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Syria, Israel, Davos: Your Wednesday Briefing Syria, Israel, Davos: Your Wednesday Briefing
(35 minutes later)
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)
Good morning.Good morning.
Here’s what you need to know:Here’s what you need to know:
• The U.S. accused Syria’s government of another chlorine gas attack on civilians and rebuked Russia for failing to stop such a war crime.• The U.S. accused Syria’s government of another chlorine gas attack on civilians and rebuked Russia for failing to stop such a war crime.
Separately, a strategic city, Manbij, is emerging as the ultimate target of the Turkish offensive into Kurdish-controlled territory in Syria.Separately, a strategic city, Manbij, is emerging as the ultimate target of the Turkish offensive into Kurdish-controlled territory in Syria.
An assault there could bring Turkish forces into direct conflict with American troops stationed there, with unpredictable results.An assault there could bring Turkish forces into direct conflict with American troops stationed there, with unpredictable results.
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• In the U.S., the special counsel inquiry into Russian meddling interviewed Jeff Sessions, the U.S. attorney general, last week, and James Comey, the former head of the F.B.I., last year.• In the U.S., the special counsel inquiry into Russian meddling interviewed Jeff Sessions, the U.S. attorney general, last week, and James Comey, the former head of the F.B.I., last year.
Also in Washington, Senate Democrats are seeing the government shutdown as a miscalculation on their part. But abandoning the strategy has drawn a fierce backlash from the left.Also in Washington, Senate Democrats are seeing the government shutdown as a miscalculation on their part. But abandoning the strategy has drawn a fierce backlash from the left.
(Here’s some of the best writing from across the American political spectrum on the shutdown.)(Here’s some of the best writing from across the American political spectrum on the shutdown.)
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• Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Israel buoyed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but will probably only briefly divert attention from Mr. Netanyahu’s domestic troubles.• Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Israel buoyed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but will probably only briefly divert attention from Mr. Netanyahu’s domestic troubles.
In this week’s Times Magazine, former Israeli intelligence officials took us inside the decades-long effort to kill the Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat.In this week’s Times Magazine, former Israeli intelligence officials took us inside the decades-long effort to kill the Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat.
They tell the story of how they failed and how far they almost went to succeed, including plans to down a commercial plane. (To this day, an argument rages over the cause of his death in 2004.)They tell the story of how they failed and how far they almost went to succeed, including plans to down a commercial plane. (To this day, an argument rages over the cause of his death in 2004.)
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• At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the fashion industry is having its moment with debates about sustainable manufacturing and clothing for the disabled.• At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the fashion industry is having its moment with debates about sustainable manufacturing and clothing for the disabled.
Above, Cate Blanchett, the actress, discussed migration with our columnist Nicholas Kristof. Elisabeth Bumiller, our Washington bureau chief, moderated a debate on changing gender dynamics.Above, Cate Blanchett, the actress, discussed migration with our columnist Nicholas Kristof. Elisabeth Bumiller, our Washington bureau chief, moderated a debate on changing gender dynamics.
Among today’s speakers are the leaders of France, Germany and Italy as well as the Spanish king and Google’s chief executive. President Trump is expected on Thursday.Among today’s speakers are the leaders of France, Germany and Italy as well as the Spanish king and Google’s chief executive. President Trump is expected on Thursday.
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• There were a few snubs and surprises at this year’s Oscar nominations. (For one, a woman got a first nod for cinematography.)• There were a few snubs and surprises at this year’s Oscar nominations. (For one, a woman got a first nod for cinematography.)
“The Shape of Water,” the art-house fantasy by Guillermo del Toro, led the pack with 13 nominations, including for best picture. “Dunkirk” was among the strong contenders.“The Shape of Water,” the art-house fantasy by Guillermo del Toro, led the pack with 13 nominations, including for best picture. “Dunkirk” was among the strong contenders.
Fill out our Oscar ballot here to see how your picks match other readers’ favorites.Fill out our Oscar ballot here to see how your picks match other readers’ favorites.
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• The generation that followed the millennials has started to move into the workplace. We’re just not sure yet what they should be called.• The generation that followed the millennials has started to move into the workplace. We’re just not sure yet what they should be called.
If you’re 22 or younger, please tell us what to call you and why. It could spare you a lifetime of enduring a bad label.If you’re 22 or younger, please tell us what to call you and why. It could spare you a lifetime of enduring a bad label.
• Just weeks after France’s labor overhaul went into effect, companies are taking advantage of new rules that make it easier to lay off workers. Other changes meant to cushion the blow haven’t yet been put in place.• Just weeks after France’s labor overhaul went into effect, companies are taking advantage of new rules that make it easier to lay off workers. Other changes meant to cushion the blow haven’t yet been put in place.
• A British regulator provisionally rejected 21st Century Fox’s bid to buy Sky, the satellite network long coveted by Rupert Murdoch. Britain’s culture minister has until May 1 to rule on the deal.• A British regulator provisionally rejected 21st Century Fox’s bid to buy Sky, the satellite network long coveted by Rupert Murdoch. Britain’s culture minister has until May 1 to rule on the deal.
• Tesla’s chief executive, Elon Musk, told our columnist about his radical compensation plan. If he doesn’t reach some steep milestones, he makes zero.• Tesla’s chief executive, Elon Musk, told our columnist about his radical compensation plan. If he doesn’t reach some steep milestones, he makes zero.
• Meet a private-jet broker for whom success is all about knowing who’s who in the world’s 0.0001 percent.• Meet a private-jet broker for whom success is all about knowing who’s who in the world’s 0.0001 percent.
• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.
