NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-16-2024 6PM EST

Episode Date: November 16, 2024

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Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dwahleesai Kautau. Several of President-elect Trump's picks for top national security posts are facing criticism for their lack of experience and controversial positions expressed. NPR's Greg Myrie reports that Trump has taken a different approach to his nominees in his second term. In his first term, Trump selected a national security team largely made up of experienced hands often described as the adults in the room. Yet all were dismissed at some point in Trump's first term. This time his nominees are best known for their enthusiastic support of Trump. They

include former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and TV host Pete Hegseth to run the Pentagon. Global affairs analyst Ian Brimmer describes the picks this way. Lighter experience generally would be perceived as less capable on the national security defense and foreign policy space, but clearly more alignment, more loyalty personally to Trump. The nominees must still be confirmed by the Senate. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington. The annual UN climate meeting called COP29 is a week in as representatives from around the world

continue their two-week summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. NPR's Jeff Brady reports on some of the main takeaways. Some of the most compelling moments have been speeches from leaders of developing nations. Here's the Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis reminding that global warming is everyone's problem. The fires that devour your forests, the hierarchies that shatter our homes are not distant misfortunes, but shared tragedies. What we endure, you endure. What we lose, you lose. And if we fail to act,

it will be our children and grandchildren who bear the burden. Outside the summit, hundreds of environmental activists locked arms to create a human chain outside a main hall. The Israeli military this week announced a small expansion of an area in southern

Gaza designated as a humanitarian zone for civilians to shelter in the war against Hamas. But elsewhere in central Gaza, the Israeli military struck a camp where displaced Palestinians live and Piers Ruth Sherlock reports. It's dark and in Al-Buraish camp, tents are on fire. Amid the heat and the smoke, people run in panic, screaming as they search for their loved ones. At least four people, including a nine-year-old girl, died in the Israeli drone strike. A new report by a UN special committee that investigates Israeli human rights practices in the occupied territories documents the intensity of the Israeli military's

war with Hamas in Gaza. It finds that by December 10 last year, the Israeli army had already used over 25,000 tons of explosives across the Gaza Strip, the equivalent, it says, of two nuclear bombs. The Israeli military did not immediately reply to NPR's request for comment. This is NPR. It's a busy weekend in the night sky, while a supermoon which appears full for three days is on its way out. A meteor shower is peaking, and the seventh planet from the sun shines bright. And Pires Amy Held reports.

It's an active intersection on our journey through space. As the Earth swings between the Sun and Uranus, it's the best chance to spot the ice giant. We are also passing through a comet's debris trail. The annual Leonid meteor shower is peaking. It may be outshined, though, as it's the curtain call for the year's last supermoon. Despite the action above, it's extra important for drivers to keep eyes on the road.

Dominique Lord of Texas A&M University has found a link between full moon nights and the likelihood of a car crash with a wild animal. They're able to see more. They may be able to be more active to hunt at night. And because of that, they are probably more likely to cross roads, especially in rural areas. While we continue a wild ride on our cosmic commute.

Amy Held, NPR News. In northern India's Uttar Pradesh, a fire at a government-run medical college has killed at least 10 newborn babies. Hospital officials at the neonatal intensive unit say another 16 people are injured. The fire took place late Friday night in the city of Jhansi. A local official says that at least 45 babies were rescued. On Saturday, a deputy chief in that Indian state met with families

of the victims and promised a thorough investigation to determine the cause of that fire. I'm Dwahli Sai Khao Tao, NPR News in New York City.