NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-02-2024 8PM EST

Episode Date: December 3, 2024

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Support for this podcast and the following message come from Autograph Collection Hotels, with over 300 independent hotels around the world, each exactly like nothing else. Autograph Collection is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotel brands. Find the unforgettable at autographcollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Weeks before leaving office, President Joe Biden has had a change of heart when it comes to pardoning his son Hunter. In a statement issued by the White House,

Biden said he made the decision because he felt charges against his son were politically motivated. Rachel Barkhow is a New York University law professor and was a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. It does meet the concern that President Biden indicated that he had with respect to Hunter Biden, which is that he was concerned that he was being singled out and selectively prosecuted in an effort basically to get at President Biden himself. And so if that's your concern, the worry would be that the next administration, for example,

could be going on a witch hunt for any number of possible things. And this kind of blanket pardon would avoid the ability for them to do that. Biden initially said he would not pardon his son. Hunter Biden was convicted of illegally purchasing a gun. He also pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. California's attorney general says with President-elect Trump heading for the White House, California must go further to protect abortion access in the state. Kate Wolf from Ember Station Cap Radio has more.

A new bill would protect manufacturers and distributors of abortion medications. California AG Rob Bonta says the legislation is intentionally broad. What it will ultimately include is dependent upon what the Trump administration does. And we are fully prepared to provide ongoing access to abortion medication in the state of California should the Comstock Act be weaponized. The Comstock Act is an 1873 law that bans the mailing of so-called obscene matter, contraceptives, and anything to aid in an abortion.

It's long been interpreted narrowly, but that could change. For NPR News, I'm Kate Wolf in Sacramento. Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller says he is leaning towards another interest rate cut when the Fed meets later this month, but as NPR's Scott Horstey explains, that could change if inflation proves to be more sticky. Investors are betting that the Fed will cut interest rates by another quarter percentage point at the central banks meeting later this month and Waller's comments reinforce that view. Still, Waller says he'd be open to holding rates steady if incoming data point to

more stubborn pricing pressure. The Fed governor says while inflation has come down a lot in the last year and a half, the most recent price checks suggest progress may be stalling. I feel like an MMA fighter who keeps getting inflation in a chokehold, waiting for it to tap out, yet it keeps slipping out of my grasp at the last minute. Waller and his colleagues are also keeping a close eye on the job market. We'll get a report card on November job gains later this week. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. Tech sector stocks help boost some segments of the market to new record highs.

The Nasdaq was up 185 points. The S&P 500 gained 14 points today. You're listening to NPR. Turkey's foreign minister says the rapid advancement of rebels in Syria shows Syrian President Bashar al-Assad needs to reconcile with his own people and also hold a dialogue with the opposition. Turkey and Iran support opposing sides in Syria's civil war and have agreed to resume diplomatic efforts along with Russia to try to restore calm there. Insurgents launched a lightning offensive capturing almost all the country's largest city, Aleepo. That came as a major embarrassment to the Assad government. Sir Elton John says he is

all but blind with only limited vision and one eye. The announcement comes after the singer opened up about an eye infection as NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports. Sir Elton John wrote the original score for the musical The Devil Wears Prada, which just opened in London. At a gala for the show, John took a moment on stage to address his medical situation. Here he is as heard on a video posted to YouTube. I haven't been able to come to many of the previews because as you know, I've lost my eyesight,

so it's hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it. He also thanked his husband for supporting him during this time. On a recent interview with Good Morning America, John said that his loss of vision I love to hear it." He also thanked his husband for supporting him during this time. On a recent interview with Good Morning America, John said that his loss of vision has affected his ability to get in the studio and record music. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News. The movie Moana 2 brought in big box office over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Studio estimates show the movie raking in $221 million in ticket sales. That was followed by the movie Wicked, which earned $117.5 million, and Gladiator 2, which took in $44 million. An industry that's been battered by the pandemic, a Hollywood actor striking and streaming it marked a respite. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News. Support for this podcast and the following message

come from Dignity Memorial. When your celebration of life is prepaid today, your family is protected tomorrow. Planning ahead is truly one of the best gifts you can give your family. For additional information, visit DignityMemorial.ca.