NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-25-2024 5PM EST

Episode Date: November 25, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Israel's cabinet meets tomorrow to consider a U.S. broker deal for a ceasefire in Lebanon. NPR's Daniel Estrin brings more from Tel Aviv. An Israeli official told NPR Israel's security cabinet is meeting Tuesday to discuss the Lebanon ceasefire deal and is expected to approve it. The official was not authorized to discuss government deliberations and spoke anonymously. A White House spokesperson said the U.S. was continuing to work

to allow civilians on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border to safely return to their homes. Lebanon's deputy parliament speaker Elias Boussaab said officials are close to a ceasefire, but that nothing is guaranteed. Israel's military has tightened restrictions on Israeli schools and gatherings near the Lebanese border, anticipating intensified Hezbollah rocket fire. Both Hezbollah and Israel escalated attacks this weekend.

Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Federal prosecutors moving to dismiss criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump in connection with allegations he sought to overturn the 2020 election. Prosecutors are also asking to dismiss charges against Trump at a Florida case involving mishandling of classified documents citing policy that a sitting president cannot face criminal prosecution. Decision by special prosecutor Jack Smith represents the end of the federal efforts against the former president, who was re-elected last month. Trump in a separate case was convicted of 34 felony counts on charges involving the

falsification of business records to cover up a sexual relationship. Business forecasters are projecting slightly stronger economic growth next year than they were just a few months ago. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the latest survey from the National Association for Business Economics. On average, the forecasters surveyed expect the U.S. economy to grow about 2 percent next year, slightly faster than they were projecting back in September. Forecasters expect employers to keep adding jobs every month, albeit at a slower pace,

while the unemployment rate is projected to inch up, from 4.1 to 4.3 percent. Most of those surveyed think the economy will avoid a recession next year. They expect Congress to extend the 2017 tax cuts and perhaps cut taxes even further. About a third of the forecasters cited widening geopolitical conflicts as the biggest risk to the economy. About half pointed to stronger productivity as offering the best chance for a positive surprise. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are on the picket lines as the busy

Thanksgiving travel period kicks off, workers citing the need to increase their earnings to what they say is a livable wage. Companies representing the striking workers' contract with American Airlines provide services including cleaning airplane interiors, moving trash, and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. On Wall Street today, the Dow is up 440 points. The Nasdaq jumped 51 points. You're listening to NPR. The nation's highest court has declined to hear the case of a challenge to a federal requirement that cigarette packs and advertising for the products include graphic images depicting the effects of smoking.

The warnings include pictures of damaged lungs and other aspects of cigarette use. Nearly 120 countries around the world have adopted the warning labels, though it's not clear when they might appear in the U.S. Some legal claims still remain, with the FDA not planning enforcement until next December. Research shows a wide range of lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of dementia. NPR's Allison Arbery reports on a tool that helps people assess their risk. A recent Lancet Commission report found that about 40% of dementia cases could be potentially prevented or delayed by addressing 14 risk factors.

And Dr. Jonathan Rosen of Massachusetts General Hospital says this creates an opportunity. You can substantially reduce your risk through the lifestyle choices you make. He and his collaborators created a 21-point index called the Brain Care Score. It asks about diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, the amount of exercise you get, as well as social-emotional factors such as your sense of purpose and social connections. Research shows a higher score is linked to a significantly lower risk of dementia, stroke, and late-life depression. Allison Aubry, NPR News. More than 30 pilot whales that stranded themselves on

a New Zealand beach have been safely returned to the water. Conservation workers and residents helped to refloat the whales by lifting them on sheets. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.