NPR News: 12-25-2024 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – December 25, 2024, 5 PM EST

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1. Protests Erupt in Syria Over Burning of Alawite Shrine

Reported by Dia Hadid [00:17]

Protests have broken out in regions of Syria predominantly inhabited by the Alawite minority following the dissemination of a disturbing video online. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the video depicted gunmen torching a shrine sacred to the Alawite community and murdering five workers, who were subsequently found with mutilated bodies [00:33].

These protests present a significant security challenge for Syria's new governing authorities, who assumed power after rebel forces overran Damascus in early December. The rebels are led by a Muslim group known as HTS, raising fears among minority groups about potential persecution. The Alawites, in particular, feel threatened due to their historical association with Bashar al-Assad's regime, as Assad himself is an Alawite.

Syria's new information minister attributed the unrest to "hidden hands that sought to divide Syrians," highlighting concerns over internal divisions [00:56]. The situation remains tense as the government strives to maintain stability amidst escalating sectarian tensions. (Dia Hadid, [00:33])

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2. North Carolina Invests in Mental Health Recovery Post-Hurricane Helene

Reported by Katia Riddle [01:25]

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck North Carolina over two months ago, the state is allocating millions of dollars toward mental health recovery initiatives. Katia Riddle reports that children are among the most affected, with thousands of students requiring assistance to process their traumatic experiences to prevent the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [01:35].

Pakovia Levitt, a representative from North Carolina schools, emphasized the unprecedented nature of this effort, stating, "I would love for there to be a nice blueprint and be able to really pull out the pieces that you need, but it's very hard to find" [01:55]. Efforts are being made to model recovery strategies from coastal regions of North Carolina, which have a longer history of hurricane preparedness [02:04]. This collaborative approach aims to enhance the resilience and mental health support systems across the state. (Katia Riddle, [01:55])

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3. State Election Officials Unaware of Federal Special Election Laws

Reported by Hansi Lo Wang [02:16]

A congressional watchdog has uncovered that a significant number of state election officials are unaware of a crucial federal law regarding the management of extraordinary vacancies in Congress. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that over half of the 33 state election officials surveyed were not familiar with the 2005 law, which mandates that states hold special elections within 49 days for more than 100 vacant House seats following the Speaker's confirmation [02:30].

This law was originally enacted in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, aiming to ensure continuity in legislative representation. However, two decades later, increased threats to Congress members and the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have raised concerns about the states' readiness to execute this law effectively. Challenges highlighted by the GAO include the swift selection of candidates and the preparation of ballots within the stipulated timeframe [02:30].

Hansi Lo Wang noted that while the Constitution allows states to decide if governors can appoint temporary replacements, the lack of awareness poses potential hurdles in maintaining congressional functionality during mass vacancies. (Hansi Lo Wang, [02:30])

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4. Archaeological Findings Illuminate Ancient Human-Dog Bond

Reported by Emily Kwong [03:12]

Exploring the deep-rooted relationship between humans and canids, Emily Kwong reports on new archaeological evidence that sheds light on the domestication of dogs and wolves. The findings suggest that canids were likely domesticated in Eurasia, with evidence indicating that humans crossing the Bering Strait thousands of years ago brought these animals with them [03:32].

A pivotal discovery involves a 12,000-year-old leg bone unearthed in Fairbanks, Alaska, which contained fossilized salmon protein [03:56]. Dia Hadid interjects, "Salmons are not naturally available in big quantities in a place like Fairbanks," highlighting the anomaly [03:56].

Lead author Francois Lannoy from the University of Arizona posits that the presence of salmon in the wolf's bone strongly suggests that the animal was fed salmon by human companions, rather than sourcing it naturally [04:00]. This finding supports theories of early mutualistic relationships between humans and canines, indicating a symbiotic bond that likely contributed to the survival and success of both species. (Emily Kwong, [03:56])

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5. King Charles Delivers Christmas Message Amid Global Crises and Personal Battles

Reported by Dia Hadid [04:15]

In his annual Christmas message, Britain's King Charles extended wishes for a joyful and peaceful holiday season while acknowledging the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other war-torn regions [04:15]. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards doctors and nurses, both for their contributions worldwide and personally, as he and his daughter-in-law, Princess Kate, underwent treatment for cancer [04:34].

