NPR News: 11-19-2024 12PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of November 19, 2024, Episode

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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Ukraine Launches ATACMS Missiles into Russia for the First Time

[00:20]
Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by reporting a significant development in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict. A U.S. official confirmed that Ukraine has fired American-made ATACMS missiles into Russian territory for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in the thousand-day anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion from Moscow.

[00:40]
NPR's Charles Maines provides further insights:

"Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces fired six American-made ATACMS missiles into Russia's western Bryansk region. The ministry claimed Russian air defense systems destroyed five of the missiles mid-flight and damaged one, with fragments starting a small fire at a military installation. No injuries were reported."
— Charles Maines, [00:40]

Maines elaborates that this missile barrage appears to be a direct result of the Biden administration's recent decision to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of sophisticated long-range Western weaponry aimed inside Russia. The Kremlin has indicated that it views such attacks as a major escalation, implying significant U.S. involvement in the conflict.

President-Elect Donald Trump Appoints Sean Duffy to the Department of Transportation

[01:21]
Transitioning to U.S. domestic politics, Lakshmi Singh announces a cabinet appointment by President-elect Donald Trump. Former GOP Congressman Sean Duffy has been selected to head the Department of Transportation.

[01:32]
NPR's Joel Rose provides background on Sean Duffy:

"Duffy represented a district in his native Wisconsin in the House of Representatives for eight years. He's worked as a contributor at Fox News since 2020 and hosted the Bottom Line on the Fox Business Network since 2023."
— Joel Rose, [01:32]

Rose further highlights Duffy's extensive experience in both politics and media, noting his early appearance on MTV's "The Real World" in 1997, his tenure as a district attorney in northern Wisconsin, and his role on the House Financial Services Committee. This appointment marks the second time in two weeks that Trump has chosen a Fox News host for his cabinet, underscoring the administration's alignment with media figures.

Walmart Reports Strong Earnings Driven by Increased Shopper Activity

[02:06]
Lakshmi Singh shifts focus to the retail sector, reporting that Walmart has exceeded expectations in its latest earnings report as shoppers flock to the store for bargains.

[02:13]
NPR's Scott Horsley breaks down the details:

"The nation's biggest retailer reported better than expected sales and profits for the most recent quarter. More customers visited Walmart stores and they spent more once they got there. The discount chain says much of the increase was driven by higher income shoppers."
— Scott Horsley, [02:13]

Horsley adds that despite the positive sales figures, home building activity slowed last month, partly due to consecutive hurricanes. Additionally, permits for future home construction dipped slightly. Nevertheless, a survey by the National Association of Homebuilders indicates growing confidence in improving market conditions in the coming months, despite persistently high mortgage rates.

British Farmers Protest Against Tax Hike Amid Global Agricultural Struggles

[02:47]
Lakshmi Singh reports on international agricultural unrest, highlighting protests by British farmers against a proposed tax increase they argue will severely impact struggling family farms.

The Associated Press details that an estimated 13,000 people took to the streets surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office to voice their opposition. This protest coincides with nationwide strikes by French farmers over a trade agreement perceived to harm their livelihoods and local communities.

Additionally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline of 145 points, settling at 43,243, amidst these economic tensions.

Asheville Restores Clean Drinking Water After Prolonged Hurricane-Induced Crisis

[02:47]
In a significant local update, Lakshmi Singh shares the good news from Asheville, North Carolina, where residents finally have access to clean drinking water after an extended crisis caused by Hurricane Helene.

[03:41]
NPR's Laura Hackett provides an in-depth report:

"It's been over 50 days since Asheville residents have had clean drinking water. After Helene caused severe damage to its water system and completely muddied the reservoir, the city struggled to put the pieces back together. They've used everything from chemicals to industrial curtains to clean up the water. And now, finally, the wait is over."
— Laura Hackett, [03:41]

Hackett includes personal accounts from residents like Dina Larson, who expressed immense relief and joy:

"There are definitely tears of happiness much sooner than anyone expected. I hope that water will help Asheville enter its next chapter of recovery and lead to the city's economy bouncing back."
— Dina Larson, [03:41]

The restoration of clean water marks a crucial step in Asheville's recovery from the severe impact of Hurricane Helene, which struck in late September.

