Displaced Lebanese Return Home, Thanksgiving Travel, Holiday Health Tips

Summary

NPR’s Up First: Displaced Lebanese Return Home, Thanksgiving Travel, Holiday Health Tips

Released: November 28, 2024

NPR’s Up First episode released on November 28, 2024, delves into three major stories shaping the day: the return of displaced Lebanese amidst a fragile ceasefire, the anticipation of record-breaking Thanksgiving travel, and essential holiday health tips to keep you feeling your best during the festivities. Hosted by Rob Schmitz, the episode provides in-depth reporting, insightful analysis, and expert opinions to keep listeners informed and engaged.

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1. Ceasefire Brings Hope and Challenges for Displaced Lebanese

The episode opens with a poignant report on the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which has allowed thousands of displaced Lebanese to begin returning to their homes. NPR’s correspondent Lauren Frayer provides a ground-level perspective from Beirut, highlighting both the jubilation and the underlying tensions as communities attempt to rebuild.

Ceasefire Details and Immediate Aftermath

The ceasefire, brokered to suspend hostilities, stipulates a 60-day truce during which Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanon, and Hezbollah is required to pull back its fighters and weapons from areas near the Israeli border. Lauren Frayer explains, “A ceasefire to suspend fighting between Israel and Hezbollah appears to be holding” (03:25).

Challenges on the Ground

Despite the agreement, the return journey has not been without complications. Lauren reports, “Civilians are being warned to stay away from certain areas to avoid possible confrontations” (03:57). Instances of violations include residents defying restrictions to return home, leading to confrontations with Israeli forces. Frayer notes, “The Israeli military confirms it has fired on people who have gone into this zone” (04:03), highlighting the fragile nature of the truce.

Destruction and Rebuilding Efforts

As displaced Lebanese make their way back, they encounter significant destruction. In Nabatiya, Frayer observes, “Not a single building is still standing on the main street” (05:35). The devastation is palpable, with businesses like Hamada Mansour’s store, Mansoor Nuts, left in ruins after airstrikes. The presence of funerals underscores the human cost of the conflict, even amidst the ceasefire.

Implications for the Broader Region

The ceasefire’s impact extends beyond Lebanon’s borders. Frayer discusses the potential for this truce to influence ongoing conflicts, particularly Israel’s engagement in Gaza. “The hope is that all efforts now can go toward getting a similar truce with Hamas in Gaza” (07:17), suggesting a pathway to broader regional stability.

2. Record-Breaking Thanksgiving Travel Amid New Airline Regulations

As Thanksgiving approaches, NPR’s transportation correspondent Joel Rose reports on what is shaping up to be the busiest Thanksgiving for air travel in history. With a 6% increase over last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) forecasts that approximately 18 million passengers will pass through security checkpoints during the holiday week.

TSA Insights and Projections

Joel highlights TSA Administrator David Pikoski’s statement: “This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel” (08:34). Pikoski emphasizes the robust recovery of the U.S. airline industry post-pandemic, noting, “The 10 busiest days ever in the history of the TSA have happened this year” (08:48).

New Department of Transportation Rules

Amidst the surge in travel, new regulations aimed at enhancing consumer protections have been introduced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) under Secretary Pete Buttigieg. These rules mandate that airlines provide automatic cash refunds instead of travel vouchers for canceled or significantly delayed flights. Chris Damon, speaking on behalf of the DOT, states, “The passenger protections we have put in place deservedly enjoy broad public, bipartisan support” (09:55).

Airline Industry’s Response

However, the airline industry has expressed concerns regarding these regulations. Delta CEO Ed Bastian conveyed frustration over perceived regulatory overreach: “We were quite frustrated with the amount of regulatory overreach that we saw continuously through the last four years” (10:25). This sentiment is compounded by ongoing challenges within the aviation system, including a critical shortage of air traffic controllers, which Joel notes is causing significant delays at major hubs like Newark, New Jersey (10:54).

Looking Ahead

With the upcoming Trump administration, there is uncertainty about the future of these consumer protections. Joel points out that airlines are hopeful for a more business-friendly regulatory environment, which could influence the DOT’s policies moving forward.

