NPR News: 12-14-2024 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News: December 14, 2024 | 1PM EST

Host: Luis Schiavone
Source: NPR News Now
Release Date: December 14, 2024

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U.S. Efforts to Secure the Return of Missing American Journalist in Syria

Reporter: Luis Schiavone

At [00:18], Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed a news conference in Jordan, outlining the U.S. government's ongoing efforts to secure the return of an American journalist who has been missing for 12 years in Syria. Blinken emphasized the importance of direct communication with the Syrian rebel group that played a pivotal role in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

“The U.S. is working on securing the return of an American journalist who's been missing for 12 years.” – Antony Blinken [00:18]

Blinken also highlighted collaboration with Arab foreign ministers and the UN envoy on Syria, advocating for the emergence of a secular state in the region.

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Discovery of Captagon Drug Warehouses in Damascus

Reporter: Luis Schiavone
On-Site Reporter: Hadil Al Shawshi

Continuing at [00:49], Schiavone reported on significant findings by Syrian rebel fighters uncovering large stockpiles of the illegal amphetamine Captagon in Damascus. These operations are allegedly funded by President Bashar Al Assad's family and associates, contributing to Syria's status as a major narco state.

“I'm standing in what was probably the living room of this fancy luxury villa overlooking the Damascus countryside, but the smell in here is so strong, it smells of chemicals.” – Hadil Al Shawshi [01:23]

Hadil Al Shawshi provided a vivid description of a captured drug warehouse, detailing the chemicals and machinery used to produce Captagon, and the incongruous setting of luxury chandeliers juxtaposed with illicit activities. She underscored the economic impact of Captagon on Syria under Assad's rule.

“The end product was Captagon, these tiny pills that propped up the Syrian economy under Bashar al Assad.” – Hadil Al Shawshi [01:23]

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Impeachment of South Korean President Jung Suk Yeol

Reporter: Luis Schiavone
Correspondent: Anthony Kuhn

At [02:03], Schiavone reported on the dramatic impeachment vote in South Korea, where lawmakers voted 204 to 85 with three abstentions and eight invalid votes to impeach President Jung Suk Yeol. This move follows his controversial attempt to impose martial law 11 days prior.

“Lawmakers cries rang out in the main chamber of the National Assembly... Yoon's support eroded in recent days as it became clear he had masterminded the martial law declaration.” – Anthony Kuhn [02:20]

Kuhn elaborated that Yoon is the third South Korean president to face impeachment, following Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2016. The Prime Minister is set to assume the role of acting president, pending the Constitutional Court's decision. If upheld, Yoon will be formally removed, and a new presidential election will ensue.

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Nancy Pelosi's Recovery Post Hip Replacement Surgery

Reporter: Luis Schiavone

At [02:59], Schiavone provided an update on former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who is recovering from a hip replacement operation in Luxembourg. The 84-year-old Pelosi expressed her gratitude towards the medical staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Hospital Kirchburg.

“She’s on the mend.” – Nancy Pelosi's Office [02:59]

Pelosi's recovery is progressing well, according to her office, marking a positive turn after her surgical procedure.

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Surge in Popularity of Obesity Drugs Like Ozempic

Reporter: Luis Schiavone
Correspondent: Sidney Lutkin

At [03:31], Schiavone introduced a segment on the increasing demand for obesity medications, spotlighting a report from Zocdoc. The platform notes a 53% rise in consultation appointments for semaglutide—the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic—compared to the previous year.

“Zocdoc says the day Oprah did a special about Ozempic, it saw a bump in appointments.” – Sidney Lutkin [03:31]

Further insights revealed that more weight loss consultations are being conducted virtually, diverging from the platform's typical in-person appointments. However, the report acknowledges limitations, such as the inability to confirm whether patients successfully obtained and filled their prescriptions.

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President-Elect Donald Trump to Attend Army-Navy Football Game

Reporter: Luis Schiavone

At [04:13], Schiavone announced that President-elect Donald Trump will attend the upcoming Army-Navy football game at the NFL's Washington Commanders stadium in Landover, Maryland. This event is notable for Trump's entourage, including his controversial Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a backup appointee, and Daniel Penny—recently acquitted in a high-profile criminal case.

