{"id":255396,"date":"2025-03-09T21:33:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T21:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/09\/monday-briefing-violence-continues-in-syria\/"},"modified":"2025-03-09T21:33:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-09T21:33:04","slug":"monday-briefing-violence-continues-in-syria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/09\/monday-briefing-violence-continues-in-syria\/","title":{"rendered":"Monday Briefing: Violence Continues in Syria"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align:center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/03\/10\/multimedia\/10ambriefing-asia-nl-khjg\/10ambriefing-asia-nl-khjg-facebookJumbo.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Monday Briefing: Violence Continues in Syria\" title=\"Monday Briefing: Violence Continues in Syria\" \/><\/div><p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-0\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 class=\"css-13o6u42 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-3018e44c\">Syria\u2019s leader called for unity<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Syria\u2019s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/09\/world\/middleeast\/syria-latakia-clashes.html\" title=\"\">appealed yesterday for calm and unity<\/a> after violence erupted last week between fighters affiliated with his government and those loyal to the ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad. <\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">More than 1,000 people have been killed, including about 700 civilians, mostly by government forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The information could not be independently verified.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">\u201cWe call on Syrians to be reassured because the country has the fundamentals for survival,\u201d al-Shara said. His remarks came as new fighting was reported in the Latakia and Tartus Provinces. Later in the day, he said a fact-finding committee had been formed to investigate the violence and bring those responsible to justice. It was unclear whether al-Shara was acknowledging possible killings at the hands of his forces or laying the blame entirely on al-Assad loyalists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Context: <\/strong>The fighting broke out on Thursday when armed men loyal to al-Assad <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/09\/world\/middleeast\/syria-violence.html\" title=\"\">ambushed government security forces in Latakia Province<\/a>, setting off days of clashes. The violence has been the worst since the Assad government was ousted in early December.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-1\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Reaction: <\/strong>Thousands protested in the streets in the first wide-scale demonstrations against the new government. Residents were ordered to stay indoors as security forces scrambled to contain the turmoil. <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/07\/world\/europe\/syria-coast-clashes-assad.html\" title=\"\">Here\u2019s what else we know<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Elsewhere in the region:<\/strong> Israel\u2019s energy minister said that he was immediately <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/09\/world\/middleeast\/israel-electricity-gaza.html\" title=\"\">cutting off electricity to the Gaza Strip<\/a>. <\/p>\n<hr class=\"css-7ad88g e1mu4ftr0\"\/><\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-2\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 class=\"css-13o6u42 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-746263b5\">Canada\u2019s Liberals headed to the polls<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Canadian elections <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/09\/world\/canada\/canada-liberal-party-leader-prime-minister-election.html\" title=\"\">were taking place yesterday<\/a>, with two centrist policymakers vying to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of both the Liberal Party and the country. The winner will have to call a general election, which must be held by October, but could take place sooner. Results were expected around 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-3\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">The race is effectively between Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, and Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister. Surveys have shown Carney as the front-runner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Our Canada bureau chief, Matina Stevis-Gridneff, told me that the U.S. is front-and-center at the ballot box. <\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">\u201cVoters are looking for someone to handle negotiations with President Trump, whom they view as the biggest threat to Canada\u2019s economy and sovereignty,\u201d Matina said. She added that polling suggested voters prefer Carney and Freeland to negotiate with Trump over the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">\u201cTrump\u2019s persistent threats to Canada have worked against Poilievre who, despite being a mainstream Conservative politician, is seen as too ideologically close to Trump for comfort,\u201d Matina said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Get to know the candidates: <\/strong>Carney has pitched himself <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/07\/world\/canada\/mark-carney-trudeau-liberal-party-canada.html\" title=\"\">as the fix-it man<\/a> who can set Canada back on track. <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/07\/world\/canada\/chrystia-freeland-liberal-party-leader-candidate.html\" title=\"\">Freeland\u2019s<\/a> chances could hinge on whether voters consider Trump\u2019s dislike of her an asset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-5\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 class=\"css-13o6u42 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-54f51b70\">China hit back at Canada with tariffs, and a warning<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">China announced this weekend <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/08\/business\/china-tariffs-canada.html\" title=\"\">tariffs of up to 100 percent on canola, pork and other foods from Canada<\/a>. The move was retaliation for Canada\u2019s decision last August to collect steep taxes on imports of Chinese electric vehicles, steel and aluminum.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">The tariffs, which take effect on March 20, were also a clear warning to Canada \u2014 and, indirectly, Mexico \u2014 not to cooperate with the U.S. on trade.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"css-13o6u42 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-5fb6ce07\">More on Trump<\/h2>\n<hr class=\"css-7ad88g e1mu4ftr0\"\/><\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-9\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">The price of a beef Bourguignon, the signature dish at Le Bouillon Chartier in Paris, has remained low at this working-class eatery \u2014 someone on a living wage can enjoy the meal for less than what they earn in an hour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">As inflation has hammered Europe, the restaurant\u2019s owner has cut into margins to keep the menu affordable, but making beef Bourguignon now costs nearly double what it used to. Businesses across the continent <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/09\/business\/inflation-europe-france-beef-bourguignon.html\" title=\"\">are feeling a similar squeeze<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\"><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">Lives lived:<\/strong> Uri Shulevitz, a children\u2019s book author who turned childhood memories of fleeing the Nazis in Poland into magical stories, <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/07\/books\/uri-shulevitz-dead.html\" title=\"\">died at 89<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"css-1uuxri4 e1gnsphs0\" id=\"link-286d948a\"><span><strong class=\"css-8qgvsz ebyp5n10\">CONVERSATION STARTERS <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"companionColumn-12\">\n<div class=\"css-53u6y8\">\n<h2 class=\"css-13o6u42 eoo0vm40\" id=\"link-5a88a19e\">Book festivals are the hottest clubs in town<\/h2>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Literature events in India are blooming, driven by young people who are reading books in the country\u2019s dozens of native tongues. The gatherings give attendees the chance to explore new topics, meet favorite authors or simply check out the scene.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">Readers and writers gather in rural towns or inside storied palaces for an intimate affair or, in the case of an event in Jaipur, they mingle among tens of thousands of people. A sense of intellectual \u201ccred\u201d has helped the festivals give Bollywood and cricket a run for their money.<\/p>\n<p class=\"css-at9mc1 evys1bk0\">For these readers, books open worlds that India\u2019s higher education system, with its focus on make-or-break examinations, often does not. <a class=\"css-yywogo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/08\/world\/asia\/india-literature-festivals.html\" title=\"\">Read about the festivals here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"css-ew4tgv\" aria-label=\"companion column\"\/><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/03\/09\/briefing\/syria-violence-canada-election-china-tariffs.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Syria\u2019s leader called for unity Syria\u2019s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, appealed yesterday for calm and unity after violence erupted last week between fighters affiliated with his government and those loyal to the ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad. More than 1,000 people have been killed, including about 700 civilians, mostly by government forces, according to the Syrian [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":255397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/images\/2025\/03\/10\/multimedia\/10ambriefing-asia-nl-khjg\/10ambriefing-asia-nl-khjg-facebookJumbo.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[235,2803,3635,19366,201],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255396"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=255396"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":255398,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255396\/revisions\/255398"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/255397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=255396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=255396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=255396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}