NPR News: 11-30-2024 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 1, 2024, 7 PM EST

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of critical global and national issues.

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1. Ukrainian President Zelensky Seeks NATO Security Guarantees

[00:20] Windsor Johnston

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging NATO to extend security assurances to the regions of Ukraine not currently under Russian occupation. Speaking to Sky News, Zelensky emphasized that such support would effectively conclude what he described as the "hot phase of the war."

[00:44] Joanna Kakissis reports that Zelensky proposed NATO's eventual full membership for Ukraine, encompassing territories presently occupied by Russian forces. Until Ukraine can regain these areas diplomatically, Zelensky insists that NATO must safeguard the regions still under Ukrainian control.

[01:02] Volodymyr Zelensky:

"We should take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control. That's what we need to do fast. And then Ukraine can get back the other part of its territory diplomatically."

Kakissis highlights the ongoing tension, noting Russia's staunch opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership and its continued claims over Ukrainian-held lands.

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2. Trudeau Meets President-Elect Trump Amidst Trade Tensions

[01:27] Windsor Johnston

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump in Florida, following Trump's recent announcement of significant tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

[01:42] Juliana Kim explains that this encounter comes after Trudeau's prior conversation with Trump earlier in the week. As Canada stands as America's largest trading partner, Trump's proposed 25% tariff on all Canadian goods has sparked fears of a potential deep recession in Canada. Trudeau remains committed to ongoing dialogue with Trump to find collaborative solutions, though there is domestic debate within Canada about possible retaliatory measures should the tariffs proceed.

[01:42] Juliana Kim:

"Canada is America's largest trading partner, but that might soon change with the incoming Trump administration."

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3. Conclusion of the Active Atlantic Hurricane Season

[02:23] Windsor Johnston

Today marks the official end of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. The season has been notably active and devastating.

[02:33] Debbie Elliott reports the season featured 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes with winds exceeding 111 mph. Among the most destructive were Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which collectively resulted in over 200 fatalities and caused billions of dollars in damage across Florida, North Carolina, and other southeastern states. The season also set a record with seven hurricanes forming after September 25th, highlighting the unprecedented activity.

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4. Restoration of the Great Organ at St. John the Divine

[03:14] Windsor Johnston

The world's largest Gothic cathedral is celebrating the return of its historic organ following damage from a fire five years ago. Contrary to popular assumptions, this restoration pertains to St. John the Divine in New York City, not Notre Dame in Paris.

[03:34] Jennifer Vernasco provides details about the organ's restoration. The 1910 Aeolian Skinner Opus 150A, comprising over 8,000 pipes, was previously damaged by smoke from a basement fire that occurred just before the catastrophic Notre Dame fire in April 2019.

[04:02] Father Patrick Molloy, dean of St. John the Divine, expressed the congregation's elation:

"There's a different kind of sound that's generated by an organ that is somehow really authentic and really real. We at the cathedral care about what's real."

The organ's return is timely, coinciding with the first Sunday of Advent.

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5. Severe Monsoon Rains Force Mass Evacuations in Southeast Asia

[04:19] Windsor Johnston

Heavy monsoon rains have led to widespread flooding across Malaysia and Thailand, displacing tens of thousands of residents. The floods have resulted in at least three fatalities and forced nearly 100,000 individuals to seek refuge in temporary shelters.

Social media platforms are abuzz with harrowing imagery of submerged vehicles and inundated homes. In response, the National Disaster Management Agency has been instructed to coordinate efforts across all federal and state agencies to ensure the safety and support of those affected throughout the ongoing monsoon season.

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For more updates and detailed reporting, tune into NPR News Now or visit NPR's official website.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking NATO to provide security guarantees for the parts of his country that are not occupied by Russia. NPR's Joanna Kikissis report. Zelensky told Britain Sky News that this would end what he called the hot phase of the war.

[Joanna Kakissis]

Zelensky told Sky News that NATO should eventually admit all of Ukraine into the security alliance, including one fifth of territory now occupied by Russian forces. But until then, he says NATO needs to protect what Ukraine still controls. Here's Zelensky speaking through an interpreter.

[Volodymyr Zelensky]

We should take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control. That's what we need to do fast. And then Ukraine can get back the other part of its territory diplomatically.

[Joanna Kakissis]

Russia is opposed to Ukraine's entry into NATO and has laid claim to land that is still under Ukrainian control. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with President elect Donald Trump last night in Florida. Npr' Juliana Kim reports. The meeting came just days after Trump announced sweeping tariffs against Mexico and Canada.

[Juliana Kim]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Elect Donald Trump met on Friday night. The in person meeting comes after Trudeau said he spoke to Trump earlier this week. Canada is America's largest trading partner, but that might soon change with the incoming Trump administration. Trump has said he wants to slap a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods, but there's concern that such a move could throw Canada into a deep recession. Earlier this week, Trudeau says he plans to keep talking with Trump to see how the two can work together, but not everyone in Canada agrees. Some have called for the country to retaliate if Trump goes through with the tariffs. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Today marks the end of the Atlantic hurricane season. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. It's been an active one with deadly and destructive storms.

[Debbie Elliott]

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season had 18 named storms, 11 of them hurricanes, with five reaching major hurricane status with winds topping 111 mph. Five hurricanes hit the U.S. including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which combined killed more than 200 people and caused billions of dollars of damage in Florida, North Carolina and other parts of the Southeast. Both were late season stor in a year that saw a record seven hurricanes form after September 25th. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR. The world's largest Gothic cathedral is getting its organ back after a fire five years ago, but it's not Notre dame in Paris. NPR's Jennifer Vernasco has more.

[Jennifer Vanasco]

That's the great organ at St. John the in New York City being played about a decade ago. It's a 1910 Aeolian Skinner Opus 150A with more than 8,000 pipes. It was damaged when a fire in the basement filled those pipes with smoke the day before the more destructive Notre dame fire in April 2019. Father Patrick Molloy is the dean of St. John the Divine. He says the congregation is thrilled that it's back.

[Father Patrick Molloy]

There's a different kind of sound that's generated by an organ that is somehow really authentic and really real. We at the cathedral care about what's real.

[Jennifer Vanasco]

The organ is returning in time for the first Sunday of Advent. Jennifer Vanasco, NPR News, New York.

[Windsor Johnston]

Tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes from heavier than expected monsoon rains across parts of Malaysia and Thailand. Officials say at least three people have died and nearly 100,000 have been forced to evacuate to temporary shelters. Videos posted on social social media show submerged cars and houses inundated by floodwaters. The National Disaster Management Agency has been directed to mobilize all federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of flood victims throughout the monsoon season. This is NPR News.

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