DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Israel bombs Syria and seizes territory as Netanyahu pledges to change ‘the face’ of the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-10 | by ( Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But they also fear what could come from radical Islamists governing Syria, which borders Israel in the occupied Golan Heights. Images taken by an AFP journalist at Mezzeh Air Base southwest of Damascus also showed destroyed Syrian military helicopters. CNN could not independently confirm that claim, but the village lies in the Syrian foothills of Mount Hermon, which Israeli forces captured on Sunday. That zone was established in 1974, after Israeli forces – responding to a Syrian attack – captured the Golan Heights in 1967. Israeli officials have refused to give details on how far Israeli forces will advance, or how long they will stay there.

Persons: Assad, Benjamin Netanyahu, Bashar al, ”, Gideon Sa’ar, I’m, Omar Haj Kadour, Israel Katz, Ali Haj Suleiman, Israel, ” Katz, Mount Hermon, Netanyahu, –, Danny Dannon, ” Eyad Kourdi, Dana Karni Organizations: CNN, Getty, Israeli Defense, Mezzeh, Base, Arab League, ”, Capital, Hermon, Sunday, United Nations, Security Locations: Israel, Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Golan Heights, Syrian, Damascus, AFP, Latakia, ”, Egypt, “, Mount, Golan

☆ Jay-Z's response to sexual assault allegations was missing one key thing, according to PR pros
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-10 | by ( Olivia Singh | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Jay-Z was named in an amended complaint to a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs, filed in October. Jay-Z's response to the rape accusations against him is missing something, according to one crisis-PR expert. The stars were only identified in the civil lawsuit as "Celebrity A" and "Celebrity B." He's "too big to cancel, and his brand is too strong to be destroyed by a civil lawsuit," Nierman said. "Jay-Z is not going to be defined by these allegations," Nierman said.

Persons: Jay, Sean, Diddy, Combs, drugging, —, Shawn Carter —, Carter, Tony Buzzbee, Evan Nierman, Nierman, would've, Jane Doe, Alex Spiro, Kevin Mazur, Camron, Mills Sadat Dowlat, Dowlatshahi, it's, Damian Williams, VALERIE MACON, who's, he's, Carter's, Spiro didn't Organizations: MTV, Business, The Recording Academy, Buzzbee, Getty, Beyoncé Locations: Brooklyn, New York City, Los Angeles, Manhattan, AFP

☆ Argentina’s economy: What Milei’s chainsaw approach has delivered in a year
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-10 | by ( Hanna Ziady | Stefano Pozzebon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

London/Bogota/Buenos Aires CNN —Javier Milei swept to power in Argentina a year ago on a ticket to tackle chronic hyperinflation and overhaul the long-suffering economy. In one regard — slashing the size of the state — he has proven so successful that Donald Trump’s government efficiency tsars want to replicate his approach. Homeless people at the gates of the closed Retiro train station during a general strike on May 9, 2024, in Buenos Aires. But the adjustment has proved painful in a country where roughly every 10th person is employed in the public sector. But capital controls, which limit the flow of foreign currency into and out of the country, are giving investors pause.

Persons: Buenos Aires CNN — Javier Milei, Donald Trump’s, Natalia Burone, Lucas Aguayo, ”, Hans, Dieter Holtzmann, Friedrich Naumann, it’s, Milei —, Holtzmann, Milei “, Matteo Maffia, Milei, “, you’d, ” Maffia, I’m, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald Trump, Carlos Barria, Kimberley Sperrfechter, ” Milei, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Luis Lacalle Pou, Ursula von der Leyen, Santiago Pena, Eitan Abramovich, European Union —, Flor Maffia, Diego Fenoglio, “ There’s Organizations: Buenos Aires CNN, International Monetary Fund, Investors, CNN, Monetary Fund, Friedrich, Freedom, Milei, “, of Government, America, KNG Securities, Capital Economics, South, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Paraguay's, Mercosur, European Union, Bolivia — Locations: Bogota, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Latin America, Retiro, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, German, United States, Palm Beach , Florida, Argentine, Spain, Montevideo, Bolivia, Europe

☆ Now that Syria is free of its dictator, the rebels’ biggest challenge is to learn how to govern
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-10 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The sound of celebratory gunfire filled the streets of Damascus in the hours following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. At least 28 people were killed by that celebratory gunfire, the Syrian health minister told Al-Arabiya news channel. People shoot in the air as they celebrate the fall of the Syrian government in Damascus, Syria on Sunday. After the capture of Damascus, the rebels instructed Assad’s Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali to continue his duties alongside his cabinet until a transitional team is assigned. ‘Anyone is better than Assad’Residents of Damascus told CNN they were happy Assad is gone but remained concerned over the Islamist ideology followed by the rebels.

