NPR News: 12-09-2024 12PM EST

Summary

NPR News: December 9, 2024, 12 PM EST

NPR News Now brings you the latest updates across the globe in just five minutes. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode released on December 9, 2024.

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International Update: Power Shift in Syria

Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [00:18]

For the first time in decades, Syria experiences a significant power shift as residents spend their initial night under the control of a rebel group with historic ties to Al Qaeda. The opposition forces have seized the Capitol, compelling President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Moscow. This marks a pivotal moment in Syrian governance.

Greg Myri Reports:

Speaker: Greg Myri
Timestamp: [00:53]

Greg Myri delves into the implications of the rebel group, known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), taking charge. Despite being listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. since 2012, HTS declares a severance of ties with Al Qaeda and promises more lenient policies, especially concerning women and girls. President Biden acknowledges HTS's statements but emphasizes that the U.S. will vigilantly monitor their governance approach to ensure genuine moderation.

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U.S. Politics: President Trump's Immigration Stance

Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [01:16]

In his first network television interview post-election, President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his tough stance on immigration while also expressing a desire for national unity.

Interview Highlights:

Speaker: Donald Trump
Timestamp: [01:56]

When questioned about abortion policies, Trump responded, "Probably. I'll probably stay with exactly what I've been saying for the last two years. And the answer is no." He further committed to his position, albeit with a slight caveat, stating, "Well, I commit. I mean, things do change."

Host Interaction:

Speaker: Kristen Welker
Timestamp: [01:32]

During the interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Kristen Welker pressed Trump on mass deportations, to which he asserted that the only way to prevent family separations is to "send them all back, including US Citizen children." Welker also probed his stance on abortion, receiving a firm, albeit somewhat tentative, commitment from Trump.

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Legal News: Acquittal in Jordan Neely Case

Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [02:15]

A Manhattan jury has acquitted Daniel Penney, a 26-year-old Marine veteran, of criminally negligent homicide charges related to the 2023 death of Jordan Neely. Neely, a 30-year-old homeless street performer with mental health struggles, was killed after Penney placed him in a chokehold for approximately six minutes during an altercation on a New York City subway.

Case Details:

Prosecutors argued that Penney's actions were excessive, leading to Neely's death. However, forensic pathologists for the defense cited multiple factors, including Neely's drug use and the physical struggle, suggesting that the chokehold alone did not cause the fatalities. The initial manslaughter charge was dismissed after jurors could not reach a consensus, leading to the eventual acquittal on the lesser charge.

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Technology: Apple Faces Class-Action Lawsuit

Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [02:15]

Apple Inc. is confronting a class-action lawsuit alleging negligence in moderating abusive content on its iCloud storage services.

Bobby Allen Reports:

Speaker: Bobby Allen
Timestamp: [03:28]

In 2021, Apple introduced a plan to scan images stored in iCloud for potential child sexual abuse content, a move lauded by child safety advocates. However, the company halted this initiative following concerns from security researchers about potential governmental surveillance backdoors. The lawsuit contends that abandoning these safety measures has allowed abusive images to persist, forcing victims of child sexual abuse to continuously confront their trauma as such content remains accessible.

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Entertainment: 'Wicked' Shines at Golden Globe Nominations

Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [03:58]

The musical sensation Wicked emerges as a strong contender in the upcoming 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, slated for January 5th.

Mandalita Reports:

Speaker: Mandalita
Timestamp: [04:12]

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande from Wicked received nominations, highlighting their standout performances. Although director John Chu wasn't nominated, Wicked competes for Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. In the Best Motion Picture category—Musical or Comedy—it faces competitors like Amelia Bettis, A Real Pain, and The Substance. The ceremony will also feature honors for top drama films, including The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune Part 2, Nickel Boys, and September 5. Comedian Nikki Glaser, herself a nominee, is set to host the event.

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This summary is prepared to keep you informed on the latest developments across various sectors, ensuring you stay updated without missing a beat.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Syria is no longer being ruled by a member of the Assad family. For the first time in decades, residents are spending their first night under the oversight of a rebel off with historic ties to Al Qaeda. The opposition seized the Capitol and sent President Bashar al Assad fleeing to Moscow. The group known as HTS, says it has severed ties with al Qaeda and has pledged less stringent policies, including for women and girls. NPR's Greg Myri has more on President Biden's response to Syria's sudden change in power.

[Greg Myhrey]

They've been on this list of terrorist groups since 2012, and that means the US can't work with them directly right now. But they are sounding more moderate and they say they will work with all Syrian groups. Biden says that HTS is saying the right thing now, but the US Will be closely watching to see how they actually lead the lead of the government.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's NPR's Greg Myhrey reporting. President elect Donald Trump still talking tough on immigration. He did so during his first network television interview since winning the election. But as NPR stammer, Keith tells us, Trump also says he wants unity.

[Kristen Welker]

In the lengthy sit down interview with NBC's Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, Trump said he was all in on mass deportations of mixed status families. He said the only way to avoid family separation would be to, quote, send them all back, including US Citizen children. Welker also asked him about abortion.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Will you restrict the availability of abortion pills when you're in office?

[Donald Trump]

Probably. I'll probably stay with exactly what I've been saying for the last two years. And the answer is no.

[Lakshmi Singh]

You commit to that?

[Donald Trump]

Well, I commit. I mean, are things do things change? I think they change.

[Kristen Welker]

But Trump added he doesn't think his position is going to change. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A Manhattan jury has acquitted Daniel Penney, a 26 year old Marine veteran, on criminally negligent homicide charges in the 2023 killing of Jordan Neely. Bystanders say Neely was acting erratically and shouting threats on a New York City subway. Prosecutors say Penney went too far when he put Neely in a chokehold for about six minutes, killing him in the encounter. Last week, the judge in the case dismissed the more serious manslaughter charge against Penney after jurors said they were deadlocked. Neely, who was 30 years old, was a street performer who was homeless and struggled with mental illness. Witnesses say they were frightened by his behavior as he yelled that he was hungry and thirsty and said he was ready to die or go to jail. Forensic pathologists brought in to testify for the defense argued it wasn't the choko that killed him, but an array of things, including drugs in his system and the struggle with Penny. This is NPR News. Apple's facing a class action lawsuit that claims it failed to crack down on abusive content on its iCloud storage services. Here's NPR's Bobby Allen.

[Bobby Allen]

Apple, back in 2021, announced an initiative to scan iPhone and iPad images saved in the cloud for images of possible child sexual abuse. The plan was praised by child safety advocates who had been pushing Apple for years to bolster efforts against illegal images. But Apple abandoned the plan after security researchers said the scanning could provide a backdoor for governments to surveil their citizens. Now, a lawsuit seeking class action status argues that Apple dropping the safety plans led to victims of child sexual abuse to relive their trauma as the images kept circulating.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's NPR's Bobby Allen reporting. The blockbuster Wicked was among the nominees announced for the upcoming 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards. The ceremony will be held January 5th. Here's NPR's Mandalita.

[Mandalita]

Wicked picked up Golden Globes nominations for its star, Cynthia Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

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Defying Gravity.

[Mandalita]

Wicked's director, John Chu, was not on the list of nominees, but it is up for best cinematic and box office achievement. In the category of best motion picture, musical or comedy, Wicked will be going up against Honora challengers Amelia Bettis, A Real Pain and the Substance. The Golden Globes has another top film category for dramas. The nominees are the Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune Part 2, Nickel Boys and September 5. Comedian Nikki Glaser, who is also a nominee, will host the ceremony.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's NPR News.

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