NPR News: 11-26-2024 11PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 26, 2024, 11 PM EST

Hosted by Giles Snyder and Eleanor Beardsley

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Middle East Ceasefire Brokered by U.S. and France

Eleanor Beardsley reports on the recent ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which has been in effect for a few hours without any reported violations [00:21]. The agreement was brokered by the United States and France [00:31].

French President Emmanuel Macron praised the deal, emphasizing its significance for peace in the region. In a social media video, Macron stated, “Israeli and Lebanese citizens would finally have a measure of peace, but the ceasefire is fragile and war is still punishing Gaza” [00:42]. He highlighted the ongoing challenges, including the situation in Gaza and the captivity of hostages, and reiterated that a durable peace in the Middle East requires a two-state solution, aligning with President Biden’s stance.

French analysts view the ceasefire as a strategic victory for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allowing him to decouple the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon while continuing military operations in Gaza [00:42].

The ceasefire agreement entails an initial two-month halt to fighting. It requires Hezbollah to cease its armed presence in southern Lebanon, and Israeli troops must withdraw to their side of the border [01:18].

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President-Elect Trump Appoints Key Members to Economic Team

Eleanor Beardsley shares that President-Elect Donald Trump has named two veterans from his first White House term to his economic team [01:29]. Scott Horsley details the appointments:

1. Kevin Hassett has been selected to lead the National Economic Council. Hassett previously led the President's Council of Economic Advisers during Trump’s first two years and played a pivotal role in advocating for the 2017 tax cuts. He briefly returned as a senior advisor during the pandemic [01:37].

2. Jamison Greer is nominated to serve as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Trade Office. Greer, who was Chief of Staff during Trump's first term, is expected to implement Trump’s aggressive trade policies. This nomination follows Trump's recent call for steep tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China [01:37].

Additionally, Trump has chosen Dr. J. Bhattacharya as the Director of the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya, known for her outspoken criticism of government COVID policies during the pandemic, will take on this significant role [02:18].

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Sharp Decline in New Home Sales Amid Hurricanes and High Mortgage Rates

Eleanor Beardsley reports a significant drop in new home sales last month [02:29]. Laurel Wamsley provides deeper insights:

Sales of new single-family homes decreased by more than 9% compared to the previous year and dropped over 17% from the prior month, according to October data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development [02:38]. This slump is attributed to the devastating impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the South, coupled with high mortgage rates that have reduced affordability.

Despite these challenges, many large home builders are offering buyer incentives to mitigate costs. The median sales price for new houses last month was approximately $437,000. Economists anticipate a slight decline in mortgage rates over the next year, which may help stabilize the housing market [02:38].

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Australia's Proposed Ban on Social Media for Minors Advances to Senate

Eleanor Beardsley covers Australia's legislative move to prohibit children under 16 years old from using social media platforms [03:18]. A bill introduced last week has successfully passed the House of Representatives and is now pending in the Senate [03:23].

The center-left government, led by the Prime Minister, aims to secure the bill's passage by the end of the parliamentary year [03:23]. If enacted, social media companies will have one year to establish and implement age restrictions before penalties are enforced [03:37].

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'Demure' Named Dictionary.com's Word of the Year Influenced by TikTok Trends

Eleanor Beardsley introduces the linguistic spotlight on Dictionary.com's word of the year: “demure” [03:44]. Elizabeth Blair explains the phenomenon:

The term “demure,” meaning reserved, quiet, or modest, saw a dramatic surge in usage—nearly a 1,200% increase—primarily due to TikToker Jules LeBron’s catchphrase, “Very demure, very mindful” [03:49]. Jules LeBron, originally a grocery store clerk from Chicago, gained popularity by sharing fashion and makeup tips on TikTok, thereby catapulting “demure” into mainstream digital media [03:54].

Dictionary.com's lexicographers analyze data from headlines, social media trends, and search engine results to determine the word of the year. They describe this selection as a “linguistic time capsule,” reflecting the cultural and social dynamics of the year [04:13].

