NPR News: 11-27-2024 4PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 27, 2024, 4 PM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Release Date: November 27, 2024

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Middle East Peace Agreement Between Israel and Hezbollah

Time Stamp: 00:17

NPR's Windsor Johnston reports significant developments in the Middle East as an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah militants has been reached, ushering in a period of relative calm in the region. Celebratory gunfire echoed across Lebanon today as thousands of people return to their homes following the accord.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the administration's commitment to the agreement:
"Several steps are being taken to ensure that the deal holds up," (00:17).

The Lebanese army is mobilizing forces near the Israeli border to solidify the truce. Over the next 60 days, Sullivan outlined, "the Lebanese armed forces, supported by the United States and France and other of our allies, will go into southern Lebanon, take up the positions previously occupied by Hezbollah, and ensure that no terrorist group returns to that region in force" (00:44). This move is aimed at maintaining stability and preventing the resurgence of militant activities.

Revised U.S. Travel Advisory for China

Time Stamp: 01:03

The U.S. State Department has downgraded its travel advisory for China from Level 3 to Level 2, signaling an improvement in bilateral relations. This adjustment comes after reports of a deal between Washington and Beijing, which facilitated the release of three Americans from a Chinese prison.

John Ruich, reporting for NPR, explains:
"The Level 2 advisory advises Americans to exercise increased caution when traveling to China," (01:29). Previously, the advisory warned travelers to reconsider trips to China due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Despite the relaxation, concerns remain over the arbitrary enforcement of laws and wrongful detentions, including exit bans.

The change is notable as China seeks to rejuvenate its tourism sector, potentially easing travel for American students and other visitors.

Department of Energy Announces Major Loans for Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles

Time Stamp: 02:14

The U.S. Department of Energy has unveiled substantial loan commitments aimed at bolstering renewable energy projects and the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Camila Domonowski of NPR reports that these loans include $6 billion allocated for an EV manufacturing plant in Georgia and nearly $5 billion designated for a midwestern transmission line.

These funds are contingent upon meeting specific financial, environmental, and pro-union requirements set by the Biden administration. However, the timing is critical as these loans must be finalized before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Vivek Ramaswamy, a political figure poised to recommend budget cuts, criticized the program on social media:
"It is insane to fork over billions of dollars to create thousands of the loan program's office gives loans and charges interest," (02:28). Despite opposition, Domonowski notes that the loan program has been profitable for the government thus far.

Economic Updates: Wall Street, Travel, Gas Prices, and Mortgage Rates

Time Stamp: 03:08

Windsor Johnston provides a roundup of economic and consumer news:

• Stock Market: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 138 points, reflecting investor caution ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

• Travel Delays: Major airports in Atlanta, Boston, and Denver are experiencing significant flight delays. The day before Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest travel days in the United States.

• Gas Prices: According to AAA, the national average for regular gasoline has decreased by approximately 18 cents per gallon compared to the previous year, offering some relief to consumers.

Kentucky Launches Online Auction for Confiscated Alcohol

Time Stamp: 03:56

Kentucky has initiated its first online auction of alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations. John McGarry from member station WEKU reports that the proceeds from this auction will support alcohol abuse prevention programs.

Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers Association, elaborates:
"Before this new law, alcohol confiscated after criminal investigations had to be destroyed," (03:56). The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) now permits the auctioning of confiscated alcohol, provided it remains in its original, untampered containers.

Eric Gregory adds:
"Proceeds from the auction will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use on college campuses and elsewhere," (04:19). This initiative aims to generate funds for combating alcohol abuse while preserving valuable spirits.

Mortgage Rates Show Slight Declines

Time Stamp: 04:35

In housing news, Windsor Johnston reports that mortgage rates have seen modest decreases:

• 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgages: Dropped to 6.8%.
• 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgages: Slightly increased to 6.1%.

These changes, as reported by Freddie Mac, may provide some relief to homebuyers navigating the competitive real estate market in the lead-up to the holiday season.

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Transcript

[Carvana Representative]

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. There was sound of celebratory gunfire in Lebanon today. Thousands of people are traveling back to their homes after a agreement was reached between Israel and Hezbollah militants today. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says several steps are being taken to ensure that the deal holds up.

[Carvana Representative]

So over the next 60 days, the Lebanese armed forces, supported by the United States and France and other of our allies, will actually go into southern Lebanon, take up the positions that have previously been occupied by Hezbollah and ensure that no terrorist group returns to that region in force.

[Windsor Johnston]

The Lebanese army says it's deploying forces near the Israeli border as a U S Backed truce between Israel and Hezbollah militants begins to take effect. The State Department has revised its travel advisory for China for the first time since the pandemic. NPR's John Ruich says the move comes after reports of a deal between Washington and Beijing that secured the release of three Americans from a Chinese prison.

[John Ruich]

The travel advisory was lowered to Level 2, which advises Americans to exercise increased caution when traveling to China. It had been one notch higher at level three, advising would be travelers to reconsider trips to China. The level three warning was put in place early in the pandemic when the virus was spreading and China started imposing lockdowns. It was kept in place, though, after Beijing dropped Covid controls in late 2022. The State Department cited arbitrary enforcement of laws and wrongful detentions in China. The Level 2 advisory still says arbitrary enforce of local laws is a problem, including in relation to exit bans. But the change is significant. China had been struggling to attract visitors, and this may make it easier for American students and others to travel to China. John Ruich, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

The Department of Energy has announced major loans this week to support renewable energy and electric vehicles. NPR's Camilla Domonowski reports. The department doesn't have much time to finalize these loans.

[Camila Domonowski]

Loans announced just this week include $6 billion for an EV plant in Georgia and nearly 5 billion for a Midwestern transmission line. Those loans are conditional with financial requirements and the Biden team's environmental and pro union stipulations before companies access funds. But if they're not finalized by President Elect Donald Trump's inauguration, they face an uncertain fate. Vivek Ramaswamy, who will be recommending budget cuts, said on X it was insane to fork over billions of dollars to create thousands of the loan program's office gives loans and charges interest. Overall, the program has made money for the government. Camila Domonoskey, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

At last check on Wall street, the dow was down 138 points. This is NPR News. Airports in Atlanta, Boston and Denver are reporting flight delays on this busy day of travel in the US the day before Thanksgiving is usually one of the busiest days of the year at airports and on the nation's highways. AAA says regular gasoline is about 18 cents a gallon cheaper on average than one year ago. The first online auction of alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations is underway in Kentucky. John McGarry from member station WEKU reports. The proceeds will help fund efforts to prevent alcohol abuse through December 11th.

[Eric Gregory]

Some rare and valuable examples of Kentucky's signature drink are up for auction through the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's website. Before this new law, alcohol confiscated after criminal investigations had to be destroyed.

[Carvana Representative]

The ABC now has the authorization to auction off confiscated alcohol as long as it's in its original container and hasn't been tampered with.

[Eric Gregory]

That's Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers association, which backed the new law. Proceeds from the auction will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use on college campuses and elsewhere. For NPR News in Versales, Kentucky, I'm John McGarry.

[Windsor Johnston]

People shopping for a home are finding slightly lower mortgage rates this week. The finance giant Freddie Mac reports the fixed rate for a 30 year mortgage ticked down 6.8%. 15 year fixed rate mortgages increased slightly last week to 6.1%. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[Carvana Representative]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR newsnow +@ +npr.org. that's +npr.