By Katia Hetter, CNN

(CNN) — The holidays are here, which means you’re probably thinking about gifts — what to buy, whom to give to and how much to spend. Gift-giving is often framed as a source of stress and obligation, but a growing body of research suggests there may also be something beneficial about giving itself.

I have wondered if science supports the idea that it’s better to give than receive, and if so, are there measurable health effects? Does it matter how you give, such as money versus time and big gestures versus small ones? And can giving ever backfire?

I turned to CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, counting on her for some good advice. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University who previously was Baltimore’s health commissioner. She is done with her holiday shopping for her family and friends.

CNN: Does science really back up the idea that it’s better to give than receive?

Dr. Leana Wen: Science does support that idea, with some key caveats. Research from psychology, neuroscience and public health shows that prosocial behaviors such as giving time, money or support to others are associated with benefits to well-being.

That doesn’t mean that giving is always beneficial or that people should give at the expense of their own needs. But taken together, the evidence suggests that generosity can be good for both emotional and physical health.

CNN: What kinds of health benefits have researchers found?

Wen: A wealth of research links giving and helping behaviors to better mental well-being, including lower rates of depression and anxiety and higher life satisfaction. Surprisingly, the effects also go beyond mental health: Researchers have found associations between prosocial behavior and lower stress hormones, reduced inflammation, better cardiovascular outcomes and longer lifespan.

Notably, a large 2023 JAMA Network Open review looked at 30 studies involving prosocial interventions, which include acts of kindness, charitable giving, community volunteering and helping behaviors. Researchers found improvements in mental well-being, lower depression scores, physical activity and even blood test results

CNN: How does giving affect the brain and body?

Wen: Giving activates reward p

CNN

By Katia Hetter, CNN

(CNN) — The holidays are here, which means you’re probably thinking about gifts — what to buy, whom to give to and how much to spend. Gift-giving is often framed as a source of stress and obligation, but a growing body of research suggests there may also be something beneficial about giving itself.

I have wondered if science supports the idea that it’s better to give than receive, and if so, are there measurable health effects? Does it matter how you give, such as money versus time and big gestures versus small ones? And can giving ever backfire?

I turned to CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, counting on her for some good advice. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University who previously was Baltimore’s health commissioner. She is done with her holiday shopping for her family and friends.

CNN: Does science really back up the idea that it’s better to give than receive?

Dr. Leana Wen: Science does support that idea, with some key caveats. Research from psychology, neuroscience and public health shows that prosocial behaviors such as giving time, money or support to others are associated with benefits to well-being.

That doesn’t mean that giving is always beneficial or that people should give at the expense of their own needs. But taken together, the evidence suggests that generosity can be good for both emotional and physical health.

CNN: What kinds of health benefits have researchers found?

Wen: A wealth of research links giving and helping behaviors to better mental well-being, including lower rates of depression and anxiety and higher life satisfaction. Surprisingly, the effects also go beyond mental health: Researchers have found associations between prosocial behavior and lower stress hormones, reduced inflammation, better cardiovascular outcomes and longer lifespan.

Notably, a large 2023 JAMA Network Open review looked at 30 studies involving prosocial interventions, which include acts of kindness, charitable g

By Tareq El-Hilou, Abeer Salman, Ibrahim Dahman, Sana Noor Haq, CNN

(CNN) — The most senior Catholic cleric in the Holy Land urged Palestinians “not just to survive” but to “rebuild life” in Gaza as he led Christmas Mass there on Sunday, against the backdrop of apocalyptic destruction and displacement.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, went to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City in his fourth trip to the Palestinian enclave after Israel launched its campaign there – and for the first time since a deadly Israeli strike on the parish in July.

“We are in a very precarious situation like many others in practically all of Gaza,” Pizzaballa told worshippers at the parish in a sermon on Sunday.

“We think that the powers of the world will decide our future. But then in reality, it is we the people here who will decide how to rebuild everything,” he said. “I encourage you, don’t lose your hope. Now, we are in a new phase of this situation, we have not just to survive, but also to rebuild life.

”In this new phase we have to bring the spirit of Christmas, the spirit of light, the spirit of tenderness, the spirit of growth,” added Pizzaballa. “Now it seems impossible, but after two years of terrible war, we are still here.”

Every day since October 2023, the late Pope Francis rang the Holy Family Church in Gaza City to speak to church leaders and some of the Palestinians staying in the parish, Father Gabriel Romanelli, previously told CNN.

The visit by Pizzaballa came as survival challenges persist for Palestinians in Gaza – more than two months after Israel and Hamas agreed to a US-led ceasefire. Israeli fire, severe aid restrictions, food insecurity and flash floods have exacerbated crises in the enclave.

At least 401 people have been killed since the ceasefire on October 11, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on Saturday. In total, 70,925 Palestinians have been killed and 171,185 people injured since October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other militant groups launched an attack on Israel, the health ministry said.