Persons: Bashar al, Tahrir, Ugur, …, ”, Assad, Mohammad Ghazi al, Jalali, Industry Mohammad Samer al, Khalil, ” Jalali, ‘ we’ll, ’, “, Abu Mohammad al, Ahmad Al Sharaa, Al Qaeda’s, Louai Beshara, ” Al, Jolani, Aaron Y, Hayat, Abu Mohammed al, Abdulaziz Ketaz, Assad ’, Al Jolani, Ranim, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Islamist, Al, Assad’s, Sky News Arabia, Assad government’s, Industry, US, ISIS, Getty, Syrian Salvation Government, Washington Institute Locations: Damascus, Arabiya, Syria, Israel, Moscow, Homs, Al Qaeda, Iraq, AFP, Idlib, Aleppo, “, UN, Hayat Tahrir, Umayyad, Sunday, Turkey, Kurdish, Iran

☆ The US is striking targets across Syria, and it isn't the only one dropping bombs in this uncertain moment
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US isn't the only military conducting strikes amid the uncertain situation in Syria. The US military has carried out extensive airstrikes in Syria since the Assad regime collapsed over the weekend, and it's not the only country on the hunt for targets in this uncertain moment. F-15 Strike Eagles, like the one pictured above, took part in the widespread strikes against ISIS over the weekend. The US military said the goal of the strikes was to prevent ISIS from reconstituting in central Syria. Related storiesThe Israeli military has also sent its ground forces across the Syrian border beyond a United Nations-monitored buffer zone that separates the two countries.

Persons: Assad, it's, Biden, John Kirby, Bashar Assad, Jonathan Lord, AAREF WATAD, Avi Melamed, Kirby Organizations: ISIS, US, Turkish, National Security, US Air Force, Central Command, Eagles, American, Pentagon, Sunday, Human Rights, Middle East Security, Center, New, New American Security, United, UN, Syrian Democratic Forces, AP, House, Syrian Army, Hezbollah Locations: Syria, State, Damascus, Sunday, reconstituting, Israel, Latakia, AFP, New American, United Nations, Turkish, Kurdish, Ankara, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Ukraine

☆ How the Olympics helped transform Salt Lake City into a tech hub
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-10 | by ( Chris Dilella | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Spectators file into the Olympic Medal Plaza in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, during the 2002 Olympics. Salt Lake City has grown from a winter sports venue to a vibrant technology hub in just two decades, leveraging the legacy of the 2002 Winter Olympics to transform into one of America's fastest-growing business destinations. A catalyst for economic growthIn 2002, the world watched as Salt Lake City welcomed athletes and spectators to the Winter Olympics. Salt Lake City's 2002 Olympics cost about $2 billion and turned a profit. During preparations for the Olympics, Leavitt met with Adobe co-founder and Salt Lake City native John Warnock in Silicon Valley to discuss building a tech community in Utah.

Persons: George Frey, Michael Leavitt, Leavitt, Todd Lodwick, Anacleto, John Warnock, Warnock, what's Organizations: AFP, Getty, Census Bureau, Former Utah Gov, CNBC, Winter, Games, University, Utah's, Gardner Policy Institute, Gardner Institute, Olympic Rings, Nordic, Los Angeles Times, Olympics, Adobe, Engineering, Computer Science Initiative Locations: Salt Lake City , Utah, CNBC's, Salt Lake City, Kearns , Utah, Utah, Silicon Valley

These sects have coexisted in this region for hundreds of years, and no one has the right to eliminate them,” Jolani told CNN. For now, his leadership of HTS remains defined by military success, with the group growing into a formidable force against the Assad regime and its powerful backers, including Russia and Iran. Still, the question remains: Can HTS can evolve from a militant insurgency into a legitimate governing authority in post-Assad Syria? While the future of HTS and Syria remains uncertain, Jolani is steadfast. The rebel leader said Sunday there would be “no turning back” after toppling the Assad regime.

