NPR News Now - NPR News: 11-30-2024 9PM EST

Episode Date: December 1, 2024

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This message comes from Indiana University. Indiana University is committed to moving the world forward, working to tackle some of society's biggest challenges, nine campuses, one purpose, creating tomorrow today. More at IU.edu. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Incoming President Donald Trump has announced his pick to serve as the nation's next director of the FBI. Trump has nominated Cash Patel, a former prosecutor, to replace current director Christopher Wray. Patel's nomination could tee up a contentious round of confirmation hearings in the Senate. Patel has been an outspoken critic of the FBI and has

threatened to shut down its Washington, D.C. headquarters. If confirmed, Patel would have vast authority to investigate the president's political enemies and could declassify sensitive information. Federal consent decrees can be a powerful tool for police reform. NPR's Meg Anderson reports the fate of investigations opened by the Biden Justice Department are uncertain when the next administration takes over. A consent decree is basically an improvement plan, often aimed at police misconduct. Trump severely limited their use. The Biden administration opened a dozen investigations, but has not finalized any into a court-enforced agreement.

Sharon Fairley, a University of Chicago law professor, says decrees are often very expensive for cities and last years. She says that gives cities little incentive to get these done. I doubt any city is gonna enter into an agreement right now, knowing that the Trump administration is incentive to get these done. I doubt any city is going to enter into an agreement right now, knowing that the Trump administration is about to come in and they wouldn't do it. A Justice Department official told NPR the department is still working to secure resolutions

in places where it uncovered police abuse. Maggie Anderson, NPR News. Israel says it's carried out several strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Despite that, a ceasefire to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon still appears to be holding in its fourth day. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports from northern Israel. The Israeli military says its air force struck multiple Hezbollah targets today, including militants loading weapons into vehicles for transport.

It called that action a violation of the ceasefire. Lebanese officials accuse Israel of breaking the agreement, including hitting several villages with artillery fire. But still, the shaky truce appears to be holding overall. There has been sporadic violence in Lebanon's south, where Israeli troops are still operating, as well as Hezbollah militants and members of the Lebanese army. Israel and Hezbollah have 60 days to withdraw from the area, after which the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeeping forces will be in charge of securing it.

Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Haifa. The US-based aid group World Central Kitchen says it's suspending operations in Gaza. An Israeli airstrike today killed at least five aid workers. This is NPR News in Washington. If you're not seeing a movie this weekend, well, get with the program. NPR's Bob Mandela reports that Hollywood is having a truly stellar Thanksgiving holiday. In the trade, they call it over-indexing. Everything is doing better than it's supposed to.

Last week, Disney was predicting that Moana 2 might post a record-breaking $135 million over the holiday weekend. It has already sailed past that number and is now expected to earn up to $220 million. Wicked was expected to drop substantially when Moana started competing for the same audience of women and girls. Instead, it is up slightly. Gladiator 2 is plugging along in third place at a pace that would normally have it leading the pack.

And this rising tide is lifting all boats. The Entertainment Industry News site Deadline is reporting that the total for all films this weekend will exceed the previous Thanksgiving holiday record by roughly $100 million. Bob Mandelo, NPR News. Amy Quinton London's Buckingham Palace was the backdrop for a parade of dogs today sporting their best holiday looks. More than 100 dogs came decked out in their Christmas best, ranging from puppies in elf costumes to a French bulldog dressed in a red beret and a pink jacket with red bows. The parade was organized by rescue dogs of London and Friends to raise money to re-home dogs from overseas. Prizes were awarded for some of the best dressed pups. A similar event will be held next Saturday,

just for corgis. This is 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.ca.