CNN footage from Gaza City on Sunday showed loud bells chiming over the parish, where a baby, Mario, was baptized to mark “new life” and “new hope,” according to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Red and gold baubles, green wreaths and ribbons were dotted around the Holy Family Church, and a tall Christmas tree draped in tinsel was erected in the corner.

George Bisan, an 11-year-old Palestinian, told CNN he is still shellshocked by the attack on the church, in July.

“When they shelled the church from above, many people were injured and died,” George said on Sunday. “My wish for the new year is to get out of here and meet my family abroad and for us to be at peace. … We want to live.”

‘The people of Gaza love life’

For other members of the Christian community, faith leaders’ trips to Gaza offer solace to Palestinians living under siege and bloodshed.

“The visits are considered a form of support and steadfastness for members of the community,” Ramez Al-Souri, who was displaced in Gaza City, told CNN on Sunday. “The people of Gaza love life and

Por Dan Heching, CNN

Bowen Yang se puso sentimental durante el último sketch del episodio del sábado de “Saturday Night Live”, que fue su último.

El nominado cinco veces al Emmy Primetime –quien confirmó a través de sus redes sociales más temprano ese sábado que se retiraba de “SNL” después de la transmisión– interpretó a un empleado del Delta Sky Club trabajando su último turno en el aeropuerto en Nochebuena, armado con una máquina de ponche de huevo descompuesta.

Varios miembros del elenco se acercaron a él haciéndose pasar por viajeros navideños, y pronto quedó claro que el sketch era un vehículo para despedir a Yang.

“Este es mi último turno. Es triste. Voy a extrañar todo de este lugar. Cómo huele”, les dijo a sus compañeros de elenco, incluido Andrew Dismukes.

“Las celebridades que pasan por aquí. Tan solo la semana pasada, Josh O’Connor pasó”, agregó Yang en tono de broma, en referencia al presentador de “SNL” de la semana anterior.

Poco después llamó a su anciana esposa en casa, que fue interpretada por la presentadora de este fin de semana, Ariana Grande, y más tarde se unieron tanto ella como la invitada musical de la noche, Cher, para una interpretación de “Please Come Home for Christmas”, de The Eagles.

En un momento, Yang se quebró al expresar su gratitud por su tiempo en el longevo programa de sketches de NBC.

“Me siento muy afortunado de haber podido trabajar aquí. Y solo quería disfrutarlo un poco más. Especialmente la gente. He querido a cada persona que trabaja aquí”, dijo entre lágrimas.

La salida de Yang a mitad de temporada sigue a la de varios otros miembros del elenco que anunciaron que se irían antes del inicio de la temporada 51, entre los que se incluyen Devon Walker, Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Emil Wakim y otros.

“SNL” regresará con un nuevo episodio el 17 de enero de 2026, con Finn Wolfhard, de “Stranger Things”, como presentador y A$AP Rocky como invitado musical.

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Por EFE

La guerrilla del Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) anunció este domingo un alto el fuego unilateral en toda Colombia durante las festividades navideñas y de fin de año, una decisión que contrasta con la escalada de ataques y de intimidación de los últimos días en distintas regiones del país.

“El Ejército de Liberación Nacional envía al pueblo colombiano un mensaje claro de paz declarando un cese unilateral el fuego (sic) para esta temporada de festividades navideñas y fin de año”, señaló esa guerrilla en un comunicado.

Se trata de una acción ya tradicional en esa guerrilla en estas fechas y que iniciará a las cero horas del 24 de diciembre y terminará a la misma hora del 3 de enero de 2026.

En el mismo comunicado, el ELN acusó a Estados Unidos de “desplegar sus tropas por el Caribe para amenazar, agredir y saquear a los pueblos y naciones” del continente, y volvió a señalar al país norteamericano como responsable de una supuesta escalada militar en la región.

La guerrilla ha justificado en ese contexto el paro armado de 72 horas que convocó la semana pasada, el cual derivó en cerca de un centenar de acciones de intimidación en al menos una decena de departamentos, lo que incluyó ataques con explosivos, hostigamientos a estaciones policiales, quema de vehículos y restricciones a la movilidad.

Durante esa protesta armada hubo víctimas mortales, entre ellas un conductor de ambulancia en Norte de Santander (noreste), mientras que las autoridades mantuvieron operaciones ofensivas contra el ELN en varias regiones del país.

El atentado más grave fue perpetrado el pasado jueves contra una base del Ejército en la localidad de Aguachica, en el departamento del Cesar (noreste), donde siete soldados murieron y 31 más quedaron heridos luego de que su campamento fuera atacado con explosivos lanzados desde drones.

El ELN atribuye estas acciones a una ofensiva estadounidense contra el narcotráfico en el Caribe y el Pacífico, intensificada desde agosto pasado, que según cifras oficiales de Washington ha dejado más de treinta embarcaciones hundidas y al menos un centenar de personas muertas en aguas internacionales cercanas a Colombia.

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