Persons: ” Jolani, Assad, —, ” Charles Lister, Burcu, ”, Joe Biden, Pat McFadden, Jolani, “ Organizations: CNN, Middle East Institute, Royal United Services Institute, United Nations, Sky News, German Foreign Ministry, AFP, Reuters Locations: Syria’s, Syria, Russia, Iran, Turkish, Aleppo, Homs, Damascus, Assad Syria, London, Washington, United Kingdom

☆ Robots are helping restore lost seagrass meadows
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Michelle Cohan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Winey is a robotics engineer with ReefGen, a company that’s working to repopulate lost seagrass habitats around the globe. Found on seabeds from Alaska to Australia, seagrass meadows are one of the most widespread coastal habitats on Earth. BORIS HORVAT/AFP via Getty Images“Once upon a time, there were about 18 million hectares of seagrass meadows on the planet, and we’ve lost between 30 and 40%,” says Chris Oakes, CEO of ReefGen. “Without the seagrass meadows, we’re going to see more coastal erosion, the loss of coral reefs, the loss of fish stocks, and degraded water quality,” he tells CNN. Robots for restorationSeagrass restoration projects often involve divers planting seeds or shoots on the ocean floor.

Persons: Nastasia Winey, BORIS HORVAT, we’ve, ”, Chris Oakes, Oakes, ReefGen, Tom Chi, ” Oakes, Cora, we’re, Joel Fodrie, ” Fodrie, “, ’ ” Organizations: Morehead City , North Carolina CNN, Grasshopper, Getty, CNN, Google, Grasshopper –, Grasshopper isn’t, University of North, UNC, Institute of Marine Sciences, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, UNC's Institute of Marine Sciences Locations: Morehead City , North Carolina, seabeds, Alaska, Australia, AFP, Hawaii, Banks , North Carolina, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Wales, University of North Carolina, North Carolina, Banks

Celebrations broke out across Syria over the weekend, with statues depicting his father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad, pulled down from their pedestals. “I’m not looking to go back into the past,” Trump said when asked he was whether he would go after outgoing President Joe Biden. Foreign dignitaries in attendance included President-elect Donald Trump, first lady Jill Biden, Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. South Korean president’s impeachment failsAn image of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is raised at a rally in Seoul calling for his ouster on Dec. 5. End of an Era(s)Tears will be ricocheting as Taylor Swift's record-shattering world tour draws to a close Sunday night with a final stop in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Persons: Assad, Bashar al, Hafez al, Hassan Abdul, Ghani, Joe Biden, Trump, Donald Trump, Kristen Welker, ” Trump, Pam Bondi, Jack Smith, “, Biden, Kash Patel, ’, Trump’s, Jay, Sean Combs Jay, Bauer, Griffin, Shawn Carter, Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Jane Doe, ”, Combs, Carter, ” Carter, Brian Thompson, Notre Dame, Jill Biden, Prince William, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron, Yoon Suk, Anthony Wallace, Yoon, ” Yoon, Taylor Organizations: U.S, United Nations, Capitol, NBC, Press, Justice Department, Trump, Lone Star, FBI, MTV, of, NBC News, New York police, NYPD, Notre, Notre Dame, Zelenskyy, Getty, South, Federal Locations: Damascus, Moscow, Syria, Hayat Tahrir, Al Qaeda, Free Syria, Texas, Los Angeles, Southern, of New York, Notre, Massachusetts, Seoul, AFP, Vancouver , British Columbia

☆ Apple overtakes Microsoft as the best-managed company in the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Apple has topped the Drucker Institute's annual ranking of the 250 best-managed companies in the USFellow tech giants Nvidia, Microsoft, and Intel all made the top 10. CEO Tim Cook has shepherded Apple to the top of the Drucker Institute's 2024 ranking of America's best-run companies. Nic Coury / AFP via Getty ImagesApple's innovation score in the Drucker Institute's ranking helped boost it to the top spot. In the top 25 of the ranking, only Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Walmart scored higher than 90 points for innovation. Alongside a high score for innovation, Apple also ranked second highest in the ranking for its financial performance.