Death of Travel Pioneer Arthur Fromer

[04:24]
Lakshmi Singh concludes the episode with a tribute to Arthur Fromer, a 95-year-old pioneer who significantly influenced budget travel.

Fromer is best known for his 1957 self-published guidebook, "Europe on $5 a Day," which became an instant hit during the rise of transatlantic jet travel. His innovative approach to affordable travel led to the establishment of a comprehensive empire that included multiple guidebooks, tour packages, and an informative website dedicated to making travel accessible to all.

Fromer's legacy continues to inspire travelers seeking economical ways to explore the world, embodying the spirit of adventure and practicality.

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This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the November 19, 2024, episode of NPR News Now. For the full experience, listeners are encouraged to tune into the episode directly.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. A US Official confirms to NPR that Ukraine has fired American made ATACMS missiles into Russia for the first time. The Ukrainian attack came on the thousandth day since Russia first launched its full scale invasion from Moscow. NPR's Charles Maines has details.

[Charles Maines]

Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces fired six American made Ataca missiles into Russia's western Bryansk region. The ministry claimed Russian air defense systems destroyed five of the missiles mid flight and damaged to six whose fragments started a small fire at a military installation. No injuries were reported. The barrage would appear to be the result of the Biden administration's decision, which NPR and other news outlets have reported. Reported that it had lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of sophisticated long range Western weaponry to target inside Russia. The Kremlin has signaled it would see any such attacks as a major escalation, implying the direct US Involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Charles Maines, NPR News, Moscow.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President elect Donald Trump is tapping another Fox News contributor for his cabinet. NPR's Joel Rose reports. Trump has chosen former GOP Congressman Sean Duffy to head the Department of Transportation.

[Joel Rose]

Duffy represented a district in his native Wisconsin in the House of of Representatives for eight years. He's worked as a contributor at fox News since 2020 and hosted the Bottom Line on the Fox business network since 2023. Duffey's roots in the television business run deep. He appeared on MTV's the Real World in 1997 before going on to serve as a district attorney in northern Wisconsin and then in Congress, where he sat on the House Financial Services Committee. This is the second time in as many weeks that President Elect Trump has chosen a Fox host to serve in his Cabinet. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. shoppers have been flocking to Walmart in search of bargains. NPR Scott Horsley reports on the retail giant's latest earnings report.

[Scott Horsley]

The nation's biggest retailer reported better than expected sales and profits for the most recent quarter. More customers visited Walmart stores and they spent more once they got there. The discount chain says much of the increase was driven by higher income shoppers. Home building activity slowed last month, partly as a result of back to back hurricanes. Permits for future home construction were also down slightly. Still A survey by the national association of Homebuilders shows growing confidence that market conditions will improve in the coming months despite persistently high mortgage rates. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

British farmers have rallied around Parliament to protest a tax hike they say will deal a hammer blow to struggling family farms. The Associated Press reports an estimated 13,000 people packed the streets around Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office today. This comes the day after French farmers held a nationwide strike over a trade agreement that they said would harm their Livelih neighborhoods. The Dow Jones industrial Average is down 145 points at 43,243. This is NPR News. Well, yesterday was a big day for residents in Asheville, North Carolina, where people finally have clean water running through their taps again. The city went weeks without any water and then several more weeks without safe drinking water after Hurricane Helene hit the region in late September.

[Laura Hackett]

It's been over 50 days since Asheville residents have had clean drinking water. After Helene caused severe damage to its water system and completely muddied the reservoir, the city struggled to put the pieces back together. They've used everything from chemicals to industrial curtains to clean up the water. And now, finally, the wait is over. Dina Larson is one of the many Asheville residents who is rejoicing over the news that clean water has returned. There are definitely tears of happiness much sooner than anyone expected. Larson says she hopes that water will help Asheville enter its next chapter of recovery and lead to the city's economy bouncing back. For NPR News, I'm Laura Hackett in Asheville, North Carolina.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Many travelers embark on new adventures with a former guy tucked away in a backpack or their luggage. Well, the man who helped revolutionize world travel on a budget, he's died. Arthur Fromer was 95 years old. He wrote and self published Europe on $5 a Day in 1957, and it was an instant hit right at the time transatlantic jet travel started. Fromer went on to establish an empire of guidebooks, tour packages and a website devoted to the wonders of travel. This is npr.

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