NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-10-2024 9AM EST

Episode Date: November 10, 2024

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Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Congress returns to the nation's capital this week. Newly elected members of the next Congress arrive for orientation and parties in both chambers elect leaders to reflect the coming shift in power.

NPR's Deidre Walsh reports. Senate Republicans picked up at least three seats and will elect a majority leader on Wednesday to begin implementing President-elect Trump's agenda in January. Mitch McConnell, the current GOP leader, is stepping down. There is a three-way race between South Dakota Senator John Thune, Texas Senator John Cornyn, and Florida Senator Rick Scott. Results in many House races are still pending.

Republican leaders say they're confident they will keep their narrow majority. But House Democrats aren't ceding anything yet. Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to gain another term during the GOP closed-door election on Wednesday. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, Washington. The Northeast brush fires are impacting air quality. Multiple fires are burning in New Jersey, where Bill Duny is the chief of the state forest fire service. He blames dry conditions. It's up to Mother Nature. You know when she brings the rain we'll take a break but until we see that I don't see any breaking sight.

Donnelly says hiking trails in state parks have been closed because of the fires in New York. State police are investigating the death of an 18 yearyear-old employee of the state parks and recreation department. Officials say he was killed while fighting a fire in Sterling Forest near Greenwood Lake. Firefighters in Southern California are taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, gaining ground on the mountain fire, and forecasters say conditions should continue to improve today. The fire in Ventura County has destroyed dozens of homes. It's been just over 400 days since Hamas militants based in Gaza see some 240 hostages as part of an attack on Israel that also left more than 1,200 people dead. Families, loved ones, and supporters of the captives gathered in central Tel Aviv over the weekend to keep

up pressure on the Israeli government to negotiate a release. Here's NPR's Scott Newman reporting. Hundreds of people turned up to a place that's come to be known as Hostages Square for music and speakers in support of freedom for the captives taken at the start of the war in Gaza. Ramos Ohlone, whose daughters and granddaughters were freed as part of a brief ceasefire deal last year, expressed concern about the well-being of those still in captivity. We don't know how many survive or their physical and mental condition after 400 days of suffering and horrific conditions, in dark tunnels without air or daylight, uncertain if they'll survive

another day, he says. Israeli authorities say that of the 101 hostages still in Gaza, about a third are confirmed dead. Scott Newman, NPR News, Tel Aviv. And you're listening to NPR News. The Gulf Arab country of Qatar has suspended mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel. Qatar says efforts will remain stalled until there is what the foreign ministry says is a willingness and seriousness to resume talks. Qatar has been working for months alongside the U.S. and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire.

In Spain, tens of thousands march in the eastern city of Valencia this weekend demanding the resignation of the regional president over the handling of the devastating floods that killed more than 200 people, nearly 80 others remain missing. The protest was largely peaceful, but there were clashes with riot police in front of Valencia City Hall. They accused Valencian leader Carlos Monzon of issuing alerts too late. Judith Jamison has died. She was a principal dancer for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, as well as its artistic director for 21 years. Jeff London reports Jamison died Saturday at the age of 81 following a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia, Judith Jamison excelled in dance

from an early age. She came to New York to perform with the American Ballet Theater, and in 1964, she joined Alvin Ailey's company, where she became a star. Among the dances Ailey created for her was a solo called Cry, which the choreographer dedicated to all black women everywhere, especially our mothers. Jemison also appeared on Broadway and as a guest artist with many dance companies. After Ailey died in 1989, Jamison took over the company. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

And I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.