At least 11 killed in Israeli strikes in Beirut as diplomats push for cease-fire The strikes were the fourth on Beirut in less than a week. The escalation comes after a U.S. envoy traveled to the region this week in an attempt to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah. Read more on NPR

Atmospheric rivers aren’t new. Why does it feel like we’re hearing about them more? In recent years, “atmospheric river” has become used much more frequently in scientific papers and in media coverage. According to experts who study climate and weather, a few reasons may explain why. Read more on NPR

NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia’s attack with new missile NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked the city of Dnipro with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Read more on NPR

What to know about Trump’s picks for CDC, FDA and surgeon general In a flurry of picks on Friday evening, Trump named three choices for top health jobs. Together they would help the incoming president shift the priorities of agencies that are key to public health. Read more on NPR

Storm lashes Northern California after leaving thousands without power in Seattle The storm arrived in the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands, mostly in the Seattle area, before moving through Northern California. Read more on NPR

Florida health official advises communities to stop adding fluoride to drinking water Florida’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, cited developmental concerns from higher levels of fluoride than are found in most U.S. water supplies. Read more on NPR

A ‘lynch mob’ did not come for Matt Gaetz, but the phrasing remains powerful Even as a young child, I could understand the idea that words have meaning, which is why when Sen. Lindsey Graham referred to a “lynch mob” coming after Matt Gaetz, I felt my stomach drop. Read more on NPR

Trump names former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner to lead Housing and Urban Development HUD is bracing for possible budget cuts, something the first Trump administration proposed but was unable to get through Congress. Other changes could restrict who gets rental aid. Read more on NPR

Trump picks Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead Labor Department President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon to lead the Labor Department. She was one of a few Republicans who support the pro-union PRO Act. Read more on NPR

Trump nominates Russ Vought for White House budget director once again Vought was one of the architects of the conservative agenda known as Project 2025 and served as budget director during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term in office. Read more on NPR