NPR News: 12-09-2024 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 9, 2024 – Comprehensive Episode Summary

On the December 9, 2024, episode of NPR News Now, host Korva Coleman delivered a multifaceted update on global and domestic events, ranging from political upheavals in Syria to significant developments in the NFL. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity and depth.

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Syria’s Turmoil and Assad’s Asylum in Russia

[00:16] The episode opens with significant developments in Syria following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad. Assad has fled the country and sought asylum in Russia, sparking celebrations among certain factions within Syria. Coleman reports, "A mostly dormant civil war roared to life in the past couple of weeks. Rebels swept across Syria and descended on the capital, Damascus. It's still not clear who will control the country."

UK Considers Rethinking Terrorist Designation of Rebel Group

[00:55] The political landscape in Syria has led the United Kingdom to reevaluate its stance on designated terrorist organizations. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from London:

• Pat McFadden, a UK Cabinet Minister, stated on Sky News: "We will and we'll consider that, and I think it will partly depend on what happens in terms of how that group behaves now." [01:05]

• Further elaborating on the matter with the BBC, McFadden mentioned, "it'll be a relatively swift decision given the speed of the situation on the ground." [01:14]

The group in focus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda, has been instrumental in the recent regime change, prompting the UK government to potentially lift its ban on HTS. This marks a significant shift in how HTS is perceived internationally.

Release of Prisoners and Concerns Over American Journalist’s Whereabouts

[01:35] As the Assad regime unravels, there has been a substantial release of prisoners from Syrian government facilities. However, concerns remain high regarding the fate of American journalist Austin Tice, who the U.S. government believes is being held by Syrian authorities.

• President Joe Biden addressed the issue: "We are mindful that there are Americans in Syria, including those who reside there, as well as Austan Tice, who was taken captive more than 12 years ago. We remain committed to returning him to his family." [01:51]

• Tice’s family has reported confirmation that he is alive and receiving appropriate treatment, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

Economic Insights: Oil Prices and Stock Market Movements

[02:05] Transitioning to economic news, the episode highlights the mixed opening of stock markets influenced by Middle Eastern events.

Scott Horsley provides an analysis:

• The ouster of Assad has contributed to a slight increase in oil prices, with the U.S. benchmark hovering below $70 per barrel. [02:23]

• Despite this, retail gasoline prices are on a downward trend, with AAA reporting an average of less than $3.02 per gallon, attributed to weak demand in China which is pivotal in stabilizing oil prices.

Additionally, Horsley touches upon the bankruptcy proceedings of Alex Jones Media Company:

• A federal judge in Houston is overseeing the auction process, wherein the satirical website The Onion emerged as the winning bidder. Proceeds from this acquisition are earmarked for the families affected by the Sandy Hook school shooting. However, Jones is contesting the auction's legitimacy.

[03:04] On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an uptick of approximately 16 points, while the Nasdaq experienced a marginal increase of just over one point.

Iran Releases Nobel Laureate Amidst Political Tensions

[03:35] In international news, Iran has temporarily released Nargis Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, to undergo surgery for a leg tumor. Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2023 for her advocacy of women's rights and the abolition of the death penalty in Iran, efforts that led to her imprisonment.

Supporters are advocating for her continued freedom post-recovery, highlighting the precarious nature of human rights in the region.

Violence Escalates in Haiti as Government Control Falters

[03:30] The situation in Haiti remains dire, with a human rights group reporting that over 100 individuals have been killed in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The killings are attributed to gang warfare, where older gang members accused their rivals of witchcraft—a claim that underscores the chaotic and lawless environment as the Haitian government struggles to maintain authority.

Kansas City Chiefs’ Historic Division Title Win

[04:07] Shifting to sports, the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs secured their ninth consecutive division title with a narrow 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. This triumph positions the Chiefs to vie for their third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Greg Eklund provides an in-depth look:

• The Chiefs demonstrated consistent performance throughout the season, often clinching games in the final moments. [04:24]

• Matthew Wright, the team's third kicker, successfully executed the game-winning field goal despite hitting the left upright, remarking, "It's not good. Wanted it to go right down the middle, obviously, but just happy it went in." [04:30]

• With a 12-1 record, the Chiefs have set a new standard in the AFC West, trailing only behind the New England Patriots' historic streak of 11 division titles during the Tom Brady era.

