NPR News: 12-13-2024 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 13, 2024, 1PM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest global and domestic news, covering significant developments in Middle Eastern politics, higher education preparations for potential policy changes, financial markets, political events, cultural trends, and environmental concerns. Below is a detailed summary of the episode's key topics, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for context.

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1. U.S. Diplomatic Efforts in the Middle East

Host: Windsor Johnston
Timestamp: [00:19]

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Baghdad, Iraq, marking his first trip to the Middle East since the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This move underscores the U.S. commitment to fostering a peaceful political transition in Syria.

Antony Blinken:
"It's very significant that Iraq, along with many other countries in the region and beyond, will make best efforts to support the Syrian people as they emerge from the Assad years."
[00:33]

This diplomatic effort aims to stabilize the region and support the Syrian populace in the aftermath of Assad's regime, emphasizing international cooperation.

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2. Significant Developments in Syria

Reporter: Hadil Al Shauchi
Timestamp: [00:48]

In Damascus, Syria's capital, tens of thousands of Syrians participated in the first Friday prayer since rebel insurgents ousted President Assad. The event, held at the historic Al Umayyad Mosque, was marked by a palpable sense of joy and relief.

Hadil Al Shauchi:
"It's not only a day for Friday prayers, it's also a day of celebration. Thousands of Syrian men and women have gathered here today."
[01:14]

Due to security concerns during Assad's rule, many Syrians had previously been unable to enter this significant shrine. The imam emphasized the importance of maintaining peace during the celebrations.

Imam at Al Umayyad Mosque:
"We call on people to celebrate and to leave the mosque in a calm and orderly fashion."
[01:14]

This gathering symbolizes a hopeful step towards normalization and communal harmony in post-Assad Syria.

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3. Release of an American Citizen from Syrian Prisons

Host: Windsor Johnston
Timestamp: [01:39]

An American from Missouri, detained for seven months in Damascus for illegal entry, has been released and handed over to U.S. forces. This release reflects the broader efforts to secure freedom for foreign nationals imprisoned during the Assad regime's collapse.

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4. U.S. Colleges Prepare for Potential Immigration Policy Changes

Reporter: Kurt Carrapeza
Timestamp: [01:39 - 02:24]

In anticipation of President-elect Donald Trump's second term, several U.S. colleges are proactively advising their international students. Institutions like Harvard have recommended that overseas students return to campus by mid-January to circumvent possible new immigration restrictions.

Kurt Carrapeza:
"Since the election, some have reached out to international students, urging them to return to campus before January 20th to avoid being disrupted or delayed by any new immigration restrictions."
[02:24]

This advisory comes in response to Trump's first-term policies, including travel bans on predominantly Muslim countries and increased visa scrutiny. While no new immigration proposals have been officially announced, Trump's campaign promises suggest a continuation of stringent policies.

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5. Financial Markets and Political Events

Host: Windsor Johnston
Timestamp: [03:06]

• Stock Market: Wall Street experienced a downturn with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by 99 points as of the episode's broadcast.

• Political Health: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was hospitalized following her participation in a bipartisan delegation trip to Luxembourg, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Additionally, a California Democrat sustained an unspecified injury during the journey.

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6. Cultural Spotlight: Friday the 13th Tattoo Traditions

Reporter: Stina Sieg
Timestamp: [03:54 - 04:21]

Contrary to its reputation for being an unlucky day, Friday the 13th has become a lucrative opportunity for tattoo shops across the United States. Colorado Public Radio's Stina Sieg reported that tattoo parlors like First Street Tattoo Parlor in Grand Junction, Colorado, experienced long lines offering discounted designs, dubbing the day the "Black Friday of tattoos."

Evan Linko (Customer):
"Oh, it looks so cool."
[04:12]

Tobias Peltier (Tattoo Artist):
"Till the sun comes up."
[04:20]

Tattoo artist Tobias Peltier exemplified the dedication seen in these establishments, often working through the night to accommodate eager customers.

