NPR News: 11-28-2024 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – November 29, 2024

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Podcast: NPR News Now
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
Description: A concise update on the latest national and international news, delivered in five minutes.

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1. Escalating Conflict in Ukraine: Russian Energy Attacks and Putin’s Threats

Timestamp: 00:17
Reporter: Dale Willman

The episode opens with a sobering report on the intensifying conflict between Russia and Ukraine. President Joe Biden has condemned recent Russian assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as "horrific," highlighting a significant escalation with nearly 200 missiles and drones launched. These attacks heighten anxieties about potential power outages in Ukraine during the impending winter months.

Timestamp: 00:50
Reporter: Willem Marks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded by escalating his military rhetoric. Speaking at a press conference in Kazakhstan, Putin announced the potential deployment of a new hypersonic missile system, referred to as "aresnik" or "hazel tree," aimed at targeting government and official buildings in Kyiv. He justified this move as retaliation against Ukraine's use of American and British long-range missiles on Russian soil. Putin emphasized the invincibility of this missile system, stating, "The hypersonic intermediate range ballistic missile system cannot be intercepted" (01:05).

This advanced missile was previously used last week against a weapons factory in Dnipro, underscoring Russia's increased military capabilities. Additionally, Putin touched upon domestic and electoral matters, expressing doubts about the safety of President-elect Donald Trump following an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier in the summer.

2. U.S. Border Policies and Migrant Concerns

Timestamp: 01:28
Reporter: Dale Willman

Shifting focus to U.S. domestic policy, the episode covers the actions of Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's new border czar. During a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Homan pledged to fulfill the Trump administration's campaign promises of mass deportations. This declaration has stirred unease among migrants residing in New Jersey.

Timestamp: 01:46
Reporter: Sophie Niromuno

Sophie Niromuno, reporting for NJ Monitor, elaborates on the community's response: "There is definitely an aura of fear among the undocumented community in New Jersey. But with New Jersey offering so many protections for undocumented immigrants, social services, you know, they are very much a part of everyone's lives here, you know, and now there is fear that they're going to go back into the shadows." Her statement reflects the tension between local support systems and federal immigration enforcement.

3. Thanksgiving Health Tip: The Benefits of a Post-Meal Walk

Timestamp: 02:08
Reporter: Dale Willman

With Thanksgiving underway, NPR offers health advice emphasizing the benefits of taking a walk after a large meal. Health experts advocate that even a brief stroll can significantly enhance digestion and overall health.

Timestamp: 02:23
Reporter: Maria Godoy

Maria Godoy reports on the scientific basis for this recommendation, citing gastroenterologist Chris Damon from the University of Washington: "When we move our muscles, they become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream" (02:41). This muscular activity helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Damon explains that walking after meals facilitates glucose uptake by muscles, thereby preventing blood sugar spikes.

Timestamp: 02:53
Reporter: Maria Godoy

Further, Godoy notes that studies indicate even two to five minutes of walking can beneficially control blood sugar levels, although longer durations yield greater health advantages.

4. Thanksgiving Box Office Success: Moana 2 Leads the Charge

Timestamp: 03:11
Reporter: Dale Willman

Turning to entertainment, theater owners express gratitude for what appears to be the most lucrative Thanksgiving holiday box office to date. NPR's Bob Mondello provides an overview of the significant earnings driven by major film releases.

Timestamp: 03:26
Reporter: Bob Mondello

Disney's "Moana 2" has been a standout performer, grossing $57 million at North American box offices and projected to reach an impressive $175 million over the holiday weekend. Mondello remarks, "That is easily the highest Thanksgiving total ever."

Timestamp: 03:50
Reporter: Bob Mondello

Other films contributing to the robust box office numbers include "Wicked Part 1" and "Gladiator 2," which are expected to collectively add approximately $140 million in their second week. This surge positions the total holiday earnings to surpass the previous record of $314 million set in 2018.

5. Australia Enacts Social Media Age Restrictions

Timestamp: 04:11
Reporter: Dale Willman

On the international front, Australia is set to implement a significant policy change affecting young internet users. Both the Australian Senate and House have passed legislation banning children under 16 from using social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, and Instagram.

The law mandates that these platforms have one year to devise and enforce compliance strategies before penalties are imposed. This move aims to protect younger populations from the potential harms associated with social media use.

