NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-01-2024 5AM EST

Episode Date: December 1, 2024

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Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Hamas has released a video of an Israeli-American hostage. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports on the footage, showing the 20-year-old pleading with President-elect Donald Trump to secure his release. It's the first time Edan, Alexander's family, has heard from him since he was captured in the Hamasid attack on southern Israel, October 2023.

In the video, Alexander addresses Trump as the incoming president of the United States, a sign that the video was filmed recently. Alexander's mother, Yael, addressed a crowd shortly after the video was made public. She said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called her, telling her that the conditions for a ceasefire deal in Gaza that would release the remaining hostages was, quote, ripe. Stand by your promise to me, she says to Netanyahu. We are all waiting on you to make a courageous decision. There are still 101 hostages remaining in Gaza, according to Israel.

At least a third of them are thought to be dead. Kat Lonsdorf and Per News, Haifa. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is vowing to defend Syria after rebel fighters took control of Aleppo, the country's second largest city. The Syrian military says it's regrouping to stage a counterattack, and Russian warplanes have carried out airstrikes against the rebels. President-elect Trump has selected longtime ally Kash Patel to lead the FBI, even though the current director, Christopher Christopher Ray's 10-year

term does not end until 2027. NPR's Windsor Johnston has more on Patel's background. Patel has been an outspoken critic of the FBI. The former prosecutor and public defender has called for shutting down the agency's Washington, D.C. headquarters and firing its top leadership. If confirmed, Patel would replace current FBI director Christopher Ray, who has three years remaining in his 10-year term. Ray would have to resign or be fired to create a vacancy.

Trump says he will overhaul a long-standing strategy to deal with homelessness, and that includes a more aggressive approach to getting people off public streets. Here's MPR's Jennifer Lutten. Trump has pledged to work with states to ban homeless encampments. The homeless have no right to turn every park and sidewalk into a place for them to squat and do drugs. He said violators should face arrest unless they agree to mental health and addiction treatment. But Anne Oliva with the National Alliance to End Homelessness

says forced treatment has been tried and failed and that people do better when they're safely housed first. It provides a base from which folks can address their behavioral health or employment needs. She worries the next administration could cut funding for this kind of housing with services that can keep people off the streets. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR News. Amid violent protests, the president of the former Soviet Republic of Georgia is pushing back against allegations that the pro-European Union opposition is plotting a revolution.

President Salome Zurabishvili supports the protesters. We are not demanding a revolution. We are not putting demands on who has to get out of there. We are asking for new elections. Protesters clash with police for a third straight night in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Thousands gathered outside parliament to protest against the government's decision to call off talks to join the European Union. China is protesting a visit to Hawaii by Taiwan's new president. Lai Ching-de arrived in Honolulu on Saturday to kick off a tour of the Pacific.

This is his first time in Hawaii since taking office in May. Jackie Young from Hawaii Public Radio has details. Lai was greeted at the airport by Governor Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, and Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan. Governor Green gave Lai a warm aloha, noting that Hawaii and Taiwan have shared values of resilience and collaboration. The president attended an emergency management briefing and later a banquet with supporters. Lai plans to meet with military and community leaders in Honolulu before departing for a week-long Pacific tour to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, three of 12 countries that have formal ties with Taiwan. Lai also will stop over in the territory of Guam. For

NPR News, I'm Jackie Young in Honolulu. And I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.