NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-24-2024 7AM EST

Episode Date: November 24, 2024

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Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. President-elect Donald Trump has completed choosing top cabinet officials for his incoming administration, the final pick being former White House aide and longtime ally, Brooke Rollins, to be his agriculture secretary.

Rollins helped found the Trump-allied America First Policy Institute. Disaffected Republicans were a key part of Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign strategy. Now they're regrouping, as NPR's Sarah McKemmon reports. Many current and former high-profile Republicans publicly opposed Trump and threw their weight behind Harris. Former Congressman Denver Riggleman was a technical adviser to the House January 6 Committee and chair of Republicans for Harris in Virginia. He thinks those efforts won over some conservative voters for Harris, but clearly not enough to make a difference. I'm an expert in this.

And even I, I think, underestimated the power of the far-right media ecosystem and how it could affect and persuade people. Wrigleman says some high-profile anti-Trump Republicans now worry about facing retribution, given Trump's repeated threats to go after his political rivals. Sarah McKammon, NPR News. The city of Memphis and its police chief being sued by the Tennessee Firearms Association,

Paige Flager with member station WPLN, says the lawsuit targets recently passed measures to restrict guns. On election day, Memphis voters overwhelmingly approved three new firearms restrictions, including a so-called red flag law, and voters supported a ban on unlicensed handgun carry and the commercial sale of assault rifles. The lawsuit alleges that the city measures violate a Tennessee statute that only allows for the legislature to regulate firearms, not local governments. The voter approved measures would not take effect until the legislature reconvenes

in January. For NPR News, I'm Paige Flager in Nashville. The UN Children's Agency says the Israeli military struck schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza 64 times last month. The Israeli military says schools are being used by Hamas, as NPR's Ayah Petroury reports. UNICEF in a statement said the attacks on schools in October killed around 130 people, many of them children. Earlier this week, NPR producer Anas Babel went to a school in central Gaza that had

just been bombed by an Israeli fighter jet and saw children's body parts strewn in the aftermath. Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, director of the Kamal Adwan hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, tells NPR Israeli drones targeted medical staff twice and bombed the hospital's generator, forcing nurses to pump oxygen manually to a baby in an incubator. Six people were wounded, including a doctor now in critical condition. Gaza's health ministry says more than 2,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault on the north that began last month. Israel says it's targeting Hamas militants trying to regroup. Ayah Beltraoui, NPR News. This is NPR. Voters in Romania going to the polls today in a presidential election focused on the high cost of living and Romania's support for neighboring Ukraine.

Thirteen candidates are on the ballot in an election that's expected to go to a second round runoff next month. Opinion surveys show Romania's prime minister and a far-right nationalist are likely to advance. Voters in Uruguay also electing a president in a runoff vote today. Venezuelan authorities say they are investigating the government's leading opponent for treason. It's the latest attempt by the government to blame popular nationwide dissent for economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries. MPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

In a statement, Venezuela's attorney general says the latest investigation will probe whether Maria Corina Machado has been plotting with other foreign countries to conspire against the nation. Officials say Machado has committed treason after posting on social media support of a bell passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. It bans federal contracts with companies doing business with Venezuela's government. The U.S. slapped back sanctions on Venezuela after last July's election. President Nicolas Maduro declared victory but has yet to provide proof. The opposition, however, collected results from 80 percent of voting machines showing

its candidate and Mundo Gonzalez overwhelmingly won. This week, the U.S. recognized Gonzalez as Venezuela's president-elect. Carrie Kahn, NPR News. In sports, the Orlando Pride have won their first National Women's Soccer League championship, beating the Washington Spirit 1-0 in this weekend's title game in Kansas City. I'm Trial Snyder. This is NPR News.