3. Holiday Health Tip: Benefits of a Post-Meal Walk

NPR’s health correspondent Maria Godoy provides valuable advice for maintaining health during the holiday season. She discusses the benefits of taking a walk after meals, a practice historically known as “constitutionals,” which can enhance digestion and regulate blood sugar levels.

Health Benefits of Walking After Meals

Walking post-meal helps in several ways. Dr. Chris Damon explains, “When we move our muscles, they become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream” (13:02). This process helps to blunt sugar spikes, reducing the need for insulin production and lowering the risk of diabetes over time.

Practical Tips for Incorporating Walks

Maria advises that even short walks can be beneficial: “Research shows just two to five minutes can help regulate your blood sugar” (13:28). For those facing inclement weather, she suggests alternative methods such as marching in place or walking upstairs to stay active without stepping outside.

Adapting to the Holiday Season

Acknowledging the challenges posed by colder weather, Maria encourages listeners to remain active indoors, emphasizing that any movement can contribute to better health: “You don't have to go outside. You don't even have to pause Netflix. Wave your arms and legs, walk upstairs, walk” (14:10).

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR’s Up First effectively navigates through pressing global issues, seasonal travel dynamics, and personal health tips, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the day’s most important stories. By combining on-the-ground reporting, expert insights, and practical advice, the episode serves as a valuable resource for staying informed and healthy during the holiday season.

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Notable Quotes:

• Lauren Frayer on ceasefire confrontations (04:03): “The Israeli military confirms it has fired on people who have gone into this zone.”

• David Pikoski on Thanksgiving travel (08:34): “This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel.”

• Chris Damon on passenger protections (09:55): “The passenger protections we have put in place deservedly enjoy broad public, bipartisan support.”

• Ed Bastian on regulatory overreach (10:25): “We were quite frustrated with the amount of regulatory overreach that we saw continuously through the last four years.”

• Dr. Chris Damon on walking benefits (13:02): “When we move our muscles, they become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream.”

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Produced by: Rob Schmitz, NPR
Edited by: Diedrich Schenke, Russell Lewis, Jane Greenhalsch, Lisa Thompson, Mohammed Elbardisi
Produced by: Adam Beern, Ziad Bach, Nia Dumas, Lily Quiros
Engineering Support: Ted Meebane
Technical Director: Carly Strange

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For more detailed insights and ongoing coverage, subscribe to NPR’s Up First or visit npr.org/upfirst.

Transcript

[Rob Schmitz]

Hi, it's Rob Schmitz. A quick word this Thanksgiving morning. First off, thank you for spending it with us. Listeners like you make up first and everything you hear from NPR possible. NPR is public media. That means we're here to serve you, and we're here because of you. But we also know it takes time and energy to follow the news. That's why we work hard every day to make up first, as smart and as brief as we can to help you understand the world's biggest stories, fact check information and provide context. And an extra special thank you. If you you support our work either with a donation to your local station or through npr, your generosity fuels one of the most trusted news sources in America today. And if you haven't made the leap to contributing yet, it's easier and more rewarding now than it's ever been. With the new NPR plus bundle, you can support us and get perks like sponsor free listening and bonus episodes across more than 25 NPR podcasts. Join us at plus.npr.org that's plus.npr.org that link is in our episode notes. Okay, onto the show as a ceasefire to suspend fighting between Israel and Hezbollah appears to be holding. Thousands of displaced Lebanese are returning home, but after months of devastating attacks, will they recognize what they find? I'm Rob Schmitz, and this is up first from NPR News. Chances are you've heard this before.

[David Pikoski]

This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel between new.

[Rob Schmitz]

Rules for airlines and long security lines. We've got you covered with what to keep in mind if you're heading to the airport and whether or not you'll be hitting the pavement for a turkey trot. Don't forget to also take a little post turkey walk.

[Chris Damon]

When we move our muscles, they become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream.

[Rob Schmitz]

More on the science behind the after meal constitutional. Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[Ed Bastian]

This message comes from Capital One offering their cash back rewards card, Quicksilver earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase everywhere. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capital1.com for details. This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com upfirst.