Persons: Drucker, America's, Tim Cook's, Johnson, Philip Morris, Tim Cook, Nic Coury Organizations: Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, Intel, Drucker, Adobe, Mastercard, Johnson, Procter, Gamble, Philip Morris International, Drucker Institute, New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, Market, Getty, Walmart, Apple Intelligence Locations: AFP, Cupertino

☆ Melbourne, Australia: Adass Israel Synagogue attack to be investigated as a terrorist incident
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Edward Szekeres | Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —An arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne last week is being investigated as terrorist incident, Australian officials said Monday, as the government announced it was establishing a new task force to combat antisemitism. The Adass Israel Synagogue in the city’s south – one of Australia’s most significant Jewish centers – burst into flames early on Friday sending worshippers fleeing during overnight prayers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday’s fire at the Melbourne synagogue was the third antisemitic attack in recent months. “Unfortunately, in Australia today those of Jewish ethnicity and religion are being targeted because of who they are,” he said. “The AFP will not tolerate crimes that undermine Australia’s security or our way of life.”A policewoman stands guard at the scene of a fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne, Australia, on December 6, 2024.

Persons: Shane Patton, Monday, Patton, Anthony Albanese, Reece Kershaw, ”, “, Con Chronis, Albanese, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel ‘, Ayelet Shaked, Shaked, – Organizations: CNN, Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, AFP, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australian, Reuters, United, Labor, Israel, UN, “ Locations: Melbourne, Israel, Sydney, Australia, Adass, Ripponlea, Gaza, Israeli, United Nations, “, Palestinian, “ Australia

☆ Post-Assad Syria will be a new challenge for America's Middle East strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Tom Porter | Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Rebels toppled the Assad regime in Syria after a brutal 13-year civil war. "With the overthrow of Assad, Iran has been dealt a strategic blow, meeting overarching US objectives to diminish and dismantle Iran's so-called axis of resistance," she said. The US provided training and support for some rebel groups, notably Kurdish militias and moderate groups, but stopped short of direct involvement in the conflict. Both countries will likely act "swiftly" to strike favorable deals with emerging power brokers in Syria, he said. AdvertisementHowever, he said another risk is that Syria breaks into territories controlled by competing militias and warlords, which he said would turn Syria into a potential base for terrorist activities.

Persons: Assad, Tahrir, Sham, Bashar Assad, Joe Biden, Burcu Ozcelik, Chris Doyle, it's, Ammar Hatib, Andreas Krieg, Mohammed Albasha, Basha, Assad's deposal, Abu Mohammad al, Abu Mohammed al, ABDULAZIZ KETAZ, United Nations —, Donald Trump, Edmund Fitton, Brown, al Organizations: Rebels, Middle East Security, Royal United Services Institute, Council, ISIS, Islamic State, US, Getty, Institute of Middle Eastern, King's College London, Royal United Services Institute's, Al, United Nations, American, Counter, University of Kent Locations: Syria, Iran, Iran's, British, Turkey, Russia, West, Kurdish, Hama, Anadolu, Gulf, Virginia, East, Israel, Assad Syria, Tehran, Moscow, Hayat Tahrir, Al Qaeda, Iraq, Umayyad, AFP, Idlib Province, Washington, Idlib, al Qaeda

☆ China's top leaders are set to discuss GDP growth target, stimulus measures amid economic worries
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Anniek Bao | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 8: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for a signing ceremony with Italian President Sergio Mattarella (not pictured) at The Great Hall Of The People on November 8, 2024 in Beijing, China. Usually, the annual conference is preceded by the high-profile gathering of the Politburo, the top decision making body led by president Xi. While the specific numbers will not be announced until March, it is widely expected that Beijing will keep its next year's GDP growth target at "around 5" — same as the current year — if not slightly lower. China's President Xi Jinping and then U.S. President Donald Trump at a working session on the first day of the G20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany, on July 7, 2017. "A policy bazooka could arrive if the Trump tariffs hit China's exports hard," Macquarie's Hu said, adding that Beijing will have to stimulate domestic demand to achieve its growth target.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Sergio Mattarella, Florence Lo, Xi, Goldman Sachs, Larry Hu, Lynn Song, Donald Trump, Morgan Stanley, Patrick Stollarz, Trump, Macquarie's Hu, Hu Organizations: Getty, Getty Images, Bloomberg, Goldman, Macquarie, ING, of Finance, Barclays, AFP Locations: BEIJING, CHINA, Beijing, China, Florence, Hamburg, Germany, China's

☆ Gadhimai festival: Buffaloes, goats, pigeons killed in Nepal mass sacrifice that activists say needs to end
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Esha Mitra | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Participants believe that sacrificing animals in the Gadhimai temple pleases the Goddess Gadhimai, who will then grant them wishes or good fortune. Hindu devotees observe baby male buffaloes prepared for sacrifice during the Gadhimai Festival in Nepal's Bara district. Cattles are prepared to offer to please Gadhimai at Gadhimai temple in Bariyapur, Bara, Nepal. Buffaloes are rescued by HSI/India at Indo-Nepal border checkpoints ahead of this year's Gadhimai festival. Hindu devotees travel with a goat of Gadhimai Festival in Baryarpur on December 2, 2019.

