NPR News: 12-15-2024 7PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 15, 2024, 7PM EST

Released on December 16, 2024

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international events, covering political tensions in the United States, ongoing conflicts abroad, natural disasters, immigration policies, significant political recoveries, and notable achievements in sports. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed in the episode.

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1. President-Elect Donald Trump's Controversial Remarks on January 6th Committee

Host: Jeanine Hurst

President-elect Donald Trump has stirred significant controversy with his recent comments regarding the congressional committee that investigated the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. During an interview with NBC News last week, Trump asserted that committee members "should go to jail," a statement that has garnered bipartisan condemnation.

Bipartisan Pushback:

• Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): A staunch Trump ally, Senator Graham expressed his inability to support Trump's assertion. At [00:39], during an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker, Graham stated, “I can’t support him on this.”

Senator Bernie Sanders' Opposition:

• Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT): When questioned about whether President Biden should consider pardoning the committee members to protect them from Trump's threats, Sanders responded vehemently. At [01:01], Sanders remarked, “That is an outrageous statement. This is what authoritarianism is all about.”

Trump’s Pardon Promises:

• The episode also highlighted Trump's promise to pardon certain Capitol rioters upon his inauguration, further escalating the tension surrounding the committee's investigations.

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2. Resumption of Classes in Damascus Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Reporter: Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Damascus

In Syria, students in Damascus returned to school today for the first time since rebel forces initiated their push toward the Capitol nearly two weeks ago. This return marked a day filled with mixed emotions for both students and parents.

Atmosphere of Uncertainty:

• School Assembly Changes: At [01:31], Hadil Al Shalchi reported that unlike usual days where students sing the Syrian national anthem, today's assembly witnessed a significant alteration.
• Parental Concerns: Parents expressed their worries as they escorted their children to school. Ibrahim Al Khodr, a local parent, was seen ensuring his 7-year-old daughter safely entered the school premises amidst the prevailing chaos.

Symbolism and Resistance:

• Custodian's Actions: The school custodian was observed removing symbols of the Assad regime by discarding framed pictures of President Bashar al-Assad and his father.
• Flag Alterations: Additionally, stars have been strategically placed in the center of the old Syrian flag displayed around the school, symbolizing subtle resistance and the desire for change.

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3. Rare Tornado Strikes Santa Cruz County, California

Reporter: Natalia Navarro, NPR's KQED, San Francisco

A rare tornado touched down in Santa Cruz County, California, causing significant damage and injuring five individuals. Emergency authorities have been working tirelessly overnight to repair the devastation.

Meteorological Insights:

• Formation and Impact: At [02:26], meteorologist Rick Canopa from the National Weather Service explained, “These things can form typically well out over the Pacific and never affect land at all. So this one came through. It had a powerful punch to it, highly focused pocket of energy in the atmosphere that was just positioned just right as it was coming in from the west.”

Damage and Recovery Efforts:

• Immediate Aftermath: The tornado, which was on the ground for approximately five minutes with winds peaking at 90 miles per hour, caused extensive damage in Scotts Valley.
• Restoration Efforts: By [03:00], the Scotts Valley Police Department announced that power had been restored to nearby shops, signaling a swift response to the natural disaster.

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4. Germany Tightens Immigration Policies Against Assad Regime Affiliates

Host: Jeanine Hurst

Germany has announced stringent measures against individuals associated with the Bashar al-Assad regime, prohibiting them from seeking refuge within its borders. The Foreign Minister emphasized that any attempts to flee to Germany would result in severe legal repercussions.

Policy Implementation:

• Germany has implemented border checks aimed at curbing migration, particularly targeting nearly one million Syrians who consider Germany a primary destination for refuge over the past decade.

Implications:

• This move signifies Germany's stern stance on limiting the influx of individuals tied to the Assad regime, amidst broader efforts to manage migration effectively.

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5. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Recovers from Brain Surgery

Reporter: Julia Carneiro, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been discharged from the hospital following two critical surgeries aimed at stopping a brain bleed. The president's recovery marks a significant milestone after his medical emergency last week.

Public Appearance and Statement:

• Press Conference: At [03:52], during a press conference in São Paulo, President Lula appeared wearing a Panama hat and confidently declared, “I have returned to deliver a great government.” He conveyed a sense of vitality, stating, “I am 79 with the drive of a 20-year-old and was back to take care of the country.”

Medical Updates:

• Post-Surgery Care: Doctors have advised President Lula to avoid travel and strenuous exercise over the next month to facilitate a full recovery. His surgeries were necessitated by a fall in October, which resulted in a brain bleed.

