NPR News: 11-21-2024 9PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 21, 2024, 9 PM EST Summary

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest developments in politics, economics, and international affairs. Here's a detailed overview of the key topics discussed in the episode released on November 22, 2024.

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1. Trump Nominates Pam Bondi as Attorney General

[00:18 - 01:08]

President-elect Donald Trump swiftly selected former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his nominee for Attorney General after Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration.

Ryan Lucas provided background on Bondi, highlighting her tenure as Florida's Attorney General from 2011 to 2019 and her previous role as a local prosecutor. Trump commended Bondi’s toughness against violent criminals and her efforts to curb the flow of deadly drugs, particularly fentanyl.

Trump emphasized Bondi’s intention to "refocus a Justice Department he says has been weaponized against him and other Republicans." Bondi's close alliance with Trump was noted, including her role as one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial in Pennsylvania.

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2. Republican David McCormick Conquers Pennsylvania Senate Race

[01:08 - 01:33]

Democratic Senator Bob Casey conceded the Pennsylvania Senate race to Republican David McCormick following a narrow margin of approximately 16,000 votes out of 7 million ballots cast.

Hansi Luong reported that the small difference, less than a quarter of a percent, triggered an automatic statewide recount as mandated by Pennsylvania law. The Associated Press had already declared McCormick the winner, citing insufficient uncounted ballots in Casey-favoring areas to alter the outcome.

With this victory, Republicans, bolstered by Trump's support, have secured all statewide races in Pennsylvania, setting the stage for a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate next year.

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3. Justice Department's Legal Battle with Google Intensifies

[02:16 - 02:49]

The Justice Department is escalating its efforts to dismantle Google, labeling it an illegal monopoly. Bobby Allen explained that federal lawyers are petitioning a court to compel Google to sell its Chrome browser.

George Hayes, a former Justice Department lawyer, commented, “Be one of the few divestitures that have occurred in antitrust cases. It seems to fit the supposed crime. It does seem as though this may be necessary to introduce effective competition.”

In response, Google decried the move as "unprecedented government overreach that would break Google products that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives."

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4. Wall Street Reacts to Third Quarter Earnings

[02:59 - 02:59]

Wall Street saw significant gains with major indices rising over 1%. Investors are closely analyzing third-quarter earnings reports, contributing to the positive market sentiment.

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Increased by 461 points (~1%)
• Nasdaq: Rose by 6 points

This uptick reflects investor confidence amid ongoing economic evaluations.

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5. U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Russian Gazprom Bank

[02:59 - 04:00]

The Treasury Department targeted Russia's third-largest bank, Gazprom, along with six of its foreign subsidiaries, aiming to disrupt Russia's ability to bypass sanctions linked to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated, “The sanctions target the country's largest non-sanctioned bank will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade US sanctions and equip its military.” Additional Russian financial entities and officials were also sanctioned to tighten the grip on Russia's financial operations.

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6. Mexico Prepares for Potential U.S. Deportations

[04:00 - 04:39]

Amid President Trump's plans to initiate mass deportations of unauthorized immigrants, Mexico has outlined its preparedness to receive deportees.

Nita Kravinski reported that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of immigrants to the U.S. economy and advocated against criminalizing them. Sheinbaum stated, “Immigrants shouldn't be treated as criminals,” underscoring the humanitarian aspect of potential deportations.

Trump has indicated intentions to declare a national emergency and deploy the military for these operations, with approximately 4 million unauthorized immigrants from Mexico residing in the U.S. according to the Pew Research Center.

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7. Crude Oil Prices Rise Amid Russia-Ukraine Tensions

[04:39 - 04:56]

Crude oil futures experienced an increase, climbing $1.35 per barrel (about 2%) to settle at $70.10 a barrel. The rise is attributed to escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which have significant implications for global oil markets.

Jack Speer noted the correlation between the geopolitical unrest and the upward movement in oil prices, reflecting investor concerns over potential disruptions in supply.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet thorough overview of pivotal news stories shaping the political and economic landscape. From high-stakes political nominations and election outcomes to significant legal battles and international sanctions, the report encapsulated the dynamic and multifaceted nature of current events.

