NPR News: 12-01-2024 12PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now Summary: December 1, 2024, 12 PM EST

Hosted by Norah Rahm

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1. Israeli Former Defense Minister Accuses Government of Ethnic Cleansing

Timestamp: [00:12]

NPR’s Norah Rahm opens the episode with a significant development from Israel. Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has stirred controversy by accusing the Israeli government of engaging in ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Ya'alon, who served under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 2013 to 2016, is known for his hawkish stance but has recently become a vocal critic of Netanyahu.

Timestamp: [00:33]

Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv, highlighting that Ya'alon’s remarks mark the first time a former senior official has made such an allegation. Over the recent weekend, Gaza's Civil Defense Organization reported nearly 100 Palestinian fatalities due to intensified Israeli military strikes. In response, Netanyahu's Likud Party has dismissed Ya'alon's comments as "false defamation," and Israel's Foreign Minister has demanded a retraction. Despite the backlash, Ya'alon has steadfastly maintained his position.

Notable Quote:

• Norah Rahm: "Israel is going down the path of occupation, annexation and, quote, ethnic cleansing" [00:33].

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2. Rebels Maintain Control of Aleppo Amid Syrian Conflict

Timestamp: [01:18]

The ongoing Syrian civil war remains tumultuous as rebels continue to hold the strategic city of Aleppo following a surprise attack last week. Aleppo's proximity to the Turkish border makes it a critical focal point in the conflict.

Timestamp: [01:38]

Darien Khalifa from the International Crisis Group provides insight into the rebels' strategies. She notes that the diverse group of Islamist factions controlling Aleppo is attempting to build trust within the local community.

Notable Quote:

• Darien Khalifa: "These rebels... are trying to signal comforting messages to the local population, saying that they're going to respect all civilians, they're going to respect the diversity, background sects of local citizens living in these areas." [01:38]

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3. US Approves $385 Million Arms Sale to Taiwan Amid Sino-Tensions

Timestamp: [01:58]

In a move reflecting increasing tensions between the US and China, President Biden has sanctioned a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan. This marks the sixth such sale in the current year, underscoring the US commitment to bolstering Taiwan's defense capabilities ahead of a potential presidential transition.

Timestamp: [02:25]

Emily Feng reports from Taipei, explaining that the sale includes fighter jet parts and radar systems valued at nearly $2 billion combined with other missile defenses this fall. China has vehemently opposed the sale, with its Foreign Ministry announcing "strong and resolute countermeasures" and sanctioning major US weapons manufacturers in response.

Notable Quote:

• Emily Feng: "China's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it would take, quote, strong and resolute countermeasures in response to the latest U.S. arms sale." [02:25]

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4. UN Fails to Reach Consensus on Plastic Pollution; CDC Highlights Low Exercise Rates Among Elderly

Timestamp: [03:07]

Norah Rahm transitions to environmental and public health issues. Negotiators from over 170 countries convened in South Korea to address global plastic pollution but failed to reach a binding agreement. The primary contention was whether to impose limits on plastic production or focus solely on managing plastic waste.

Simultaneously, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that only 14% of older adults in the United States meet the recommended exercise guidelines.

Timestamp: [03:42]

Ping Wong elaborates on the CDC findings, emphasizing the health risks associated with insufficient physical activity among the elderly, including increased chances of falls and diminished mobility.

Notable Quotes:

• Rita Enders: "Use it or lose it. If you don't keep moving, everything starts to stiffen up." [03:57]

• Ping Wong: "More than 85% of those 65 and older are not getting the recommended amount of exercise to reap its substantial benefits." [04:06]

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5. Weather Alert: Heavy Snow and Cold Front Expected in Eastern United States

Timestamp: [04:27]

Wrapping up the news cycle, Norah Rahm reports that the National Weather Service forecasts significant snowfall and plummeting temperatures across parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Travelers are advised to exercise caution as frigid air is set to blanket the eastern third of the country by tomorrow, potentially disrupting holiday plans.

