Luigi Mangione; Kroger and Albertsons merger; Syria : NPR

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Right this moment’s high tales

Syrians are transitioning from celebrating the ousting of long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad and the toppling of his regime to desirous about the massive challenges dealing with the war-torn nation. Ahmed al-Shara, who’s on the forefront of the insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, is not less than nominally answerable for the nation. Here are five things to watch as Syria appears towards a brand new future.

• 🎧 “What is kind of extraordinary is they appear to now be dealing with a comparatively managed handover of energy,” NPR’s Ruth Sherlock tells Up First. A brand new transitional authorities has been fashioned, which incorporates some politicians from the outdated regime. Troopers conscripted into army service are being pardoned, and leaders are working to dismantle the regime’s feared security apparatus. Sherlock visited the Sednaya jail, probably the most feared complexes recognized for torture and mass executions. It’s now open, and rebels have launched prisoners. A lot of those that have been imprisoned are nonetheless lacking, and the power is stuffed with their family members in search of clues as to the place they might be.
• ➡️ Greater than one million Syrians now stay in Germany after fleeing Syria on account of violence underneath Assad’s regime. Now, many are debating whether or not to return. Some Syrians share their thoughts with NPR’s Rob Schmitz about whether or not to return.
• ➡️ Journalist Austin Tice went lacking 12 years in the past throughout a reporting journey in Syria. After the autumn of the Assad regime, there was elevated hope that he’s nonetheless alive. U.S. officers say they’re working with sources on the ground to get information about Tice.

Investigators and a few extremism researchers are trying into whether or not there’s proof of a transparent ideology behind the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing after particulars about suspect Luigi Mangione surfaced on-line. Mangione is a member of a outstanding Maryland household, graduated high of his class from an elite prep college and acquired two Ivy League college levels. He reportedly suffered a serious again damage and underwent surgical procedure a few years in the past.

• 🎧 Mangione had a number of social media accounts, together with one on Goodreads the place he posted an excerpt from the writings of Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, NPR’s Odette Yousef says. One of many photographs on his X account is an X-ray of a backbone with 4 massive screws inserted. It is not sure that that is his X-ray. His digital footprint does not make clear a lot as a result of it cuts off within the spring. Police discovered a handwritten word conveying a deep anger towards the healthcare industry and a sense that somebody needed to take motion, Yousef says.
• ➡️ Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO, was possible killed with a ghost gun. Here’s what they are and the way they’re made.

Two separate judges blocked the $24.6 billion merger deal for Kroger and Albertsons yesterday. One of many instances was introduced by federal regulators whereas the opposite was offered by the Washington state lawyer common. It could have been the biggest grocery merger in U.S. historical past. Now, after two years of delays, its destiny is unknown.

• 🎧 The block is technically momentary and Kroger and Albertsons may preserve combating and attraction, NPR’s Alina Selyukh says. The state choose dominated the merger violated state client safety regulation and the federal case blocked the merger nationwide. Authorities lawyers argued the merger would leave shoppers worse off. Kroger and Albertsons made the case that the merger was a matter of survival and that their largest rivals are usually not standard supermarkets however giants like Walmart and Costco. The businesses say they’re disillusioned and disagree with the choice and are at the moment weighing their choices going ahead.

Life recommendation

It may be arduous to know what to say to somebody whose liked one has died. You wish to present love and help, however you additionally know there is not a lot you may say to heal their ache. Should you really feel perplexed, psychologist and grief guide Mekel Harris and writer of Grief is Love Marisa Renee Lee have some dos and don’ts when expressing condolences.

• ❤️ Do not begin something with “not less than.” This phrase could reduce your good friend’s expertise and will impose a viewpoint that won’t ring true.
• ❤️ Saying “no want to reply” releases the grieving particular person from any strain or expectation to answer.
• ❤️ Clichés like “time heals all wounds” can sound hole and impersonal.
• ❤️ Preserve reaching out, even months after the demise. Grief is an extended street, and every particular person heals at their very own tempo.

Take a look at the more tips here.

Image present

Clockwise, from high left: Laura Forer, Michelle Alette, Domenique Rice, Jen Loga, Dr. Patty Ng and Marise Angibeau-Grey

Nancy Borowick

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Nancy Borowick

Nancy Borowick discovered that pictures was therapeutic for her after she misplaced each of her mother and father inside 364 days of each other. It continued to have therapeutic energy when she discovered herself deep in despair 13 months after the traumatic delivery of her son. Borowick turned to social media to ask others about their experiences with delivery trauma. One grandmother requested her, “Are you in search of tales about stillbirth?” The query prompted her to start out The Loss Mom’s Stone, a challenge she hopes will draw consciousness to girls’s tales, educate Individuals and destigmatize the dialog between docs and sufferers.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

After The Onion was named the profitable bidder for Alex Jones’ belongings at a chapter public sale final month, the dropping bidder tried to cease the sale, saying the method was rigged and “fatally flawed.”

Joe Buglewicz/Getty Photos

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Joe Buglewicz/Getty Photos

1. A chapter choose has rejected a bid by The Onion’s homeowners to purchase Alex Jones’ Infowars, saying the offer and process were flawed.
2. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a brand new regulation Monday that limits how a book can be banned in colleges and public libraries and protects librarians from lawsuits. (by way of WHYY)
3. The U.S.’ first state-sanctioned facility for individuals to make use of unlawful medication underneath medical supervision opened yesterday in Rhode Island. The services are a part of an effort to prevent overdoses. (by way of The Public’s Radio)

This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.