海角大神

• Trump delays tariffs:听President Donald Trump is holding off on his tariff threats against Mexico and Canada for 30 days after the two United States neighbors agreed to boost border security efforts.听
• China tariffs on U.S.:听China has countered President Donald Trump鈥檚 tariffs on Chinese products with tariffs of its own on multiple United States imports as well as announcing an antitrust investigation into Google and other trade measures.听
  • Related Monitor story: Globalization is over. Will Trump tariffs reset US-China rivalry?
• Ukraine loses ground:听A shortage of infantry troops and supply routes under Russian drone attacks has dealt a blow to Ukrainian forces around the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk.
  • Related Monitor story: War worries heavy? Internet out? In Ukraine, books are the balm.
• Legal help for migrants:听The U.S. Justice Department has ordered a halt to programs and nonprofits that provide information and guidance to people in immigration proceedings.
• France #MeToo trial:听A Paris court Feb. 3 found filmmaker Christophe Ruggia guilty of sexual assault on French actor Ad猫le Haenel when she was between 12 and 15 years old in the early 2000s.

Other presidents have vowed to cut the federal bureaucracy before 鈥� and largely failed. Are the brash actions of the Trump administration the only way to make headway? President Donald Trump and Elon Musk seem to think so. The question is whether they are smashing the Constitution to bits along the way. The administration鈥檚 actions seek to dramatically redefine the power of the modern American presidency and will likely force courts to step in and decide.

The release of Israeli hostages is somewhat overshadowing the release of Palestinian prisoners in Gaza and the West Bank. Some have been in Israeli jails for more than half their life. Many were unaware that the war in Gaza even happened. The Monitor went to discover who they are and to hear their stories. 鈥淓very single one of us is born again today,鈥� said one prisoner. 鈥淔rom this very moment, I am reborn.鈥�

One of President Donald Trump鈥檚 primary targets during his first weeks in office has been diversity, equity, and inclusion 鈥撎齩r DEI. But what actually is DEI, and what is Mr. Trump trying to do? The president鈥檚 effort to dial back affirmative action in federal hiring, for instance, could be one of his most consequential executive actions yet. Says one lawyer, 鈥淚t鈥檚 the linchpin of the modern equal employment opportunity.鈥�

A San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit had a novel idea. What if those experiencing homelessness could have someone to talk to? So began Miracle Messages, in which homeless residents and volunteers become phone buddies. More than anything, those living on the streets 鈥渘eed a human connection and recognition that they are worthy of support,鈥� says one expert on homelessness. Such efforts offer 鈥渉ope that there鈥檚 a way forward instead of just feeling overwhelmed by the challenge.鈥�

In our weekly roundup of progress around the world, prioritizing well-being over convenience is producing benefits for people and environments. It has meant safer streets in Warsaw, Poland; a healthier Sri Lankan capital; and even family members who feel more connected to each other.

Nearly two months after their liberation from a half-century of dictatorship, Syrians appear to be shaping their future as much as the country鈥檚 new de facto ruler, former Islamist rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. And many are doing it through laughter.

Since the fall of the Assad regime Dec. 8, a collective of 20 comedians has toured the country entertaining thousands of people in various venues with uncensored humor. They are taking advantage of Syria鈥檚 newfound freedom of expression and equality. And their audiences are as diverse as the comedy collective itself, reflecting Syria鈥檚 ethnic and religious groups.

鈥淚f we can laugh together, we can live together,鈥� Malke Mardinali, co-founder of the Styria Comedy Club, told New Lines Magazine. One audience member said about the show, 鈥淲e feel at home here. We can laugh about anything and as much as we want 鈥� no one is watching us anymore.鈥�

In caf茅s and street markets, on campuses or public transportation, a country at the heart of the Middle East is having a grand moment of inclusiveness and is rediscovering a national identity briefly expressed during the 2011 Arab Spring protests. Dozens of Syrian writers, artists, and academics, for example, have signed a petition asking for 鈥渢he restoration of fundamental public freedoms鈥� and that a new government 鈥� not yet fully formed 鈥� would not 鈥渋nterfere in people鈥檚 customs.鈥� Their concern stems from Mr. al-Sharaa鈥檚 appointment of some officials who seek to impose strict Islamic rules even on non-Muslims.

鈥淲hat is new and gives a sense of hope is that the fear barrier has been smashed in Syria, and from this development, there can be no going back,鈥� wrote Shahira Salloum, managing editor of the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news publication.

Mr. al-Sharaa, whose rebel group dispatched the old regime, may be getting the message. Last week, he promised a national dialogue to help write a constitution and prepare for elections. He also wants to 鈥渇orm a broad transitional government, representative of Syria鈥檚 diversity.鈥� He has also heard that message听from diplomats visiting from countries that range from Qatar to Germany.

鈥淪yrians have already proved they can do the impossible,鈥� wrote Oz Katerji, a British Lebanese freelance journalist, in Foreign Policy. 鈥淲hy should they fear rebuilding Syria as a democratic pluralist nation state?鈥�

For those Syrians now laughing in comedy clubs, fear may be the last thing on their mind.