While Calm Reigns in Damascus, Battles in Syria’s Northeast Rage On

The conflict poses a challenge for the new interim president as he tries to unify Syria and extend his authority over the entire country.

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Wednesday Briefing

Here’s what you need to know.

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15 N.Y. Prison Workers Placed on Leave as Inmate’s Death Is Investigated

Gov. Kathy Hochul said that early reports suggested “extremely disturbing conduct” leading to the death of Messiah Nantwi, 22, in an upstate prison.

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Here’s How Democrats Are Protesting Trump’s Speech to Congress

Many Democrats are taking guests who they say have been hurt by Elon Musk’s gutting of the federal bureaucracy. Several others will skip the speech and host counterprogramming, such as live fact-checking.

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L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Loses Her Bid for Reinstatement

The former chief, Kristin Crowley, said the mayor had falsely accused her of mishandling the Palisades fire, but her dismissal was upheld by the City Council.

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Fired CDC Scientists Are Reinstated for Now

The fellows had been let go as part of the push to cut federal probationary employees that caused thousands of scientists from the C.D.C. and other agencies to lose their jobs.

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‘Final Mission’ for Education Dept. Begins Now, McMahon Says

President Trump has said he wants to do away with the department, and in her first hours as education secretary, Linda McMahon indicated she would follow his lead.

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Hegseth Cuts Pentagon Work on Preventing Civilian Harm

Employees at the Pentagon’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response office were told their jobs would be eliminated, as would advisory posts at operational commands.

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Top Democrats Accuse Trump and Musk of Imperiling National Security

The senior Democrats on the Senate and House national security panels, who typically moderate their public statements given their positions, issued a scathing statement before the president’s speech.

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Judge Blocks Trump Orders to Stop Funds for Trans Youth Health Providers

The ruling affects hospitals nationwide, putting on hold the administration’s plan to withhold research grants from those that offer gender transition treatments to young people.

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