Nightly news begins right now. From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. After a lengthy and very public casting call through the lobby of trump tower, the president elect ended the suspense today over one of the most coveted jobs in his administration. Donald trump picking an oil company ceo to be his secretary of state. With no government experience, Rex Tillerson, the exxon mobil boss, is being praised as a seasoned International Deal maker in business, and it is those business connections, specifically his ties to russia, that are raising the most serious concerns about him tonight. And putting trump at odds with members of his own party. Nbcs Kristen Welker starts us off with the latest. Reporter tonight, president elect donald trump, likely setting up his first confirmation fight with members of his own party, officially tapping Rex Tillerson to be his secretar touting what he calls tillersons deep understanding of geopolitics. The pick of the exxon mobil ceo, praised by republicans, including condoleezza rice, who has business ties to exxon, but also others like bob corker. Still some key gop senators wary of his ties with russia. Marco rubio saying, he has serious concerns. Trumps team, digging in. Hes very good at being a diplomat, and the good lord didnt put oil in all freedomloving democracies across the world. And yet Rex Tillerson was able to make this work. Reporter and it comes on the day of what is perhaps mr. Trumps most surprising meeting at trump tower yet. Kanye west. Weve been friends for a long time. Reporter west, uncharacteristically tightlipped right now. I just want to take a picture right now. Reporter and later tweeting he wanted to discuss multi cultural issues. Its not clear if west will have a role, but former rival, Texas Governor rick perry, nowse tapped for energy secretary. The agency he famously forgot during a president ial debate while listing the departments hes eliminate. The third one i cant, sorry, oops. Reporter trump also saying his adult sons will, his business interests, and no deal will be done during his term in office. These things have a cumulative effect. It would serve him to be more transparent, the more the better. Reporter tonight a top transition source telling nbc news, mr. Trump has tapped former navy seal and montana congressman ryan zincy to serve as interior secretary. Mr. Trump will appear in wisconsin later tonight. The latest stop on his thank you tour. Lester . Kristen, thanks. Back to the tillerson pick, reaction has been swift and loud. His close ties to Vladimir Putin and how that will figure in a potential confirmation fight. We have all covered, starting mitchell who was the first to break the news about the tillerson pick over the weekend. Good evening. Good evening. Donald trump said he wants his secretary of state to reverse what he called years of misguided foreign policies. Hiring him because hes an outside with no experience in diplomacy. In Rex Tillerson, trump has found someone like himself, no government experience, a successful businessman, whom trump aides praise as trumpian. I have tremendous respect for him. Hes a world class player. Reporter born in wichita falls, texas, joining exxon mobil more than four decades ago. From engineer to chairman and now ceo, now dealing with foreign governments in nearly 50 countries. But its his ties to one country now under the microscope. My relationship with Vladimir Putin, which dates back almost 15 years now, ive known him since 1999. And i have a very close relationship with him. I dont agree with everything hes doing. Reporter improving the tense relationship with russia was a Trump Campaign promise. Wouldnt it be great if we actually got along with russia . R tonight critics are pointing to exxon mobils efforts to fight Climate Change rules and tillersons opposition to sanctions on russia. Coziness with Vladimir Putin is very alarming and should have eliminated him frankly. Reporter some republicans critical too after tillerson received a friendship medal from putin. When he gets the friendship award from a butcher, frankly, its an issue that i think needs to be examined. Reporter married with four children, tillerson is a past president of the boy scouts, embracing their decision to allow gay scouts and leaders. He wrestled with it, he prayed on it, and he ultimately decided, i have to do whats good for the boys. Reporter his loyalty to scouting shaped his values. We have a duty to this country, as citizens, to participate in our government. Reporter a Texas Oil Man who, if confirmed, will test whether its skills as a Global Business leader, can work in the world of diplomacy. Andrea mitchell, nbc news, washington. Moscow, where the kremlin couldnt be happier with the way trumps cabinet is shaping up, especially with Rex Tillerson as potential secretary of state. Vladimir milov is a former russian minister of energy. Its absolutely a gift for putin. Reporter tillerson is best known here for making a deal with an oil giant called rosneft. Thats its headquarters