Persons: Gadhimai, Nepal’s, Shyam Prasad Yadav, HSI ‘, Upendra Kushwaha, ” Kushwaha, Kushwaha, ” Shristi Bhandari, Jane Goodall, HSI, Navesh Chitrakar, ”, Yadav, Bhandari, ” Bhandari, Shaili Shah, ” Sneha Shrestha, Prakash Mathema, Shrestha, there’s, ” Shrestha Organizations: CNN, Animal, Humane Society International India, Jane Goodall Institute Nepal, Reuters, Volunteers, Indian Supreme, . Buffaloes, Humane Society, Federation of Animal Welfare, Getty Locations: Bariyarpur, Nepal, India, Gadhimai, Nepal's Bara, HSI India, Bariyapur, Bara, Baryarpur, AFP

☆ Meet David Sacks, member of the 'PayPal Mafia' and Trump crypto czar
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Alice Tecotzky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Sacks will be Trump's crypto and AI czar, boosting Silicon Valley's place in the administration. After graduating from Stanford, Sacks attended law school at the University of Chicago. Now, Sacks is considered a member of the elite "PayPal Mafia," along with Thiel, Elon Musk, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. After leaving PayPal, Sacks pursued a brief stint in Hollywood and produced Thank You for Smoking, a 2005 satirical film that was nominated for a Golden Globe. On December 5, Trump announced that Sacks will serve as his AI and crypto czar, to the delight of some Silicon Valley execs.

Persons: Sacks, he's, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, David Sacks, Donald Trump's, Thiel, ANDREW CABALLERO, REYNOLDS, I'm, Confinity, Reid Hoffman, Mark Zuckerberg's, Thiel's Palantir, SpaceX, Patrick McMullan, Hillary Clinton, Trump, Sen, Mitt Romney, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Ron DeSantis, JD Vance, Sack, he'd, Musk, David, White, he'll Organizations: Stanford, PayPal, Venture, Craft Ventures, Stanford University, University of Chicago, PayPal Mafia, McKinsey, Thiel, eBay, LinkedIn, Times, Globe, Microsoft, Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook, Getty, Florida Gov, Trump, San, Republican National Convention, Truth Social, Big Tech, Reuters, White, Bloomberg, Securities and Exchange, Wall Street Locations: South Africa, Cape Town , South Africa, Tennessee, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, America, Valley

☆ From Trump and Turkey, to Russia and Iran — Syria's regime change has huge global consequences
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

TOPSHOT - This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters, on December 6, 2024. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty ImagesThe dramatic toppling of Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime at the hands of rebel forces this weekend could have far-reaching consequences for the Middle Eastern country, global alliances and markets, according to analysts. An anti-government fighter holds a weapon as he keeps position near a defaced portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in the city of Hama after forces captured the central Syrian city, on December 6, 2024. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty Images"The rapid collapse of the Assad regime in Damascus will have repercussions well beyond Syria. Russia weakenedThe other most notable "loser" from Assad's overthrow is his ally and backer Russia, which has helped prop up Assad's regime since the start of the civil war.

Persons: Bashar al, Assad, Omar Haj Kadour, Sham, —, Holger Schmieding, Schmieding, Donald Trump, Bill Blain, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Julien De Rosa, Blain, Piccoli, Tayyip Erdogan, Thaier, David Roche, Trump, Iran's, " Roche, Vladimir Putin, Louai Beshara Organizations: Afp, Getty, Berenberg Bank, U.S, United Nations, Change, United Arab Emirates, sudani, Reuters, Quantum, Russia, Russian Federation Locations: Hama's, Damascus, Russia, Syria, Iran, Syrian, U.S, Turkey, Israel, Hama, Lebanon, Europe, Elysee, Paris, Ankara, Dubai, United Arab, Gaza, Ukraine, Moscow, Hmeimim, Syria's, Tartus