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6. Travis Hunter Clinches the Heisman Trophy for Colorado

Host: Jeanine Hurst

In the realm of college football, Colorado's Travis Hunter has been awarded the prestigious Heisman Trophy, recognizing him as the most outstanding player in the nation.

Athletic Excellence:

• Dual Prowess: Hunter excelled as both a wide receiver and a lockdown cornerback for the Buffaloes, making him only the second player in the school's history to receive this honor.

Runner-Up Announcement:

• Ashton Jeanty: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was named the runner-up, highlighting the competitive nature of this year's Heisman race.

Significance:

• Hunter’s achievement underscores his exceptional talent and contribution to college football, setting a high standard for future athletes in the sport.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a range of pivotal events, offering listeners a thorough understanding of complex issues from both national and international perspectives. From political controversies and conflict zones to natural disasters and remarkable personal recoveries, the program provided a nuanced and informative overview of the current state of global affairs.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Hurst]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. President elect Donald Trump says members of the congressional committee who investigated the deadly January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol Building, quote, should go to jail. He made during an interview with NBC News last week. And that comment is getting bipartisan pushback, as NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

Reliable Trump ally Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told NBC's Kristen Welker he can't support him on this.

[Jeanine Hurst]

He thinks the members of the January 6 committee should go to jail.

[Kristen Welker]

Do you agree with that statement?

[Jeanine Hurst]

No.

[Luke Garrett]

Welker then asked independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont whether President Biden should preemptively pardon January 6th committee members to protect them from Trump.

[Bernie Sanders]

Well, I think he might want to consider that very seriously. Look, that is an outrageous statement. This is what authoritarianism is all about.

[Luke Garrett]

Trump has also promised to pardon some Capitol rioters on his first day back in the White House. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Hurst]

In Syria, students in Damascus went back to class today for the first time since rebels began their push toward the Capitol nearly two weeks ago. NPR's Hadil Al Shoulchi reports. It was a morning of mixed emotions.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

It's time for students to gather at the Al Sharif Al Radi Elementary School in Damascus. Normally the students sing the Syrian national anthem at the assembly. Today is the first day they won't. Some parents look worried as they drop off their children. Ibrahim Al Khodr stands at the school's gate making sure his 7 year old daughter makes it through the school doors. There's some fear because things are chaotic right now. Hodor says the school custodian stacks up frame pictures of President Bashar al Assad and his father who ruled before him. He runs them to the trash. Third stars have been carefully added to the center of the old Syrian flag scattered around the school. In the new Syria, like the old symbols, are important. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Damascus.

[Jeanine Hurst]

In central California, emergency authorities worked overnight to repair damage caused by a rare tornado that hit a Santa Cruz county city yesterday, leaving five people injured. Natalia Navarro with member station KQED has more.

[Kristen Welker]

A strong storm this weekend that brought heavy rain and high winds formed a tornado about 70 miles south of San Francisco. In the city of Scotts Valley, meteorologist Rick Canopa with the National Weather service says the tornado was on the ground for five minutes with rotating winds peaking at 90 miles per hour.

[Bernie Sanders]

These things can form typically well out over the Pacific and never affect land at all. So this one came through. It had a powerful punch to it, highly focused pocket of energy in the atmosphere that was just positioned just right as it was coming in from the west.

[Kristen Welker]

The Scotts Valley Police Department says power has been restored to nearby shops. For NPR News, I'm Natalia Navarro in San Francisco.

[Jeanine Hurst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading slightly higher at last check. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Germany is telling anyone who worked for the regime of Bashar al Assad not to seek refuge in Germany. The country's foreign minister says if they do come, they will face the full force of the law. Berlin has put border checks in place as it tries to reduce migration. Nearly a million Syrians now live in Germany, a major destination for Syrian refugees over the past decade. Meanwhile, schools did reopen in Damascus today. Brazil's president has been discharged from the hospital after two surgeries this week to stop bleeding in his brain. Reporter Julia Canero has more from Rio.

[Julia Carneiro]

Doctors were announcing President Luiz Inaso Lula da Silva's release from a hospital in so Paulo when the president appeared at the press conference in a Panama hat. Lula said he had returned to deliver a great government. Brazil's leftist leader said he was 79 with the drive of a 20 year old and was back to take care of the country. Doctors said Lula is to avoid travel and exercise in the coming month. He underwent emergency surgery last week to stop a brain bleed caused by a fall in October. Doctors performed a second operation to prevent future bleeding. For NPR News, I'm Julia Carneiro in Rio.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Colorado's Travis Hunter is the Heisman Trophy winner. The big play wide receiver and lockdown cornerback dominated on both sides of the ball for the Buffaloes, becoming the second player in school history to take home college football's most prestigious individual award. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the runner up. I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News.

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