NPR News: 11-24-2024 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 24, 2024, 2AM EST

Climate Change Agreements and U.S. Policy Uncertainty

Timestamp: [00:18]

Dale Willman reports on the conclusion of the annual climate talks in Azerbaijan, where an agreement was reached for wealthy nations to commit approximately $300 billion annually to support countries most affected by climate change. However, this deal has faced swift criticism from less developed nations experiencing the harshest impacts of climate change.

NPR’s Lawrence Summer delves into the uncertainties surrounding the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump and its stance on current climate policies. Summer notes, “It's unclear because if you remember, when Trump was president, he pulled the US out of the major climate agreement,” referring to the Paris Agreement. Despite the Biden administration’s recent contribution of $11 billion, Trump’s potential withdrawal could jeopardize U.S. commitments, though some funding might persist through entities like the World Bank.

Republican Opposition to Trump and Implications for 2024 Elections

Timestamp: [01:06]

Dale Willman continues with NPR’s Sarah McCammon reporting on the realignment within the Republican Party following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election. Sarah McCammon explains that Republicans who opposed Trump are now regrouping, with former Congressman Denver Riggleman highlighting the challenges faced by anti-Trump Republicans. Riggleman states, “Some high profile anti Trump Republicans now worry about facing retribution given Trump's repeated threats to go after his political rivals” ([01:43]).

Riggleman, a technical advisor to the House January 6th Committee and Chair of Republicans for Harris in Virginia, discusses the unsuccessful outreach efforts by Vice President Kamala Harris to disaffected Republicans. Despite these attempts, Riggleman acknowledges the formidable influence of the far-right media ecosystem, stating, “even I think [we] underestimated the power of the far right media ecosystem and how it could affect and persuade people” ([01:43]).

Failed School Choice Initiatives Highlight Public School Defunding Concerns

Timestamp: [02:02]

Supporters of school choice faced setbacks as ballot initiatives in three states were defeated this month. In Kentucky, the measure was rejected by 65% of voters, according to Sylvia Goodman of Kentucky Public Radio. Voters expressed concerns that reallocating tax dollars to private or charter schools could lead to the defunding of public schools, particularly in rural areas where private school options are limited. Goodman reports, “Kentucky teacher unions and rural voters were worried the measure could lead to the defunding of public schools” ([02:02]).

University of Arkansas education policy professor Patrick Wolf anticipates continued advocacy for private school choice, despite the recent defeats. Wolf remarks, “It seems like it's inevitable Right. Because right now you're a school choice doughnut hole. So you're sort of an island, an island of no choice in a sea of school choice” ([02:38]).

Ongoing Conflict Between Israel and Lebanon Leads to Civilian Casualties

Timestamp: [02:56]

Tensions in the Middle East escalate as Israeli airstrikes on Beirut continue, prompting efforts by diplomats in Louisville, Kentucky, to negotiate a ceasefire. Recent attacks have resulted in significant casualties, with Lebanon’s health ministry reporting that Israeli strikes have killed over 3,500 people in Lebanon. A strike on Saturday in central Beirut specifically resulted in at least 20 deaths and numerous injuries.

Venezuela Investigates Opposition Leader Amidst Political Turmoil

Timestamp: [02:56]

Venezuelan authorities have launched an investigation into Maria Corina Machado, the government’s leading opponent, accusing her of treason. NPR’s Kerry Khan reports that the attorney general stated the probe aims to determine if Machado has been conspiring with foreign entities against Venezuela. This move is viewed as part of the government’s strategy to attribute widespread dissent and economic sanctions to internal opposition.

Machado is accused of supporting a U.S. House bill that prohibits federal contracts with companies engaged with the Venezuelan government. Following last July's contested election, where President Nicolas Maduro declared victory without providing conclusive evidence amidst opposition claims of widespread electoral fraud, the U.S. recognized opposition candidate Mundo Gonzalez as the president-elect.

Barcelona Protests Against Soaring Rent Prices

Timestamp: [03:32]

In Barcelona, tens of thousands gathered to protest the rapid increase in apartment rental costs. The city, a major tourist destination, has seen average rents double over the past decade, as reported by Idealista. Protesters argue that the exorbitant rents are unsustainable and demand government intervention to control the housing market.

Severe Weather Impacts Across the United States

Timestamp: [04:17]

The U.S. is experiencing significant weather disturbances this weekend:

• California: The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Sierra Nevadas through Tuesday, anticipating heavy snowfall in higher elevations.

• Seattle: A bomb cyclone system has left thousands without power, exacerbating the region's challenges.

