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Fidel Castro, François Fillon, Mitt Romney: Your Monday Briefing Fidel Castro, François Fillon, Mitt Romney: Your Monday Briefing
(35 minutes later)
Good morning.Good morning.
Here’s what you need to know:Here’s what you need to know:
• A recount effort in the United States presidential election that began in Wisconsin may extend this week to two more states narrowly lost by Hillary Clinton.• A recount effort in the United States presidential election that began in Wisconsin may extend this week to two more states narrowly lost by Hillary Clinton.
President-elect Donald J. Trump dismissed the effort as a “scam,” and, in a tweet, said he had actually won in a landslide because “millions of people” had voted illegally.President-elect Donald J. Trump dismissed the effort as a “scam,” and, in a tweet, said he had actually won in a landslide because “millions of people” had voted illegally.
Mr. Trump’s business dealings around the globe are raising widespread concerns over conflicts of interest. One example: his business partnership with a real-estate developer named as the Philippines’ special envoy to the United States.Mr. Trump’s business dealings around the globe are raising widespread concerns over conflicts of interest. One example: his business partnership with a real-estate developer named as the Philippines’ special envoy to the United States.
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• Mr. Trump is expected to name his choice for secretary of state within days. An adviser assailed one top candidate, Mitt Romney, as having gone “out of his way to hurt” Mr. Trump in the primaries.• Mr. Trump is expected to name his choice for secretary of state within days. An adviser assailed one top candidate, Mitt Romney, as having gone “out of his way to hurt” Mr. Trump in the primaries.
Well-placed American officials say the president-elect’s focus on China may be shifting from a trade war to the need for help in addressing North Korea’s expanding nuclear arsenal. Experts say the North’s capacity already threatens America’s regional allies, Japan and South Korea.Well-placed American officials say the president-elect’s focus on China may be shifting from a trade war to the need for help in addressing North Korea’s expanding nuclear arsenal. Experts say the North’s capacity already threatens America’s regional allies, Japan and South Korea.
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• The Cuban government is rolling out plans for a nine-day period of “Duelo Nacional,” or national pain, after the death of Fidel Castro, 90.• The Cuban government is rolling out plans for a nine-day period of “Duelo Nacional,” or national pain, after the death of Fidel Castro, 90.
The country, which defied the United States for nearly half a century before hostilities eased, remains firmly in the grip of his brother, Raúl Castro.The country, which defied the United States for nearly half a century before hostilities eased, remains firmly in the grip of his brother, Raúl Castro.
The capital, Havana, has been quiet, but Cuban exiles celebrated in Miami.The capital, Havana, has been quiet, but Cuban exiles celebrated in Miami.
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• The Vatican has built momentum in talks with Beijing to ease tensions dating back to 1949, when the ascendant Communist Party expelled Catholic missionaries from China.• The Vatican has built momentum in talks with Beijing to ease tensions dating back to 1949, when the ascendant Communist Party expelled Catholic missionaries from China.
Some fear that the pope’s eagerness to reach a deal could play into the hands of China’s hard-line president, Xi Jinping.Some fear that the pope’s eagerness to reach a deal could play into the hands of China’s hard-line president, Xi Jinping.
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• South Korea’s political crisis escalated after a weekend protest against President Park Geun-hye that appeared to be the largest yet. • South Korea’s political crisis escalated after a weekend protest against President Park Geun-hye that appeared to be the largest yet. Ms. Park, whose approval ratings have fallen into the low single digits, stayed holed up the Blue House and denied charges against her in the influence-peddling scandal that inspired the protests.
A looming impeachment vote over an influence-peddling scandal is expected between this Friday and next. A looming impeachment vote is expected between this Friday and next
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• American shoppers took advantage of post-Thanksgiving deals, pushing so-called Black Friday sales up 18 percent over last year, to $5.3 billion, according to industry analysts. But visits to brick-and-mortar stores dipped.• American shoppers took advantage of post-Thanksgiving deals, pushing so-called Black Friday sales up 18 percent over last year, to $5.3 billion, according to industry analysts. But visits to brick-and-mortar stores dipped.
• The animated Disney film “Moana” took in more than $81 million at domestic theaters over the five-day holiday weekend and an additional $16.3 million in limited overseas release, including in China.• The animated Disney film “Moana” took in more than $81 million at domestic theaters over the five-day holiday weekend and an additional $16.3 million in limited overseas release, including in China.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the radio to soothe Indians distressed by his ban on large banknotes, pledging that the difficulties caused by the ban would ease soon.• Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the radio to soothe Indians distressed by his ban on large banknotes, pledging that the difficulties caused by the ban would ease soon.
• Oil prices are likely to remain volatile ahead of Wednesday’s OPEC meeting in Vienna, given the uncertainty over the possibility of a deal on production curbs.• Oil prices are likely to remain volatile ahead of Wednesday’s OPEC meeting in Vienna, given the uncertainty over the possibility of a deal on production curbs.
• A California startup thinks it may have found the secret to growing truffles.• A California startup thinks it may have found the secret to growing truffles.
• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.
