NPR News: 11-26-2024 8AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of November 26, 2024, Episode

Released on November 26, 2024

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U.S. President-Elect Trump's Proposed Tariffs Spark International Concerns

Timestamp: 00:11

In a bold move announced on his inauguration day, President-elect Donald Trump declared his intention to impose a 25% tariff on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. Additionally, he threatened an extra 10% tariff on Chinese imports. Trump justified these measures as necessary to curb the flow of undocumented migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S.

Timestamp: 00:42

Ontario Premier Doug Ford swiftly reacted to the tariff announcement, describing the proposed measures as "devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S." Ford emphasized the urgent need for Ottawa to form a response team, stating, "Ottawa needs to establish a team Canada and response. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must call a meeting of all the provincial premiers as soon as possible."

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce echoed these sentiments, warning that even a 10% tariff could severely impact the $30 billion annual exports to the U.S., potentially delivering a significant blow to the Canadian economy.

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Israeli-Lebanese Ceasefire Negotiations Progress Amid Ongoing Strikes

Timestamp: 01:27

Tensions remain high in the Middle East as Israeli warplanes continue targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut. Despite ongoing military actions, officials from Lebanon and Israel are nearing a ceasefire agreement. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from Beirut, highlighting that both nations' cabinets are scheduled to meet over the next two days to finalize the ceasefire details.

Timestamp: 01:46

Lebanese lawmaker Simon Abiramia provided insights into the proposed ceasefire, outlining that it would commence with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. Additionally, Hezbollah is expected to disarm its fighters and relinquish weapons. The agreement includes the deployment of the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers north of the Litani River, approximately 20 miles from the Israeli border. An international committee will also oversee the implementation of the ceasefire. Notably, Abiramia mentioned that Israel's request for the right to preemptively strike Hezbollah militants suspected of violating the agreement was not included in the deal he reviewed.

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President Biden Celebrates Friendsgiving, Commends Coast Guard Efforts

Timestamp: 02:27

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended a Friendsgiving dinner on Staten Island, New York, the evening before Thanksgiving. The event was attended by members of the U.S. Coast Guard and their families. During the event, Biden took a moment to acknowledge and praise the Coast Guard's exceptional service.

Timestamp: 02:45

President Biden shared specific instances of the Coast Guard's commendable actions:

"When Iran sent weapons to the Houthis, you teamed up with the Navy and you intercepted them. When the Baltimore Bridge collapsed, which is I spent a lot of time there, you arrived within minutes to help reopen the port in record time."

Following the dinner, President and First Lady Biden are set to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

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Shifts in Demographics Favoring Trump Raise Questions for 2024 Election

Timestamp: 03:00

The 2024 presidential election has witnessed significant shifts in voter demographics, with notable swings toward President-elect Donald Trump among groups traditionally supportive of Democratic candidates. NPR’s Domenico Montanaro explores whether the Republican Party can maintain this newfound coalition.

Timestamp: 03:28

Montanaro points out that young voters, Latinos, and Asian American voters in key states have shifted their support by 20 points or more in favor of Trump. These groups have historically leaned Democratic, raising questions about whether their support for Trump is indicative of a long-term realignment or a response to specific factors such as economic concerns. Montanaro emphasizes that the ability of Republicans to sustain this coalition may depend on addressing issues like rising prices, the perception of the incumbent party's performance, and mobilizing white voters without college degrees to either support Trump or back another Republican candidate in the upcoming four years.

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Walmart and Other Corporations Withdraw from DEI Initiatives

Timestamp: 03:54

In a significant corporate policy shift, Walmart has announced the termination of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This decision follows similar moves by other major companies, including Ford and Lowe's. Walmart will cease supporting its racial equity center, established in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, and will discontinue considering race and gender factors in supplier contract decisions to enhance diversity.

This move marks a departure from the broader corporate trend towards DEI, raising discussions about the motivations behind such decisions and their potential impact on workplace diversity and corporate culture.

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Political Turmoil in the Philippines as Vice President Faces Assassination Allegations

Timestamp: 03:54

A severe political feud has emerged in the Philippines between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte has made alarming statements, asserting that she has instructed individuals to assassinate President Marcos and his wife, as well as the Speaker of the Philippines House, should she be killed. These statements have led to a full-scale investigation by Philippine authorities.

In response, President Marcos addressed the nation in a televised statement, refraining from mentioning Vice President Duterte directly, while declaring that "the criminal plot should not be allowed to pass." The situation remains tense as investigations continue and political alliances are scrutinized.

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This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the NPR News Now episode released on November 26, 2024. For the full experience, listening to the episode is recommended.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on all goods entering the US from Canada and Mexico on the day he sworn in. He says that's to stop the flow of undocumented migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. he he's also threatening to impose additional 10% tariffs on Chinese imports, also blaming illegal drugs. There's reaction to this news coming from Canada. Dan Karpenchek reports. The premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, says these tariffs would be devastating.

[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, quote, devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S. adding that Ottawa needs to establish a team Canada 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.

[Korva Coleman]

Israeli warplanes continue to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut, even as officials from Lebanon and Israel say they are close to a ceasefire agreement. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from Beirut. Both countries cabinets are meeting today and tomorrow to discuss details.

[Lauren Frayer]

Lebanese lawmaker Simon Abiramia tells NPR his government has approved what he says would be an initial two month ceasefire. It calls for Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanon and for Hezbollah to p fighters and weapons. North of the litani river, about 20 miles from the Israeli border, the Lebanese army would move in alongside United nations peacekeepers. An international committee would also be set up to monitor implementation of the ceasefire. Israel had asked for the right to preemptively strike Hezbollah if it suspects militants of violating this agreement. But Abiramia says that provision is not part of the deal he's seen. Lauren Freyer, NPR News, Beirut.

[Korva Coleman]

President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended a friendsgiving dinner ahead of Thanksgiving last night on Staten Island, New York. The president was joined by members of the U.S. coast Guard and their families. Before the president helped serve the guests, Biden took time to praise the special work of the Coast Guard.

[Joe Biden]

When Iran sent weapons to the Houthis, you teamed up with the Navy and you intercepted them. When the Baltimore Bridge collapsed, which is I spent a lot of time there, you arrived within minutes to help reopen the port in record time.

[Korva Coleman]

The president and first Lady Jill Biden are now headed for Nantucket, Massachusetts. That's where they will spend the Thanksgiving holiday. You're listening to NPR. The 2024 presidential election saw dramatic shifts among some demographic groups toward President elect Donald Trump. But NPR's Domenico Montanaro reports it remains a question whether Republicans can hold that coalition together. After Trump's election, young voters, Latinos and.

[Domenico Montanaro]

Asian American voters in Key States swung 20 points or more in Trump's direction. These are all groups that have tended to vote Democratic over the years. So are they now Republican voters, or did they simply shift because they felt prices were too high? And they blame the incumbent party, how they judged Trump's job performance, and whether another Republican can fire up white voters without college degrees to the same extent is going to be key in the next four years. Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The nation's largest retailer, Walmart, says it is ending its efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, or dei. It follows other companies that have done so, such as Ford and Lowe's. It won't renew a commitment to support a racial equity center it set up after the murder of George Floyd. And Walmart will stop considering race and gender to improve diversity when it offers contracts to suppliers. There's a political feud in the Philippines between the country's president and vice president. Vice President Sara Duterte says she has told someone to assassinate Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. His wife and the speaker of the Philippines House if she is killed. Philippines authorities are investigating the vice president. President Marcos has given a televised statement without mentioning the vice president. He says the criminal plot should not be allowed to pass. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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