NPR News: 12-25-2024 8PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 26, 2024, 8 PM EST

On December 26, 2024, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive roundup of global and domestic news, covering significant events ranging from the aftermath of Syria's conflict to advancements in mental health recovery efforts in North Carolina. Below is a detailed summary of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insightful quotes, and major conclusions.

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Christians Celebrate First Christmas Post-Assad Regime

Reporter: Dia Hadid

As Syria marks its first Christmas following the collapse of the Assad regime, Christians across the nation are navigating a mix of hope and uncertainty. In Damascus, one of the country's most significant churches witnessed only half-full pews, raising questions about the underlying reasons.

Dia Hadid reports that the subdued turnout may stem from ongoing fears among worshippers or the prolonged exodus of Christians over the past fifteen years of conflict. The war in Syria concluded abruptly in December when Muslim rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of Damascus. Ahmad Al Shara, the group's leader and Syria's interim ruler, has pledged protection for Syria’s religious minorities, including Christians. However, skepticism remains among the Christian community regarding the safety assurances, particularly concerning potential extremist threats to their churches.

Quote:
"Christians worry that extremists among the rebels will target them and their churches." — Dia Hadid [00:35]

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Azerbaijani Airplane Crash Near Kazakhstan

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

A tragic aviation incident occurred when an Azerbaijani airplane carrying 67 passengers crashed near Aktu, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities. Among the 29 survivors are at least two children. The flight, originally destined for Grozny, Russia, was diverted for an emergency landing.

The Azerbaijani president has yet to determine the definitive cause of the crash but cited adverse weather conditions as the reason for altering the flight path. Contrarily, Russia's civil aviation authority suggests preliminary findings indicate a possible bird strike forced the pilots to make the emergency landing.

Quote:
"Preliminary information shows the pilots diverted after a bird strike led to an emergency on board." — Russian Civil Aviation Authority [01:18]

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North Carolina Invests in Mental Health Recovery Post-Hurricane Helene

Reporter: Kadia Riddle

More than two months after Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, significant investments are being made to support mental health recovery across the state. The focus is particularly on children, many of whom are grappling with traumatic experiences that could lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Pakovia Lovett from the North Carolina schools emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the situation, highlighting the lack of established protocols to aid students effectively.

Quote:
"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." — Pakovia Lovett [02:26]

Mountain communities are collaborating with their coastal counterparts, who have more experience handling hurricane-related crises, to better prepare and support affected populations.

Quote:
"Helping students in a situation like this, there's just not that much precedent." — Pakovia Lovett [02:26]

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Trump's Nomination of Ambassador to Panama Amid Canal Fee Dispute

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

President-Elect Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Marino Cabrera, a Florida county commissioner and former campaign worker, to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Panama. Cabrera’s nomination comes at a sensitive time, as Trump recently voiced intentions to renegotiate the Panama Canal fees imposed on American ships.

Panama’s president has firmly rejected any notion of returning control of the canal, affirming the nation's sovereignty over this critical maritime route.

Quote:
"This is not changing," — Panama’s President [02:48]

Additionally, the episode highlighted the national menorah lighting ceremony held near the White House, marking the first night of Hanukkah. This event, sponsored by the Orthodox Jewish movement Chabad, underscores the diverse cultural celebrations taking place across the nation.

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Research Links Kindness to Improved Health

Reporter: Maria Godoy

Emerging research underscores the health benefits of practicing kindness and goodwill. Studies indicate that activities such as volunteering or assisting neighbors are associated with healthier aging, including enhanced balance, mobility, and brain health in older adults.

Tara Gruenwald from Chapman University elaborates on the longevity benefits linked to altruistic behaviors, noting that individuals who engage in routine volunteering may experience a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Quote:
"And then much of the work that I'm interested in others is also showing that folks live longer. So there is that ultimate benefit of longevity from giving and contributing to others." — Tara Gruenwald [03:59]

These findings suggest that fostering a culture of kindness not only benefits recipients but also contributes significantly to the well-being of those who give.

