NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-28-2024 9PM EST

Episode Date: November 29, 2024

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This message comes from Indiana University. Indiana University performs breakthrough research every year, making discoveries that improve human health, combat climate change, and move society forward. More at iu.edu slash forward. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Joe Biden is criticizing President-elect Donald Trump's threat to slap tariffs on Canada and Mexico. As NPR's Jackie Northam reports, Biden spoke to reporters while spending Thanksgiving in Nantuckets. Biden said Trump's threat to place 25 percent on all Canadian and Mexican imports into the U.S.

would, quote, screw up relations with the two close allies. I hope he rethinks it. I think it's a counterproductive thing to do. Trump said he would keep tariffs on the neighbors until they clamped down on drugs and migrants crossing the border. Biden said illegal crossings into the U.S. are down considerably. Analysts say the proposed tariffs could violate a free trade deal, the U.S. MCA, signed by the three countries during Trump's first term, and could harm the U harm the US economy if Canada and Mexico retaliate. As part of the spirit of the day, Biden also said he was thankful for a peaceful

transition after the election. Jackie Northam, NPR News. Ukraine is accusing Russia of using highly destructive cluster munitions and a massive strike on Ukrainian energy infrastructure today. MPR's Joanna Kakissis reports that Russia says it hits several targets and plans to strike even more. Reporter- Writing on Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia's use of cluster munitions is quote, a vile escalation of Russian terrorist tactics. Russia launched 100 drones and 90 missiles at Ukraine early on Thursday. Many hit Ukraine's already damaged energy grid, leaving at least a million people without

power. Russia has repeatedly struck Ukraine's power grid this year, destroying half of the country's energy-producing capacity. Speaking at a summit in Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted Russia produces ten times as many missiles as all NATO countries combined. He is threatening more attacks on Ukraine using a new Russian missile. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News. Artificial intelligence is playing a big-time role in holiday shopping this year. Consumers can go on retailer websites, type in a vague description of what you're looking for, and AI will give you results

with sometimes surprising clarity. Adam Dumais with the consulting firm World Wide Technology, he says this is only the beginning. Going forward, there's gonna be a lot more media aspect to shopping. There's gonna be a lot more engagement between you and the screen or you and your mobile device where there's a back and forth conversation including characters

that we've grown up loving, including influencers. Retailers are putting on final touches for their Black Friday deals when stores reopen late tonight and tomorrow, but the annual sales event has become more aspirational than actual. Many retailers, including Amazon, have already been offering Black Friday deals for several weeks, but tomorrow's event takes on more significance this year because there are only five fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You're listening to NPR News. You may be seeing more hot honey and fermented foods on the table when you go out to eat next year, that prediction comes from the National Restaurant Association.

As NPR's Nita Ulibi reports, it's among the group's forecasting dining trends for 2025. Smashburgers are out. Sorry, Smashburgers. Those piles of skinny, crispy patties have been deemed very 2024. They will be replaced by thicker burgers, at least according to the infatuation. The Restaurant Review website also predicts more use of the ground corn staple known as masa and bagels that are ripped and dipped rather than sliced and smeared. Also out, torturing taste buds with the hottest possible peppers.

Instead, according to the grocery store chain Kroger, brine-ier flavors are in. Both Kroger and Whole Foods anticipate more demand for protein-based products, such as organ meats and collagen, in 2025. Nettie Ulubi, NPR News. Three Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted by bomb threats on their homes today. The threats came one day

after several prominent cabinet picks and appointees of President-elect Donald Trump also received threats. No bombs were found in any of those cases. The San Jose State women's volleyball team will be playing in the final of the Mountain West Conference on Saturday. Boise State forfeited their semifinal game against the Spartans because San Jose has a transgender player on their team. San Jose has faced a boycott by several of the league's teams, but a federal judge ruled this week that the

Spartans can continue with their season. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. 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.