Weather Forecast: Heavy Rains Expected Across the Southeast

[04:44] Concluding the episode, Coleman forecasts significant weather changes:

• Heavy rainfall is anticipated along the Gulf Coast and the Southeast for the next two days.
• The rain is expected to progress up the East Coast throughout the week, potentially impacting daily activities and commuting conditions.

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Conclusion

The December 9th episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a thorough overview of pressing global issues, economic fluctuations, and notable events in the sports arena. From the volatile situation in Syria and shifting geopolitical alliances to the steadfast performance of the Kansas City Chiefs, the episode delivered a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of affairs. Notably, the inclusion of direct quotes from key figures like Pat McFadden and Joe Biden added depth and authenticity to the reporting, ensuring that listeners received both factual updates and nuanced perspectives.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. There have been celebrations across Syria after former President Bashar al Assad fled the country over the weekend. He's been given asylum in Russia. A mostly dormant civil war roared to life in the past couple of weeks. Rebels swept across Syria and descended on the capital, Damascus. It's still not clear who will control the country. The group that spearheaded the rebel alliance that ousted Assad from power has long been considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. britain and many other countries. But a British cabinet minister says his government may now rethink that designation, as NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from London.

[Lauren Frayer]

UK Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden did a round of broadcast interviews in which he was asked if his government might lift a ban on Hayat Tahrir al Sham, or hts.

[Pat McFadden]

We will and we'll consider that, and I think it will partly depend on what happens in terms of how that group behaves now.

[Lauren Frayer]

That's him on Sky News. He also told the BBC that it'll be a relatively swift decision given the speed of the situation on the ground. HTS is a former al Qaeda affiliate that's proscribed in the UK which means it's illegal to support or join it. But it's now led this regime change in Syria, which the UK Government has welcomed. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, London.

[Korva Coleman]

As the Assad government falls apart, thousands of prisoners are being released from Syrian government prisons. President Biden says the US Is very concerned about missing American journalist Austin Tice. The US Government has said the Syrian government was holding him.

[Joe Biden]

We are mindful that there are Americans in Syria, including those who reside there, as well as Austan Tice, who was taken captain more than 12 years ago. We remain committed to returning him to his family.

[Korva Coleman]

Tice's family says it has verified information that Austin is alive and is being treated well. Stocks open mixed this morning as events in the Middle east push oil prices higher. NPR Scott hoarsely reports the Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 20 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

The weekend ouster of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al Assad drove oil prices slightly higher. Although the US benchmark is still under $70 a barrel, retail gasoline prices continue to fall. AAA reports the average price of regular gas is less than $3.02 a gallon. Weak demand in China is helping to keep a lid on oil prices. Chinese officials are meeting this week to discuss ways to prop up the world's second largest economy. A federal judge in Houston holds a hearing today to review the bankruptcy auction for Alex Jones Media Company. The satirical website the Onion was the winning bidder to take over infowars, with proceeds going to families, the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. Jones is challenging the way that auction was run. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, the Dow is Now up about 16 points. The Nasdaq is up a little more than a single point. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Iran has temporarily released a Nobel Peace Prize winner from prison. Nargis Mohammadi has been freed for 21 days to have surgery to address a tumor on her leg. Mohammadi won the Nobel Prize in 2023 for work to support women's rights and an end to the death penalty in Iran, for which she had been jailed. Her supporters are demanding that she remain free. A human rights group in Haiti says gangs have killed more than 100 people in the capital, Port Au Prince. The victims were older gang members had apparently accused them of witchcraft. Haiti's government is virtually non existent and violence is rampant. The NFL's Kansas City Chiefs captured their ninth consecutive division title last night with a 19 to 17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. As Greg Eklund reports, Kansas City is seeking its third straight super bowl trophy.

[Greg Eklund]

The Chiefs have routinely taken their games down to the wire this season. Matthew Wright, the Chiefs third kicker this season because of injuries connected for the game winning field goal as time ran out. But when the kick hit the left upright, Wright recalls what he thought.

[Matthew Wright]

It's not good. Wanted it to go right down the middle, obviously, but just happy it went in.

[Greg Eklund]

The Chiefs, with a 121 record, clinched the AFC West. Only the New England Patriots have a longer string of division titles with 11 during the Tom Brady era. For NPR News, I'm Greg Eklund in Kansas City.

[Korva Coleman]

Weather forecasters say heavy rain is coming to the Gulf coast and Southeast today and tomorrow. The rain will move up the east coast this week. This is npr.

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