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Chapter 1: What led to the end of Bashar al-Assad's regime?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family are in Moscow. According to Russian state media, they fled after rebels took control of the capital, Damascus, overnight. NPR's Hadil El-Sholchi has more.
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. Russian state media said it had granted asylum to Assad and his family. It took less than two weeks for rebel opposition forces to overcome pro-government factions taking city after city. until they stormed Damascus Sunday.
Chapter 2: How did the Syrian people react to Assad's departure?
The Assad family ruled Syria with an iron fist, and in 2011, it sparked a bloody civil war when it tried to crush a popular uprising which started as peaceful protests. There was celebration on the streets of Damascus, people hugging, crying, and toppling statues of Assad and his father, Hafez.
Videos online showed Syrians filming themselves in hidden bunkers and going through Assad's closets and taking clothes. Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News.
Chapter 3: What is President Biden's response to the regime change?
Meanwhile, President Biden today welcomed the end of the Assad regime, calling it a fundamental act of justice after decades of repression. But he says the U.S. is worried about ISIS trying to seize control.
We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities and to create a safe haven. We will not let that happen. In fact, just today, U.S. forces conducted a dozen of precision strikes, airstrikes, within Syria, targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives.
Chapter 4: What actions are being taken against ISIS in Syria?
Speaking there to the nation from the White House this afternoon, the U.S. Central Command says there's no indication civilians were hit. The U.S. still has some 900 troops in Syria, which have been battling for years to dismantle ISIS. After UnitedHealthcare's CEO was shot and killed in New York City last week, many companies are rethinking their corporate security.
Empiric's Maria Aspin reports, though, that there's no one-size-fits-all solution.
Chapter 5: What are the implications for U.S. troops in Syria?
Brian Thompson's death and what police call a targeted attack has led many companies to reconsider how they protect their top executives. Security consultants tell NPR that many CEOs don't have or don't want bodyguards at all times. For those that do, their companies have to be willing to spend a lot of money.
Chapter 6: How are companies reconsidering corporate security?
Facebook parent Meta spent more than $23 million last year on personal security for CEO Mark Zuckerberg outside of work. Rob D'Amico is a security consultant and former FBI official.
When I was chief security officer for a company, I didn't produce any profits, revenue, gross or net. I just cost the company money.
But in the aftermath of Thompson's shooting, he adds, he expects more companies will take on those costs. Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York.
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Mass was celebrated at Notre Dame Cathedral this morning for the first time since a 2019 fire that gutted the church. Empire's Eleanor Beardsley reports, Parisians have been celebrating the splendor of their centuries-old, newly restored cathedral all weekend.
The Archbishop of Paris conducted a purification rite during Mass, dipping pine branches in holy water and sprinkling the congregation as he walked through the church. He was joined by more than 200 bishops and priests from all over France, as well as President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
The cathedral has not only been restored, it's been freed from centuries of grime and now gleams with its blonde stone, vivid stained glass windows, and dazzling golden chandeliers. The cathedral officially reopened Saturday night in a ceremony attended by 50 world leaders and heads of state. Notre Dame is holding a second Sunday mass for the public. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.
The schools for college football's first-ever 12-team playoffs have been picked, including Oregon, the only undefeated team in the top level of college football. Also, Ohio State, Penn State, No. 3 seed Boise, SEC champion Georgia, and Big 12 champ Arizona State, among others. The first round takes place later this month.
The 12-team playoff is part of a new era in college football as schools leave their traditional conferences and players earn historic compensation from name, image, and likeness deals. You're listening to NPR News in Washington.
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