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Aleppo, John Glenn, Donald Trump: Your Friday Briefing Aleppo, John Glenn, Donald Trump: Your Friday Briefing
(35 minutes later)
Good morning.Good morning.
Here’s what you need to know:Here’s what you need to know:
• Germany could become the next focus of Russia’s campaign to destabilize Western democracies as national elections approach next year, German officials said in the wake of a series of online attacks.• Germany could become the next focus of Russia’s campaign to destabilize Western democracies as national elections approach next year, German officials said in the wake of a series of online attacks.
“A kind of pressure is being exercised on public discourse and democracy here, which is unacceptable,” the country’s spy chief said.“A kind of pressure is being exercised on public discourse and democracy here, which is unacceptable,” the country’s spy chief said.
And ThyssenKrupp, the German steel conglomerate, said it was the victim of a “massive cyberattack” by hackers in Southeast Asia, in which trade secrets were stolen.And ThyssenKrupp, the German steel conglomerate, said it was the victim of a “massive cyberattack” by hackers in Southeast Asia, in which trade secrets were stolen.
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• Russian officials said that the Syrian Army had stopped combat operations in Aleppo to evacuate civilians. But residents said that they could hear drones and tank fire and that they feared government forces were closing in on the remaining few neighborhoods held by rebels.• Russian officials said that the Syrian Army had stopped combat operations in Aleppo to evacuate civilians. But residents said that they could hear drones and tank fire and that they feared government forces were closing in on the remaining few neighborhoods held by rebels.
Meanwhile, an early foreign policy adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump is in Moscow for talks with “business leaders and thought leaders.”Meanwhile, an early foreign policy adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump is in Moscow for talks with “business leaders and thought leaders.”
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• In the U.S., Mr. Trump is considering turning over his company to his two adult sons, but he is planning to resist calls to divest.• In the U.S., Mr. Trump is considering turning over his company to his two adult sons, but he is planning to resist calls to divest.
The president-elect named Andrew F. Puzder, a fast-food executive, as secretary of labor. Mr. Puzder has opposed expanding overtime and raising the minimum wage.The president-elect named Andrew F. Puzder, a fast-food executive, as secretary of labor. Mr. Puzder has opposed expanding overtime and raising the minimum wage.
Here’s the latest on the transition.Here’s the latest on the transition.
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• Alexis Tsipras, the prime minister of Greece, announced handouts to pensioners and island residents in a televised speech after strikes and protests disrupted public services yesterday.• Alexis Tsipras, the prime minister of Greece, announced handouts to pensioners and island residents in a televised speech after strikes and protests disrupted public services yesterday.
Bailout negotiators are expected to return to Athens next week, with a possible deal by the end of the month on the terms of coming debt relief payment.Bailout negotiators are expected to return to Athens next week, with a possible deal by the end of the month on the terms of coming debt relief payment.
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• Jérôme Cahuzac, a former French budget minister who led efforts to crack down on tax cheats, was convicted of tax fraud and money laundering.• Jérôme Cahuzac, a former French budget minister who led efforts to crack down on tax cheats, was convicted of tax fraud and money laundering.
Separately, McDonald’s said it would move its tax base to Britain from Luxembourg in the face of a European Union inquiry into the food chain’s tax arrangements there.Separately, McDonald’s said it would move its tax base to Britain from Luxembourg in the face of a European Union inquiry into the food chain’s tax arrangements there.
• European Union officials threatened to sue Britain, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain for allowing Volkswagen and other carmakers to sell vehicles that were built to cheat on emissions tests.• European Union officials threatened to sue Britain, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain for allowing Volkswagen and other carmakers to sell vehicles that were built to cheat on emissions tests.
• Iran is rushing to complete oil deals with European energy companies.• Iran is rushing to complete oil deals with European energy companies.
• Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. There are ample reasons to be skeptical that the deal, the biggest by far in Microsoft’s history, will pay off.• Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. There are ample reasons to be skeptical that the deal, the biggest by far in Microsoft’s history, will pay off.
• Airbnb has faced regulatory battles in cities around the world. But New Orleans was able to gain concessions from the company that few other towns have received.• Airbnb has faced regulatory battles in cities around the world. But New Orleans was able to gain concessions from the company that few other towns have received.
• The gadget age is over, our tech columnist writes, and it could make life a lot less fun.• The gadget age is over, our tech columnist writes, and it could make life a lot less fun.
• U.S. stocks closed at record highs. Here’s a global snapshot.• U.S. stocks closed at record highs. Here’s a global snapshot.
