Syrian rebels reach the heart of Aleppo

Weekend Briefing

From Reuters Daily Briefing

By Robert MacMillan, Reuters.com Weekend Editor

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Syrian rebels reach the heart of Aleppo

REUTERS/Mahmoud Hasano

Surprise: Syrian authorities closed Aleppo airport and canceled all flights as rebels opposed to President Bashar al-Assad said they reached the heart of the city. They are returning for the first time since 2016, when Assad and Russia, Iran and regional Shi'ite militias retook it. The Syrian military said dozens of its troops were killed.
And in Ukraine: Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged his NATO counterparts to issue an invitation to Kyiv at a meeting in Brussels next week to join the alliance. Ukraine replaced its land-forces chief for the second time this year. The U.S. urged Ukraine to lower the draft age to 18. Ukraine responded by saying quicker delivery of military aid was more important. Russia attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure again, and U.S. sources downplayed Vladimir Putin's talk of nuclear war.

From Armageddon to ceasefire

Lebanon: The deal that ended a barrage of Israeli airstrikes and led to a shaky peace took shape over weeks of talks. Hezbollah's chief said he would work with the Lebanese army to implement the deal. Paris' critical role in the negotiations was nearly upended after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant.
Gaza and the West Bank: Israeli strikes killed at least 40 Palestinians over Thursday night and Friday. The war in Gaza looks like it will continue. Women and children in Gaza are scavenging through trash for food. The Biden administration is pushing ahead with a $680 million arms package for Israel.

Deporting the hand that feeds you

Not tasty: U.S. farm-industry groups want Donald Trump to spare their sector from his promise of mass deportations once he becomes president. Nearly half of the nation's farm workers lack legal status. Trump's threats of tariffs on Canada and Mexico are causing much ruffling of feathers. That includes the oil market. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday.
No sugar tonight: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on the record about opposing fluoride in U.S. public water supplies. He's also no fan of sugar in processed foods, including in Twinkies.

How will Australia enforce its social media ban for teenagers?

Not sharing is caring: Australia must figure out how to make its historic ban on social media for children aged less than 16 work. The study being undertaken by experts it hired likely will set the course for lawmakers and tech platforms around the world as they try to restrict social media at a time of growing concern about children's mental health and data collection.
Business roundup: Walt Disney Co. agreed to pay more than $43 million to settle a lawsuit that says its female employees in California earned $150 million less than their male counterparts over eight years. Macy's delayed its quarterly financial results after finding that an employee hid as much as $154 million in expenses over years. I told you last week that Hennessy's French employees protested a plan to send cognac to China for bottling. That plan is off for now. Speaking of cognac, Remy Cointreau isn't having such a hot time either.

Before I forget…

- Vladimir Putin denied that he tried to frighten Angela Merkel with his dog, as the former German chancellor recounted in her memoir.
- The Vatican will consider classifying spiritual abuse as a Catholic crime. Parliament backed a new bill to allow assisted dying in England and Wales.
- An explosion in Kosovo hit a canal that sends water to its two main power plants. Pristina labeled it a "terrorist act" by Serbia, which denied the charge.
- Talks to rein in plastics pollution might fail to produce a manifesto on curbing plastics production.
- Chile's leftist government has sought to prioritize issues around women's rights. Now President Gabriel Boric faces a criminal sexual-harassment complaint. A senior member of his cabinet faces a rape allegation.
- Sinn Fein showed up strong in Ireland's general elections, but its center-right rivals look set to garner enough votes to govern without it. Voters might topple Iceland's ruling coalition as they try to escape a cost-of-living crisis.
- "It was an exceptional renovation project." Those are the words of Samir Abbas, a stone carver who along with 1,300 workers restored Notre Dame after fire gutted the historic Parisian cathedral more than five years ago. It reopens this coming week.

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