• Days before the Australian government will report to Unesco on the health of the Great Barrier Reef, reports emerged that damage to the reef may be worse than initially thought. [The Brisbane Times] • Days before the Australian government will report to Unesco on the health of the Great Barrier Reef, reports emerged that record coral bleaching damage may be worse than initially thought. [The Brisbane Times]
• François Fillon appears to have won a runoff to represent France’s center-right party, defeating Alain Juppé. [euronews]• François Fillon appears to have won a runoff to represent France’s center-right party, defeating Alain Juppé. [euronews]
• China’s government has pledged to expand land use rights for homeowners, giving residents more control over properties they buy. [South China Morning Post]• China’s government has pledged to expand land use rights for homeowners, giving residents more control over properties they buy. [South China Morning Post]
• A major surfing competition in a small fishing village in Taiwan challenged long-held anxieties about the sea and cross-straits dangers. [The Guardian]• A major surfing competition in a small fishing village in Taiwan challenged long-held anxieties about the sea and cross-straits dangers. [The Guardian]
• The vice president of Afghanistan, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, reportedly punched a political rival at a sporting event and later had the man taken hostage. [The New York Times]• The vice president of Afghanistan, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, reportedly punched a political rival at a sporting event and later had the man taken hostage. [The New York Times]
• U.S. officials say they will close a protest camp that has drawn thousands of Native Americans opposed to an oil pipeline. [The New York Times]• U.S. officials say they will close a protest camp that has drawn thousands of Native Americans opposed to an oil pipeline. [The New York Times]
• A computer science student in the nation of Georgia says he was just looking for ad dollars when he started purveying the kind of fake news that played a role in the U.S. election. [The New York Times]• A computer science student in the nation of Georgia says he was just looking for ad dollars when he started purveying the kind of fake news that played a role in the U.S. election. [The New York Times]
• “I see the anger I was raised with rocking the nation.” A young American who renounced white nationalism considers the wave of white rage that lifted Donald Trump to the White House. [The New York Times]• “I see the anger I was raised with rocking the nation.” A young American who renounced white nationalism considers the wave of white rage that lifted Donald Trump to the White House. [The New York Times]
This 98-year-old is a yoga celebrity a star teacher with exceptional marketing potential in the world of asanas, meditation and paced breathing. She’s also an avid traveler and competitive ballroom dancer. A weeks-long chess battle that could end today pits Sergey Karjakin of Russia against the defending world champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, pictured above, left and right.
“I’m 50 years younger than her, and her schedule exhausts me,” said the co-writer of her memoir, “Dancing Light: The Spiritual Side of Being Through the Eyes of a Modern Yoga Master.” Simmering cold war tensions have given the match weightier geopolitical overtones. A Russian spokesman said that President Vladimir V. Putin receives constant updates.
• Our business columnist tracked the fortune of J.K. Rowling, the “Harry Potter” author. He estimates her net worth at $1.2 billion, noting that she pays taxes and gives generously to charity.• Our business columnist tracked the fortune of J.K. Rowling, the “Harry Potter” author. He estimates her net worth at $1.2 billion, noting that she pays taxes and gives generously to charity.
“At a time of bitter disputes over rising income inequality,” he concludes, “no one seems to resent Ms. Rowling’s runaway success.”“At a time of bitter disputes over rising income inequality,” he concludes, “no one seems to resent Ms. Rowling’s runaway success.”
• “Black Water,” a novel which recalls Indonesia’s turmoil in the 20th century, and “Do Not Say We Have Nothing,” which traces seven decades of Chinese political history, are among our 100 Notable Books of 2016.• “Black Water,” a novel which recalls Indonesia’s turmoil in the 20th century, and “Do Not Say We Have Nothing,” which traces seven decades of Chinese political history, are among our 100 Notable Books of 2016.
Here’s the full list.Here’s the full list.
That banana you might be having for breakfast is probably a Cavendish, the most widely available variety of one of the world’s most popular fruits.That banana you might be having for breakfast is probably a Cavendish, the most widely available variety of one of the world’s most popular fruits.
But a deadly fungus is on the march, and the Cavendish’s lack of genetic diversity is raising fears of a possible “bananapocalypse.”But a deadly fungus is on the march, and the Cavendish’s lack of genetic diversity is raising fears of a possible “bananapocalypse.”
The killer, a strain of Panama Disease called Tropical Race 4, has spread to China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia’s Northern Territory, and has recently been found in Africa and the Middle East.The killer, a strain of Panama Disease called Tropical Race 4, has spread to China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia’s Northern Territory, and has recently been found in Africa and the Middle East.
With its yellow peel and seedless fruit, the Cavendish makes up 95 percent of bananas sold worldwide, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.With its yellow peel and seedless fruit, the Cavendish makes up 95 percent of bananas sold worldwide, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.
The previous dominant variety, the Gros Michel, was decimated by another form of the fungus in the 1950s. Growers turned to the Cavendish, whose strength lies more in disease resistance than flavor. (One expert said it “had been considered something close to junk.”)The previous dominant variety, the Gros Michel, was decimated by another form of the fungus in the 1950s. Growers turned to the Cavendish, whose strength lies more in disease resistance than flavor. (One expert said it “had been considered something close to junk.”)
The Cavendish is thought to have arrived in England in the 1800s from Mauritius, taking its name from the family in whose greenhouse it was cultivated. Missionaries eventually carried it to the Pacific islands.The Cavendish is thought to have arrived in England in the 1800s from Mauritius, taking its name from the family in whose greenhouse it was cultivated. Missionaries eventually carried it to the Pacific islands.
One scientist sees a silver lining in newly urgent efforts to save the seeds from wild bananas. “Race 4 is a threat,” he says, “but it’s also an opportunity to start growing more diversity.”One scientist sees a silver lining in newly urgent efforts to save the seeds from wild bananas. “Race 4 is a threat,” he says, “but it’s also an opportunity to start growing more diversity.”
Remy Tumin contributed reporting.Remy Tumin contributed reporting.
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Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help.Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help.
Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings.Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings.
What would you like to see here? Contact us at asiabriefing@nytimes.com.What would you like to see here? Contact us at asiabriefing@nytimes.com.