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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. The UN Climate Conference in Azerbaijan has concluded with a deal to triple the amount of money rich countries deliver to developing nations to help address the effects of climate change.
Empire's Jeff Brady reports the deal was immediately praised by wealthy countries and criticized by developing ones. Under the new agreement, wealthy countries will boost their current pledge to developing nations from $100 billion a year to $300 billion. With private and other funds, the goal is to get to $1.3 trillion a year by 2035.
India's representative objected, saying the final passage had been stage-managed. But European Union Commissioner Volker Hoekstra praised the deal. And we feel it is ambitious, it is needed, it is realistic, and it is achievable. Next year, countries will meet in Brazil, and by then, most will have released new plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Jeff Brady, NPR News.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen the head of a pro-Trump think tank to be his U.S. Agricultural Secretary, leading the agency responsible for the nation's farm and nutrition programs. NPR's Sarah McCammon has more.
Brooke Rollins worked for Trump's first administration, most notably as director of the Domestic Policy Council. After leaving the White House, Rollins was among a group of senior advisors who set up the America First Policy Institute to promote Trump's ideas. She's now the nonprofit group's president and CEO.
Rollins has an agriculture degree from Texas A&M and a law degree from the University of Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has around 100,000 employees and oversees several large programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and farm subsidies. Sarah McCammon, NPR News.
The death toll in Gaza from Israel's war against Hamas has now surpassed 44,000 people. That's according to Gaza officials. And the Israeli offensive in Gaza shows little signs of slowing down.
The Gaza Health Ministry says at least 120 Palestinians have been killed in the last 48 hours in airstrikes across the Gaza Strip. And Piers Michael Levitt has more. Palestinian health officials say Israeli airstrikes have claimed casualties across the Gaza Strip, including seven members of a single family whose home was hit overnight in a suburb of Gaza City.
Most of the recent fighting on the ground has been concentrated in the north of Gaza. Israel has besieged the area for weeks, where it says it is trying to prevent Hamas from regrouping. In a statement, Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas's Qassam Brigades, said that Israel's offensive has also killed a female hostage, but did not release her identity.
Israel's military says it is currently examining footage released by Hamas allegedly showing the killed hostage, but could not confirm its validity. NPR's Michael Levitt reporting. This is NPR.
Florida Surgeon General says communities in the state shouldn't add fluoride to drinking water. Joseph Latipo says that's because of what he calls the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure. He does acknowledge in the guidance, though, that fluoride has long been proven to reduce tooth decay by strengthening teeth, but he says there are possible safety concerns related to systemic fluoride exposure.
President-elect Trump's pick for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he would advise against fluoride being added to U.S. water systems.
Hollywood might have another Barbenheimer-style double feature this weekend. And Pierce Bob Mondello says the industry is hoping Gladiator 2 plus Wicked Part 1 equals Glickid. Personally, I prefer Wickiator, but it'll be good for cinemas either way. Like Barbie, Wicked is expected to appeal to women and girls, while Gladiator leans male, as did Oppenheimer. Early estimates have Wicked living up to its hit song. Popular about popular.
Looking at almost $120 million for the weekend while Gladiator 2... This is about survival!
Should take in about half that. Usually when two Hollywood blockbusters bang heads in the same weekend, one of them suffers. But patrons doing a Barbenheimer double feature actually boosted both films last year. The industry hopes the wicked gladiator combo will also be defying gravity. But after a lackluster fall, cinema owners will be relieved if they just reach current estimates. Bob Mondello, NPR News. And I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News in Washington.
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