Thursday Briefing: Trump Meets Syria's New Leader

New York Times

14-05-2025

Hope in Syria as Trump met with new leader
Syrians yesterday celebrated President Trump's promise to lift sanctions, hopeful that life would improve there after more than a decade of war. Salaries could go up, the cost of bread would come down and gasoline would become cheaper.
Trump met yesterday with President Ahmed al-Shara, another milestone in Syria's bid to break out of its isolation. It was the first time in 25 years that the leaders of the two countries had met.
During the 30-minute meeting, held during Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Trump told al-Shara, who once led a branch of Al Qaeda, that he had the 'opportunity to do something historic in his country,' a White House summary said. Aboard Air Force One on his way to Qatar, Trump described al-Shara as a 'young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.'
On the second day of his visit to the Gulf region, Trump was welcomed in the capital, Doha, by the emir of Qatar, and rode in his motorcade past men on camelback.
Deals: Trump announced that Qatar Airways had agreed to buy 210 Boeing jets and the countries signed a statement of defense cooperation. Here's a look at the other agreements made on Trump's Gulf tour so far.
South Africa's leader criticized Afrikaners going to the U.S.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the white South Africans who left for the U.S. were 'cowardly.' Dozens of white South Africans landed in the U.S. this week, and over 8,000 more have expressed interest in resettling in the U.S.
'They are running away' from a duty to help South Africa solve its problems, Ramaphosa said on Tuesday. He added, 'When you run away, you are a coward.'
The government strongly rejected the Trump administration's assertion that the Afrikaners, members of a white minority that ruled during apartheid Africa, should be eligible for refugee status.
Context: Trump has long spread conspiracy theories about the mistreatment of white South Africans. His close adviser Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, has shared similar views on X. Each has argued that the lives of white farmers are in jeopardy, a claim that the evidence does not support.
Cassie testified about physical abuse by Sean Combs
For the second consecutive day, Casandra Ventura, the singer known as Cassie, testified in the trial of Sean Combs, her former boyfriend and label boss, about living in fear of going against his wishes. She said that Combs was frequently physically abusive and blackmailed her by threatening to release explicit videos that would have damaged her career.
Ventura is an important witness for the prosecution, which contends that she and another woman were coerced into drug-fueled marathon sex sessions called 'freak-offs.' Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges and said the sexual encounters were consensual. Here are the major points from yesterday's testimony.
José 'Pepe' Mujica, who died on Tuesday, didn't much like Uruguay's opulent presidential residence with its chandeliers and marble. So when he was elected, he chose to commute from his own home, a three-room shack.
The choice was a political masterstroke that showed the value of world leaders who live like their constituents.
Lives lived: Nahid Rachlin, a novelist whose debut work 'Foreigner' provided insight into pre-revolutionary Iran, died at 85.
An author's return from upheaval
Jeanine Cummins's 2020 novel, 'American Dirt,' was a colossal success by most measures, selling more than four million copies in nearly 40 languages. It also ignited a backlash over her portrayal of Mexican migrants that nearly ended her career and her desire to write.
Five years later, Cummins has just published a new novel, 'Speak to Me of Home,' which draws from her family's history in Puerto Rico and the Midwest. She spoke to us about the period of soul-searching that led her to write it. Read more.
Bake: These hearty dinner rolls are a joy to bake and surprisingly easy.
Watch: 'Friendship' explores the complicated platonic relationships between men.
Read: Besha Rodell's memoir, 'Hunger Like a Thirst,' provides a fascinating history of restaurant criticism.
Travel: Learn about mole sauce, tacos and local culture with a cooking course in Mexico City.
Restore: Cleaning suede is easier than you think.
Play: Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle and Sudoku. Find all our games here.
That's it for today. See you tomorrow. — Justin
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