Summary of NPR News Now – December 12, 2024, 9 AM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest developments across various domains, including significant political decisions, international affairs, historical discoveries, and natural disasters. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics covered in the episode released on December 12, 2024.

1. President Biden Issues Historic Clemency Grants

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Tamara Keith
Timestamp: [00:16] - [00:36]

President Joe Biden has taken a monumental step in the realm of criminal justice by commuting the sentences of nearly 1,500 individuals who had been on home confinement since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he pardoned 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent offenses. This action marks the largest single-day grant of clemency in modern U.S. history.

Quote:
President Biden stated, “It was a great privilege of the presidency to be able to extend mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation” ([00:36]).

The White House emphasized that those granted clemency had been serving extended prison sentences and had successfully reintegrated into their families and communities, showcasing their readiness for a second chance. Biden also indicated plans to issue more pardons and commutations in the upcoming weeks. However, his decision has faced criticism, particularly regarding his earlier move to pardon his son, Hunter Biden.

2. Donald Trump Named Time’s Person of the Year

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Bobby Allen
Timestamp: [01:14] - [01:43]

In a notable recognition, Time magazine has declared President-Elect Donald Trump as its Person of the Year. The magazine cited Trump's unparalleled influence on global affairs and news throughout the year, despite the polarizing nature of his impact.

Trump is scheduled to participate in a ceremonial event at Wall Street this hour, where he will ring the opening bell for the stock exchange. In a surprising development, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. This gesture is part of Zuckerberg’s recent efforts to mend his strained relationship with Trump.

Quote:
Bobby Allen reported, “For years, Trump denounced Zuckerberg, including for the executive's decision to donate money toward election infrastructure in 2020. Trump even called for Zuckerberg to be thrown in jail just four months ago” ([01:43]). However, Zuckerberg’s current donation signifies a strategic move to improve relations, including hosting dinners at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club and other acts of goodwill.

This shift comes as other tech leaders are also seeking to cultivate better relations with Trump, anticipating a more conciliatory approach toward Silicon Valley under his administration.

3. American Freed from Syrian Prison Found Near Damascus

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Ruth Sherlock
Timestamp: [02:21] - [03:05]

A remarkable development emerged from Syria as residents near Damascus discovered a barefoot man wandering the streets. The individual identified himself as Travis Timmerman, an American who had been freed from a notorious Syrian prison.

Quote:
Ruth Sherlock detailed, “The way he got out seems to be that he was released along with thousands of other prisoners who were freed by rebels in those hours. After they stormed Damascus, oust and ousted the regime, they went to these prisons. They shot down the locks on the doors and they let people flee” ([02:36]).

Timmerman recounted his harrowing escape, expressing fear of potential conflicts between prisoners, prison guards, and the rebels. Thankfully, his flight was met with relative calm, allowing him to join a large group of individuals walking away from the chaos. His release is part of the broader efforts by Syrian rebel groups, who have since toppled the existing regime and are now in the process of forming a transitional government.

4. Discovery of Cemetery for Slaves of Andrew Jackson at the Hermitage

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Cynthia Abrams
Timestamp: [03:05] - [03:33]

In a significant archaeological and historical discovery, researchers unveiled a cemetery for individuals enslaved by Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. The graves are situated approximately a thousand feet from Jackson’s main residence at the Hermitage Plantation in Nashville, Tennessee.

Quote:
Cynthia Abrams reported, “Until now, the Hermitage has been unable to locate where people enslaved under Jackson had been buried. But an anonymous donation prompted the Hermitage to utilize radar imaging to peer into the ground. The cemetery also shows rows of depressions and unnaturally placed pieces of limestone assumed to be grave markers” ([03:33]).

The team identified 28 graves, with the possibility of uncovering more as research continues. The Hermitage plans to integrate the cemetery into its tours and engage with the descendants of those buried there. This discovery sheds light on the previously undocumented burial sites of over 300 enslaved individuals owned by Jackson during his lifetime.

Andrew Jackson himself is also interred at the Hermitage, adding a layer of historical complexity to the site.

5. Brazil’s President Lula Undergoes Second Brain Surgery; Super Tropical Cyclone Cheeto Approaches East Africa

Host: Korva Coleman
Reporter: Various
Timestamp: [04:15] - [04:56]

a. President Lula’s Health Update

Brazil’s President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, aged 79, has undergone a second surgery to address bleeding on his brain. The initial operation took place on Tuesday following a fall at his residence in October.

Details:
According to Reuters, Lula's medical team confirmed that the second surgery was successful. His doctors remain cautiously optimistic about his recovery and future ability to resume presidential duties.

b. Approaching Super Tropical Cyclone Cheeto

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued alerts regarding Super Tropical Cyclone Cheeto, which is currently moving towards the east coast of Africa. The cyclone boasts top sustained winds of 155 mph and poses a significant threat to the region.

Potential Impact:
Cheeto is expected to potentially strike the northern part of Madagascar before making landfall on the coast of Mozambique next Monday. Preparations are underway in the anticipated affected areas to mitigate the storm's impact.

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with succinct yet comprehensive coverage of pivotal events shaping both national and international landscapes, emphasizing political maneuvers, humanitarian developments, historical revelations, and natural disaster preparedness.