NPR News: 11-26-2024 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 26, 2024, 5AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly
Release Date: November 26, 2024

1. President-Elect Donald Trump's Proposed Tariffs

Overview:
President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. This move is a response to what he describes as the ongoing flow of illegal migrants and drugs across the borders. Additionally, Trump has pledged a 10% tariff on goods from China due to similar concerns regarding illegal drugs.

Key Points:

• Implementation Date: Tariffs to take effect on Inauguration Day, January 20.
• Duration: Remain in place until Canada and Mexico halt illegal activities as defined by Trump.
• Economic Impact: Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, warns that a 25% tariff would be "devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S." (Dan Karpenchuk, 00:59).
• Canadian Response: The Canadian Chamber of Commerce indicates that even a 10% tariff could severely impact the $30 billion annual exports to the U.S., potentially causing significant harm to the Canadian economy.

Notable Quotes:

"A 25% tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S."
— Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario (Dan Karpenchuk, 00:59)

2. U.S. and Israel Diplomacy on Hezbollah Ceasefire

Overview:
Israel's cabinet is set to vote on a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. U.S. officials emphasize that securing this deal is a top priority for President Biden as his administration nears its end.

Key Points:

• Negotiation Status: U.S. State Department officials report that negotiations are progressing positively toward a ceasefire.
• Conditions: The agreement would require Hezbollah to pull back from Israel's border, particularly if the Lebanese army is unable to manage the situation.
• Diplomatic Efforts: The U.S. is pushing for a resolution that would allow the affected populations in Lebanon and Israel to return home safely.

Notable Quotes:

"The goal is to get to a ceasefire that would see Hezbollah pull back from the border with Israel."
— Matthew Miller, State Department Spokesperson (Michelle Keleman, 02:10)

"We are pushing as hard as we can to get a diplomatic resolution that would allow these tens of thousands of people in Lebanon, Israel to return home."
— Michelle Keleman, State Department Official (Michelle Keleman, 02:20)

3. Violence Erupts in Pakistan Over Imran Khan’s Imprisonment

Overview:
In Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, clashes between supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and security forces have resulted in several deaths. The unrest stems from demands for Khan's release, as he has been incarcerated for over a year on corruption charges.

Key Points:

• Casualties: At least four security personnel have been killed in the clashes.
• Government Stance: The current Prime Minister attributes the violence to an "anarchist group."
• Imran Khan’s Status: Khan has been imprisoned for more than a year, facing corruption allegations.

Notable Quotes:

"At least four of those killed in Islamabad were security personnel."
— Dave Mattingly (Dave Mattingly, 02:49)

4. Legal Developments in the Menendez Brothers' Case

Overview:
A Southern California judge has postponed the hearing on the potential sentence reduction for Eric and Lyle Menendez, who have been serving life sentences without parole for the murder of their parents in 1989. The delay until January allows for a comprehensive review of new evidence.

Key Points:

• New Evidence: Defense attorneys present claims of sexual abuse by their father, Jose Menendez, supporting their case for reduced sentences.
• Stakeholders:
  • Terry Birolt, Jose's sister, advocates for the brothers' release.
  • The current LA County District Attorney supports the reduction, while the newly elected DA requires additional time for review.
• Potential Outcome: A sentence reduction to 50 years to life would make the brothers eligible for parole, subject to approval by both the parole board and Governor Gavin Newsom.

Notable Quotes:

"I do want them home. They should never have been in such situations."
— Terry Birolt, Jose Menendez’s Sister (Terry Birolt, 04:04)

5. Mississippi State Elections: Supreme Court Races

Overview:
Mississippi voters are casting ballots for candidates to serve on the state supreme court and the court of appeals. In the race for the highest judicial position, incumbent Justice Jim Kitchens is seeking a third term but is being challenged by State Senator Jennifer Branning.

Key Points:

• Election Outcome: In the first round of voting, Jennifer Branning has received more votes than Justice Jim Kitchens, positioning her as a strong contender in the race.

