News Above the Noise—Week of December 8, 2024
1. What is Happening in Syria?
The Syrian Civil War between the long-standing government of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces and has been raging since 2011, claiming more than 500,000 Syrian lives. However, over the past two weeks, the situation on the ground has changed dramatically, as anti-Assad forces captured the country’s largest city, Aleppo and another strategic city, Hama. Early Sunday morning, rebel forces declared that the long-standing government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had fallen. To learn more about the background of the conflict and what it means for the entire Middle East and its allies, click here. For live updates on the rapidly developing situation in Syria, click here.
2. How Some Black Women are Processing the Grief of Kamala Harris’ Loss
November 6 was a hard day for all Kamala Harris supporters, but it hit no group harder than Black women, 90% of whom voted for Harris. NPR National Correspondent on Race and Identity Sandhya Dirks talked to several Black women who shared their anger, exhaustion, and fears as they process the loss and brace themselves for another Trump administration. Here’s how some are finding the strength to move forward. Read and listen at NPR.
3. Hate Exercising? You Can Still Boost Your Heart Health
If you’re punishing yourself for not getting to the gym, stop. A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine says that even short bursts of exercise in everyday life—such as carrying a load of laundry up the stairs or playing with your kids—can have a dramatic impact on women’s health, reducing the risk for heart failure and stroke. The key is to break up long periods of sedentary behavior with vigorous movement. Find out more at NBC News.
4. The 52 Definitive Rules of Flying
It’s the busiest travel season of the year. And you’ll be challenged with long security lines, overbooked flights, and seas of grumpy people. Some rules are obvious: don’t clip your fingernails at your seat. Some may be less so: don’t take your shoes off during your flight. Here’s how to behave like a model passenger, making the process easier and more enjoyable for yourself and everyone around you. Read more at The Washington Post.
Editor's Note: Every week, The Sunday Paper's team of journalists sift through the news to find what Rises Above the Noise, makes sense of what's happening in the world, and provides hope for your week to come. While we do our best to provide our own informative summary of each piece, some publications require their own subscriptions beyond our control.
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