over there. Just over the moscow river from the kremlin. And analysts say the company is like a cash cow for president putin and his inner circle. Mikel, an Energy Analyst says the dividends earned by rosneft end up in one place. This is the personal purse, or wallet, of the russian president. Reporter and that wallet could grow significantly. And tillerson is at the center of it. Exxon mobil and Russias Rosneft have an outstanding oil deal in the arctic, billion. A deal so important, after it, he was given the russian medal of friendship. But the deal is on hold because of u. S. Sanctions. Obviously the conflict of interest is something that is written on mr. Tillerson forehead. Written on his forehead . Written on his forehead. Conflict of interest . Yes. As far as russias concerned . Hundred percent. Reporter as secretary of state, tillerson will be able to push for the lifting of the sanctions against russia, something he lobbied for as a ceo. Richard engel, nbc news, moscow. Now to the brutal fouryearlong battle for aleppo that appears to be near its end this evening, the russian government, allied with the syrian regime, said today that military action has ceased in eastern aleppo, claiming Syrian Forces have taken control of the city from rebels. As our bill neely reports, civilians are still scrambling to get out of aleppo, amid horrifying reports of executions. Reporter they escaped a slaughter today. Thousands, fleeing aleppos last battleground the young and sick, the old and helpless, besieged for months, trudging from the ruins of their homes. Theyve fled a relentless onslaught by regime and russian forces, crushing whats left of the rebel east. But not everyone escaped. Terrified civilians, sending what they called their last messages. The assad militias are maybe 300 meters away. No place now to go. Its the last days. Reporter no word tonight of one child, 7yearold bana, whose latest message read, this is my final moment to either live or die. The horrors are clear on aleppos streets. Shelling and air strikes, claiming hundreds of lives. We cant verify this video, or many claims, but the u. N. Is alleging regime militias are executing civilians in cold blood. Theve executing people on the spot. Reporter president assads troops are celebrating victory, over this symbolic city of the revolution, and denying theyre committing atrocities. As soon as people heard we freed this area, he says, they feel safe. But few can be safe. Even as the regime boasted that aleppos rebels have stopped fighting, that theyll be allowed to leave, though its not clear where, and that the battle here is over. The exodus of misery isnt over. Nor is this war in so many places beyond aleppo. Bill neely, nbc news, beirut. Switching gears and back in this country on the weather front tonight, things are about to go from frigid to worse for nearly 30 million people. A temperature plunge below to zero below zero in several places and more snow. Nbcs ron mott has the latest. It is still pretty slick outside. Reporter as temperes across the country, blizzard conditions in indiana, blamed for this multicar pileup. Elsewhere, a few close calls. In michigan, slick streets sent this school bus offroad. In minnesota, a driver was pulled from her suv after it slid into a frigid pond. A dog in illinois found itself in a similar jam. Nothing else was going through my mind except saving my dog. Reporter the bitter cold snap is expected to last several days. This morning, 12 below in wisconsin. Over the next week, 1 in 7 americans feeling the bite of sub zero frost. In some cases, its going to feel like its 40 degrees below zero or more. Parts of the midwest are going to stay below the freezing mark for at least two weeks. Reporter in chicago, residents are preparing to hunker down indoors. Probably get two, three more bags of salt. We wish you a Merry Christmas reporter outside, vendors at this market protecting against frostbite. How are you staying warm . Heaps of layers. R for another brutal arctic punch. Chicago and other areas could see some of their coldest temperatures in two years with this system. The forecast windchill tonight as low as 8 below zero. Tomorrow, twice as brutal, 16 below. Lester . Ron mott, thank you. Now the developing news that could change the way all of us drive, the government plan to require cars to talk to each other, using wifi to avoid collisions that we might not see coming with our own eyes. Nbcs tom costello explains. [ sirens ] reporter it happens every 15 minutes. Someone dies in a traffic accident. But Traffic Safety regulators say vehicletovehicle, or vtov technology could prevent up to 600,000 crashes. Heres how it works. Using wifi connections, your car would be in touch with every other car in a 300yard radius, even cars you cant see, sharing information about upcoming cross stopping, warning the cars ahead have hit their brakes, or of an approaching ambulance, of an accident ahead, or slowmoving traffic. You would get visual or audible alerts. Our automatic braking might kick in. The