• Northeastern Appalachia: Heavy rains are expected, potentially leading to flooding and other weather-related disruptions.

Dale Willman concludes the report by highlighting these weather events, emphasizing the widespread impact across various regions of the country.

Conclusion

The November 24, 2024 episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on critical global and national issues, including climate agreements, political realignments within the U.S. Republican Party, challenges to public education funding, escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Venezuela, socioeconomic protests in Barcelona, and severe weather conditions affecting vast areas of the United States. Notable insights from experts and key stakeholders provided depth to each topic, offering listeners a thorough understanding of the current news landscape.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Annual climate talks have ended in Azerbaijan with an agreement that wealthy nations will pay some $300 billion a year to countries being most affected by climate change. The deal was quickly criticized by less developed nations, which are feeling the worst effects of climate change right now. NPR's Lawrence Summer, meanwhile, says one major topic at the conference was incoming President Donald Trump and what he will do about current US Climate policy.

[Lawrence Summer]

It's unclear because if you remember, when Trump was president, he pulled the US out of the major climate agreement. That's the Paris agreement. He has not wanted the US to be part of this in the past. This year the Biden administration says it supplied $11 billion. But you know, even if Trump undoes the U.S. commitment, some funding could continue, like from the World bank, which the.

[Dale Willman]

U.S. contributes to NPR's Lauren Sommer. Republicans who've opposed President elect Donald Trump are regrouping after the former president's victory in the 2024 election. As NPR Sarah McCammon reports, outreach to disaffected Republicans was a key part of Vice President Kamala Harris campaign strategy.

[Denver Riggleman]

Many current and former high profile Republicans publicly opposed Trump and threw their weight behind Harris. Former Congressman Denver Riggleman was a technical advisor to the House January 6th and Chair of Republicans for Harris in Virginia. He thinks those efforts won over some conservative voters for Harris, but clearly not enough to make a difference.

[Patrick Wolf]

I'm an expert in this and even I think underestimated the power of the far right media ecosystem and how it could affect and persuade people.

[Denver Riggleman]

Riggleman says some high profile anti Trump Republicans now worry about facing retribution given Trump's repeated threats to go after his political rivals. Sarah McCammon, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Supporters of so called school choice put ballot initiatives before voters in three states this month. All three failed. Kentucky Public Radio's Sylvia Goodman reports. Wyatt failed there where 65% of voters said no to sending tax dollars to private or charter schools.

[Sylvia Goodman]

Kentucky teacher unions and rural voters were worried the measure could lead to the defunding of public schools, especially where private schools are rare and in urban areas. Some voters say they want to fix the existing system before investing in a new one. But University of Arkansas education policy professor Patrick Wolf says he expects private school choice advocacy to continue.

[Patrick Wolf]

It seems like it's inevitable Right. Because right now you're a school choice doughnut hole. So you're sort of an island, an island of no choice in a sea of school choice.

[Sylvia Goodman]

Nearly every state border in Kentucky has some way to help parents pay for private school tuition. For NPR News, I'm Sylvia Goodman in.

[Dale Willman]

Louisville, Kentucky diplomats are attempting to negotiate a ceasefire this weekend as Israeli airstrikes on Beirut continue. Health officials say a strike on Saturday in central Beirut killed at least 20 people and dozens of others were also injured. Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon. You're listening to NPR News. Venezuelan authorities say they're investigating the government's leading opponent for treason. It's the latest attempt by the government to blame popular nationwide dissent for economic sanctions levied by the U.S. and other countries. NPR's Kerry Khan reports.

[Kerry Khan]

In a statement, Venezuela's attorney general says the latest investigation will probe whether Maria Corina Machado has been plotting with other foreign countries to conspire against the nation. Officials say Machado has committed treason after posting on social media support of a bill passed in the US House of Representatives. It bans federal contracts with companies doing business with Venezuela's government. The US Slapped back sanctions on Venezuela after last July's election. President Nicolas Maduro declared victory but has yet to provide proof. The opposition, however, collected results from 80% of voting machines showing its candidate and Mundo Gonzalez overwhelmingly won. This week, the US Recognized Gonzalez as Venezuela's president elect. Carrie Khan, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment. Barcelona is a popular tourist attraction, and the average rent for an apartment has doubled in the past 10 years, according to the website Idealista. Much of the US is being pounded this weekend by either snow or rain. In California, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Sierra Nevadas through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at higher elevations. Thousands of people around Seattle, meanwhile, are without power as a bomb Cyclone system hit the region during the week, and parts of the northeastern Appalachia are getting heavy rain this weekend. I'm Dale Willman and PR News.

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