrow the government” [02:34].

Public support for Netanyahu's government is waning, with persistent protests against his war policies. Recent surveys indicate a significant portion of the population desires an end to the conflict through a hostage exchange, and trust in the Prime Minister has plummeted to below 30%, while overall government trust hovers just above 20% [02:34].

4. Shootings During New Orleans Parade

Tragedy struck during a second line parade in New Orleans on Sunday, where two separate shootings resulted in nine injuries and two fatalities.

Police Chief Ann Kirkpatrick reported on the incidents:
“Apparently a car was involved, a suspect car and shots were fired into the crowd” [03:29].

Approximately 45 minutes after the initial shooting, a second attack occurred, leading to additional casualties. Investigations are ongoing, and as of the report, no arrests have been made. The connection between the two shootings remains unclear [03:37].

5. Climate Change Linked to Global Dengue Fever Spread

In health news, a new study presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting in New Orleans underscores the impact of climate change on the proliferation of dengue fever worldwide.

Erin Mordecai, a Stanford University researcher and study author, explained:
“So it's a very large share of the existing dengue, and in some places it's more like 30 to 40%” [04:39].

The research highlights that rising global temperatures have created ideal conditions for the mosquitoes that transmit dengue, particularly at temperatures around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. This climatic shift has been responsible for nearly 20% of recent dengue cases. The study emphasizes that controlling future climate change could yield substantial public health benefits by curbing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue [04:46].

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This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of critical global and national issues, from geopolitical tensions and political appointments to public safety incidents and the far-reaching effects of climate change on health.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Joe Biden is now allowing Ukrainian troops to fire Western supplied long range missiles at military targets deep inside Russia. As NPR's Duranika Kisses reports, Ukraine has been pushing for the change for months, but now that they have the permission, officials there are concerned that the incoming Trump administration will cancel it.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed the White House for months to let his troops use long range aerial missiles like atacms. In his nightly video address, he said his so called victory plan to end the war on Ukraine's terms includes the use of these long range missiles.

[Unnamed U.S. Official]

There is a lot of talk in the media about us Receiving permission for these actions, but strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

A U.S. official told NPR that the strikes will be used in and around Russia's Kursk region. The permission may not last long. The incoming Trump administration can cancel it. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

President elect Donald Trump has picked a new chief for the Federal Communications Commission. NPR's David Falkenflik reports that it's Brendan Carr, who's a veteran Republican member of the FCC and who's become of vocal.

[David Falkenflik]

Trump loyalists, allies and adversaries. Tell NPR that Brendan Carr is smart, personable and highly qualified to become the next FCC chairperson. For years, Carr took a classic Republican line in favor of sweeping away regulations that limit the consolidation of media ownership. More recently, he has embraced Trumpian positions on regulating big tech companies and punishing broadcast television networks for how they covered the presidential race. Carr also authored the FCC portion of Project 2025, a blueprint written by pro Trump Republicans. The FCC is considered a semi autonomous agency. Trump says he'll bring it under more direct White House control, which would almost certainly prompt litigation. David Falkenflik, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

In Israel, three people have been arrested in connection with two flares that were fired at the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night. No one was hurt in that incident. This comes as the prime minister faces worsening political trouble at home. 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, quote, 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.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. There were two separate shootings during what is known as a second line parade in New Orleans on Sunday. Police Chief Ann Kirkpatrick says that nine people were shot and injured in the first incident.

[Ann Kirkpatrick]

Apparently a car was involved, a suspect car and shots were fired into the crowd.

[Dale Willman]

About 45 minutes later, another three people were shot and two of them died. Kirkpatrick says it's unclear if the two incidents were related. So far, there have been no arrests in those shootings. Climate change has contributed to the rapid expansion of dengue fever around the globe in recent decades. That's according to a new study just out. NPR's Alejandra Burke Arunda reports.

[Alejandra Burunda]

Dengue fever or breakbone fever can sometimes be fatal, and global case numbers have skyrocketed in recent years. It has even cropped up recently in the US Dengue is spread by two species of mosquitoes which thrive at a particular Goldilocks temperature around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. A new study presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting in New Orleans shows that climate change has expanded that just right for mosquitoes temperature worldwide. In fact, climate change is linked to almost 20% of recent cases. Erin Mordecai is a researcher at Stanford University and an author of the study.

[Erin Mordecai]

So it's a very large share of the existing dengue, and in some places it's more like 30 to 40%.

[Alejandra Burunda]

That also means that keeping future climate change in check could have major health benefits for people worldwide. Alejandra Burunda, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

And I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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