What we learned from Elian Gonzalez, 25 years later

www.npr.org/2024/12/18/1219982270/futuro-elian-gonzalez-cuba-and-us

Twenty-five years ago, a boy named Elian Gonzalez appeared — remarkably alive — in the waters off the coast of Miami. Immediately, his fate became the subject of an international debate: Should he stay in the U.S.? Or should he be returned to Cuba, to live…

Morning news brief

www.npr.org/2024/12/18/nx-s1-5228129/morning-news-brief

The suspect in the killing of a health care CEO has been charged with murder. The Fed is expected to lower its benchmark interest rate. We're learning more details about the Wisconsin school shooter.

Deadly violence in Nigeria tied to United Methodist Church schism over LGBTQ policies

www.npr.org/2024/12/18/g-s1-38739/violence-nigeria-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-policies

A religious schism has turned deadly in Nigeria, with a church member fatally shot and two young children killed as homes were set ablaze, according to United Methodist News Service.

At least 25 killed after an overcrowded boat capsizes in Congo

www.npr.org/2024/12/18/nx-s1-5232643/congo-boat-capsizes-kinshasa

It capsized a few hundred meters into the journey along the Fimi River, the latest such tragedy to strike Congo.

Ukraine's security service confirms it was behind assassination of Russian general

www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5231566/ukraines-security-service-confirms-it-was-behind-assassination-of-russian-general

A Russian lieutenant general accused of using banned chemicals on Ukrainian soldiers was assassinated Tuesday in Moscow.

The Indian Movie Acclaimed Abroad But Snubbed at Home

www.npr.org/2024/12/17/1219887494/the-indian-movie-acclaimed-abroad-but-snubbed-at-home

The film "All We Imagine As Light" is an Indian film that has won rare international acclaim from Cannes and the Golden Globes. But at home in India the international buzz was ignored and it was passed over as India's entry for the Oscars. Our…

Syrian families scour hospitals and morgues for loved ones lost under Assad's rule

www.npr.org/2024/12/17/g-s1-38390/syria-al-assad-prisons-damascus-search-for-missing

People in Syria are looking for their relatives and friends in prisons, hospitals and morgues. The U.N. estimates over 100,00 people have gone missing in Syria under the Assad regime.

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake causes widespread damage in Pacific island nation of Vanuatu

www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5231467/vanuatu-earthquake-pacific

The earthquake was centered 10 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people.

Ukraine's 'The Bachelor' stars a young veteran who's a double amputee

www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5225312/ukraines-the-bachelor-stars-a-young-veteran-whos-a-double-amputee

A young soldier who lost both legs on the frontline stars in Ukraine's version of "The Bachelor," showcasing the increasing number of war-wounded Ukrainians as attractive heroes, not victims.

Morning news brief

www.npr.org/2024/12/17/nx-s1-5228124/morning-news-brief

President-elect Trump holds first news conference since the election. Police identify Wisconsin school shooting suspect as a 15-year-old female student. Surgeons implant new kind of engineered kidney.

An explosion kills the head of Russia's nuclear defense forces in Moscow

www.npr.org/2024/12/17/g-s1-38555/moscow-bombing-russia-general-moscow

An explosive device planted close to an apartment block in Moscow killed the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Russia's Investigative Committee said.

Canada's finance minister resigns, posing biggest test of Trudeau's political career

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/g-s1-38545/canadas-finance-minister-resigns-trudeau

The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years — whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration — can stay on.

Will Sectarian Groups Get Along in a New Syria?

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/1219830869/will-sectarian-groups-get-along-in-a-new-syria

As the future of Syria begins to emerge, one minority group is particularly fearful about how they'll be treated. The Alawites feel like they were mistreated by now-deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad, but because he was a member of that sect, they are also…

First public comments attributed to Assad claim he never planned to leave Syria

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/nx-s1-5230245/bashar-assad-syria-telegram-statement

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued his first remarks since opposition forces took over the capital over a week ago in a Telegram post from Moscow.

Germany's Scholz loses a confidence vote, triggering new elections

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/g-s1-38426/germany-scholz-confidence-vote-elections

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had hoped for this outcome when he called for the confidence vote, analysts say. His aim: to win fresh elections in February and come back with a stronger mandate.