car can have a 360degree field of vision, if you will, electronically and sense other cars out of our line of sight as drivers. Reporter connected vehicles could transmit slippery or icy road warnings. If it sounds like science fiction, audi is already rolling out technology that tells drivers how soon upcoming traffic lights are about to change. The key is to coordinate all the technology, so different car makes and models are talking to each other, on the same frequency. Human beings are fallible and while technology has its challenges, it has the greatest potential to save lives. Reporter the Obama Administration wants to require new cars to to come with vtov in just a few years, but will the Trump Administration go along . Today e Automotive Industry would complements other advanced Safety Systems that are starting to be included. But some day, your cars wifi chat with other cars, could keep you alive. Tom costello, nbc news, washington. President obama united with Vice President biden today for what may be the final billsigning of their administration. The president approved a massive bipartisan medical Research Bill that includes billions for the Cancer Moonshot Program championed by biden, whose son beau died from cancer last year. Our Peter Alexander has more. Reporter in a city badly polarized by politics, a rare moment of unity. A powerful tribute to joe bidens career, and beau bidens memory. God willing, this bill will literally, not figuratively, save lives. Reporter the 6 billion bill invests in a Cancer Research moonshot and pays to fight other diseases and opioid abuse. Called the 21st century cures act. I think the senate came up with a better name when they named reporter remembering the life of the Vice President s son who died of brain cancer in 2015. This effort has reinforced the bond between two men one who lost his mother she was two and a half years younger than i am today when she passed away. Reporter the other who lost a son. I know he loved you, and you were wonderful to beau. Reporter the Vice President today channeling his grief into hope. How many times have you heard a patient say, doc, can you give me just three more weeks, so i can walk her down the aisle . Or just give me another two months, its my first grand baby. Reporter whats likely the last billsigning of this presidency, building a legacy meant to last. Peter alexander, nbc news, washington. Another day, another record close on wall street. The dow creeping ever closer to the 20,000 milestone, closing up it comes just a day before the Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise Interest Rates after years of rock bottom lows. Still ahead, danger in the kitchen, the alarming defect thats led to the largest kitchen appliance recall in history on a product in millions of american homes. war drums beating fight heartburn fast. With tums chewy delights. The mouthwatering soft chew that goes to work in seconds to conquer heartburn fast. Only from tums. The full value of your totaled new car. The guy says, you picked the wrong insurance plan. No, i picked the wrong Insurance Company. With new car replacement™, well replace the full value of your car plus depreciation. Liberty mutual insurance. My frii say not if you this protect yourself. Ary. What is scary . Pneumococcal pneumonia. Its a serious disease. My doctor said the risk is greater now that im over 50 yeah. Yaha. Just one dose of the prevnar 13® vaccine can help protect you from Pneumococcal Pneumonia an illness that can cause coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and may even put you in the hospital. Prevnar 13® is approved for adults 18 and older to help prevent infections from 13 strains of the bacteria that cause Pneumococcal Pneumonia. You should not receive prevnar 13® if you have had a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients. If you have a weakened immune system, the most common side effects were pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, limited arm movement, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, less appetite, vomiting, fever, chills, and rash. Get this one done ask about prevnar 13® at your next visit to your Doctors Office or pharmacy. Were back now with the big consumer alert, the largest kitchen appliance recall in history. It affects eight million cuist very popular in american homes, perhaps even yours. Tonight there are concerns they could be dangerous after several reports of injuries. We get details from nbcs miguel almaguer. Reporter its one of the most popular products in homes across the country, but today cuisinart says eight million Food Processors could pose a hazard to consumers. Tonight, there are at least 69 reports of metal pieces from the blade breaking off into processed food. 30 cases of mouth lacerations and tooth injuries from fractured metal have also been reported. Turned it over and one of the notches actually was cracked all the way through. Reporter dana zucker heard the news this morning, hours after she used her cuisinart thats now on the