Aya Petraoui, NPR's international correspondent, discusses the implications of Israel cutting ties with the UN relief agency for Palestinians, stressing the bleak humanitarian situation in Gaza. Danielle Kurtzleben provides a gripping analysis of the final campaign efforts by Trump and Harris, focusing on voter engagement and turnout. Deepa Shivram covers Kamala Harris’s last-minute campaign activities, highlighting the importance of outreach to diverse communities. The discussion captures the intensity of Election Day and the pressing international crises.
Trump and Harris focused on critical voter demographics in Pennsylvania, with Harris uniquely appealing to Latino communities through cultural engagement.
Israel's cessation of cooperation with UNRWA raises serious humanitarian concerns for Gaza, significantly impacting aid distribution and local stability.
Deep dives
Final Campaign Efforts of Trump and Harris
On the final day of campaigning, both former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris made significant pushes in critical battleground state Pennsylvania. Trump, rallying supporters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, emphasized the need for them to 'finish the job' and positioned himself as ready to secure a win if voter turnout was strong. Harris, meanwhile, chose to end her campaign on a symbolic note at the iconic Rocky Steps in Philadelphia, connecting her message to the triumph of underdogs. As both candidates engaged with their base, it was noted that Trump's crowd sizes were smaller compared to previous events, raising questions about his supporters' enthusiasm.
Mobilizing Latino Voters
Latino voters played a pivotal role in the campaign strategies of both candidates, particularly in Pennsylvania, where their turnout could significantly impact the election results. Harris focused her efforts on reaching out to this demographic following negative remarks made about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally, which galvanized support among Puerto Rican voters. In her campaigns, she included cultural references and prominent figures like rapper Fat Joe to resonate with Latino communities, emphasizing pride and collective identity. The significance of this outreach was underscored by the large presence of Puerto Rican flags at her rallies, highlighting the critical importance of every voter group in the tight electoral landscape.
Impact of Israel's Decision on Relief Efforts in Gaza
In the ongoing conflict, Israel announced it would cease cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), citing concerns over alleged Hamas infiltration. This decision raises alarm about the humanitarian implications for ordinary Gazans who rely heavily on UNRWA for food and aid distribution amidst widespread deprivation. With Israel restricting humanitarian access, UNRWA has noted a drastic decrease in aid flowing into Gaza, which has strained local markets and healthcare systems facing increasing shortages. The potential fallout from this move is critical, as it threatens to destabilize essential support structures that millions in Gaza depend on, leaving them at greater risk of famine and humanitarian crises.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harris wrap up their campaigns in the wee hours of the morning on Election Day. Israel bans the UN aid agency for Palestinians, but aid workers say there is no Plan B in place. And Boeing's strike ends.
Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Roberta Rampton, Russell Lewis, Olivia Hampton and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.