Transcript

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[Jack Speer]

News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. President elect Donald Trump has wasted little time in choosing his new nominee for attorney general. After former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz pulled his name from consideration, Trump announced on his social media platform he's picking another Florine for the post. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. NPR's Ryan Lucas has more on the new nominee.

[Ryan Lucas]

She is a former attorney general for the state of Florida, served in that job from 2011 to 2019. Before that, though, she worked as a local prosecutor in the state. In a statement announcing his decision, Trump today said that when Bondi was a prosecutor, she was very tough. He set on violent criminals and made the streets safe for Florida families. And then, as state attorney general, Trump says that Bondi worked on stopping the flow of deadly drugs and trying to reduce the number of deaths from fentanyl.

[Jack Speer]

Trump says Bondi will refocus a Justice Department he says has been weaponized against him and other Republicans. Bondi is a longtime Trump ally. She was one of his lawyers at his first impeachment trial in Pennsylvania. U.S. senate race Democratic Senator Bob Casey is conceded to Republican David McCormick. NPR's Hansi Luong reports. The concession comes after Pennsylvania a recount of ballots for the ultra close race.

[Hansi Luong]

About 16,000 votes, or less than a quarter of a percent of the 7 million ballots cast in Pennsylvania separated Republican David McCormick and the Democratic incumbent, Senator Bob Casey. The close margin led to an automatic statewide recount as required by state law and has now spelled the end of Casey's three terms in the US Senate, where Republicans are set to be the majority next year. This year, Republicans, including President elect Donald Trump, have now won all of Pennsylvania's statewide races. The Associated Press declared McCormick the winner two weeks ago. The AP found there were not enough uncounted ballots in areas supporting Casey for the Democrat to ultimately take the lead. Still, Casey held back from conceding earlier and said he wanted to make sure every eligible vote was counted. Hansi Luong, NPR News.

[Jack Speer]

Google is calling the Justice Department's push to break up the company overreach by the government. As NPR's Bobby Allen explains, Justice lawyers are asking a federal court to force Google to sell its Chrome browser after.

[Bobby Allen]

Being declared an illegal monopoly earlier this year. The Justice Department is pushing for drastic changes at Google. Among them, sell off the popular Chrome browser to another company. George Hayes, a former Justice Department lawyer.

[George Hayes]

Be one of the few divestitures that have occurred in antitrust cases. It seems to fit the supposed crime. It does seem as though this may be necessary to introduce effective competition.

[Bobby Allen]

Search Google says the proposals represent unprecedented government overreach that would break Google products that quote, people love and find helpful in their everyday lives. Bob Yellen in PR news, stocks gained.

[Jack Speer]

Ground on Wall street today with blue chips up more than 1% as investors continue to analyze third quarter earnings numbers. The Dow gained 461 points, or just more than 1%. The Nasdaq was up 6 points today. You're listening to NPR. The Treasury Department has hit Russia's third biggest bank and its six foreign subsidiaries with sanctions. Latest action against Gazprom bank aimed at curtailing Russia's ability to evade sanctions imposed on the since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the sanctions target the country's largest non sanctioned bank will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade US Sanctions and equip its military. Other Russian banks, securities registrars and finance officials were also hit with sanctions. Mexico says it has a plan in case of possible mass deportations of unauthorized immigrants under the Trump administration. From Hermosillo, Mexico. Nita Kravinski, member station kjz, has more.

[Nina Kravinski]

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her country is prepared to receive deportees if there are mass expulsions next year. But she says her first step is to show the incoming administration that immigrants from her country are an important part of the US Economy and said that immigrants shouldn't be treated as criminals. President Donald Trump has promised deportation starting at the beginning of his new administration in January. He confirmed this week that he plans to declare a national emergency and use the military to carry out those deportations. According to the Pew Research center, There are around 4 million unauthorized immigrants from Mexico and the U.S. for NPR News, I'm Nina Kravinski in Hermosillo, Mexico.

[Jack Speer]

Crude oil futures prices followed stocks higher today. That's as tensions mount between Russia and Ukraine. Oil was up $1.35 a barrel, or about 2% to settle at 70, 10 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Speer, NPR News, in Washington.

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