NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-23-2024 10PM EST

Episode Date: December 24, 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 autografecollection.com. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 inmates who are on federal death row to life in prison without the possibility of parole. NPR's Deepa Sivaram reports it's a major move

against capital punishment in the U.S. Biden says his conscience and his experience as a former public defender and his time in elected office led him to commute the sentences of the 37 men. But there are three men who will remain on federal death row who were he cited President-elect Donald Trump as a reason he took this action. Biden put a moratorium on federal executions in 2021, but Trump, who had a high execution rate in his first term, could undo that action. Deepa Sivaram, NPR News.

The House Ethics Committee has released its final report on former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz after looking into sexual misconduct allegations against him. The House Ethics Committee has released its final report on former Florida Congressman Matt Gates after looking into sexual misconduct allegations against him. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports Gates withdrew his name from consideration to be the nation's next Attorney General last month. The House Ethics Committee concluded that there was substantial evidence that Gates had violated House rules by engaging in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use. The panel also accused the Republican of having sex with an underage girl in 2017 in violation

of Florida law. Gates had repeatedly denied the accusations and had filed a last-minute lawsuit to prevent the committee from releasing its report. NPR's Windsor Johnston, a guard with the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli occupied West Bank has been killed in clashes with militants there. It's the second such death in as many days. NPR's Emily Fang reports it comes as a result of violent fighting between competing Palestinian factions. The Palestinian security authorities have been trying to firmly police the West Bank

and demonstrate their capabilities. This month they've mounted raids against other Palestinians, most decisively against armed groups in the Jenin refugee camp, long known as a hub for militants. In the fighting, Palestinian authorities said a second security officer had been killed by Islamist militants. This crackdown on militants has been unpopular among Juneteenth residents in the West Bank, but the U.S.-trained Palestinian security forces are trying to show they have a functional police force and could be trusted to govern Gaza after the war against Israel ends. Emily Fang and

Pure News Tel Aviv, Israel. As former president, current president-elect Donald Trump talked about his desire to buy Greenland and it appears the topic has come up again. Trump renewing calls he made during his first term for the US to buy the ice-covered semi-autonomous Dutch territory. Trump's calls to purchase Greenland came to nothing. The territory is once again saying it is not for sale. This is NPR. Former President Bill Clinton has been hospitalized, reportedly for what's reported said to have been a high fever. The 78-year-old former president was taken

to Georgetown University's MedStar Hospital in Washington for testing and observation. Clinton has faced some health issues since leaving office, including undergoing a quadruple bypass surgery in 2004. In a statement, Clinton's deputy chief of staff said the former president remains in good spirits and deeply appreciates the care he's receiving. The Container Store is found for bankruptcy due to its growing debt.

It comes just days after big lots and party city-nots, they were closing their doors nationwide due to their financial struggles, emperors Julianna Kim reports. The Container Store was once the go-to shop for all things storage and organization, but over the years it struggled financially. Big box chains generally have seen more and more consumers pivot online or to discount stores. According to court documents, the container store has accumulated over $240 million in debt while only having about $11 million in cash on hand.

The container store said in a statement that the bankruptcy process will help the company get back on track financially and they have no plans of going anywhere. The retailer assured customers that its some hundred locations will continue business as usual. Julianna Kim, NPR News. NASA spacecraft is expected to make its closest approach yet to the Sun, officials say the Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, will pass within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles of the Sun's surface. The probe will continue circling the Sun at its current distance through September.

I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. This message comes from WISE, the app for doing things in other currencies. Send, spend or receive money internationally, and always get the real-time mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees. Download the Wyse app today or visit wyse.com, tease and seize apply.