NPR News: 11-24-2024 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of November 24, 2024, Episode

Release Date: November 24, 2024 | Host: Giles Snyder

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1. United Nations Climate Talks in Azerbaijan Draw Criticism

Timestamp: 00:14

NPR’s Giles Snyder introduces the episode by highlighting a controversial agreement reached at the United Nations climate talks held in Azerbaijan. The deal, which commits wealthy nations to provide $300 billion annually, has sparked backlash from developing countries.

Key Points:

• Developing Nations' Concerns: Countries that are disproportionately affected by climate change—experiencing severe flooding, hurricanes, and droughts—argue that the financial commitment from wealthy nations is insufficient. These nations emphasize that their own carbon emissions are minimal compared to those of affluent countries, positioning them as victims needing support for climate-induced damages.

• Lauren Sommer’s Report: Lauren Sommer of NPR’s Climate Desk explains, “Lower interim countries are seeing some of the worst impacts from climate change...they’ve done little to cause that because their carbon emissions are low” (00:42).

• Negotiation Challenges: The talks extended beyond the scheduled time as representatives from nearly 200 countries struggled to reach a consensus, reflecting the deep divisions and differing priorities between developed and developing nations (01:01).

2. Severe Flooding in Northern California Claims Lives

Timestamp: 00:08 & 01:19

Tragic news emerges from Northern California as heavy rains from a major storm lead to significant flooding, resulting in the loss of two lives.

Key Points:

• Casualties Reported: Juan Carlos Lara reports that one person was found dead in a submerged vehicle in Santa Rosa, and another was discovered deceased in Piner Creek (00:08, 01:19).

• Weather Conditions: Patricia Stephens, a Police Sergeant, notes that “all creeks in Santa Rosa were extremely high and had been experiencing flooding during the storm” (01:35). The Russian River has seen unusually high water levels for November, with downtown Santa Rosa receiving over a foot of rain in three days, classified as a "once in a thousand year event" by weather officials (01:42).

• Ongoing Impact: A winter storm warning remains in effect for California’s Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, and in Washington State, tens of thousands remain without power following a "bomb cyclone" weather system that primarily affected the Seattle area (02:02, 02:07).

3. Escalation of Conflict in Gaza Amid Israeli Offensive

Timestamp: 02:07 - 02:34

The host updates listeners on the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with mounting casualties and no signs of de-escalation.

Key Points:

• Casualty Figures: The Gaza Health Ministry reports that deaths from Israel’s military actions have surpassed 44,000. Health officials confirm that at least one Palestinian has been killed in the last 48 hours (02:07, 02:31).

• Michael Levitt’s Report: Levitt details that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in numerous casualties, including a tragic loss of seven family members in a single home. The offensive, particularly concentrated in northern Gaza, aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping. Additionally, Hamas claims responsibility for killing a female Israeli hostage, though Israel has yet to verify this claim (02:34).

Notable Quote:

“Israeli airstrikes have claimed casualties across the Gaza Strip, including seven members of a single family…” — Michael Levitt, NPR News (02:36)

4. Missing Israeli Rabbi’s Body Found in UAE

Timestamp: 03:15 - 03:42

In a somber update, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces the discovery of Rabbi V. Kogan's body in the United Arab Emirates, ending suspicions of his kidnapping.

Key Points:

• Netanyahu’s Statement: The Israeli leader vows to seek justice for the rabbi, denouncing his death as an “antisemitic act of terrorism” (03:37, 03:39).

• Circumstances: Rabbi V. Kogan went missing on Thursday, leading to initial fears of kidnapping. The confirmation of his death alleviates some concerns but underscores the persistent threats faced by Israeli nationals abroad (03:17, 03:33).

5. Donald Trump Appoints Brooke Rollins to Lead Agriculture Department

Timestamp: 03:42 - 03:53

President-elect Donald Trump completes his selection of key executive agency leaders by appointing Brooke Rollins as the head of the Agriculture Department.

Key Points:

• Appointment Details: Rollins is recognized as a long-time ally of Trump and is the co-founder and leader of the America First Policy Institute, signaling a continuation of Trump's "America First" policy priorities (03:42, 03:44).

• Significance: This appointment finalizes Trump’s team, positioning Rollins to influence agricultural policies in line with his administration’s goals (03:53).

6. Orlando Pride Clinches First NWSL Championship

Timestamp: 03:57 - 04:56

Sports enthusiasts are treated to celebrating the Orlando Pride's historic victory in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) championship.

Key Points:

• Championship Victory: The Orlando Pride secured their first NWSL title with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit, held at a neutral site in Kansas City (03:57).

• Star Performance: Forward Barbara Banda played a pivotal role, scoring the only goal of the match in the 37th minute. Her excellent performance throughout the playoffs, including two goals in the quarterfinals and another in the semifinals, was instrumental to the Pride’s success (04:11, 04:29).

• Marta’s Milestone: The victory also marks the first title for Marta Vieira da Silva, the renowned 38-year-old Brazilian superstar, celebrated by fans globally as “Marta” (04:36).