• John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, died on Thursday. He was 95. [The New York Times]• John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, died on Thursday. He was 95. [The New York Times]
• Hundreds of police officers in Britain have used their power to sexually abuse vulnerable people, according to a new watchdog report. [The New York Times]• Hundreds of police officers in Britain have used their power to sexually abuse vulnerable people, according to a new watchdog report. [The New York Times]
• A Dutch court is expected to rule in the hate-speech trial of Geert Wilders, a far-right lawmaker, today. [Agence France-Presse]• A Dutch court is expected to rule in the hate-speech trial of Geert Wilders, a far-right lawmaker, today. [Agence France-Presse]
• In Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, a former prime minister who resigned in January over a wiretapping scandal, looks set for a comeback in Sunday’s elections. [Reuters]• In Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, a former prime minister who resigned in January over a wiretapping scandal, looks set for a comeback in Sunday’s elections. [Reuters]
• Elections in Romania could lead to a victory for the Social Democratic Party, a year after its government resigned in the face of street protests. [Reuters]• Elections in Romania could lead to a victory for the Social Democratic Party, a year after its government resigned in the face of street protests. [Reuters]
• Britain’s government said Boris Johnson, the country’s top diplomat, was not representing its position when he publicly chastised Saudi Arabia for destabilizing the Middle East. [The New York Times]• Britain’s government said Boris Johnson, the country’s top diplomat, was not representing its position when he publicly chastised Saudi Arabia for destabilizing the Middle East. [The New York Times]
• The Danish Medical Association has recommended ending circumcisions for boys, saying the procedure should be “an informed personal choice.” [The New York Times]• The Danish Medical Association has recommended ending circumcisions for boys, saying the procedure should be “an informed personal choice.” [The New York Times]
• Medical officials in Moscow fear the Russian capital’s 12 million residents could soon be left with only three mental hospitals. [Moscow Times]• Medical officials in Moscow fear the Russian capital’s 12 million residents could soon be left with only three mental hospitals. [Moscow Times]
• Our daily 360 video takes you aboard the Bourbon Argos as it conducts its final rescue mission of the year, aiding African migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.• Our daily 360 video takes you aboard the Bourbon Argos as it conducts its final rescue mission of the year, aiding African migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
• A South African sailor and big-wave surfer has set off on a four-month journey to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a stand-up paddleboard.
• The recovery of a woman with advanced colon cancer, after treatment with cells from her own immune system, may help doctors develop new treatments for other patients.• The recovery of a woman with advanced colon cancer, after treatment with cells from her own immune system, may help doctors develop new treatments for other patients.
• The giraffe is threatened with extinction because of illegal hunting and loss of habitat. Only 97,600 are left.• The giraffe is threatened with extinction because of illegal hunting and loss of habitat. Only 97,600 are left.
• Taylor Swift surprised fans by releasing her first single since 2014.
• Pantone 15-0343, a “yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring,” is the Color of the Year for 2017.• Pantone 15-0343, a “yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring,” is the Color of the Year for 2017.
• And here’s how the internet helped save a small southern Italian town.• And here’s how the internet helped save a small southern Italian town.
On this day in 1917, the First World War was entrenched in some of its darkest days. The Allies were in a stalemate on the Western Front, and good news was in short supply.On this day in 1917, the First World War was entrenched in some of its darkest days. The Allies were in a stalemate on the Western Front, and good news was in short supply.
So it was a huge morale booster for the Allies when Turkish forces surrendered the holy city of Jerusalem to Gen. Edmund Allenby of Britain.So it was a huge morale booster for the Allies when Turkish forces surrendered the holy city of Jerusalem to Gen. Edmund Allenby of Britain.
Prime Minister David Lloyd George called it “a Christmas present for the British people.” The New York Herald’s front page proclaimed: “Jerusalem is rescued by British after 673 years of Moslem Rule.”Prime Minister David Lloyd George called it “a Christmas present for the British people.” The New York Herald’s front page proclaimed: “Jerusalem is rescued by British after 673 years of Moslem Rule.”
Jews in the city, inspired a month earlier by Britain’s Balfour Declaration in support of a Jewish homeland, rejoiced. Some Arabs, many of whom had been conscripted by the Ottomans, danced in the streets.Jews in the city, inspired a month earlier by Britain’s Balfour Declaration in support of a Jewish homeland, rejoiced. Some Arabs, many of whom had been conscripted by the Ottomans, danced in the streets.
Two more details:Two more details:
When General Allenby entered the Old City, he did so on foot and unfurled no flags, in a sign of respect. He also deployed Muslim troops to ease sectarian tension.When General Allenby entered the Old City, he did so on foot and unfurled no flags, in a sign of respect. He also deployed Muslim troops to ease sectarian tension.
Until he arrived, the mayor of Jerusalem had been scrambling to find a British official to whom he could cede control. An army cook who got lost while looking for food was initially asked.Until he arrived, the mayor of Jerusalem had been scrambling to find a British official to whom he could cede control. An army cook who got lost while looking for food was initially asked.
He declined, saying “I don’t want the city; I want eggs.”He declined, saying “I don’t want the city; I want eggs.”
Charles McDermid contributed reporting.Charles McDermid contributed reporting.
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Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings.Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings.
What would you like to see here? Contact us at europebriefing@nytimes.com.What would you like to see here? Contact us at europebriefing@nytimes.com.