NPR News: 11-29-2024 12AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: November 29, 2024

Hosted by NPR

---

U.S.-Canada-Mexico Tariffs Tension

President Joe Biden has voiced strong criticism of President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. Speaking while spending Thanksgiving in Nantucket, Biden conveyed his concerns about the potential strain on alliances and the broader economic impact.

• Biden at [00:45]: “I hope he rethinks it. I think it's a counterproductive thing to do.”

The tariffs are reportedly a retaliatory measure aimed at encouraging Canada and Mexico to address issues related to drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Biden highlighted that illegal crossings into the U.S. have significantly decreased, questioning the necessity of such tariffs. Analysts warn that these measures could violate the USMCA trade agreement and harm the U.S. economy if Canada and Mexico choose to retaliate.

Additionally, Biden emphasized the importance of a peaceful transition of power, stating his gratitude for the smooth process following the recent election.

---

Escalation in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In a significant escalation, Russia launched nearly 200 missiles and drones targeting Ukraine overnight. President Vladimir Putin has declared these strikes as a direct response to Kyiv's use of Western-supplied long-range missiles.

• Putin at [01:36]: He termed the assault as retaliation for attacks on the Russian homeland and hinted at further strikes targeting central Kyiv and other decision-making centers if the aggression continues.

The latest attacks have left approximately one million Ukrainians without power amidst freezing temperatures. Putin also threatened to target Western military installations in Europe, accusing them of facilitating Ukraine's offensive capabilities. He showcased Russia’s advancements in weaponry, including the recently test-fired Reshnik hypersonic missile, asserting their superiority over Western counterparts.

---

Australia Implements Social Media Ban for Youth

Australia has taken a pioneering step by passing legislation that bans social media usage for children under 16, except for educational purposes. This move addresses growing concerns among parents regarding the mental health impacts of social media on young people.

• Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at [02:36]: “We can't as a government hear those messages from parents and say it's too hard. We have a responsibility to act.”

Prime Minister Albanese assured parents, stating, “We've got your back,” underscoring the government's commitment to safeguarding the mental well-being of children.

---

Renewed Tensions on the Lebanon-Israel Border

Amid a fragile ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and France, Lebanon's state-run media reported that at least two individuals were injured by Israeli gunfire in the border town of Merkaba. This incident marks the second day of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.

The Israeli military confirmed that its troops engaged with several suspects who allegedly breached the ceasefire. The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the precarious peace agreement.

---

Wildlife Preservation Milestone: Sandhill Cranes Gather in Minnesota

A heartening success in wildlife conservation is underway at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in central Minnesota, where tens of thousands of sandhill cranes have gathered for their annual migration.

• Biologist Chris Spaeth at [03:56]: “We've restored a lot of habitat here on the refuge and retained those areas that are super important to them for a roosting site, shallow water, wetlands, and it's a reliable spot too.”

Once endangered due to overhunting and habitat loss, sandhill cranes have made a remarkable comeback. Staff and volunteers have counted over 20,000 cranes this week, symbolizing a victory for habitat restoration and wildlife preservation efforts.

---

Tragic Developments in Maui Missing Person Case

The investigation into the disappearance of Hana Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman who vanished two weeks ago while traveling from Los Angeles to New York, has taken a tragic turn. Hana's father, Ryan Kobayashi, who flew to Maui to search for her, was found dead near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Local authorities and the coroner’s office have ruled his death as an apparent suicide. A fundraiser on GoFundMe has described Ryan's passing as an "unimaginable loss for the family," adding emotional complexity to the ongoing missing person case.

---

For more detailed updates, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from BetterHelp. BetterHelp is committed to making mental well being a priority and offering support in taking on everything life demands. With therapists available to communicate via video chat or [e-mail] News live from NPR.

[Dwalhsai Kowtow]

News in New York City. I'm Dwalhsai Kowtow. President Biden is criticizing President elect Donald Trump's threat to slap tariffs on Canada and Mexico. As NPR's Jackie Northern reports, Biden spoke to reporters while spending Thanksgiving in Nantucket.