[N/A]

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[Ed Bastian]

Growing a business means a lot of audience attracting, lead scoring and long days. But with HubSpot, it's easier than ever for marketers to remix content, boost leads, and score customers fast. Learn [e-mail] marketers tens of thousands of.

[Rob Schmitz]

Lebanese are returning to the country south, where they're discovering entire villages that have been destroyed by the fighting with Israel. A ceasefire has halted the fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah militants, and under the agreement, both sides now have 60 days to withdraw to their respective borders. So civilians are being warned to stay away from certain areas to avoid possible confrontations. With Me now is NPR's Lauren Frayer, who visited some of those border areas yesterday and is now in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Good morning, Lauren.

[Lauren Frayer]

LAUREN Good morning.

[Rob Schmitz]

So first we're a day into this ceasefire. I'm curious, were there any confrontations yet?

[Lauren Frayer]

There have been. Today the Israeli military issued A map of 10 border villages where it says civilians are prohibited from going, even if they're residents going home. But people have been going home nevertheless and posting video of themselves with Israeli tanks in their villages. The Israeli military confirms it has fired on people who have gone into this zone. It accuses them of violating the conditions of this ceasef. A handful of people have been wounded by either tank or gunfire in different areas in different incidents, including journalists who say they too were shot at by Israeli soldiers. Incidentally, there's also been a lot of celebratory gunfire, which in itself is dangerous and could certainly lead to misunderstandings. So there have been several incidents, but so far they don't appear to be jeopardizing the wider ceasefire agreement.

[Rob Schmitz]

Okay, so remind us of what that agreement actually says. What are the terms of the ceasefire?

[Lauren Frayer]

So this is a 60 day truce. Within that time, Israeli troops have to withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah has to withdraw its fighters and weapons from a zone close to the Israeli border. The Lebanese army is moving in alongside UN peacekeepers and those movements are underway. At one point yesterday I was at a gas station in southern Lebanon and someone told me, take a right, not a left up here because Hezbollah is moving some of its weapons around the corner Whoa.

[Rob Schmitz]

I mean, what else did you see in southern Lebanon? This is an area that journalists have had difficulty reaching until yesterday because of Israeli airstrikes and ground fighting with Hezbollah.

[Chris Damon]

Yeah.

[Lauren Frayer]

So I drove south from Beirut where the mood has been jubilant here. People celebrating the ceasefire, piling into cars, heading home, singing victory songs. And as I drove south, the destruction became more and more apparent and the mood became more so. I saw a lot of buildings burned, destroyed. I saw a crater the size of a swimming pool on a promenade along the Mediterranean coast. And then I headed inland to the city of Nabatiya, where not a single building is still standing on the main street. In town, I met a business owner named Hamada Mansour. He showed me what's left of his store called Mansoor Nuts. He sells nuts and dried fruit. And here he is taking me through the destruction. Glasses broken here?

[Rob Schmitz]

Yes.

[Joel Rose]

And Monique, shop order.

[Lauren Frayer]

Did a strike hit here? He said an Israeli airstrike hit right across the street from his shop and destroyed everything for a block in either direction. I also saw a funeral underway in a cemetery in Nabatiya, presumably for what we hope will be one of the last victims of fighting there.

[Rob Schmitz]

What's the situation on the Israeli side of the border?

[Lauren Frayer]

So while there's been this rush back to homes on the Lebanese side, there has been no similar rush on the Israeli side. The Israeli government says there will be a one or two month period of rebuilding before people will return. Many local mayors on the Israeli side opposed this ceasefire agreement. They thought it was a bad deal. They still feel unsafe. They're worried about the resumption of Hezbollah rocket fire or worse.

[Rob Schmitz]

So finally, Lauren, what does a cease fire with Lebanon mean for the other war that Israel is fighting in Gaza?

[Lauren Frayer]

I mean, the hope is that all efforts now can go toward getting a similar truce with Hamas in Gaza. Israel is staying hush about today that an Egyptian delegation is there trying to kickstart ceasefire talks for Gaza. And we'll be watching those.

[Rob Schmitz]

That's NPR's Lauren Fr in Beirut. Thanks, Lauren.

