NPR News Now: November 30, 2024, 10AM EST
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1. Major Advances by Syrian Rebel Militias in Aleppo
[00:37]
In a significant development in the Syrian civil war, rebel militias opposing President Bashar al-Assad have achieved notable territorial gains in the north of the country. Ruth Sherlock reports that these militias have successfully seized several towns and villages, culminating in their entry into Aleppo, one of Syria's most populous and historically significant cities.
"Syrian rebels have now taken parts of Syria's second most populous city, the historic mercantile Aleppo," Ruth Sherlock explains.
This rapid advance marks a departure from years of stalemate, where Assad, supported by Russian and Iranian-backed militias, maintained control over most of Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that rebels hold western Aleppo, with footage circulating online showing armed militants celebrating in the city's squares.
The shift in control is partly attributed to Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Syria. These strikes have reportedly weakened the regime's grip on the region. However, Syrian state media indicates that Russia continues to provide air support to the Syrian military, suggesting ongoing tensions and potential for further conflict.
2. Israeli Airstrikes and Canadian Political Tensions
[01:23]
The Israeli military has conducted an airstrike that resulted in the death of a Palestinian suspected of involvement in the October 7 attacks. Concurrently, Gaza's health ministry reported that at least three workers associated with the A Group and World Central Kitchen were killed in an airstrike targeting a vehicle in the southern city of Khan Younis.
In international relations, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago following an emergency meeting with Canadian provincial leaders. This meeting came after Trump issued threats to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports unless they took stronger actions against drug trafficking and migrant crossings at the border.
"We agreed that we need to be smart, strong and united in meeting this challenge," stated Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland at [01:59], emphasizing Canada's commitment to maintaining a united front in its trade relationship and border policies.
3. Celebrating Small Business Saturday
[02:12]
As the holiday season progresses, Small Business Saturday takes center stage, encouraging consumers to support locally owned businesses. Andrea Hsu highlights that this event, first celebrated in 2010 and co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011, serves as a recognition day for independent retailers, restaurants, and other small enterprises.
"Small businesses are a backbone of the economy," Andrea Hsu notes, referencing SBA data that small businesses have created two-thirds of net new jobs since 2000 and employ 45% of private sector workers in the U.S.
Last year, shoppers spent an estimated $17 billion at small businesses on this day, and this year saw a record 20 million small business applications filed over the past four years, the highest on record.
4. Severe Snowstorm Hits the Great Lakes Region
[03:12]
The Great Lakes region is bracing for its first major snowstorm of the season, with forecasts predicting up to three feet of lake-effect snow south of Buffalo. Erie County Executive Mark Paulinkars warns of treacherous driving conditions ahead of the storm:
"They won't qualify for a blizzard because of the winds, but when the winds do pick up, and they will pick up to over 30 miles an hour at times, you will have whiteouts, you will have blizzard-like conditions," Mark Paulinkars stated at [03:32].
In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a disaster emergency for the region. Additionally, the Buffalo Bills are calling for volunteers to assist with snow removal in anticipation of their game scheduled for tomorrow night.
5. Restoration of St. John the Divine's Historic Organ
[04:08]
In a remarkable restoration effort, the great organ at St. John the Divine in New York City is set to return after sustaining damage from a basement fire a decade ago. Jennifer Vanasco reports that the organ, a 1910 Aeolian Skinner Opus 150A with over 8,000 pipes, was previously damaged by smoke from the fire that also preceded the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire in Paris in April 2019.
Father Patrick Molloy, dean of St. John the Divine, expressed enthusiasm about the restoration: "There's a different kind of sound that's generated by an organ that is somehow really authentic and really real. We at the cathedral care about what's real."
The restoration will be completed in time for the first Sunday of Advent, allowing the congregation to experience the authentic sounds of the historic instrument once again.
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