☆ Timeline of how rebels toppled Assad’s regime in less than two weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Antoinette Radford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty ImagesAfter less than two weeks of fighting across Syria’s northwest, rebel groups swiftly seized control of the capital. November 30: Rebels take control of Aleppo cityPosters of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were destroyed as rebel forces swept across the country. I swear to God, we are inside Hama city, we are inside Aleppo city,” a fighter cheered as he filmed himself by a local landmark in Hama. Video Ad Feedback Syrian rebels claim control of third city 00:46 - Source: CNNDecember 7: Homs fallsAfter moving south for days, the HTS quickly took control of Homs. Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty ImagesEarly on Sunday morning, Syrian rebels declared the capital of Damascus “liberated” after entering the city with very little resistance from regime forces.

Persons: Bashar al, “, Assad family’s, Syria's, Assad, Omar Haj Kadour, Abu Mohammad al, Syria’s, ” Jolani, –, Mahmoud Hassano, ”, Ghaith, redeploying ”, Hassan Abdul Ghani, Tahrir, Abu Mohammed al, Aref Tammawi, Jolani, Sam Hariri, Kourdi, Mostafa Salem, Mohammad Tawfeeq Organizations: CNN, Getty, Rebels, Reuters, Flames, Syria's, Ministry, AFP Locations: Damascus, AFP, Syria’s, Russia, Umayyad, Hayat Tahrir, Syrian, Aleppo, Urm, Hama, Syria, ”, Homs, Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, Col, Aref, Moscow

☆ What happened in Syria’s civil war, who took over and what’s next after decades of brutal rule?
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

They’re led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the head of militant group HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front. The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group Abu Mohammed al-Jolani at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Assad is the second generation of an autocratic family dynasty that held power in Syria for more than five decades. Analysts told CNN the Syrian rebels used a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria. Syrian rebel fighters and locals celebrate in the central city of Homs early on December 8, 2024, after entering Syria's third city overnight.

Persons: CNN — Long, Assad, Damacus “, Bashar al, ”, Louai Beshara, ” It’s, They’re, Abu Mohammad al, al, Jolani, ” Jolani, Tahrir, Abu Mohammed al, Aref Tammawi, Hafez al, Sam Hariri, what’s, Joe Biden, Abdulaziz Ketaz, Syria Hossein Akbari Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Getty, Operations Command, Nusra, Syrian National Army, Syrian Democratic Forces, United Nations, Baath Party, UN, Amnesty, Saydnaya, Syria's, Ministry, AFP, Rebels, Hezbollah, Analysts Locations: Syria, ”, Russia, Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Moscow, AFP, Iran, Qaeda, al Qaeda, Turkey, Kurdish, United States, Umayyad, London, Ukraine, Israel, Assad Syria, Syrian, Syria's

Members of the clergy arrive to attend Mass. Julien De Rosa / AFP - Getty ImagesThe robes worn during the morning mass were crafted by French fashion designer Jean-Charles Castelbajac and bore his signature style, boasting bold primary colors to convey the joy of the the day’s service. “I wanted something very pure,” Castelbajac said in the lead-up to the weekend’s celebrations. Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich after the consecration of the new main altar. Julien De Rosa / AFP - Getty ImagesHe added that the rector-archpriest of Notre Dame, Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, had asked that the robes reflect “nobility and simplicity.”“I did everything with my scissors.

Persons: Julien De Rosa, Jean, Charles Castelbajac, “, ” Castelbajac, Paris Laurent Ulrich, Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, ” Organizations: Diocese of, Eastern Catholic Churches, Getty, Notre Dame Locations: France, Diocese, Diocese of Paris, AFP, Notre

☆ The best countries for American expats in 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +30 min

Homicide rates are nearly four times as those in the United States, according to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography. In the United States, you can apply at the Netherlands embassy in Washington or at the consulates-general in Miami, New York or San Francisco. In addition, as with Costa Rica, Panama also does not have a tax treaty with the United States. It’s also a long way away from the United States, which can be tricky for visits to see loved ones. Cons: As is the case in Mexico and other countries with large expat communities, there’s growing backlash against the influx of foreigners, especially Americans, and especially in Lisbon.

