NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-21-2024 8AM EST

Episode Date: November 21, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, on Korova Coleman, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and for a Hamas leader. The warrants are over the war in Gaza. A U.S. envoy is in Israel today trying to work out a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. As NPR's Scott Newman reports from Tel Aviv, the diplomatic effort comes more than seven weeks after Israel launched an invasion of southern Lebanon.

While in Beirut, U.S. envoy Amos Hoekstein says he had very constructive talks with Lebanese officials and that significant progress was made toward ending the fighting. In Israel, he's expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After weeks of fighting to push Hezbollah away from its northern border, Israel's foreign minister this week said his country wants a ceasefire that will, quote, stand the test of time. Israeli officials also say they want to be allowed to strike Lebanon if it violates the terms of a truce.

In a televised address, Hezbollah's newly named leader, Naim Qasseem, said the group would continue to fight, but also negotiate. Scott Newman, NPR News, Tel Aviv. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled he could use recess appointments to fill out his administration when he takes office. The Constitution does allow a president to appoint political nominees for temporary office without the advice and consent of the Senate. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports a president has a narrow window of time to use this. A recess appointment occurs when a president appoints his nominees during a period when

Congress is adjourned for at least 10 days. Justin Crowe, a political science professor at Williams College, says incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune is stuck between a rock and a hard place. It's really a test of how strong Republicans want to stand and Thune is going to be in a very difficult position of walking that line, of wanting to stay on Trump's good side, of wanting to heed the concerns of members in this party and on the other hand, not wanting to just like roll over and play dead.

A number of Trump's cabinet picks are testing GOP unity, including former Congressman Matt Gates for attorney general and Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary. Windsor-Johnston, NPR News, Washington. A powerful west coast storm could pour several inches of rain on northern California. It's already left two people dead and hundreds of thousands of customers without power in the Pacific Northwest. From Northwest Public Broadcasting, Anna King reports one Indian reservation in Oregon is reporting storm damage. As the winds came, Giselle Halfmoon took her Aussie pup and went up to stay with her mom.

You know, listening to the wind outside, it got pretty intense a few times with some of the more major gusts. Crews from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are still assessing damages. For NPR News, I'm Anna King in Richland, Washington. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Ukraine says Russia has hit the east-central city of Dnipro with an intercontinental ballistic missile. If confirmed, this would be the first time Russia has used an ICBM in this war.

It comes the same week as Ukraine fired U.S.-made long-range missiles deep into Russian territory. Australia's government says social media platforms X, Instagram and TikTok could be affected by a proposed social media ban for children. As Christina Kukulja reports, a proposed law would fine technology companies millions of dollars for violations. The proposed changes described by the Australian government as world-leading could see social media companies fined the equivalent of up to 33 million US dollars for breaching rules to prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing their platforms. Reddit and Snapchat are also on the list, while YouTube, some online gaming and messaging sites are exempt.

Companies would have the responsibility to enforce the age restrictions, but the government has yet to explain how they'll be implemented. The legislation is expected to pass parliament with support from the main opposition coalition, but some online safety experts have questioned its effectiveness. For NPI News, Christina Kukolja, Melbourne, Australia. The Justice Department is accusing one of the richest people in India of fraud. Gautam Adani is accused of misleading investors in a solar energy project. He allegedly concealed information that the project was also being paid for by an alleged bribery scheme.

I'm Korva Kulman, NPR News in Washington.