NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-16-2024 3PM EST

Episode Date: November 16, 2024

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Noor Ram live from NPR News in Washington. I'm Noor Ram. President Biden is meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping today on the sidelines of a global summit in Peru. NPR's Asma Khalid reports it's likely the last time these world leaders will meet before the next U.S. administration takes over in January. Asma Khalid Biden has spent much of his presidency trying to manage competition and work with allies to counter China's influence. But China's influence around the world has been growing. In fact, China's President Xi arrived in Peru this week and inaugurated a huge new

Chinese-funded port in the country in an effort to extend its economic ties in Latin America. Biden is expected to discuss trade practices today in addition to issues around fentanyl, AI and climate. But one big question looming over the Biden-Xi talks is how the incoming president, Donald Trump, will navigate the relationship. During his campaign, Trump threatened hefty additional tariffs on China. Asma Khalid, NPR News, Lima. US allies are watching closely as President-elect Trump announces his choices for his cabinet.

He picked former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to become the director of national intelligence. She lacks deep intelligence experience and is seen by some as too close to Russia. NPR's Greg Myrie has more. She's never worked in the intelligence community and has taken a number of very controversial foreign policy positions. You know, just days after Russia's massive 2022 invasion of Ukraine, she took to social media and called the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S.

to, quote, embrace the spirit of aloha, respect, and love. Now, if confirmed, she'll be one of the president's top advisors on this war. NPR's Greg Meyry. Trump has also selected Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general. He resigned his House seat this week before the House Ethics Committee completed its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, which Gates denies. Hundreds of housekeepers, bellhops, servers and bartenders at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas are on strike after walking off the job yesterday.

Nevada Public Radio's Paul Boger reports. The culinary union represents about 700 workers at Virgin Hotels, which it says is the last hotel casino in Las Vegas to sign a new five-year contract. Elijah Alter is a server there. We're not doing this to hurt the company or be malicious towards the company, but we ask them to give the same respect that we give this hotel when we serve their guests and their customers every day. The strike comes roughly a year after casinos along the Strip narrowly avoided a strike

by thousands of hospitality workers days before the city was set to host its first Formula One race. Virgin Hotel said in the statement that it's focused on reaching a quote, economically viable deal for its employees. For NPR News, I'm Paul Boger in Reno. This is NPR News in Washington. Some 55,000 postal workers are on strike in Canada. After nearly a year of bargaining without agreeing on a new contract, they want wage increases in line with inflation and

safe working conditions. Canada Post says its operations will be shut down during the strike. A minister in the far-right Dutch government has resigned over what she says have been racist comments made by other officials. Terry Schultz reports. The Dutch government was on the edge of collapse Friday night amid the possibility that several ministers would quit over what they say are Islamophobic reactions to violence against supporters of an Israeli soccer team on November 8. After crisis consultations, only one junior minister from an opposition party, Nora Ashabar,

decided to leave. She was born in Morocco and says positions in the government have become so polarized, particularly against migrants, that she can no longer carry out her duties in the finance ministry. The government in the Netherlands is the most right-wing in the country's history, dominated by the far-right Party for Freedom. The party wants to deport any dual nationals who were involved in the soccer violence. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz.

After a contentious election in the U.S., the Postal Service made an announcement yesterday that's likely to appeal to almost everyone. It's coming out with a Betty White stamp. The actor was beloved by fans young and old, appearing on the Mary Tyler Moore show, The Golden Girls, and hosting Saturday Night Live in 2010. The Postal Service said Betty White shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades.

I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.