NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-19-2024 7PM EST

Episode Date: November 20, 2024

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This message comes from Indiana University. Indiana University is committed to moving the world forward, working to tackle some of society's biggest challenges, nine campuses, one purpose, creating tomorrow today. More at iu.edu. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Officials are confirming Ukraine fired several US-S. supplied long-range missiles into Russia. It marks the first time Kiev has used such weapons since the start of the war.

The launch of the so-called Atacams coming after President Biden gave approval for their use. MPR's Tom Boven explains what led to the decision after months of requests by Ukraine to allow them use. Here's why Biden changed the policy. Russia brought in more than 12,000 North Korean troops into the Kursk area of Russia, where Ukrainian troops have seized some territory.

And it's a tough fight. This could change things, at least in that area. It also felt by the administration it could hasten negotiations between the two sides to end the war. The Kremlin, which views it as a provoc provocation says it shot down some of the missiles. US officials say eight missiles were fired some striking an ammunition supply site. The Georgia Court of Appeals has canceled oral arguments on whether Fulton County DA Fannie Willis can continue with the Georgia election

interference case. President-elect Donald Trump and several co-defendants want the courts to disqualify Willis and her office for alleged conflict of interest. W-A-B-E, Sam Greenglass reports. The abrupt cancellation of oral arguments scheduled months ago for December 5th came as a surprise even to attorneys involved in the case. One possibility is the three-judge panel decided they already have enough information to rule. The judges will be tasked with reviewing whether the trial court judge applied the law correctly in deciding that Willis could remain on the case amid allegations of misconduct. The appeals court is expected to rule by mid-March.

The election interference case is paused in the meantime. Trump, however, is unlikely to face any trial until after he leaves office. For NPR News, I'm Sam Greenglass in Atlanta. President-elect Trump has chosen a billionaire Wall Street financial services head, Howard Lutnick, as his nominee for Commerce Secretary. Lutnick has become a close ally to Trump in recent months and was among those also being looked at for a higher profile cabinet job, head of the Treasury. That position is still in play.

Lutnick was part of Trump's transition team and has fiercely defended Trump's economic proposals, including the idea of tariffs. Shoppers have been flocking to Walmart in search of bargains. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the retail giant's latest earnings. The nation's biggest retailer reported better than expected sales and profits for the most recent quarter. More customers visited Walmart stores,

and they spent more once they got there. The discount chain says much of the increase was driven by higher income shoppers. Home building activity slowed last month, partly as a result of back-to-back hurricanes. Permits for future home construction were also down slightly. Still, a survey by the National Association of Home Builders shows growing confidence that market conditions will improve in the coming months, despite persistently high mortgage rates. Scott Horsley, MPR News, Washington. On Wall Street, the Dow is down 120 points.

The NASDAQ closed up 195 points today. You're listening to NPR. Wrapping up its final G20 meeting in Brazil, President Joe Biden is making an urgent appeal to his fellow world leaders to work to curb climate change by denouncing a $325 million contribution to help developing countries move away from damaging fossil fuels.

It's in contrast to President-elect Trump, who's repeatedly called the climate crisis a hoax. In Washington state, a group of community members has been meeting for years to discuss their political opinions. Northwest Public Broadcasting's Lauren Gallup reports they're committed In Washington state, a group of community members has been meeting for years to discuss their political opinions. Northwest Public Broadcasting's Lauren Gallup reports they're committed to keeping that conversation going. Every Thursday morning, about 30 people get together at a community center in Port Angeles to talk politics.

The group has been meeting since at least the 1990s. For a while, it was mostly Democrats. Now, with some Republicans in the room, things can get a little heated. But they say they like the chance to talk with people they don't agree with. David Fox, a Democrat, says the reason he keeps coming back… The very fact that people come together specifically to talk about current events and to talk about politics, full well-knowing that they may disagree strongly with each other. Some say the first meeting after the election was painful,

but most say they still want to keep talking. For NPR News, I'm Lauren Gallup. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host their final Christmas at the White House, with the centerpiece of the holiday festivities the official White House Christmas tree due to arrive this week. This year's tree is coming from a North Carolina farm in an area hard hit by Hurricane Helene. The farm lost 5,000 to 6,000 trees due to mudslides. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. Support for this podcast and the following message come from Dignity Memorial. When your celebration of life is prepaid today, your family is protected tomorrow. Planning ahead is truly one of the best gifts you can give

your family. For additional information visit DignityMemorial.com.