[Lauren Frayer]

You're welcome. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Rob Schmitz]

Happy Thanksgiving to you. This Thanksgiving holiday is expected to be the busiest ever for air travel. And that's not all that's different this year. There are also new rules in place about how airlines have to treat their customers. But it's not clear if those rules will survive or if the incoming Trump administration will try to roll them back. Joel Rose is NPR's transportation correspondent. He joins us now with more. Hey, Joel.

[Joel Rose]

Hey, Rob.

[Rob Schmitz]

So, Joel, I feel like we say busiest ever Every year around this time of year. You know, put these numbers into context for us. How big is the Thanksgiving rush this year?

[Joel Rose]

Well, the TSA, the Transportation Security Administration, is forecasting that 18 million people will pass through its checkpoints this week. That is a 6% increase over last year. And that's on top of what has already been a record setting year for the tsa. Here's Administrator David Pikoski at a recent press conference.

[David Pikoski]

This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel. That's not a surprise given the incredible recovery in air travel in the United States since the pandemic.

[Joel Rose]

Picoski says the 10 busiest days ever in the history of the TSA have happened this year.

[Rob Schmitz]

Oh, wow.

[Joel Rose]

Yeah. And I think it's easy to forget, you know, how precarious things were just a couple years ago. There were questions about how quickly the airline industry would rebound from the pandemic. Clearly, that demand to fly is back.

[Rob Schmitz]

So at the same time, there are some new rules that airlines have to follow. What are they?

[Joel Rose]

Yeah, there's been a real push at the Department of Transportation with Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the helm to pass new rules that are aimed at protecting consumers, particularly after the big winter holiday meltdown back in 2022. The department issued a record fine to Southwest Airlines over that incident. And since then, it has pushed for other rules about how airlines have to treat their customers, for example, requiring airlines to automatically provide cash refund refunds instead of travel vouchers for flights that are canceled or seriously delayed. And Buttigieg argues that these rules are popular.

[Chris Damon]

The passenger protections we have put in place deservedly enjoy broad public, bipartisan support. The feedback we've gotten from the public has been universally supportive. I just don't run into a lot of people who are against the idea that you ought to get an automatic refund without any hassle.

[Joel Rose]

And Buttigieg says, you know, he hopes that these rules will be durable.

[Rob Schmitz]

So what about the airlines? What are they saying?

[Joel Rose]

The industry has already fought some of these new rules in court and it has had some success, for example, suing to block a rule that would have required greater transparency from the airlines about the fees that they charge. Several airline CEOs have already expressed the hope that DOT will be more pro business when President Elect Trump returns to office next year. Here's Ed Bastian, the head of Delta, speaking to Bloomberg earlier this month.

[David Pikoski]

We were quite frustrated with the amount of regulatory overreach that we saw continuously through the last four years. And we hope there's a new sentiment that's pro employee, pro consumer, pro business, and a good balance between the three.

[Joel Rose]

It's not clear exactly what kind of regulatory overreach bastion is talking about here, but we should note the DOT is conducting an investigation of Delta, which canceled more than 5,000 flights after a technology outage back in July.

[Rob Schmitz]

So, Joel, I'm curious, how is the aviation system keeping up with this record demand?

[Joel Rose]

There are signs of strain. I mean, there is still a shortage of air traffic controllers. It is so acute in some places that it is causing delays in the system. Newark, New Jersey, for example. United Airlines, which has a hub there, has complained about significant delays this month. Federal Aviation Administration has acknowledged that problem and says it's working to hire more controllers. But that's going to take a while, and airlines will likely continue to push on this as a priority during the Trump administration.

[Rob Schmitz]

NPR's Joel Rose, thank you.

[Joel Rose]

You're welcome.

[Rob Schmitz]

It is Thanksgiving, which probably means a very big meal is in your immediate future. But when you've finished feasting, instead of rolling from the table to the television, consider taking a walk. NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy is here to explain why. Good morning, Maria.

[Maria Godoy]

Good morning, Rob, and Happy Thanksgiving.

