NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-14-2024 12PM EST

Episode Date: November 14, 2024

NPR News: 11-14-2024 12PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Joe Biden's on his way out and Donald Trump's on his way back. Want to know what's happening as the presidential transition is underway? The NPR Politics Podcast has you covered with the latest news and analysis. Listen to the NPR Politics Podcast. Lyle from NPR News in Washington. I'm Lakshmi Singh. Some senior members of the U.S. Senate are signaling an uphill confirmation process for former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, he's president-elect Trump's nominee for attorney general. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine says she was shocked by the choice. This is why the Senate's advice and consent process is so important.

Fellow Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also concedes some surprise. Fox News website posted a video in which Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told reporter Trump's choice of Gates amounts to, quote, God-tier trolling to just trigger a meltdown. You know, the interesting answers are going to come from my colleagues on the GOP that are going to vote or justify voting for that mess. Vetterman says there have been mostly solid GOP picks, such as Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State.

In his confirmation hearing, Gates is likely to face questions about previous investigations into his alleged criminal and ethics offenses, including sex trafficking, sexual misconduct, and illicit drug use. Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says he has a mandate from president-elect Donald Trump

to reduce chronic disease in the U.S. And Piers Austin-Aubrey reports that an estimated 60% of people in the U.S. have at least one chronic illness. Chronic disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and president-elect Trump says RFK Jr. has a plan to fix this. He's going to help make America healthy again. But here's the challenge. Most chronic diseases are caused by risk factors like smoking, lack

of physical activity and poor nutrition. Dr. Dariush Mazafarian is a cardiologist at Tufts University. We're absolutely drowning under a flood of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes and many other metabolic conditions. One policy RFK Jr. backs that may find broad support are changes to the SNAP Food Assistance Program. The goal is to encourage people to use their benefits to purchase healthy foods. Alison Albrey, NPR News.

Developing nations disproportionately affected by climate change are demanding wealthy countries do more to deal with global warming. NPR's Michael Copley reports some vulnerable nations are looking for options outside of global climate negotiations. The United Nations highest court next month will consider calls for governments to face tougher obligations to limit global warming and protect communities from climate disasters. Gaston Brown, Prime Minister of the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, said at climate talks in Azerbaijan

that his country will send representatives to the hearing at the International Court of Justice. If voluntary pledges remain broken, then international law will be our pathway to justice. The court's opinion in the case wouldn't be binding but could push governments to take stronger action. Michael Copley, NPR News. You're listening to NPR.

More than 200,000 Medical King adult bed assistance rails are being recalled after the manufacturer said it became aware of one death. According to a recall, notice a 66- 66 year old man at a South Carolina residential facility died a year ago after getting trapped between his mattress and a bed rail. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says three recall models of its portable bed rails were all sold online including through Amazon and Walmart during the last four years. The European Commission has fined Facebook parent company Meta the equivalent of $841

million for pushing its classified ad service on social media users in Europe. Here's in Piers Rapschmitz. The executive body of the European Union says Meta unfairly tied Facebook Marketplace to its popular social network, thereby imposing unfair terms on rival ad providers. The commission says Facebook Marketplace enjoyed a substantial distribution advantage, which competitors could not match. It has ordered Metta to immediately halt this practice. The tech company said in a statement it would appeal the fine, but, quote, comply and work

quickly and constructively to launch a solution which addresses the points raised. Rob Schmitz, and PR News, Berlin. Organizers of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City have announced the stars Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue and Billy Porter will be performing in front of Macy's iconic Herald Square flagship store. The holiday tradition will include a parade of other stars and of course the iconic giant balloons. U.S. stocks are trading lower this hour.

The Dow is down nearly 100 points. You're listening to NPR News.