NPR News: 11-18-2024 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 18, 2024, 3 PM EST

Hosted by NPR’s Lakshmi Singh, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest updates on national and international news, policy developments, and significant events shaping the world today. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics covered in this edition.

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President Elect Trump's Immigration Emergency Declaration

National Emergency Over Immigration

President Elect Donald Trump announced his intention to declare a national emergency concerning immigration. Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump revealed plans to utilize military assets for mass deportations. This declaration was shared through a retweet of a post by Tom Fitton, head of the conservative foundation Judicial Watch.

Senate Confirmation Challenges

As Trump begins forming his cabinet, NPR’s Mara Lyson highlighted the potential hurdles within the Senate. With Republicans holding a 53 to 47 majority, Trump emphasized confidence in securing confirmations, stating, “[You] have a cushion. You can lose three votes, or we can go through recess appointments where there will be no ability for the Senate to question or vet or investigate the backgrounds and qualifications of these nominees” ([00:53] Lyson). This approach may test the resolve of Senate Republicans as they navigate the advice and consent responsibilities required for executive branch nominations.

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Social Security Funding Concerns

Protecting Social Security

President Elect Trump has pledged to safeguard Social Security, yet NPR’s Windsor Johnson reported that his proposals have not fully allayed fears regarding the program’s future, especially among younger Americans.

Funding Shortfall Solutions

Charles Blahouse, a Social Security expert at George Mason University, pointed out that “75% of adults 50 and over worry that Social Security will run out of funding in their lifetime” ([01:36] Blahouse). He emphasized the need for both parties to undertake significant changes, including additional tax revenues, moderation of automatic benefit growth, and adjustments to eligibility ages. Blahouse cautioned that “President Elect Trump has promised not to raise the Social Security retirement age or reduce benefits. Economists say his fiscal proposals would likely accelerate the program's insolvency” ([02:06] Blahouse). This underscores the urgency for bipartisan action to ensure the program's sustainability.

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UN Climate Conference in Azerbaijan

Negotiation Stagnation

At the UN Climate Conference in Azerbaijan, delegates expressed growing frustration over the sluggish pace of negotiations. NPR’s Jeff Brady reported on the challenges faced by wealthy nations in committing support to developing countries amidst escalating climate concerns.

Call for Concrete Commitments

Simon Steele, UN Climate Change Secretary, urged countries to move beyond technical discussions: “The first week of negotiations were more technical as countries laid out their starting positions. Now … countries need to wrap up that work to reach a successful conclusion” ([02:34] Steele). Jeff Brady highlighted the detrimental effects of “bluffing brinksmanship and premeditated playbooks,” which are “burning up precious time and running down the goodwill needed for an ambitious package” ([02:45] Brady). Steele emphasized the necessity for wealthy nations to fund transitions to cleaner energy and assist poorer nations in adapting to climate impacts, aiming for a successful end to the conference by Friday, though extensions remain possible ([03:00] Steele).

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Public Health Updates: Carrot Recall and New At-Home Tests

Organic Carrot Recall Due to E. Coli

Grimway Farms issued a recall of organic carrots after an E. coli outbreak resulted in illnesses across 18 states. The affected products, including whole and baby carrots, were available at major retailers such as Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Walmart. This recall underscores ongoing food safety challenges and the importance of vigilant monitoring in the agricultural sector.

FDA Approves At-Home COVID and Flu Tests

In a significant development for public health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized nine new tests that allow individuals to test for COVID-19 and the flu at home without a prescription. NPR’s Rob Stein explained, “Most of the tests work just like the home Covid tests people learned to use during the pandemic. But instead of just showing whether someone has Covid, the new tests can differentiate between Covid and the flu” ([03:39] Stein). Additionally, these tests can identify specific strains of the flu, aiding individuals and healthcare providers in making informed decisions regarding precautions and treatments. Priced at approximately $15 each, these tests aim to enhance public health responses and personal health management.

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Entertainment and Financial Markets

Beyoncé’s NFL Halftime Performance

Global superstar Beyoncé is set to perform at halftime during the NFL Texans vs. Ravens game, with plans to spend part of Christmas Day engaging with thousands of NFL fans in Houston. Netflix has announced the performance, hinting at potential guest appearances from her "Cowboy Carter" album, which recently garnered 11 Grammy nominations. This event highlights Beyoncé’s continued influence in both the entertainment and cultural spheres.