• A shooting at a school in Kentucky was the worst of at least 11 such shootings in the U.S. so far in 2018: Two 15-year-old students were killed and 17 more people were wounded. [The New York Times]• A shooting at a school in Kentucky was the worst of at least 11 such shootings in the U.S. so far in 2018: Two 15-year-old students were killed and 17 more people were wounded. [The New York Times]
• Two car bombs killed at least 27 people outside a mosque in Benghazi, Libya. [Associated Press]• Two car bombs killed at least 27 people outside a mosque in Benghazi, Libya. [Associated Press]
• Across the Alps, heavy snowfall, followed by thaws and rain, has upended travel for thousands and led to evacuations. [The New York Times]• Across the Alps, heavy snowfall, followed by thaws and rain, has upended travel for thousands and led to evacuations. [The New York Times]
• British prosecutors said that the suspect in last year’s attack on a mosque in London had been in contact with far-right groups. [The New York Times]• British prosecutors said that the suspect in last year’s attack on a mosque in London had been in contact with far-right groups. [The New York Times]
• In Denmark, the inventor Peter Madsen is accused of having abused the journalist Kim Wall on board his submarine before killing her. [The New York Times]• In Denmark, the inventor Peter Madsen is accused of having abused the journalist Kim Wall on board his submarine before killing her. [The New York Times]
• E-cigarettes that contain nicotine may lure teenagers into smoking, a new report warns. [The New York Times]• E-cigarettes that contain nicotine may lure teenagers into smoking, a new report warns. [The New York Times]
• Piles of garbage inundating Lebanon’s beaches have become a symbol of lackluster governance. [The New York Times]• Piles of garbage inundating Lebanon’s beaches have become a symbol of lackluster governance. [The New York Times]
• Russia banned a satirical film about Stalin’s death. [Associated Press]• Russia banned a satirical film about Stalin’s death. [Associated Press]
• Our Op-Ed contributors debate the state of the British economy and ponder what Germany after Chancellor Angela Merkel would look like.• Our Op-Ed contributors debate the state of the British economy and ponder what Germany after Chancellor Angela Merkel would look like.
Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life.Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life.
• Get over your infatuation.• Get over your infatuation.
• Show your cast iron some T.L.C.• Show your cast iron some T.L.C.
• Recipe of the day: Enjoy a traditional English scone with jam, cream and a cup of tea.• Recipe of the day: Enjoy a traditional English scone with jam, cream and a cup of tea.
• In memoriam: Ursula K. Le Guin, the popular science fiction author, died at 88; and Hugh Masekela, the South African musician and activist, died at 78; • In memoriam: Ursula K. Le Guin, the popular science fiction author, died at 88; and Hugh Masekela, the South African musician and activist, died at 78.
• Relatively few French plays are written and directed by women. But four current productions in Paris are showing a great diversity of talent.• Relatively few French plays are written and directed by women. But four current productions in Paris are showing a great diversity of talent.
• The London Sinfonietta, one of the most forward-looking ensembles in contemporary classical music, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.• The London Sinfonietta, one of the most forward-looking ensembles in contemporary classical music, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
• The latest at the Australian Open: Angelique Kerber overpowered Madison Keys. Rafael Nadal, the No. 1 seed, pulled out with an injury. Here is today’s schedule.• The latest at the Australian Open: Angelique Kerber overpowered Madison Keys. Rafael Nadal, the No. 1 seed, pulled out with an injury. Here is today’s schedule.
• Thousands of readers had questions for our new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. In his answers, Mr. Sulzberger spoke about his job, media bias and diversity.• Thousands of readers had questions for our new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. In his answers, Mr. Sulzberger spoke about his job, media bias and diversity.
Here’s a tale of innovation and why it’s hard to stand in the way of progress.Here’s a tale of innovation and why it’s hard to stand in the way of progress.
Eighty-three years ago, the first-known canned beer was sold in the U.S., in Richmond, Va. The innovation soon spread to a brewer in Wales.Eighty-three years ago, the first-known canned beer was sold in the U.S., in Richmond, Va. The innovation soon spread to a brewer in Wales.
The cans were lighter and cheaper than bottles, and immediately proved a huge success.The cans were lighter and cheaper than bottles, and immediately proved a huge success.
“Sales resistance to beer in cans has been overcome in every section of the country,” The Times reported a few months later in 1935. “The product is selling more rapidly than it can be supplied.”“Sales resistance to beer in cans has been overcome in every section of the country,” The Times reported a few months later in 1935. “The product is selling more rapidly than it can be supplied.”
Within two months, the American Can Co. was producing 25,000 to 30,000 beer cans every day.Within two months, the American Can Co. was producing 25,000 to 30,000 beer cans every day.
By September, U.S. winemakers sought to package their product in cans, too, to “induce the American consumer to ‘become wine-minded,’ ” The Times reported.By September, U.S. winemakers sought to package their product in cans, too, to “induce the American consumer to ‘become wine-minded,’ ” The Times reported.
Bottle makers pushed back against the new competition.Bottle makers pushed back against the new competition.
At a conference in Atlantic City, they spoke of plans for lighter bottles, as well as ones that wouldn’t require a deposit.At a conference in Atlantic City, they spoke of plans for lighter bottles, as well as ones that wouldn’t require a deposit.
Regardless of what it was packaged in, beer was popular in post-Prohibition America. Sales of bottled and canned beer grew more than 50 percent in the first half of 1936 over the previous year, The Times reported.Regardless of what it was packaged in, beer was popular in post-Prohibition America. Sales of bottled and canned beer grew more than 50 percent in the first half of 1936 over the previous year, The Times reported.
By 1970, beer cans had overtaken bottles.By 1970, beer cans had overtaken bottles.
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This briefing was prepared for the European morning and is updated online. Browse past briefings here.This briefing was prepared for the European morning and is updated online. Browse past briefings here.
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