NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-01-2024 9AM EST

Episode Date: December 1, 2024

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J.S. O'BRIEN 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. G.J. O'BRIEN Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder.

President-elect Donald Trump has selected longtime ally Cash Patel to serve as the next director of the FBI. NPR's Windsor Johnson reports if confirmed by the Senate, Patel could implement significant changes at the Bureau. NPR's Windsor Johnson reports 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. During the end of Trump's first term in office, Patel served in a number of administration

positions, including on the National Security Council and in the Pentagon. His nomination could draw scrutiny from lawmakers in the Senate, possibly setting up contentious confirmation hearings. In a post on social media, Trump called Patel a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and quote, America first fighter. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington. Christopher Wray's term does not end until 2027. He would have to resign or Trump would have to fire him if Patel is confirmed by the Senate. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is facing the biggest challenge to his rule in years as opposition rebels advance deep

into the country. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports the Russian Air Force is striking rebel positions to defend the Syrian regime. After moving into Aleppo, Syria's second most populous city, rebel forces have pressed south, seizing towns and villages in Hamar province in central Syria. Overnight, there were also reports of fighting in Daraa in southern Syria. Russian fighter jets are striking rebel positions to try to hold off the advance as Syrian government forces try to regroup. The Syrian army says dozens of its men have been killed. After years of relative quiet in the Syrian civil war,

Assad's regime was seen as having largely won the conflict. Russia and Iran-backed militias have provided manpower and weapons to steady the regime. But with Russia's resources tied up in the war in Ukraine and the Iran-backed militant group has bullet fighting for survival in its war with Israel, Damascus has been left ever more exposed. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News. A UN agency supporting Palestinians says it's suspending aid deliveries through

the main cargo crossing between Israel and Gaza. The BBC's Nick Beek reports. Announcing the decision to halt deliveries, the head of UNRWA, Filipp Lazarini, pointed to the looting of a convoy of more than 100 food trucks by armed gangs a fortnight ago and the stealing of five more lorries yesterday. Mr. Lazzarini accused the Israeli government of creating this dire situation and said a ceasefire would allow the uninterrupted flow of aid to Gaza, where hunger is rapidly deepening. Lake effect snow has been blanketing the Great Lakes region from Michigan to Pennsylvania,

New York and forecasters are warning that frigid temperatures are set to move into the eastern third of the country by tomorrow. You're listening to NPR News. Political uncertainty has gripped the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. Street protests continue after the country's government suspended talks to join the European Union. NPR's Charles Maynes reports more than 200 people have been detained since a protest began. For a third straight night, thousands protested outside Parliament in the capital Tbilisi,

and for a third straight night, police with water, cannons and tear gas. The seeds of the crisis lay in Georgia's recent parliamentary elections. The ruling Georgia Dream Party says it won the October vote outright. The opposition and now the European Parliament say those results were rigged. The election had been seen as a choice between a future with Europe or Russia. After the government passed a series of seemingly pro-Russian policies. Georgia's prime minister now says he won't allow a western-backed revolution, yet Georgia's pro-EU president has vowed not to leave office until a legitimate parliament is formed. Charles Maynes, NPR News. United Nations talks on a binding treaty to curb plastic pollution is in danger of collapsing.

The talks in Busan, South Korea are scheduled to wrap up today, but there's a dispute over the scope of the treaty. Panama's representative, Juan Carlos Monterrey, proposed an option that would create a global cap on production. Every piece that we allow to produce without limits is a direct assault on our health, on our nature, and our children. Panama's proposal is supported by more than 100 countries at the talks, but a handful of oil-producing nations want to focus only on plastic waste. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.