recall list. Its really concerning to me. We hear the brand cuisinart, we trust cuisinart, its been in our lives a long, long time. Reporter with the blades called a recall includes 22 different models made over 19 years. With the Holiday Season upon us, with all the cooking thats going on, including in my own house, and the risk of injury being as severe as it is, we need consumers to act. Reporter if you see four rivets like these on your blade, theres a good chance your cuisinart is affected. You can also check the model number to see if youre part of the recall. Cuisinart is offering free replacement blades, telling consumers to check their website or call their 800 number, but many are complaining they cant get through. The company is asking for patience. With no guarantee the new blades will arrive in time for christmas. Miguel almaguer, nbc news, los angeles. Were back in a moment with not one but two celestial events duelling for your attention in the sky tonight. Verything, so we know how to cover almost anything. Even a rodent ridealong. [dad] alright, buddy, dont forget anything [kid] i wont, dad. [captain rod] happy Tuesday Morning captain rod here. Its pretty hairy out on the interstate. Traffic is literally crawling, but there is some Movement Getting word of another collision. [burke] it happened. December 14th, 2015. And we covered it. Talk to farmers. We know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum hi hey you look good. Thank you, i feel good. It all starts with eating right. Thats why i eat amaz n prunes now. Theyre delicious and help keep my body in balance. I love these. Sunsweet amaz n prunes, the feel good fruit. Its just a cough. 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The moon will be its biggest and brightest early in the evening. The best time to catch the meteors is just before dawn. Earlier this year, we told you about a little boy in afghanistan when went viral wearing a plastic bag fashioned to look like the word jersey of his soccer hero, lionel messi. When word got to messi, he sent the boy the real deal, complete with autograph. Today the two met face to face, ahead of a game in qatar. The boy got to accompany messi onto e photo. When we come back, on your mark, get set, go a race to pack 20,000 presents and the little girl who inspired it all. I have asthma. One of many pieces in my life. So when my asthma symptoms kept coming back on my longterm control medicine. I talked to my doctor and found a missing piece in my asthma treatment with breo. Oncedaily breo prevents asthma symptoms. Breo is for adults with asthma not well controlled on a longterm asthma control medicine, like an inhaled corticosteroid. 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You can leave worry behind when liberty stands with you™ Liberty Mutual insurance what bad knee . Ull ask what throbbing head . Advil makes pain a distant memory nothing works faster stronger or longer what pain . Advil. Finally tonight, that touched so many of our viewers. Last year, we met a girl on a mission to give hundreds of underprivileged kids a gift to open at the holidays. It was a pretty big dream, but this year, shes dreaming bigger. Much, much bigger. Our jacob rascon has more in tonights inspiring america report. [ applause ] reporter we met faith russell at the finish line, the determined young girl born with spina bifida, who wasnt supposed to walk, running five ks every month, for Operation Christmas child. Shoe boxes filled with notebooks, toothbrushes and toys sent to children around the world, who would otherwise go without presents. Faith would invite everyone to her races on one condition. They had to bring shoe box supplies. I just want kids to be happy. And to have hope. Reporter they filled 500 shoe boxes last year. And then faith had more faith. But i asked you if you had a goal. You said what . Reporter word spread about faiths new goal, to neighbors, churches, and more than a dozen companies. Wow, we have been working on this for at least eight weeks. It has taken a village. Reporter youre not surprised one bit that were here today . No. Reporter theyve packed 20,001. Faiths final box sent to colombia and 13yearold lisette, you are loved, faith wrote in a letter. Gracias. Reporter whats the point of all of this . I just want to let them know theyre not forgotten and theyre loved and they know about god. Reporter the true meaning of christmas, if you ask faith. Im almost afraid to ask if you have another goal. I dont know. Reporter 20,000 is good. Were happy . Yeah. Reporter in the end, as the Russell Family likes to say, they may not come in first, but faith always finishes. Jacob rascon, nbc news. The power of dreaming big. Good for her. Thats going it do it for us on this tuesday night. Im lester holt. For all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and have a good night. Afoot and lighthearted i take to the open road. Healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path before me leading wherever i choose. The east and the west are mine