[Rob Schmitz]

Happy Thanksgiving to you. So a lot of people do the turkey trot before the big meal. So are you telling me we should be doing one after the big meal as well?

[Maria Godoy]

Yeah. So exercise is always a good idea, but we're talking specifically about walking after meals, which has specific benefits for your gut and your blood sugar. And it's actually something people have done for centuries. They were once called constitutionals.

[Rob Schmitz]

I assume that refers to inner constitution, these constitutionals. What are the specific benefits of a constitutional?

[Maria Godoy]

So, for starters, when you walk, you jumpstart digestion and basically it gets things moving in your gut and you know, it can help clear the air. And this is actually one reason why we're talking about it.

[Lauren Frayer]

Now.

[Maria Godoy]

The idea has gone Viral recently on TikTok as a fart walk. But really there's a lot more to it than that.

[Rob Schmitz]

Okay, you just said fart walk on npr. In the spirit of moving this conversation forward, I'm going to ask you to tell us more, Maria.

[Maria Godoy]

Yeah, so actually the big benefit is for your blood sugar. When you eat, your body converts food into glucose and that sugar is going to flood your bloodstream. But when you walk, it can blunt that Sugar Spike. Here's Dr. Chris Damon. He's a gastroenterologist and professor at the University of Washington.

[Chris Damon]

When we move our muscles, they become sponges for the blood glucose that our gut is absorbing into the bloodstream. And so it basically just pulls all that glucose out of the blood and into the muscles.

[Maria Godoy]

And, you know, that means your body doesn't have to make as much insulin to clear that sugar, which is good because then your pancreas doesn't have to work as hard to make insulin. And over time, that can lower your risk of diabetes.

[Rob Schmitz]

That's interesting. So how long do I have to walk before I can watch the big game?

[Maria Godoy]

Not long at all. Research shows just two to five minutes can help regulate your blood sugar, although longer is better. You want to head out within about a half hour after eating. So as you're digesting and that sugar is hitting your bloodstream, your muscles can use it up right away. And this is great to do after any meal, but especially after dinner. It tends to be our biggest meal. And our bodies produce less insulin at night. So it's kind of a double whammy of more sugar hitting your bloodstream and less insulin to help clear it. A walk can counteract that.

[Rob Schmitz]

Okay. I am reminded here that it is November, and in a lot of places, it's cold, dark, maybe even wet or snowy.

[Maria Godoy]

Yeah. Well, you don't actually have to go outside. You don't even have to pause Netflix. Loretta DiPietro is an exercise researcher at George Washington University, and she says just move at home when you're watching television, stand up during commercials and march in place. Wave your arms and legs, walk upstairs, walk.

[Lauren Frayer]

Those muscle contractions will help store the glucose.

[Rob Schmitz]

Yeah, because who doesn't march in place and wave their arms during commercials? Right?

[Maria Godoy]

I literally do this. I do.

[Rob Schmitz]

All right. Well, that is NPR's health correspondent, Maria Godoy. Thanks, Maria, and happy Thanksgiving.

[Maria Godoy]

Happy Thanksgiving. And my pleasure.

[Rob Schmitz]

And that's up first for Thursday, November 28th. I'm Rob Schmitz. While I still have you, don't forget, there's still time to take our audience survey. Your feedback will help us make this podcast better for you, gives you a chance to tell us more about what you like or don't like. Go to npr.org upfirstsurvey. Today's episode of up first was edited by Diedrich Schenke, Russell Lewis, Jane Greenhalsch, Lisa Thompson, and Mohammed Elbardisi. It was produced by Adam Beern, Ziad Bach, Nia Dumas, and Lily Quiros. We get engineering support from Ted Meebane, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us again tomorrow. And happy Thanksgiving. Gobble, gobble.

[Ed Bastian]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want. To customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial [e-mail] NPR this message comes from Bombas. Their slippers are designed with cushioning so every step feels marshmallowy soft. Plus for every item purchased, Bombas donates to someone in need, go to bombas.com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off your first order. This message comes from Bombas. Their slippers are designed with cushioning so every step feels marshmallowy soft. Plus for every item purchased Bombas donates to someone in need, go to bombas.com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off your first order.