[Jackie Northam]

Biden said Trump's threat to place 25% on all Canadian and Mexican imports into the U.S. would, quote, screw up relations with the two close allies.

[Joe Biden]

I hope he rethinks it. I think it's a counterproductive thing to do.

[Jackie Northam]

Trump said he would keep tariffs on the neighbors until they clamped down on drugs and migrants crossing the border. Biden said illegal crossings into the US Are down considerably. Analysts say the proposed tariffs could violate a free trade deal, the usmca, signed by the three countries during Trump's first term and could harm the U.S. economy if Canada and Mexico retaliate. As part of the spirit of the day. Biden also said he was thankful for a peaceful transition after the election. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Dwalhsai Kowtow]

Russia fired nearly 200 missiles and drones at Ukraine overnight. NPR's Charles Mainz reports. President Vladimir Putin is calling this latest Russian assault a direct response to recent attacks by Kyiv using American and other Western made long range missiles.

[Charles Mainz]

The latest Russian strikes left an estimated 1 million Ukrainians without power in freezing temperatures, and the Russian leader suggested more attacks were in the offing. Putin threatened to strike what he called decision making centers in central Kyiv and elsewhere if attacks on the Russian homeland using American and British missiles continued. Putin also repeated threats to strike Western military installations in Europe that he argues have helped Ukraine coordinate the strikes. Putin reminded Western powers that Russia now had what he called a menu of new weapons that he argued were superior to their Western counterparts. That included the Reshnik hypersonic missile Russia test fired on Ukraine's city of Dnipro last week. Charles Maines, NPR News.

[Dwalhsai Kowtow]

Moscow Big Tech has a new challenge now that Australia's parliament has passed the world's first social media ban prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media except for educational purposes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he felt pressure from parents concerned about the mental health impact on young people.

[Joe Biden]

We can't as a government hear those messages from parents and say it's too hard. We have a responsibility to act, the.

[Dwalhsai Kowtow]

Prime minister said his message to Australian parents is We've got your back. Lebanon's state run media says at least two people were injured by Israeli gunfire in the border town of Merkaba. This took place on the second day of a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel brokered by the states and France. The Israeli military said in a statement that its troops opened fire on several suspects who allegedly breached the ceasefire. This is npr. An annual gathering of tens of thousands of sandhill cranes is underway at a wildlife refuge in central Minnesota. As Kirsty Marrone from Minnesota Public Radio News reports, the big flocks represent a victory for wildlife preservation.

[Kirsty Marrone]

Sandhill cranes are known for their rattling call. Every fall they make a stop at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on their migration from Canada to the southern US A century ago, sandhill cranes had nearly vanished from Minnesota due to over hunting and habitat loss. Chris Spaeth is a biologist with the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service.

[Chris Spaeth]

We've restored a lot of habitat here on the refuge and retained those areas that are super important to them for a roosting site, shallow water, wetlands, and it's a reliable spot too. You know, there's no land use change that's going on inside of the refuge.

[Kirsty Marrone]

Staff and volunteers counted more than 20,000 cranes at the refuge this week. The birds are expected to start heading south soon. For NPR News, I'm Kirsty Marrone in Zimmerman, Minnesota.

[Dwalhsai Kowtow]

There are more questions than answers in the case of a missing woman from Maui who disappeared two weeks ago, missing her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York. When Hana Kobayashi's father, Ryan, flew to search for the 30 year old, the case worsened when he was found dead this weekend near lax. The local coroner and police say the father died in an apparent suicide. A fundraiser on GoFundMe describes his passing as an unimaginable loss for the family. I'm Dua Halissai Kautau, NPR News in New York.

[Bolin Branch Sponsor]

This message comes from Bolin Branch. Bolin Branch's best sale of the year is right now. Try the organic cotton sheets loved by millions. Go to bolinbranch.com and use code NPR for 25% off everything. Limited time. Only exclusions apply. See site for details.