NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-31-2024 12PM EDT

Episode Date: October 31, 2024

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If you're black or brown or a person of color, you know that stories about race in the news can sometimes feel like they're made for a different audience. At Code Switch, we're not about that. We're interested in how race and identity shape your world in real and sometimes funny ways. Come work it out with us together on the Code Switch podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Vice President Harris is blasting former President Trump after he said he'd protect women whether they, quote, like it or not. It actually is, I think, very offensive to women in terms of not understanding their agency, their authority, their right and their ability

to make decisions about their own lives, including their own bodies. And this is just the latest on a series of reveals by the former president of how he thinks about women. The Democratic nominee is speaking to reporters a short time ago in Wisconsin, where both she and Trump held dueling rallies yesterday. With election day drawing near, Harris has put reproductive rights at the forefront of her campaign. She says the race is tight, the stakes are high,

and she's running like the underdog. Meanwhile, former President Trump is keeping up his attacks on the Biden-Harris administration's policies on immigration, the economy, and other key issues, top of mind for many of his supporters. In Pennsylvania, a state case against Elon Musk's $1 million-a-day giveaway to registered swing state voters is on hold. Lawyers for Musk filed a notice requesting the case be moved to federal court. The state judge held a brief proceeding today in Philadelphia to hear from both sides. Musk failed to appear as ordered. The state judge held a brief proceeding today in Philadelphia to hear from both sides,

Musk failed to appear as ordered. The billionaire, who is a Trump supporter and his political action committee, argue a Philadelphia prosecutor's lawsuit interferes with core political speech. The prosecutor says the giveaways amount to an illegal lottery to sway votes ahead of election day. In Spain, at least 95 people have died from the storm that devastated entire towns in the eastern part of the country. Flash floods turned streets into rivers and swept cars away. NPR's Miguel Macias has the latest from Seville. The latest piece of distressing news came late Wednesday when the Spanish Civil Guard confirmed the death of a 34-year-old woman and her baby.

They were trying to drive away from Paiporta, a town in the region of Valencia. Valencia has borne the brunt of this storm. The vast majority of the reported deaths are from the area. There's still an unknown number of people missing. Authorities said the worst of the storm is now over, but some parts of the country are still under alert in the Northeast, Catalonia, and the Southwest, and the Lucia. Today is the first of three days of mourning declared by the government. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is visiting some of the devastated areas in Valencia today. Miguel Macias, NPR News, CVO, Spain.

Meanwhile, operations continue in northern Gaza. The Israeli military intensifying its ground operations against a Palestinian militant group, Hamas. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 332 points or roughly three-quarters of a percent at 41,809. This is NPR. Millions of people around the world are celebrating one of India's biggest holidays, Diwali. NPR's Shantalee S. Duster reports on the annual observance. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali started in India more than 2,000 years ago. It is a major Hindu festival, but it's also celebrated by other religions such as Sikhism. Giving thanks and celebrating the victory

of light over darkness are the essence of Diwali. Families and friends gather to share food and exchange gifts. Homes are decorated with garlands, lights, and designs called rangoli to create a sacred space. There are also fireworks. Diwali is taking place as Americans vote in the presidential election.

Some Indian Americans say the possibility of vice president Harris, who has South Asian heritage, becoming president adds more excitement to the holiday. Harris celebrates Diwali and in the past said to remember to honor the light within one another. Chandelis Duster, NPR News. Chandelis Duster, NPR News. More key economic reports are coming out just days ahead of the election. The latest is an

inflation gauge closely watched by the Federal Reserve. It has fallen to near pre-pandemic levels. Prices rose just 2.1 percent in September from a year earlier down from a 2.3 percent increase in August. That's just above the Fed's 2% inflation target. However, some signs of inflationary pressures continue, excluding volatile food and energy costs so-called core prices rose 2.7% in September from a year earlier. You're listening to NPR News.