NPR News Now: December 9, 2024, Episode Summary

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: December 9, 2024
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's Departure

[00:19 - 01:21]
Reporter: Dale Willman and Hadil Al Shalchi

In a monumental shift after over fifty years of rule, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have fled to Moscow. This move follows the rapid advance of rebel opposition forces that successfully captured Damascus.

Hadil Al Shalchi reports:

"Half a century of rule by President Bashar al Assad and his family finally came to an end today after the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed he had resigned and left Syria." [00:34]

The Russian state media announced that Assad and his family were granted asylum. The swift takeover saw rebel forces overrunning pro-government factions city by city, culminating in the capture of the capital on Sunday. The Assad regime, known for its oppressive governance, ignited a devastating civil war in 2011 when it attempted to suppress peaceful protests, leading to widespread conflict and humanitarian crises.

Celebrations erupted in Damascus as citizens rejoiced the end of Assad’s rule, with scenes of people "hugging, crying and toppling statues of Assad and his father Hafiz." Videos circulating online showed Syrians uncovering items from Assad's closets, symbolizing the regime's abrupt downfall. [00:34 - 01:21]

2. U.S. Military Actions Against ISIS in Syria

[01:21 - 02:09]
Reporter: Franco Ordonez

In response to the chaotic situation in Syria, the United States launched missile strikes targeting Islamic State (ISIS) camps. Speaking from the White House, President Joe Biden emphasized the U.S. commitment to preventing ISIS from exploiting the power vacuum.

"The US remains concerned about the Islamic State kind of taking advantage of the situation to seize control. We're not going to let that happen." [01:37]

Biden reaffirmed that while Syria’s future should be determined by Syrians themselves, the U.S. would continue to collaborate with the United Nations and regional partners, including Iraq, Jordan, and Israel, to stabilize the region. Additionally, Biden expressed optimism about the possible return of American journalist Jason Tice, who has been missing in Syria for twelve years:

"I think Jason Tice is alive and that we think we can get him back." [01:42]

3. Donald Trump's Immigration and Deportation Policies

[02:09 - 03:04]
Reporter: Luke Garrett

President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his strong stance on immigration, prioritizing mass deportations in his forthcoming second term. During his first network interview post-election on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Trump detailed his comprehensive deportation strategy.

"We're starting with the criminals and we got to do it and then we're starting with others and we're going to see how it goes." – Donald Trump [02:32]

Trump clarified that "others" would include non-criminal undocumented immigrants, potentially leading to the deportation of entire families, regardless of individual members' legal status. However, he made an exception for Dreamers, individuals brought to the U.S. illegally as children:

"We have to do something about the dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age and many of these are middle-aged people now." – Donald Trump [02:56]

He also mentioned his efforts to end birthright citizenship as outlined in the 14th Amendment, which grants automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. [03:04]

4. Taylor Swift’s ERAS Tour Conclusion and College Football Playoffs

[03:14 - 04:36]
Reporters: Dale Willman and Becky Sullivan

Taylor Swift's ERAS Tour has culminated with a final concert in Vancouver, marking the end of an unprecedented run that spanned over 150 performances across five continents since its inception in Glendale, Arizona, in 2023. The tour has shattered records, becoming the first to gross over $1 billion and is projected to exceed $2 billion in total revenue. The cultural phenomenon has left a significant impact on the music industry and global entertainment landscape. [03:14]

In sports, the college football landscape is undergoing a transformation with the introduction of the first-ever 12-team playoff. The Oregon Ducks have secured the top overall seed as the only undefeated team in the top tier of college football. This season marks Oregon's inaugural participation in the newly formed Big Ten Coastal Conference. Their flawless record includes decisive victories over formidable opponents such as Ohio State, Penn State, and Boise State.

Becky Sullivan highlights the playoff lineup:

"Rounding out the top four seeds are SEC champion Georgia and Big 12 champ Arizona State." [03:55]

Other teams qualifying for the playoffs include Texas, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Indiana, Southern Methodist, and Clemson. This expansion signifies a new era influenced by conference realignments and enhanced compensation models for players, including name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. The initial playoff games are scheduled for later this month, heralding a new competitive chapter in college football. [03:55 - 04:36]

5. PGA Tour Success: Scotty Scheffler

[04:36 - 05:00]
Reporter: Dale Willman

On the golf front, Scotty Scheffler has concluded the year on a high note by securing his ninth victory of 2024 at the PGA Tournament held in the Bahamas. Tom Kim finished as the runner-up, while Justin Thomas took third place. Scheffler's impressive performance this year includes victories in 21 tournaments and a gold medal from the Summer Olympics, establishing him as a dominant force in the golfing world. [04:36]

Notable Quotes

• Hadil Al Shalchi on Assad’s departure:

  "Half a century of rule by President Bashar al Assad and his family finally came to an end today after the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed he had resigned and left Syria." [00:34]

• Donald Trump on deportation priorities:

  "We're starting with the criminals and we got to do it and then we're starting with others and we're going to see how it goes." [02:32]

• Donald Trump on Dreamers:

  "We have to do something about the dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age and many of these are middle-aged people now." [02:56]

• President Joe Biden on ISIS:

  "We're not going to let that happen." [01:37]

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant global and national events, including the dramatic political upheaval in Syria, the U.S. stance on combating ISIS, forthcoming immigration policies under President-elect Trump, major developments in entertainment and sports, and notable achievements in the PGA Tour. The inclusion of direct quotes and precise timestamps offers listeners a clear and detailed understanding of each topic discussed.