Notable Quote:

“I always wanted to take on the defenders, so I saw that opportunity and I had to put the ball at the back of the net for the [Pride].” — Barbara Banda (04:29)

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This episode of NPR News Now offers a comprehensive overview of pressing global issues, from climate change negotiations and natural disasters to geopolitical conflicts and significant achievements in sports. Notable quotes and detailed reports provide listeners with an in-depth understanding of each topic, ensuring they remain informed on the latest developments.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. A deal reached at the United nations climate talks in Azerbaijan is coming in for sharp criticism. Developing nations say the 300 billion doll a year that wealthy nations agreed to provide does not go far enough in helping to address the impacts of climate change. Lauren Sommer reports for NPR's Climate Desk.

[Lauren Sommer]

So lower interim countries are seeing some of the worst impacts from climate change, you know, flooding and hurricanes and droughts that are getting worse. They've done little to cause that because their carbon emissions are low. It's really the wealthier countries that are responsible for most of the emissions. So developing countries say they're owed for all those damages.

[Giles Snyder]

The negotiations ran into overtime as representatives.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

From nearly 200 countries struggled to reach consensus.

[Giles Snyder]

Two people were found dead in or.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

Near floodwaters this weekend after a major storm dumped heavy rain on parts of Northern California.

[Giles Snyder]

From member station KQED in San Francisco.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

Juan Carlos Lera reports.

[Patricia Stephens]

More than 50 miles north of San Francisco, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said Saturday one person was found dead in a submerged vehicle in the city of Santa Rosa. Police Sergeant Patricia Stephens says a man in his 60s was found dead in a creek Saturday morning, Piner Creek, at that area.

[Weather Official]

In fact, all creeks in Santa Rosa were extremely high and had been experiencing flooding during the storm.

[Patricia Stephens]

Weather officials say the nearby Russian river has experienced higher water levels than normal for November, and a flood warning for the area remains in effect until further notice. Downtown Santa Rosa saw more than a foot of rain over three days, which weather officials are calling a once in a thousand year event. For NPR News, I'm Juan Carlos Lara in San Francisco.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

A winter storm warning is in effect through Tuesday for California's Sierra Nevada.

[Giles Snyder]

In Washington State, tens of thousands remain.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

Without power after what's called a bomb cyclone weather system hit last week. The outages are mostly in the Seattle area.

[Giles Snyder]

The Gaza Health Ministry says the death.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

Toll in Gaza from Israel's war against Hamas has now topped 44,000.

[Giles Snyder]

And the Israeli offensive in Gaza is.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

Showing few signs of slowing down. Health officials say at least one Palestinians.

[Giles Snyder]

Have killed in the last 48 hours.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

NPR's Michael Levitt has more.

[Michael Levitt]

Palestinian health officials say Israeli airstrikes have claimed casualties across the Gaza Strip, including seven members of a single family whose home was hit overnight in a suburb of Gaza City. Most of the recent fighting on the ground has been concentrated in the north of Gaza. Israel has besieged the area for weeks, where it says it is trying to prevent Hamas from regrouping. In a statement, Abu Obeda, a spokesman for Hamas's Qassam Brigades, said that Israel's offensive has also killed a female hostage but did not release her identity. Israel's military says it is currently examining footage released by Hamas allegedly showing the killed hostage, but could not confirm its validity. Michael Levitt, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Giles Snyder]

This is npr. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vowing to seek justice in the case of an Israeli rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates. A statement from Netanyahu's office today says the body of Rabbis V. Kogan has been found.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

He went missing Thursday. There were suspicions that he'd been kidnapped.

[Giles Snyder]

Netanyahu was denouncing the death as an.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

Antisemitic act of terrorism.

[Giles Snyder]

President elect Donald Trump has tapped Brooke.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

Rollins to lead the Agriculture Department. Rollins is a longtime ally who co founded and leads the America First Policy Institute.

[Giles Snyder]

Trump's announcement this weekend completes his choices.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

To lead executive agencies.

[Giles Snyder]

After a flurry Friday night, the Orlando Pride won their first championship in the National Women's Soccer League with a one nil win over the Washington Spirit.

[Juan Carlos Lara]

The match took place on a neutral.

[Giles Snyder]

Site in Kansas City, where reporter Greg Eklund is based.

[Greg Eklund]

Orlando forward Barbara Banda, who grew up in Zambia and played her first season in the nwsl, saved her best for last in the playoffs. She scored two goals in the Pride's quarterfinal, a goal in the semis and the only goal of the title match in the 37th minute.

[Barbara Banda]

I always wanted to take on the defenders, so I saw that opportunity and I had to put the ball at the back of the net for the.

[Greg Eklund]

Top seeded Pride, who lost only two matches all year. It was their first appearance in the championship match. It was also the first title for Marta Vieira da Silva, their 38 year old Brazilian superstar known to many fans simply as Marta. For NPR News, I'm Greg Eckled in Kansas City.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News.

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