NPR News Now: November 24, 2024, 11 AM EST
Host: Noor Rahm
Produced by: NPR
1. President Elect Trump Finalizes Cabinet Selections
Timestamp: [00:16] - [01:18]
After a weekend filled with strategic announcements, President-elect Donald Trump has officially named his nine cabinet picks, completing his executive branch appointments. Notably, longtime aide Brooke Rollins has been selected as the Agriculture Secretary, a move that solidifies Trump's commitment to loyalists within his administration.
Amy Held, NPR contributor, highlights the composition of Trump's choices:
"Trump's choices, charged with the nation's health, defense, education and more share some common threads. Fierce loyalists, some with tons of TV experience but not much related to the top jobs." (00:31)
Despite the announcements, Trump's transition team faces delays. The administration is behind on essential paperwork, including the disclosure of potential contributions from interest groups and wealthy donors, which are necessary for cabinet nominees to undergo FBI background checks.
2. Efforts to Protect Undocumented Immigrants in Los Angeles
Timestamp: [01:18] - [02:20]
In East Los Angeles, hundreds gathered at a local high school over the weekend seeking assistance to attain American citizenship. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the LA school district and city to shield undocumented residents from potential deportation under the incoming Trump administration.
Kelly McEvers reports on the situation:
"Refugio and Cheryl Sanchez have three kids. They say people they know on social media are already talking about how there could be checkpoints and how they might get rounded up." (01:51)
The Sanchez family, representing approximately 800,000 similar families in LA, has enrolled to receive legal support for Cheryl Sanchez, who is undocumented. Officials anticipate conducting additional workshops and events in the upcoming weeks as the community braces for possible policy changes.
3. Climate Change Agreement Reached at COP 29 Summit
Timestamp: [02:20] - [03:10]
Early this morning in Baku, Azerbaijan, negotiators at the COP 29 summit reached a consensus aimed at assisting less developed nations in combating climate change. However, the agreement has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the scale of the climate crisis.
Simon Steele, head of the UN climate body, acknowledged the limitations of the deal:
"No country got everything they wanted, and we leave Baku with a mountain of work to do. The many other issues we need to progress may not be headlines, but they are lifelines for billions of people. So this is no time for victory lapse." (02:47)
Under the agreement, wealthier nations have committed to increasing their financial contributions to $300 billion annually to support the most vulnerable countries. Despite this pledge, many observers deem the commitment insufficient to meet global climate goals. Future climate meetings are scheduled to continue in Brazil next year in an effort to build upon this foundation.
4. Political Unrest and Security Issues in Pakistan and Jordan
Timestamp: [03:10] - [04:38]
Islamabad, Pakistan: The capital faced a partial lockdown today in response to planned protests demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated for over a year on multiple criminal charges. Authorities have shut down major roads and suspended mobile and Internet services to maintain order.
Amman, Jordan: A rare incident of gunfire occurred overnight in the Rabia neighborhood, near the now-closed Israeli Embassy. According to Jaina Raff, NPR correspondent:
"Jordan's security directorate says a gunman opened fire on a police patrol... The suspect had a criminal record, including drug and illegal weapons possession, and had been wanted by police." (03:49)
The Israeli Embassy in Amman has been cordoned off since the onset of the Gaza war over a year ago. The attack underscores ongoing tensions, particularly given that a significant portion of Jordan's population is of Palestinian descent, many of whom are barred from returning to their ancestral homeland by Israeli authorities. Although Jordan maintains a peace treaty with Israel established three decades ago, public opinion remains largely opposed to the treaty.
5. Orlando Pride Clinches National Women's Soccer League Championship
Timestamp: [04:38] - [04:56]
In a thrilling conclusion to the season, the Orlando Pride triumphed over The Washington Spirit with a decisive 1-0 victory in Kansas City, securing their first-ever National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) championship. Brazilian star Marta played a pivotal role in Orlando's success, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Noor Rahm concludes the news segment:
"This is the first championship for Orlando and its Brazilian star, Marta." (04:38)
Notable Advertisements Skipped:
- Progressive Insurance Advertisement at the beginning of the transcript ([00:00]-[00:16]).
- Shopify Advertisement towards the end of the transcript ([04:56]-).
This summary encapsulates the key developments reported in the NPR News Now episode aired on November 24, 2024. From political cabinet appointments and immigration efforts to international climate agreements and regional security incidents, the episode provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and global issues.