“Kickoff is after 3:00 this afternoon... just outside Washington, D.C.” – Luis Schiavone [04:13]

Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is also expected to join Trump at the game, making it a significant political gathering ahead of the administration's formation.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key developments reported in the December 14, 2024, episode of NPR News Now, offering insights into international politics, public health trends, and significant domestic events.

Transcript

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[Luis Schiavone]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Luis Schiavone. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a news conference in Jordan today that American officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that spearheaded the overthrow of Bashar al Assad. Assad's regime. The U.S. is working on securing the return of an American journalist who's been missing for 12 years.

[Carvana Representative]

We've been in contact with HTS and with other parties. We have impressed upon everyone we've been in contact with the importance of Austin.

[Luis Schiavone]

Tice and bringing him home. The secretary has been huddling with Arab foreign ministers and the UN envoy on Syria as the US urges that a secular state emerge there. Rebel fighters in Syria have been uncovering huge stockpiles of illegal amphetamine Captagon in various warehouses across the Syrian capital. President Bashar Al Assad's family and associates profited from the manufacturing and trade of Captagon, turning Syria into one of the world's biggest narco states. NPR's Hadil Al Shalshi visited one of these drug warehouses.

[Hadil Al Shawshi]

I'm standing in what was probably the living room of this fancy luxury villa overlooking the Damascus countryside, but the smell in here is so strong, it smells of chemicals. Stacked behind me to the ceiling are these drums of chemicals that were used for the Captagon. And there's also these stacks that look like flour bags, but again they have the chemicals that are used to make Captagon. There are all these heavy duty machinery also used to make the drug in a very incongruous setting with these chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. And the end product was Captagon, these tiny pills that propped up the Syrian economy under Bashar al Assad.

[Luis Schiavone]

That was NPR's Hadil Al Shawshi reporting from Damascus. South Korean lawmakers have voted to impeach President Jung Suk Yeol for his attempt to impose martial law 11 days ago. NPR's Anthony Kuhn has more.

[Anthony Kuhn]

Lawmakers cries rang out in the main chamber of the National Assembly, South Korea's parliament, when the vote count was announced 204 to 85 with three abstentions and eight invalid votes. Yoon's support eroded in recent days as it became clear he had masterminded the martial law declaration. Yoon is the third South Korean president to be impeached following Roh moo hyun in 2004 and park geun hye in 2016. South Korea's prime minister will take over as acting president. If the nation's Constitutional court upholds the impeachment. Yoon will be formally removed and an election for a new president will be held. Anthony Kun in Pyeong's Seoul.

[Luis Schiavone]

Former speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is recovering from a hip replacement operation in Luxembourg after the surgery. The 84 year old Pelosi thanks staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical center and Hospital Kirchburg in Luxembourg. Her office says she's on the mend. This is NPR News. The popularity of obesity drugs is on the rise. A new report from Zocdoc, the online platform for booking, shows that patients are asking their doctors about them more and more. NPR's Sidney Lutkin reports.

[Sidney Lutkin]

Zocdoc, an online scheduling platform, says a lot more patients are booking consultation appointments with their doctors to ask about semaglutide. That's the active ingredient in blockbuster obesity drug wegovy and type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic. Zocdoc says there were 53% more of these appointments in 2024 than in 2023. The company's data showed some insights. For instance, Zocdoc says the day Oprah did a special about Ozempic, it saw a bump in appointments. More weight loss consultations were also virtual compared with most other Zocdoc appointments, which are in person. The report has its limitations, however. Zocdoc doesn't show whether patients were able to get and fill their prescriptions for these drugs. Sidney Lupkin, NPR News.

[Luis Schiavone]

President elect Donald Trump is attending the Army Navy football game today, but it won't be a simple sports fan outing. Joining Trump reportedly will be his embattled pick to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hesgeth Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who's seen as a fallback appointee if Hegseth fails, and Daniel Penney, who was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide this week in the chokehold death of an agitated New York City subway rider. Vice President elect J.D. vance will also be in Trump's party at the Army Navy game. Kickoff is after 3:00 this afternoon at the home of the NFL's Washington Commanders in Landover, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. i'm Luis Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

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