NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-25-2024 4PM EST

Episode Date: December 25, 2024

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Biden delivered his annual Christmas Day message to the nation today. In a video address, the president urged Americans to come together to reflect and unite. From the Biden family, we wish you and your family peace, joy, health and happiness. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and may God protect our troops. President-elect Donald Trump offered a holiday greeting and a series of politically focused social media posts. The national menorah lighting is taking place in front of the White House this afternoon,

marking the first night of Hanukkah. NPR's Jason DeRose reports Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be among those attending the ceremony. Jason DeRose Prior to the menorah lighting on the ellipse, there's a short concert featuring, among others, the musical group The Three Cantors and the Jewish pop rock group The Eighth Day. darkness set fires to burn up the night tell every tell all your stories be a miracle of light this is the 46th annual national menorah lighting it's sponsored privately by habad the celebration also includes dancing dreidels and readings by winners of the what hanukkah means to me

essay contest for those who can't make it to the event in person, the National Menorah Lighting is also being live-streamed. Jason DeRose, NPR News. Millions of people around the world are marking Christmas today. Thousands of Christian faithful filled St. Peter's Square, where Pope Francis delivered his annual Christmas Day address. The Pope's message marks the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that's expected to bring more than 30 million people to Rome. Christians in Syria are celebrating their first Christmas after the fall of the Assad regime. NPR's Diya Hadid reports, for many, it's a time of uncertainty.

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-Sharah, 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. Diya Hadid, NPR News, Damascus.

Wall Street is closed for the Christmas holiday. Stocks resume trading tomorrow. This is NPR. King Charles dedicated his Christmas address to the British medical workers who took care of him and his daughter-in-law, Princess Catherine, during their treatments for cancer. The King spoke from the chapel of a former hospital in central London today, which is now used for community purposes. New data shows fewer 18-year-olds enrolled in college this fall. NPR's Johnnika Mehta reports the analysis comes after the Department of Education delayed its rollout of the Federal Financial Aid Form, or FASFA.

Five percent fewer 18-year-old freshmen enrolled in college this fall compared to last fall. That's according to data analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Some experts say the decline has to do with the disastrous rollout of the FAFSA last year. That's the financial aid form that allows students to get money from the federal government to go to college. Others say the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to ban affirmative action contributed. This drop in enrollment was seen widely across the country in 46 states. But the school year is only part way over, so colleges still have time to make up lost ground.

Janaki Mehta and PR News. JANAKI METHA, PR NEWS ANCHOR, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, PR NEWSPORT, be returned to the United States. Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside of the U.S. embassy, saying Trump should leave

the canal alone. The former president says Panama charges the U.S. too much to use the waterway. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.