Morning news brief

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/nx-s1-5227799/morning-news-brief

Concerns over what kind of Syria the new conservative Sunni Islamist leadership will build. Renewed hope for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. ABC pays to settle Trump's defamation lawsuit.

France rushes help to Mayotte, where hundreds are feared dead from Cyclone Chido

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/g-s1-38396/dead-mayotte-cyclone-chido

France was rushing help by ship and military aircraft to its poor overseas territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean on Monday after the island was shattered by its worst storm in nearly a century.

There's renewed hope for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/nx-s1-5228082/theres-renewed-hope-for-a-ceasefire-deal-between-israel-and-hamas

A possible ceasefire in the 14-month long war between Israel and Hamas is gaining momentum. There are signs that the two sides are closer to making a deal, but many sticking points remain.

Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions

www.npr.org/2024/12/16/g-s1-38403/israel-will-close-its-ireland-embassy-over-gaza-tensions

Israel said Sunday it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorated over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials said new Israeli airstrikes killed over 46 people including several children.

We head inside a feared intelligence branch after the fall of Assad regime in Syria

www.npr.org/2024/12/15/nx-s1-5228166/we-head-inside-a-feared-intelligence-branch-after-the-fall-of-assad-regime-in-syria

U.S. has made contact with Syrian rebel group HTS, Blinken says

www.npr.org/2024/12/15/nx-s1-5229536/us-syrian-rebel-group-hts

Comments by Secretary of State Antony Blinken this weekend were the first time a U.S. official has acknowledged contact with the Syrian rebel group that drove Bashar al-Assad from power.

At least 11 dead in the French territory of Mayotte as Cyclone Chido causes devastating damage

www.npr.org/2024/12/15/g-s1-38353/at-least-11-dead-in-the-french-territory-of-mayotte-as-cyclone-chido-causes-devastating-damage

At least 11 people have died after Cyclone Chido caused devastating damage in the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, France's Interior Ministry said Sunday.

Venezuela's president elect vows to return from exile for inauguration

www.npr.org/2024/12/15/nx-s1-5218639/venezuelas-president-elect-vows-to-return-from-exile-for-inauguration

The winner of Venezuela's presidential election this summer was forced into exile. But he's promising to return for the inauguration next month despite threats of arrest.

Rebels took over Damascus quickly, but the uprising has been decades in the making

www.npr.org/2024/12/15/nx-s1-5227053/rebels-took-over-damascus-quickly-but-the-uprising-has-been-decades-in-the-making

Ayesha Rascoe talks to Mazen Gharibah of the London School of Economics about internal opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which started long before his ouster this month.

Syrian children return to school today

www.npr.org/2024/12/15/nx-s1-5229486/syrian-children-return-to-school-today

Syrian children in Damascus started up at school today after - the first day back since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

One week into post-Assad rule in Syria - a view from Damascus

www.npr.org/2024/12/14/nx-s1-5229003/one-week-into-post-assad-rule-in-syria-a-view-from-damascus

How Syria's 'musician of the revolution' feels after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime

www.npr.org/2024/12/14/nx-s1-5224121/how-syrias-musician-of-the-revolution-feels-after-the-fall-of-bashar-al-assads-regime

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali about the fall of the dictatorship in Syria and his hopes for his homeland's future.

The International Rescue Committee warns 'the world is on fire'

www.npr.org/2024/12/14/nx-s1-5226006/the-international-rescue-committee-warns-the-world-is-on-fire

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee, about the group's 2025 Watchlist, which warns that more than 300 million people require humanitarian assistance.

After 32 years and 5 days, a father and son reunite after Syrian prisoners are freed

www.npr.org/2024/12/14/nx-s1-5226944/after-32-years-and-5-days-a-father-and-son-reunite-after-syrian-prisoners-are-freed

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has freed at least thousands of people detained in Syria's notorious prisons. Some of them have made it back home. Other families are still looking.

South Korea's parliament votes to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol

www.npr.org/2024/12/14/nx-s1-5228633/south-korea-parliament-impeach-president-yoon-suk-yeol

South Korea's parliament impeached Presisdent Yoon Suk Yeol for his attempt to impose martial, the first time such a measure had been imposed on the nation in more than four decades.