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7. Environmental Update: Southern California Wildfire Containment

Host: Windsor Johnston
Timestamp: [04:29]

A massive wildfire in Southern California's Malibu area reached approximately 30% containment, thanks to cooler temperatures and reduced winds that aided firefighting efforts. The blaze, ignited on Monday night, necessitated the evacuation of thousands of residents and caused significant property damage.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a broad spectrum of current events, from international diplomacy and political shifts to cultural phenomena and environmental challenges. By offering detailed reporting and firsthand accounts, NPR ensures that audiences remain well-informed on critical issues shaping the world.

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For more detailed stories and updates, listeners are encouraged to visit NPR's official website or tune into future episodes.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made an unannounced stop in Iraq today. His trip to Baghdad comes amid a push to support a peaceful political tre transition in Syria.

[Antony Blinken]

It's very significant that Iraq, along with many other countries in the region and beyond, will make best efforts to support the Syrian people as they emerge from the Assad years.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is Blinken's first trip to the Middle east since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al Assad. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Syrians gathered in the country's capital today for the first Friday prayer since rebel insurgents drove out the authorities. Authoritarian President NPR's Hadil Al Shauchi reports. The mood was joyful at the mosque considered to be the most famous shrine in Damascus, standing in the middle of.

[Hadil Al Shauchi]

The courtyard of Al Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. It's not only a day for Friday prayers, it's also a day of celebration. Thousands of Syrian men and women have gathered here today. Some of them say for security reasons, they could never even enter it before the fall of President Bashar al Assad. And this is their first time. The imam calls on people to celebrate and to leave the mosque in a calm and orderly fashion.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's NPR's Hadil Al Shauchi reporting from Damascus. An American citizen who was among thousands of prisoners freed from Syrian prisons after the fall of the Assad regime has been handed over to US forces. The 29 year old man from Missouri was held for seven months in Damascus after being arrested for illegally entering the country. Some colleges in the United States are quietly preparing for President elect Donald Trump's second term. A handful of schools are advising international students who are planning to leave the US for the holidays to get back to campus by the middle of January. Kurt Carrapeza from member station GBH in Boston reports.

[Kurt Carrapeza]

Most colleges aren't saying much, but since the election, some have reached out to international students, urging them to return to campus before January 20th to avoid being disrupted or delayed by any new immigration restrictions. Harvard contacted its international students this week, suggesting those traveling overseas for the holidays budget time ahead of Martin Luther King Day, which coincidentally is also Inauguration Day. In his first term, Trump issued a travel ban targeting several majority Muslim countries and heightened visa scrutiny. There are no new proposals yet but on the campaign trail, Trump promised even stricter policies. For NPR News, I'm Kirk Carrapeza.

[Windsor Johnston]

In Boston, stocks are trading lower on Wall street at this hour. The Dow was down 99 points. This is NPR News. In Washington, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is hospitalized. In Europe, the California Democrats suffered an unspecified injury while traveling with a bipartisan delegation to Luxembour. Pelosi and other lawmakers were there to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. It's Friday the 13th. This day can be considered as unlucky, but not in the world of tattoos. Colorado Public Radio Stina Sieg reports. It's become a tradition for tattoo shops all across the nation to offer cheap designs on these days.

[Stina Sieg]

Some call it the Black Friday of tattoos. In Grand Junction, Colorado, a long line stretched out the door at First Street Tattoo Parlor on the last Friday the 13th in September, Evan Linko got the first tat of the day, the cartoon Felix the Cat on his cap.

[Evan Linko]

Oh, it looks so cool.

[Stina Sieg]

Artist Tobias Peltier vowed to stay until everyone who wanted a tattoo got one.

[Tobias Peltier]

Till the sun comes up.

[Stina Sieg]

He ended up working until nearly 4am the next Friday the 13th is in June. For NPR News, I'm Stina Sieg.

[Windsor Johnston]

Emergency crews say a massive wildfire burning in Southern California is about 30% contained. Officials say cooler temperatures and calmer winds have helped firefighters get the flames under control. The fire broke out on Monday night, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes in the Malibu area. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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