Notable Quotes:

"Branning received more votes than Kitchens."
— Dave Mattingly (Dave Mattingly, 04:28)

6. Financial Markets Update

Overview:
Wall Street futures are showing a mixed performance this morning, reflecting uncertainty in the markets amid the day's significant news events.

Notable Quotes:

"Wall street futures are mixed this morning."
— Dave Mattingly (Dave Mattingly, 04:28)

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key news topics covered in the NPR News Now episode released on November 26, 2024. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Dave Mattingly]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. President elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on all goods entering the US from Canada and Mexico on the day he's sworn in. That's if the two countries don't stop the flow of illegal migrants and illegal drugs coming across their borders. On his Truth Social platform last night, Trump said the tariffs would take effect Inauguration Day, January 20, and remain in place until it stops. Trump threatened tariffs as he sought a second term in the White House. As Dan Karpenchuk reports, the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, says the tariffs would have a devastating impact.

[Dan Karpenchuk]

Ford's comment came less than an hour after Trump suggested that he would be signing an executive order to implement the tariffs on this first day in office. Ford says a 25% tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S. adding that Ottawa needs to establish a Team Canada approach and response. Ford says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must call a meeting of all the provincial premiers as soon as possible. Trump has said the tariffs would remain until Canada and Mexico stop drugs and migrants from crossing the border illegally. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has said that even a 10% tariff on Canadian goods would seriously impact the $30 billion a year in exports to the U.S. resulting in a major hit to the Canadian economy. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpenchuk in Toronto.

[Dave Mattingly]

Donald Trump is also pledging to slap an additional 10% tariff on all goods entering the US from China because of illegal drugs. Israel's cabinet is expected to vote today on a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. U.S. officials say getting a deal done is a top priority for President Biden as he prepares to leave office. As NPR's Michelle Kalaman reports, administration officials.

[Matthew Miller]

Say negotiations are heading in the right direction. The goal is to get to a ceasefire that would see Hezbollah pull back from the border with Israel, says State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

[Michelle Keleman]

Hopefully we'll get there with an agreement. We are pushing as hard as we can to get a diplomatic resolution that would allow these tens of thousands of people in Lebanon, Israel to return home. But ultimately that's up to the parties, not to us.

[Matthew Miller]

Israel's ambassador to the UN Says any deal must give Israel the right to go back into southern Lebanon to, in his words, neutralize the threat of Hezbollah if the Lebanese army fails to do that. Michelle Keleman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Dave Mattingly]

Several deaths are reported in Pakistan's capital, where supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan been clashing with security forces as they demand Khan's release. At least four of those killed in Islamabad were security personnel. The country's current prime minister is blaming what he calls an anarchist group for the violence. Khan has been behind bars for more than a year for corruption. This is NPR News. A judge in Southern California is pushing back until January a hearing on whether to reduce the sentences of Eric and Lyle Menendez. They've been in prison for decades, serving sentences of life without parole for killing their parents. That was in 1989. As Steve Funderman reports from Los Angeles, the judge and the newly elected prosecutor want more time to review new evidence in the case.

[Steve Futterman]

The request has become more complex with a new district attorney about to take over. The current LA County DA supports the reduction. The new DA says he needs time to review the case. Defense attorneys say there is new evidence to support the brothers claims that they were sexually abused by their father, Jose. Jose's sister, Terry Birolt, wants them released.

[Terry Birolt]

I do want them home. They should never have been in such situations.

[Steve Futterman]

A sentence reduction to 50 years to life would make Eric and Lyle Menendez eligible for parole, but it would still need approval from both the parole board and California Governor Gavin Newsom. The judge has scheduled a two day hearing for January. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman at the county courthouse in Los Angeles.

[Dave Mattingly]

Voters in Mississippi are going to the polls today to choose a candidate for the state supreme court and another for the state's court of appeals. On the state's highest court, Justice Jim Kitchens is seeking a third term. He's being challenged by state Senator Jennifer Branning in the first round of voting. Branning received more votes than Kitchens. Wall street futures are mixed this morning. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.

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