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Wildlife Rescue: Gray and Snowy Owls Saved in Minnesota

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

In northern Minnesota, conservationists successfully rescued a great gray owl and a snowy owl, both of which were in distress. Annabel Whelan discovered the first owl in Duluth and promptly took it to a wildlife rehabilitation center. The center then referred the owl to Raptor Rescue for specialized care.

Shortly after, Whelan responded to a second incident where a snowy owl was trapped in a car grill. The swift action prevented potential harm to the bird, ensuring its safe transfer to Raptor Rescue after receiving necessary treatment.

Rescue officials emphasize the importance of contacting professionals when encountering injured wildlife, as animals are often wary of human interaction.

Quote:
"People should call for help when they see an injured animal because they are usually afraid of people." — Rescue Officials [04:18]

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a diverse array of stories, from international affairs and aviation safety to public health initiatives and environmental conservation. By presenting these narratives with in-depth reporting and expert insights, NPR continues to inform and engage its audience on critical issues shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Christians in Syria are celebrating their first Christmas after the fall of the Assad regime. NPR's Dia Hadid reports. For many, it's a time of uncertain.

[Dia Hadid]

The pews were barely half full in one of Syria's most important churches. It wasn't clear if worshippers were staying away out of fear or whether the bare pews simply reflected a years long exodus of Christians from Syria amid nearly a decade and a half of war. Syria's war ended abruptly earlier in December after Muslim rebels led by group HTS overran Damascus. The group's leader and Syria's interim ruler, Ahmad Al Shara, says that Syria's large minorities, including Christians, will be safe and protected. But Christians worry that extremists among the rebels will target them and their churches. Dear Hadid, NPR News, Damascus.

[Jeanine Herbst]

At least 38 people are dead after an Azerbaijani airplane with 67 people on board crashed near the Kazakhstani city of Aktu. Officials say of the 29 survivors, at least two were children. The plane was en route from the Azerbaijani capital to the Russian city of Grozny when it was diverted and attempted an emergency landing near the city of Aktu. Azerbaijan's president says the cause isn't known, but that weather forced the plane to change from its planned course. Russia's civil aviation authority says preliminary information shows the pilots diverted after a bird strike led to an emergency on board. More than two months after Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, the state is investing millions of dollars in mental health recovery efforts. NPR's Kadia Riddle has more.

[Kadia 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 Lovett works for the North Carolina schools. She says helping students in a situation like this, there's just not that much precedent.

[Pakovia Lovett]

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.

[Kadia 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]

President Elect Donald Trump is nominating a Florida county commissioner to serve as ambassador to Panama. Kevin Marino. Cabrera worked for the campaign in 2020 and was a Republican Florida state director this year. This just days after Trump suggested that the US could demand the return of the Panama Canal if the country didn't reduce the fees it charges American ships for using it. Panama owns the canal, and its president says that's not changing. You're listening to NPR News. The national menorah lighting took place near the White House today, marking the first night of Hanukkah. The 46th Annual National Monorail Lighting is sponsored privately by the Orthodox Jewish movement Chabad. New research suggests that showing kindness and goodwill to others is good for one's own health. NPR's Maria Godoy has more.

[Maria Godoy]

A growing body of research has linked kindness in the form of things like volunteering or helping a neighbor, for example, to living healthier as we age. Tara Gruenwald of Chapman University says studies have linked such contributing behaviors to benefits like improved balance and mobility and better brain health in older adults.

[Tara Gruenwald]

And then much of the work that I'm interested in others is also showing that folks live longer. So there is that ultimate benefit of longevity from giving and contributing to others.

[Maria Godoy]

Other research has linked routine volunteering to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A great gray owl and a snowy owl are being treated by experts after being rescued in northern Minnesota. Annabel Whelan says she found the first owl this week in Duluth and brought him to a wildlife rehabilitation center, which sent him to a raptor rescue. Hours later, she helped save a second owl that was stuck in the grill of a car. She brought that bird, too, to the wildlife center, which also sent it to the Rapture Rescue after treating it. Rescue officials say people should call for help when they see an injured animal because they are usually afraid of people. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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