NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-02-2024 6AM EST

Episode Date: December 2, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Biden has signed a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, marking a major reversal as he plans to leave office. NPR's Mara Eliason reports the president's son had faced sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions. The pardon was a reversal for Biden who had promised not to pardon or commute Hunter Biden's sentence. In a statement, Biden said he believes in the justice system, but that, quote, raw politics has infected the process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.

Hunter Biden was convicted by a federal jury in Delaware for lying about his drug use on a gun purchase form, and he pleaded guilty in California to tax-related charges. Biden is not the first president to pardon a relative. Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger for cocaine distribution, and Donald Trump pardoned his son-in-law's father, Charles Kushner, for charges including witness tampering. Trump recently named Kushner to be the ambassador to France. Mara Liason, NPR News.

President Biden will travel to Africa today, his first visit to the continent since taking office. NPR's Franco Ordonia reports Biden will begin his three-day trip in the southern African country of Angola. While in Angola, President Biden will focus on one of his signature investments in Africa, the Lobedo Corridor, an 800-mile railway that will transport critical minerals and encourage broader development. It's also a means to counter Chinese investment in the region.

U.S. officials say Biden will also meet with his counterpart in Angola, President Jau Lorenzo, to discuss security cooperation, global health, and ways to preserve Angola's cultural heritage. The timing of the trip at the end of the Biden presidency raises questions as global focus turns to the incoming Trump administration. The Biden officials say they expect incoming officials will see the benefits of initiatives such as the Lobito Corridor. Franco Ordonez, NPR News. initiatives such as the Lobito corridor Franco or don't yes and PR news Pressure is growing for the release of an Israeli American soldier who was taken captive by Hamas in October of last year

20 year old Edan Alexander appeared in a propaganda video on Saturday pleading for his life Speaking in New York City on Sunday Alexander's father Adi caught on the US and Israeli governments to secure his son's release. President Biden, President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, I call on all of you to act. This is not a moment for politics or hesitations. Following an agreement that ended the fighting in Lebanon

last week, the United States announced a new diplomatic effort with Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. This is NPR News. The CEO of the automaker, Stellantis, has announced that he's stepping down as the company struggles to turn around flagging sales in the United States. Stellantis was formerly known as Fiat Chrysler. It also owns the Jeep and Dodge brands.

NPR's Camila Dominovski reports Carlos Chavarres has been facing increasing pressure to step aside for months. Stellantis shifted to making pricier premium vehicles as Americans grew weary of soaring car prices, and the company resisted using big discounts to move cars as sales slowed. Dealers were publicly furious with CEO Carlos Tavares. So were autoworkers, after several thousand factory layoffs.

Tavares was already on his way out at the end of his contract, but now he's leaving a year earlier than planned, a decision effective immediately. In a statement, a member of the board of directors said that in recent weeks, quote, different views have emerged leading to this decision. Camila Domenosky, NPR News. Hong Kong is kicking off a giant panda exhibition. The 2,500 sculptures were showcased during a ceremony of the Panda Go Fest at the city's airport today. Excitement for the bears has grown in Hong Kong since two cubs were born at a local theme

park. The panda sculptures will be on display starting Saturday at the Avenue of the Stars, a popular shopping district. Officials say the exhibition is part of a broader effort to boost tourism in the city. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington. This is Eric Glass. On This American Life, we specialize in compelling stories from everyday life. I was like, wow, you literally just died and came back.

And the first thing you ask is, do you need any money? Real life stories, really good ones, in your podcast feed, This American Life.