Breaking from tradition, King Charles delivered his speech from the Middlesex Hospital in London rather than from one of his castles. He stated, "I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement" [04:36]. This personal and humble setting underscored the monarch's resilience and connection to those facing similar challenges, bridging royal duties with genuine personal experience. (Dia Hadid, [04:36])

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Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Protests erupted in parts of Syria dominated by the Alawite religious minority after a video online apparently showed militants burning a shrine sacred to the group. NPR's Dia Hadid has more.

[Dia Hadid]

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the video showed gunmen torching a shrine holy to Alawites and killing five workers and mutilating their bodies. As the video spread, protests erupted across Syria in areas dominated by Alawites, posing perhaps the most important security challenge yet for the country's new rulers. They assumed power after rebels overran Damascus in early December. The rebels were led by a Muslim group known as hts, leading to fears among Syrian minorities that they'd be vulnerable to persecution. That fear is particularly strong among Alawites because many view the minority as having aided the former regime of Bashar al Assad, who is also an Alawite. Syria's new information minister blamed hidden hands that sought to divide Syrians. Deir Hadid, NPR News, Damascus.

[Jeanine Herbst]

More than two months after Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, the state is investing millions in mental health recovery efforts. NPR's Katia Riddle has more.

[Katia Riddle]

Some of the people most in need of mental health services here are children. Thousands of students are at a crucial point in their recovery and need help processing their traumatic experiences in order to avoid developing post traumatic stress disorder. Pakovia Levitt works for the North Carolina schools. She says helping students in a situation like this, there's just not that much precedent.

[Jeanine Herbst]

I would love for there to be a nice blue blueprint and be able to really pull out the pieces that you need, but it's very hard to find.

[Katia Riddle]

Lovett says mountain communities are seeking help and advice from people in coastal North Carolina that part of the state is more prepared for hurricanes. Katie Arriddle, NPR News, Asheville, North Carolina.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A congressional watchdog found that many state election officials aren't aware of a federal law about what should happen when there are an extraordinary number of vacancies in Congress. Npr' Hansi Lo Wang has more.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

This federal law was passed in 2005 after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Some two decades later, the Government Accountability Office finds more than half of the 33 state election officials who responded to a survey said they were not aware of the law. It generally requires states to hold special elections within 49 days of the House speaker, confirming more than 100 open House seats. The GAO says there's been growing interest in whether states are prepared for this scenario because of increased threats to members of Congress and the COVID 19 pandemic. If states have to hold special elections for more than 100 house vacancies, the JO says there will likely be challenges with selecting candidates and preparing ballots in time for Senate vacancies. The Constitution allows states to decide whether a governor can appoint someone temporarily. Han Zi Luang, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Anyone cuddling their pup this holiday season knows that we humans have a close relationship with dogs, but how far back can we trace that bond? NPR's Emily Kwong reports on the latest finding from the world of archaeology.

[Emily Kwong]

The animals known as canids, that includes wolves and dogs, were likely domesticated in Eurasia. And people who crossed the Bering Strait thousands of years ago likely had canines by their side. New evidence from bones found in Alaska supports this theory, specifically a 12,000-year-old leg bone excavated in Fairbanks that was filled with fossilized salmon protein.

[Dia Hadid]

Salmons are not naturally available in big.

[Emily Kwong]

Quantities in a place like Fairbanks. Lead author Francois Lannoy, based at the University of Arizona in Tucson, says it's more likely this wolf was fed salmon at the hands of its human companions. For NPR News, I'm Emily Kwong.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In his annual Christmas message, Britain's King Charles wished all a joyful and peaceful holiday and acknowledged the Middle East, Ukraine and other areas of the world wracked by war and violence. Charles also thanked his doctors and nurses during a year in both he and daughter in law Princess Kate were treated for cancer.

[Dia Hadid]

I am deeply grateful, too, to all.

[Emily Kwong]

Those who have offered us their own.

[Dia Hadid]

Kind words of sympathy and encouragement.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Monarchs usually make the speech from one of their castles, but King Charles spoke from the Middlesex Hospital in London. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Carvana]

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