Notable Quote:

• Norah Rahm: "Officials warn Thanksgiving travelers may encounter dangerous conditions." [04:27]

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from NPR News Now's December 1, 2024, episode, providing listeners with a clear overview of major global events and domestic issues.

Transcript

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[Norah Rahm]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Norah Rahm. In Israel, a former defense minister has angered Israeli leaders for saying Israel is perpetrating ethnic cleansing in Gaza. Gaza's civil defense organization has reported an increase of fatal Israeli military strikes over the weekend. NPR's Daniel Esser reports from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

Moshe Ya Alone served as defense minister under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 2013 to 2016. He's politically hawkish but has become a vocal opponent of Netanyahu. In remarks this weekend, the former defense minister said Israel is going down the path of occupation, annexation and, quote, ethnic cleansing, the first such claim by a former senior official. This Saturday alone, Gaza's Civil Defense Organization said nearly 100 Palestinians were killed in intensified strikes across Netanyahu's Likud Party, said Ya Alone's comments were false defamation. And Israel's foreign minister called on Ya Alone to retract his claims of ethnic cleansing, but he doubled down on them. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Norah Rahm]

In Syria, rebels are still in control of the city of Aleppo after a surprise attack last week. It's an important city near the border with Turkey and has been a focal point of the Syrian civil war. Darien Khalifa with the International Crisis Group has been following the war. She says the rebel rebels are now reaching out to the community.

[Darien Khalifa]

What we've seen so far is that these rebels, who are honestly different shades of Islamists at this point, are trying to signal comforting messages to the local population, saying that they're going to respect all civilians, they're going to respect the diversity, background sects of local citizens living in these areas.

[Norah Rahm]

Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed since the civil war began in 2011. President Biden has approved another 385 million arms sale to the Asian island of Taiwan in order to help defend itself from China. The sale includes fighter jet parts and radar systems. The sale also shows the US Is trying to shore up ties with Taiwan before a change in the White House. NPR's Emily Fang reports.

[Emily Feng]

This is the sixth arms sale the U.S. has made to Taiwan this year alone, and it was approved as Taiwan's president William Lai made a closely watched trip to the US State of Hawaii. The US Is bound by American legislation to help Taiwan defend itself, primarily against China, which sees the democratic island as its territory and has threatened to invade it one day if needed. The US sold nearly $2 billion in radar and missile systems to Taiwan this fall. China's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it would take, quote, strong and resolute countermeasures in response to the latest U.S. arms sale, and it has already sanctioned most major U.S. weapons companies. Emily Feng, NPR News, Taipei, Taiwan.

[Norah Rahm]

This is NPR News in Washington. UN Talks in South Korea on how to deal with plastic pollution ended today without an agreement. Negotiators from more than 170 countries were unable to agree in a plan. More than 100 of them wanted limits on plastic production, while others wanted to only focus on plastic waste. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention says just 14% of older adults in the U.S. get the recommended amount of exercise. NPR's Ping Wong has more.

[Ping Wong]

Every week, U.S. adults should be getting at least two and a half hours of moderate exercise and two days of strength training. That's guidance from the U.S. department of Health and Human Services. Rita Enders, 84 years old, goes to a fitness class thrice a week at a senior center in Towson, Maryland.

[Rita Enders]

Use it or lose it. If you don't keep moving, everything starts to stiffen up. All you have to do is sit down for 15 minutes and try to get up. And then and you're like, oh.

[Ping Wong]

But a survey from CDC shows that Andrews is in the minority. More than 85% of those 65 and older are not getting the recommended amount of exercise to reap its substantial benefits. There are almost 60 million US adults that are 65 and older. Regular exercise would help them keep healthy and mobile and reduce the risk of falls. Ping Huang, NPR News.

[Norah Rahm]

The National Weather Service is predicting more heavy snow and cold temperatures again today in parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Officials warn thanksg travelers may encounter dangerous conditions. Frigid air is expected to cover the eastern third of the United States by tomorrow. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News, in Washington.

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