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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.(Image credit: Justin Tang)

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 unfairly tied to him in the minds of other Syrians. We go to an Alawite neighborhood of Damascus to hear their concerns.

The year in pop pivoted around a trio of artists — Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan — whose music hinged upon assertions of creative ambition and admissions of romantic weakness.

Here in the Pitch among his most spun of the year.'/>NPR Music's classical expert is an omnivorous listener, who treated the music of 2024 as sustenance for a year of zigzagging emotional highs and lows.(Image credit: Samuel Hess)

The best-selling rock album of the year is 37 years old. Continue reading…

A new study by tattoo artists has revealed the rock bands that inspire the most tattoos worldwide. Continue reading…

Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace begins with the song "End Of Innocence," one among many pieces of music that managed to be both haunting and comforting in 2024.'/>In 2024, some of the most striking music we heard managed to be haunting and comforting at the same time.(Image credit: atibaphoto)

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.(Image credit: Claire Harbage)

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.(Image credit: Markus Schreiber)

"I'm not ready to say farewell," he tells UCR. Continue reading…