NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-14-2024 2PM EST

Episode Date: November 14, 2024

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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. Lawyers in Washington and veterans of the Justice Department are urging the U.S. Senate to conduct a full vetting of Matt Gaetz. NPR's Keri Johnson reports the former Florida congressman is President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Justice Department, but until recently, he was being investigated

for alleged sex trafficking offenses. Trump's election of Matt Gaetz for attorney general shocked people inside the DOJ and even many Republicans on Capitol Hill. Gaetz is a frequent critic of the Justice Department and FBI and from 2019 until last year he was under federal investigation for sex trafficking. That investigation ended with no criminal charges but a separate House ethics probe had been underway at the time of Gates's resignation from Congress. Lawyer Greg Nunziata says the Senate needs to impose a character and fitness test on some of Trump's cabinet nominations.

Trump's floated the idea of bypassing Senate confirmation to try to install some of his picks during a congressional recess. Kari Johnson, NPR News, Washington. The confirmation hearing is widely seen as part of a broad test for Republicans who've won the majority in the U.S. Senate. Republicans will be in control of the White House and Congress come January. The GOP completed its sweep by securing its hold

on the U.S. House after winning races in Arizona and California. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has revived a controversial congestion pricing plan for drivers heading into Midtown and Lower Manhattan, and she's lowered the proposed toll from $15. Under this plan, the MTA will implement a congestion pricing plan with a reduced daytime toll of $9 beginning in January. But the Democrat faces bipartisan opposition in the election of a Republican-led White

House and Congress makes the plan's fate even more uncertain. Now to Israel, where a court has rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to delay his corruption trial amid war. Netanyahu will testify in court on December 2nd. And Pierre's Daniel Estrin has the latest from Tel Aviv. Netanyahu's lawyers argued he didn't have enough time to prepare his testimony because of the wars with Hamas and Hezbollah. The judges in his case said they gave Netanyahu five months to prepare and that the circumstances

of the war had not changed significantly to justify a delay. The trial has lasted more than four years and concerns his alleged dealmaking with media moguls for positive press coverage. In a new development, Israeli authorities are investigating Netanyahu's inner circle. Israeli media report allegations that classified information was leaked about the Gaza war to benefit Netanyahu. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 141 points at 43,816.

This is NPR News. The National Hurricane Center is tracking another life-threatening storm that has formed in the Caribbean Sea. It's too early to say if Sarah, currently a tropical storm, will affect Florida, where residents are still recovering from back-to-back hurricanes. But forecasters say tropical storm Sarah poses an immediate threat of flash floods and mudslides to the people of Honduras through this weekend. The storms projected to generate 30 inches or more of rain in some areas.

Leaders of island nations have made a passionate case for more action on climate change at the COP29 UN conference, as developing nations call for more funding to deal with climate impacts. We have the latest from NPR's Nate Perez. Grenada's Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, said, wealthier nations have a responsibility to countries like his. Parts of Grenada were devastated by Hurricane Dickon Mitchell, said, wealthier nations have a responsibility to countries like his. Parts of Grenada were devastated by Hurricane Beryl in July. We are not here to beg.

We are not here to ask for sympathy. We are here to see that it's one planet. Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip Edward, called for more solidarity between countries. I ask you to look beyond borders, beyond flags. The fires that devour your forests, the hurricanes that shatter our homes are not distant misfortunes, but shared tragedies. Matthew 14 Edwards said a failure to act would burden future generations. Nate Perez, NPR News.

Danielle Pletka Law enforcement's on high alert as a major soccer match is taking place in Paris. This coming one week after violence broke out around a Europa League game in Amsterdam against Israeli soccer fans. You're listening to NPR.