Persons: there’s, “ It’s, ‘, ’ ”, Arielle Tucker, Tucker, Canada ”, Donald Trump, It’s, Richard Gere, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Megan Frye, Frye, ”, “, San Miguel de Allende, margarita, InterNations, , pollsters, William Russell, they’re, it’s MVV, Germany Berliners, that’s, auslanders, Costa, “ Costa, ” David Lesperance, Costa Rica’s, “ Tico, Martin Bernetti, Lesperance, he’s, expats, what’s, Emily, ” Tucker, Roth, Andriy Kravchenko, Rua Augusta Arch, Jorg Greuel, Alex Ingrim, Ingrim, it’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Google, Invest Overseas, Braga, InterNations, Mexico City, National Institute of Statistics, Human Rights Watch, Spain Spain, Alicante, International, Travel Association, pollsters Gallup, Dutch, Friendship, Costa Rica Costa, Central, Costa, Lesperance, Associates, Getty, Miami of, Panama City, ”, Panama Qualified Investment, Panama Golden Visa, France France, Michelin, Changi, Cons, Visa, Liberty Atlantic Advisors Locations: Switzerland, Canada, United States, Spain, England’s, Valencia, Portugal, Mazatlán, Mexico, Mexico City, Michigan, Mexico Mexico, . Puerto Vallarta, —, Oaxaca, San Miguel, Playa, Carmen, Western Europe, Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, InterNations, Spanish, Málaga, expats, Catalonia, Basque Country, Basque, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Americas, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Statista, Haarlem, Delft, Leiden, Maastricht, Washington, Miami , New York, San Francisco, Germany, Mitte district, Nikada, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Costa Rica, pura, “, “ Costa Rica, Costa Rican, Panama, Panama City, Amador, Flamenco, AFP, Miami, Miami of Central America, North America, South America, Italy, Venice, Italian, France, Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, Singapore Singapore, Singapore, Asia, Rua, Europe, Lisbon, Porto

☆ Bashar al-Assad: The brutal leader whose family ruled Syria with an iron fist for more than 50 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The United States, Jordan, Turkey and the European Union at the war’s start all called for Assad to step down. Testament to the horror of that regime were scenes of jubilant celebration as rebel forces took control of Syrian cities. Bashar al-Assad, center, is seen during the closing session of the ruling Baath party congress in Damascus, Syria, on June 20, 2000. Bashar al-Assad was then thrust into the national spotlight and studied military science, later becoming a colonel in the Syrian army. They then turned to outright condemnation of the regime after he met the 2011 pro-democracy groundswell with brutal force.

Persons: Bashar al, Assad, Assad’s, SANA, Hafez al, Bassel, Hafez, Asma al, Barack Obama, ” Assad, ”, Syria's, Mohammed al, Ban, Washington, Syria wouldn’t Organizations: CNN, ISIS, European Union, Baath Party, Muslim, Hezbollah, Getty, UN, United Nations Locations: Syria, United States, Jordan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Homs, Damascus, Soviet, Hama –, London, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Assad, Hama, AFP, States, Western, US

☆ Syrian rebel leader’s victory speech holds a message for Iran – and for Trump and Israel too
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Nic Robertson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“This victory, my brothers, is a victory for the entire Islamic nation,” he told his tiny entourage, who stumbled behind him against the backdrop of the mosque’s distinctive black and white stone splendor. “This victory, my brothers, by the grace of God Almighty (follows) the sacrifices of the martyrs, the widows, and the orphans. This victory, my brothers, has come through the suffering of those who endured imprisonment,” he said. People welcome the leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, before his speech at the Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. But it is a message Jolani will know is being heard in Tel Aviv and Washington, where he is considered to be a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation with a $10 million dollar bounty on his head.

Persons: Abu Mohammad al, al, Damascus’s, ”, Bashir al, Assad, God, Jolani, Tahrir, Abu Mohammed al, Aref Tammawi, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Jolani “, “ Organizations: CNN, Getty, Hezbollah Locations: Damascus, al Qaeda, Tahrir, Syria, Umayyad, AFP, Iran, Lebanon, Tel Aviv, Washington

☆ How Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour boosted the US economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Auzinea Bacon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Swift fans often extended their stays in cities that hosted multiple shows, which further boosted local revenue. Ethan Miller/TAS23/Getty Images Swift performs "Lover" with her band, backup singers and dancers in Nashville, Tennessee, in May 2023. John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images Swift performs in Glendale, Arizona, during the opening weekend of The Eras Tour in March 2023. Each night of the tour, Swift selects one lucky fan to receive a signed hat at the end of her song "22." John Shearer/TAS23/Getty Images Swift sings "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" in Paris in May 2024.

