NPR News Now: December 9, 2024, 9AM EST

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1. Assad Granted Asylum in Russia Amid Syrian Conflict

[00:16] Korva Coleman

NPR's Korva Coleman reports that the Kremlin has granted asylum to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Assad fled Syria over the weekend as rebel factions advanced towards the capital, Damascus.

[00:37] Ruth Sherlock

Ruth Sherlock provides context on Assad's long-standing regime, highlighting that the Assad family maintained control over Syria for more than five decades. Following 13 years of devastating civil war, the regime's collapse was swift, occurring "in the space of just over a week" (00:37). This sudden downfall has sparked widespread celebrations across Syria and among millions of Syrian refugees eager to return to their homeland.

2. U.S. Conducts Strikes in Central Syria to Combat ISIS

[00:59] Korva Coleman

In related developments, the United States has executed at least 75 airstrikes in central Syria targeting Islamic State (ISIS) militants. President Biden emphasized that the objective is to prevent ISIS from re-establishing control in the region, especially as Syria's political landscape remains volatile.

3. President-Elect Trump's Stance on Immigration and Abortion

[01:29] Tamara Keith

Former President Donald Trump, in an extensive interview with NBC's Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, reaffirmed his commitment to mass deportations of individuals residing illegally in the United States. He stated, "the only way to avoid family separation would be to, quote, send them all back, including US Citizen children" (01:29).

[01:49] Kristen Welker & [01:53] Donald Trump

When questioned about abortion, Welker asked Trump if he would "restrict the availability of abortion pills when you're in office?" Trump responded, "Probably. I'll probably stay with exactly what I've been saying for the last two years, and the answer is no" (01:53). He further clarified his position, indicating a steadfast stance: "I commit" (02:02).

4. Ongoing Investigations: United Healthcare CEO Murder and Melbourne Synagogue Attack

[02:13] Korva Coleman

Authorities remain on the hunt for the individual responsible for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Despite releasing new photos of the suspect, no arrests have been made.

[02:37] Christina Kukulya

In Australia, police in Victoria have escalated their investigation into last week's suspicious fire at the Addas Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, involving counterterrorism teams, federal police, and the domestic intelligence agency ASIO. Authorities believe the incident was a "targeted attack" with likely political motives. Significant progress has been reported, though specifics on potential arrests remain undisclosed.

5. Ghana's Peaceful Power Transition

[03:12] Korva Coleman

Ghana's Vice President has conceded defeat in the recent presidential election held last Saturday, acknowledging former President John Mahama as the victor. The concession was made early to facilitate a "peaceful transfer of power by the age of six" (03:12), underscoring Ghana's commitment to democratic principles.

6. Early Emergence of Gender Stereotypes in STEM Among Children

[03:48] Janaki Mehta

A comprehensive study by the American Institutes for Research reveals that children begin to discriminate between genders in engineering and computer science as early as age six. The research, encompassing over 40 years of data from more than 145,000 children globally, found that boys are perceived as more capable in these fields compared to girls from a young age (03:48). David Miller, the study's lead author, emphasizes the need for targeted initiatives to encourage girls in computing and engineering during early childhood to mitigate entrenched stereotypes.

7. Climate Change Indicators: November's Record Heat

[04:31] Korva Coleman

The European Climate Service Copernicus has reported that November was the second hottest month ever recorded. Projections indicate that 2024 is on track to become the hottest year in recorded history. Scientists attribute this extreme heating to human-induced climate change, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil (04:31).

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