Concerns over Trump's crypto promises. And, gift ideas for 5 personality types

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In the present day's high tales Syrian opposition forces stormed Hama metropolis in central Syria yesterday as a part of their largest offensive in years towards President Bashar al-Assad's authorities. The insurgent push began final week when preventing led to the seize of Syria's second-largest metropolis, Aleppo.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x3375+0+313/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F28%2Fa2%2F8da4ba4840d8ada0705616428586%2Fap24338697442339.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x3375+0+313/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F28%2Fa2%2F8da4ba4840d8ada0705616428586%2Fap24338697442339.jpg" class="img" alt="Smoke from fighting billows in the edges of the town of Hama, Syria, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024." loading="lazy"/> Smoke from preventing billows within the edges of the city of Hama, Syria, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024. Omar Albam/AP disguise caption

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Omar Albam/AP 🎧 Greater than 100 civilians have died from the preventing between the insurgent forces and pro-government factions, that are backed by Russia and Iran, NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi tells Up First. Hama has regional significance as it is a essential provide route that Iran makes use of to maneuver weapons to its ally — the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. HTS, which was once affiliated with al-Qaeda, is main the offensive. Eyes are on the following large metropolis — Homs, the place preventing on the outskirts has been reported. If the rebels hold the momentum going, they're going to be inching nearer to the Syrian authorities's seat of energy. President-elect Donald Trump introduced David Sacks will tackle the function of the White Home AI and crypto czar. Sacks, a longtime Silicon Valley enterprise capitalist, would information the administration's insurance policies towards these applied sciences. The choice comes after Bitcoin hit $100,000 this week for the primary time.

🎧 Trump has promised to make the U.S. "the crypto capital of the planet" and to appoint regulators pleasant to that trade, NPR's Rafael Nam says. It is a very totally different method from the Biden administration. Cryptocurrencies are extremely risky. Critics like Dennis Kelleher of the advocacy group Higher Markets are involved the most recent rally round crypto may create a short-term increase over the following couple of years however may result in a catastrophic monetary disaster. Officers in New York Metropolis are taking steps towards addressing its housing disaster by approving a housing plan referred to as Metropolis of Sure. It may result in 80,000 new houses over the following 15 years. Town has over 3.5 million houses, however most are occupied, and costs outpace these in practically each different location within the U.S.

🎧 The plan has tweaks that can allow extra housing: Some owners might be allowed so as to add an additional unit on their properties, and builders can construct larger buildings close to subway stations, in line with David Model of WNYC, an NPR community station. The plan can even make it simpler to transform workplaces into residences and condos. Although vital, the plan will not clear up town's housing issues, particularly for the lowest-income New Yorkers. Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams says zoning alone does not create reasonably priced housing, which is why she acquired the mayor to commit extra funding for lease help and low-income housing.

Life recommendation <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/600x337+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F29%2F54%2Fe40fb8534d19b660ece19e7407c2%2Fgift-promo-wide-cc3630b8b516c9bb5d4ca95be1bb69fb2470432a.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/600x337+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F29%2F54%2Fe40fb8534d19b660ece19e7407c2%2Fgift-promo-wide-cc3630b8b516c9bb5d4ca95be1bb69fb2470432a.jpg" class="img" alt="gift-promo_wide-cc3630b8b516c9bb5d4ca95be1bb69fb2470432a.jpg" loading="lazy"/>

It's the season for giving, however not everybody has a knack for locating the suitable present for his or her family members. Editor-in-chief of SELF Journal Rachel Wilkerson Miller and actress and content material creator Asia Jackson share recommendation on easy methods to purchase significant presents for 5 persona sorts.

🎁 For the sensible individual, contemplate a present they may use of their every day lives. Miller recommends present playing cards for providers like oil modifications, automotive washes and canine strolling.🎁 A present card most likely will not lower it for sentimental family members. Contemplate giving them a memento that pertains to a reminiscence you each share. Selfmade items are additionally nice choices.🎁 For many who get pleasure from experiences, contemplate activity-related items like cookbooks, Lego units or perhaps a membership to an area museum.🎁 Presents that encourage leisure and destressing, like therapeutic massage weapons and blankets, are good for the comfy individual.🎁 What about the one that has all of it? Give them one thing completely enjoyable, completely sudden and heartfelt. Get extra present concepts for these 5 persona sorts right here.

Weekend picks <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1268x713+129+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/png/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F90%2Fb0%2Fe2864a6b4dbe89b9cefe25466b65%2Fgames-we-love-screenshot.png" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1268x713+129+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F90%2Fb0%2Fe2864a6b4dbe89b9cefe25466b65%2Fgames-we-love-screenshot.png" class="img" alt="Screenshots or images of various games" loading="lazy"/>

Take a look at what NPR is watching, studying and listening to this weekend:

🍿 Motion pictures: Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani's new documentary Bread & Roses tells the story of three girls who're protesting the Taliban's erasure of girls from political and public life.

📺 TV: In Netflix's The Insanity, Colman Domingo performs Muncie Daniels, who finds himself on the run after he discovers a brutal homicide and is framed for the crime.

📚 Books: NPR employees and guide critics weighed in on their favourite titles for the annual Books We Love information. Listed below are a dozen novels they're excited to share from this 12 months.

🎵 Music: NPR Music has rounded up an inventory that includes 124 of the most effective songs of the 12 months. The gathering has one thing for everybody and even permits you to uncover songs by a single style. This is a playlist to your streaming pleasure.

🎮 Video games: From cozy puzzles to multiplayer sensations and grand adventures, NPR employees and contributors share their favourite video video games of 2024 thus far.

❓ Quiz: There was a number of information this week, from presidential pardons to a brand new phrase of the 12 months. Possibly that's the reason I acquired a barely passing rating on this quiz. Do you suppose you are able to do higher?

3 issues to know earlier than you go <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x4644+0+430/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6c%2F09%2Fbfd9f356429db844f0ea0e1a8144%2Fgettyimages-2187613930.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x4644+0+430/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6c%2F09%2Fbfd9f356429db844f0ea0e1a8144%2Fgettyimages-2187613930.jpg" class="img" alt="Pope Francis (right) looks on as he's presented a new fully electric popemobile at the Vatican on Wednesday." loading="lazy"/> Pope Francis (proper) appears to be like on as he is offered a brand new absolutely electrical popemobile on the Vatican on Wednesday. Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Pictures disguise caption

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Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Pictures Pope Francis goes electrical in a brand new eco-friendly G-Class Mercedes-Benz popemobile for the 2025 Jubilee processional.A federal choose in Texas has rejected a proposed plea deal between Boeing and the U.S. Justice Division stemming from the lethal crashes of two Boeing 737 Max jets in 2018 and 2019.A brand new research finds individuals who eat a small, every day dose of darkish chocolate have a decrease threat of creating Sort 2 diabetes in comparison with individuals who do not eat it. This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.