Persons: Taylor Swift, concertgoers, Swifties, Swiftnomics ’, Taylor, Swift, Erika Goldring, Terence Rushin, Ethan Miller, John Shearer, Kevin Winter, Benjamin B, Braun, Natasha, Jutharat, Kevin Mazur, Florence Welch of Florence, TAS2024, Raymond James, Zack Wittman, Hector Vivas, Gareth Cattermole, Ayhan Uyanik, Reuters Swift, Don Arnold, TAS24, Rachel Wisniewski, Emma McIntyre, Jeff Pachoud, Travis Kelce, Elisabeth Mandl, Haim, Jeff Kravitz, Erin Clark, Aldara Zarraoa, Phoebe Bridgers, Bridgers, Sarah Yenesel, Sabrina Carpenter, William West, Christopher Polk, Bob Levey, TAS23, Allen J, Graham Denholm Organizations: CNN, US Travel Association, California Center, Jobs, Swift City, Pittsburgh, MetLife Stadium, New York Times, Department, Getty, Reuters, Lincoln Financial, Washington Post, Ticketmaster, Boston Globe, Penske Media, Los Angeles Times, New Orleans Downtown Development, Inc Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, United States, New Orleans, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Nashville , Tennessee, Glendale , Arizona, Glendale, Swift, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Chicago, East Rutherford, Paris, Florida, London, Tampa , Florida, Mexico City, Edinburgh, Scotland, Munich, Germany, Sydney, Philadelphia, Toronto, Nashville, Lyon, France, AFP, Vienna, Austria, Santa Clara , California, Foxborough , Massachusetts, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Kansas City , Missouri, Miami, Coney, Melbourne, Houston, Inglewood , California, Allegheny County, Angeles, Orleans, Greater New Orleans

☆ In a country splintered by civil war, could Syria’s rebels usher in a new dawn?
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Sana Noor Haq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

‘Extremely challenging’ transition of powerSyria’s armed opposition ultimately plans to form a government defined by institutions and a “council chosen by the people,” Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the militant figure driving the latest rebel swing, told CNN. He heads the dominant group in the coalition, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a former Al Qaeda affiliate. Jolani told CNN that abuse in prisons “were not done under our orders or directions” and HTS had already penalized the perpetrators. Thousands of people assembled at the foot of the main square in Damascus, where rebels ransacked Assad’s residence. Muhammad Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty ImagesAnd further afield, Syrian refugees forced to flee the war shared their hopes of returning to a peaceful country.

Persons: jubilation –, Bashar al, Assad, Firas, ” Abu Mohammad al, Hayat Tahrir, Jolani, God, ” Jolani, ”, Assad’s chokehold, –, ” Abu Mohammed al, Hayat, Abdulaziz Ketaz, Mohammad Ghazi Al, Jalali, Jerome Drevon, al, “, ” Adam Coogle, ” Maksad, ” Omar Daher, Mohammed Amer Al, Muhammad Haj Kadour, ” Wissam Ahmed, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, Free Syrian Army, East Institute, Hayat, Al, “ Militant Operations Command, Getty, Syrian, Crisis, United, Terrorist Organization, ISIS, Human Rights, Middle East Institute, Associated Press, Reuters Locations: Damascus, Syria, East, Lebanese, Washington, DC, ”, Assad Syria, Al Qaeda, Tehran, Turkey, Hayat Tahrir, AFP, Brussels, Iraq, United States, al Qaeda, Idlib, Homs, Aleppo, Syrian, Hayat, Lebanon

☆ Explosion hits apartment block in The Netherlands
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-07 | by ( Freddie Clayton | Freddie Clayton Is A Freelance Journalist Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

An explosion hit a three-story apartment block in the Dutch city of The Hague on Saturday, partly toppling the building and injuring four people, according to authorities. The cause of the explosion is not clear, but Dutch say police are seeking information on a car that sped away shortly after, and have appealed for witnesses, according the BBC. A search-and-rescue dog works at a site of the explosion. The three-storey apartment block in the Hague partially collapsed after the fire and explosion. The Hague is home to several major international courts, including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Persons: Phil Nijhuis, Dick Schoof, RAMON VAN FLYMEN Organizations: BBC, Reuters, Authorities, NOS, Dutch, Getty, International Court of Justice, Criminal Locations: Dutch, The, Hague, AFP

Search resuls for: "aFP"

25 mentions found