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Financial Markets Reach Record Highs Amid Mixed Global Trends

Eleanor Beardsley updates on the global financial markets, noting a mixed performance in Asia [04:41]. Meanwhile, Giles Snyder reports that Wall Street achieved record highs:

• The S&P 500 climbed by 0.6%, surpassing the record it set a few weeks prior [04:44].
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 123 points, also reaching new highs [04:44].

These gains reflect investor optimism despite varying economic indicators across different regions [04:44].

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For more information and continuous updates, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

News, I'm Giles Snyder.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

The ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been in effect for a couple of hours now and there have been no reported violations.

[Giles Snyder]

Was brokered by the U.S. and France.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that French President Emmanuel Macron is hailing the deal. He posted a video on social media.

[Emmanuel Macron]

Macron said Israeli and Lebanese citizens would finally have a measure of peace, but the ceasefire is fragile and he said people should not forget that war is still punishing Gaza and the hostages are still captive. Macron, like President Biden, said the only way for a just and durable peace in the Middle east is a two state solution. French analysts say the ceasefire with Hezbollah is a win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because he was able to separate the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and continue his war in Gaza. Eleanor Beardsley in P News, Paris.

[Giles Snyder]

The ceasefire calls for an initial two month halt to fighting and requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon while Israeli troops are to return to their side of the bo.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

President Elect Trump has named two more members of his economic team. NPR Scott hoarsely reports.

[Giles Snyder]

Both are veterans of Trump's first term in the White House.

[Scott Horsley]

Trump has chosen Kevin Hassett to lead the National Economic Council, a kind of clearing house for economic policy throughout the administration. Hassett led the President's Council of Economic Advisers during Trump's first two years in the White House, and he helped make the case for the 2017 tax cuts. He briefly returned to the administration as a senior advisor during the pandemic. Trump also announced plans to nominate Jamison Greer to serve as US he was chief of staff in that office during Trump's first White House term. If confirmed by the Senate, Greer will be charged with implementing Trump's bare knuckle trade policies. News of his nomination came one day after the president elect called for steep new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

Trump has also chosen Dr. J. Bhattacharya to be director of the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya was an outspoken critic of the government's COVID policies during the pandemic.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Sales of new homes dropped sharply last month. NPR's Laurel Wamsley reports that both hurricanes.

[Giles Snyder]

And mortgage rates likely drove the slump.

[Laurel Wamsley]

Sales of new single family homes were more than 9% lower than they were a year ago, according to October data from the U.S. census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sales dropped more than 17% from a month earlier. Analysts said sales figures were much lower than expected and showed Hurricanes Helene and Milton taking a large toll in the South. High mortgage rates have hurt affordability, though many large home builders offer buyer incentives to bring down the cost. The median sales price of new houses sold last month was about $437,000. Economists are predicting a small decline in mortgage rates over the next year. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

The move in Australia to ban children younger than 16 years from social media.

[Giles Snyder]

Is now in the Senate's hands. A bill introduced last week has passed Australia's House of Representatives. The center left government of the prime minister is pushing for passage of the bill by the end of the parliamentary year on if it becomes law this.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Week, social media companies would have one.

[Giles Snyder]

Year to work out how to implement age restrictions before penalties are enforced.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Demure is Dictionary.com's word of the year.

[Giles Snyder]

NPR's Elizabeth Blair says it all started with a Tiktoker's lifestyle and beauty tips.

[Elizabeth Blair]

Demure means reserved, quiet or modest, but the reaction to influencer Jules LeBron's use of it was anything but. LeBron is a Chicago grocery store clerk turned influencer who shares fashion and makeup advice on TikTok.

[Jules LeBron]

You see how I do my makeup for work. Very demure, very mindful.

[Elizabeth Blair]

Dictionary.com's lexicographers study data including headlines, social media trends and search engine results. According to the site, Demure had a nearly 1,200% increase in usage on digital media, with the biggest surge coming in August after LeBron started using it in her catchphrase. Very demure, very mindful. Dictionary.com calls its word of the year a linguistic time capsule. Elizabeth Blair and major financial markets in.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Asia are mixed in Tuesday trading after.

[Giles Snyder]

Wall street rose to record highs, The S&P 500 rose 0.6 of a percent to top the record it set a couple of weeks ago. The Dow added 123 points to the record it set on Monday.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

This is NPR News.

[NPR Announcer]

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