6. Upcoming Auroras Across the Northern United States

Timestamp: 04:11
Reporter: Dale Willman

Lastly, weather officials have issued a forecast predicting the visibility of faint auroras across the northern regions of the United States due to solar storms. These auroras may be observable tonight and tomorrow in states including Montana, Minnesota, Upper New York, Wisconsin, and Michigan. However, the displays are expected to be brief and subtle.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on critical geopolitical tensions, domestic policy shifts, public health advisories, entertainment industry successes, regulatory changes, and natural phenomena forecasts. Through timely reporting and insightful commentary, listeners are kept informed on a diverse array of topics shaping the current landscape.

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Notable Quotes:

• Vladimir Putin (00:50): "The hypersonic intermediate range ballistic missile system cannot be intercepted."
• Chris Damon, Gastroenterologist (02:41): "When we move our muscles, they become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream."
• Sophie Niromuno, NJ Monitor (01:46): "There is definitely an aura of fear among the undocumented community in New Jersey... and now there is fear that they're going to go back into the shadows."

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This summary encapsulates the essential points from the NPR News Now episode, providing a clear and structured overview for readers unfamiliar with the original broadcast.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Joe Biden is calling new Russian attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure horrific. The attacks today included almost 200 missiles and drones and are amplifying fears about power outages during the upcoming winter. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, escalated his military threats against Ukraine at a recent press conference in Kazakhstan. And as Villa Marx reports, he also reiterated his earlier statements that the US and other European allies now have direct involvement in Ukrainian missile attacks of Russia.

[Willem Marks]

Putin said his military may use another of its new hypersonic missiles, known as an aresnik or hazel tree, to target government or official building buildings in Kyiv in response to Ukraine's continued use of American and British long range missiles on Russian territory. The hypersonic intermediate range ballistic missile system that Putin says cannot be intercepted was first used last week against a weapons factory in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro. During the same press conference, Putin responded to questions about the US Election by saying he did not believe right now that President Elect Trump was safe following the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt this summer. For NPR News, I'm Willem Marks.

[Dale Willman]

President elect Donald Trump's new border czar, Tom Homan, visited the US Border with Mexico this week. While there, he promised that the Trump administration will make good on campaign promises of mass deportations. Sophie Niromuno is a reporter with New Jersey Monitor. She says those promises have migrants in her state very concerned.

[Sophie Niromuno]

There is definitely an aura of fear among the undocumented community in New Jersey. But with New Jersey offering so many protections for undocumented immigrants, social services, you know, they are very much a part of everyone's lives here, you know, and now there is fear that they're going to go back into the shadows.

[Dale Willman]

Millions of Americans are having Thanksgiving dinner with their friends and family today, and many health experts now recommend that you should take a walk after such a big meal. That's because, as NPR's Maria Godoy reports, even a short walk can offer a boost to your health.

[Maria Godoy]

Walking is always a good idea, but when you walk specifically after a meal, it helps jumpstart digestion. As your body breaks down that food, some of it will become glucose and that sugar will flood into your bloodstream. Gastroenterologist Chris Damon of the University of Washington says a post meal walk will blunt that spike.

[Chris Damon]

When we move our muscles, they become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream. So it basically just pulls all that glucose out of the blood and into.

[Maria Godoy]

The muscles where it gets used right away to fuel your walk. This helps regulate your blood sugar and lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You don't have to walk long to reap these benefits. Studies show just two to five minutes will help control blood sugar, though longer is better. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. Theater owners are giving thanks this weekend for what's shaping up to be the biggest Thanksgiving holiday ever. NPR's Bob Mondello has our details.

[Bob Mondello]

Sailing past last year's lackluster holiday box office numbers was always going to be easy. But it looks as If Disney's Moana 2 is riding a wave that is lifting all boats. The Disney Princess has already taken in $57 million at North American box offices on its way to an estimated 175 million for the full holiday weekend. That is easily the highest Thanksgiving total ever.

[Willem Marks]

Can I get a chihuahu?

[Bob Mondello]

Wicked Part 1 and Gladiator 2 also remain strong. In their second weeks together, they'll add another 140 million or so, meaning the total for all films over the holidays will pretty easily eclipse 2018's all time record of 314 million. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Young children in Australia will soon be banned from using social media. That country's Senate and House both passed that ban this week. Platforms including Facebook X, Snapchat and Instagram will have one year to work out how they can implement the ban before any fines are being imposed. The law prevents anyone younger than 16 from holding social media accounts in that country. Weather officials say solar storms may produce faint auroras across the northern portion of the US Both tonight and tomorrow. The lights may be visible across Montana, Minnesota and Upper New York, along with Wisconsin and Michigan. The lights may only be visible for a short amount of time. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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