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No Trick, All Treat
Record-Breaking Mercy: Biden’s One-Day Freedom Festival
Good morning, core readers!
Before we dive headlong into today’s whirlwind of stories—from sweeping pardons to bold discoveries—let’s take a moment to settle in and share a nod of recognition. We’re here together, curious and open-minded, ready to see what’s shaping our world. Let’s get started.
Today’s essentials, just for you:
Before leaving, Biden delivered a clemency bombshell: 1,500 sentences were commuted (to home confinement), and 39 nonviolent offenders were pardoned. So, Biden just rewrote the record books on clemency.
Yep, that’s the biggest single-day act of mercy in modern American history, surpassing even Obama's record one-day clemency spree. A church deacon turned addiction counselor and a decorated veteran also got out of prison with Biden's help.
Source: Department of Justice Office of Pardon Attorney / AP
Criminal justice reformers say it's a good step, but they ask, “Is that all you got?” They want more action on death penalty cases and harsh sentences. Biden says more moves are coming. Stay tuned, second-chance watchers.
The Syria Redemption
Remember the American guy who vanished while traveling abroad? In Syria, of all places, he resurfaced after Assad's regime fell.
Meet Travis Timmerman, a Missouri native who wandered into Syria on a spiritual quest and ended up in a Syrian prison. In prison, he claims he was treated decently, never beaten, just limited bathroom breaks. After the new order released thousands of prisoners from jail, Travis found himself suddenly free, roaming dusty roads and searching for a way out.
Exclusive: The American citizen found near the Syrian capital Damascus is named Travis Timmerman, and is not missing US journalist Austin Tice. He tells Al Arabiya he was in prison for 7 months but was treated well.
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng)
11:26 AM • Dec 12, 2024
Meanwhile, Syria's newly minted leaders say they're willing to help find other Americans missing in Assad's labyrinth, like journalist Austin Tice. The U.S. says it’s on it. For Travis, it’s been a bizarre, unexpected odyssey. Damascus dawn now offers a glimmer of hope for all Americans still missing.
Cover Me Twice
So, we’ve got Trump pulling off another improbable encore: Time’s Person of the Year (again). His celebration included ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, a rather perfect symbol of his gilded, big-money image.
Trump first received this honor in 2016 after his unexpected White House win. Now, he's back, crowned the politician who is stoking up the global conversation again after a historic comeback. At the NYSE, Trump pumped his fist to chants of “U-S-A” as he discussed massive infrastructure projects and more.
Time editors say their pick doesn't endorse or condemn but highlights who shaped the news. No matter what you think of him, Trump remains that, in this day and age, comebacks are always on the table.
Mirror, Mirror Off the Lab
Scientists don't often beg each other not to do something. But that's exactly what happened yesterday when over three dozen top researchers said: “Enough’s enough—don’t build mirror-image microbes!”
The idea of flipping life’s molecules into left-is-right, right-is-left versions sounds like a sci-fi experiment gone cool. However, experts warn that it could spawn bacteria that the immune system could not recognize, let alone fight off. Imagine a lethal infection that nobody’s body can detect. Yikes.
This is why the scientists say we need a global discussion before some labs mirror Mother Nature's blueprint. Just because we can build a second tree of life doesn’t mean we should.
💡 Core Wisdom
📸 Lens to Life
Photos from the Architecture for Dogs exhibition.
🧮 Core Count: 27.32
Days the Moon takes to orbit Earth.
🗓️ Flashback:
1636 - Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend itself against Pequot Indians. Recognized today as the founding of the United States National Guard.
1642 - Abel Tasman sights the South Island of New Zealand; initially called Staten Landt, it became Nieuw Zeeland.
1920 - League of Nations establishes the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
2003 - US forces captured Saddam Hussein near his hometown of Tikrit during Operation Red Dawn.
I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
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