Stock Market Movements

Financial markets showed mixed results with the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreasing by 68 points, while the S&P 500 rose by 24 points. The Nasdaq experienced a more substantial increase, gaining 117 points (over half a percent), reflecting varied investor responses to current economic indicators and corporate performances ([04:17] Singh).

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of pressing national issues, including President Elect Trump’s immigration policies and cabinet appointments, the ongoing debate over Social Security funding, and significant international climate negotiations. Additionally, it addressed public health concerns with the organic carrot recall and the introduction of new at-home COVID and flu tests, alongside updates from the entertainment world and financial markets. For listeners seeking a concise yet thorough overview of current events, this episode offers valuable insights and detailed reporting.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Elect Trump confirms on social media today that he plans to declare a national emergency over immigration and use military assets for mass deportations on his Truth Social platform. Trump wrote true in his retweet of a Nov. 8 post from Tom Fitton, the head of the conservative foundation Judicial Watch. Trump is still forming his cabinet. NPR's Mara Lyson reports. Some of the president elect's nominations will test the resolve of Senate Republicans. When the GOP is in the majority.

[Mara Lyson]

In the new year, the Senate has a constitutional responsibility to perform what's called advice and consent, in other words, to approve or disapprove nominees to the executive branch. And Donald Trump is saying to the Senate, you can confirm my appointments. After all, you have a 53 to 47 vote majority. You have a cushion. You can lose three votes, or we can go through recess appointments where there will be no ability for the Senate to question or vet or investigate the backgrounds and qualifications of these nominees.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Mara Lyson. Trump has pledged to protect Social Security. NPR's Windsor Johnson reports. So far, the president elect's proposals are not resolving concerns about the future of the program, especially among younger Americans.

[Charles Blahouse]

Recent Studies show that 75% of adults 50 and over worry that Social Security will run out of funding in their lifetime. Charles Blahouse, who specializes in Social Security at George Mason University, says both parties need to do an abrupt about face to address the funding shortfall.

[Windsor Johnson]

It's going to need additional tax revenues, moderation of the current automatic benefit growth, and it's going to need some adjustments to eligibility ages. It's not realistic that the program finances can be restored without all of those things.

[Charles Blahouse]

President Elect Trump has promised not to raise the Social Security retirement age or reduce benefits. Economists say his fiscal proposals would likely accelerate the program's insolvency. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

At the UN Climate conference in Azerbaijan, some delegates are expressing concern, maybe frustration, about the slow pace of negotiations. NPR's Jeff Brady reports at Talk center on how wealthy countries will help developing nations as the planet heats up.

[Simon Steele]

The first week of negotiations were more technical as countries laid out their starting positions. Now UN Climate Change Secretary Simon Steele says countries need to wrap up that work to reach a successful conclusion.

[Jeff Brady]

The bluffing brinksmanship and premeditated playbooks are burning up precious time and running down the goodwill needed for an ambitious package. So let's cut the theatrics and get down to the real business this week.

[Simon Steele]

That includes wealthy countries committing money to poorer nations to help them transition to cleaner energy and deal with the impacts of a changing climate. The conference is scheduled to end Friday, but could go longer. Jeff Brady, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

This is NPR News. Grimway Farms has recalled organic carrots over an E. Coli outbreak that made people in 18 states sick. The whole and baby carrots were sold at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Walmart and other food retailers. For the first time this year, people can take a test at home to find out if they have the flu or Covid. Here's NPR's Rob Stein.

[Rob Stein]

The Food and Drug Administration has given the green light to nine tests that people can buy at a drugstore or without a prescription to test themselves at home to see if they have Covid or the flu. Most of the tests work just like the home Covid tests people learned to use during the pandemic. But instead of just showing whether someone has Covid, the new tests can differentiate between Covid and the flu. The tests can even tell which kind of flu people have. That should help people decide with their doctors what precautions they should take and how to get treated. The tests cost about $15 each. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Beyonce is set to spend at least part of Christmas Day with thousands of NFL fans back home in Houston. Netflix has announced that the mega pop star is now slated to perform at halftime during the NFL Texans Ravens game. The streaming service has teased that the performance might feature guest appearances from Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album, for which she received a leading 11 Grammy nominations earlier this month. The Dow is down 68 points, the S&P's risen 24. The Nasdaq is up 117 points, or more than half a percent. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

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