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| Catalonia, Germany, Saudi Arabia: Your Wednesday Briefing | Catalonia, Germany, Saudi Arabia: Your Wednesday Briefing |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| Here’s what you need to know: | Here’s what you need to know: |
| • “I’m just for a united Spain,” President Trump told journalists as he hosted Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, calling Catalan efforts to secede “foolish.” | • “I’m just for a united Spain,” President Trump told journalists as he hosted Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, calling Catalan efforts to secede “foolish.” |
| The region is scheduled to hold a referendum on independence from Spain on Sunday, despite fierce opposition from Madrid and the courts. Yesterday, Mr. Rajoy’s government said it would take control of voting booths to thwart the vote. | |
| Here’s our correspondent’s guide to Spain’s political crisis. He notes that support for independence has been waning, but most Catalans want a vote to be held. | Here’s our correspondent’s guide to Spain’s political crisis. He notes that support for independence has been waning, but most Catalans want a vote to be held. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • In Germany, coalition talks have begun, but could prove tough, especially on migration. | • In Germany, coalition talks have begun, but could prove tough, especially on migration. |
| Our Interpreter columnist explores why populist parties like Alternative for Germany have been able to exploit a broader loss of faith in mainstream parties. | |
| One explanation: Elite consensus alienated voters who wanted a genuine debates on major issues. | |
| For many Israelis, thousands of whom have flocked to Berlin in recent years for its socially liberal politics, the election result was especially problematic. | |
| _____ | _____ |
| • Emmanuel Macron, the French president, outlined his proposals to revitalize the European Union, including a common defense budget and a shared asylum office, in a speech to students at the Sorbonne University. | • Emmanuel Macron, the French president, outlined his proposals to revitalize the European Union, including a common defense budget and a shared asylum office, in a speech to students at the Sorbonne University. |
| Brussels welcomed the speech, but reactions across Europe were mixed. Andrej Babis, the Czech billionaire front-runner in next month’s election there, suggested Mr. Macron should focus on France. | Brussels welcomed the speech, but reactions across Europe were mixed. Andrej Babis, the Czech billionaire front-runner in next month’s election there, suggested Mr. Macron should focus on France. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • “This is like in war.” | • “This is like in war.” |
| Those are the words of an emergency doctor at a hospital in Puerto Rico that has been crippled by floods, damage and shortages of diesel in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. | Those are the words of an emergency doctor at a hospital in Puerto Rico that has been crippled by floods, damage and shortages of diesel in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. |
| Millions remain without power and clean water across the Caribbean. Here’s how you can help. | Millions remain without power and clean water across the Caribbean. Here’s how you can help. |
| President Trump only had praise for his administration’s response to recent natural disasters. “We are doing a great job,” he declared. (A new poll found that nearly half of Americans don’t know that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.) | President Trump only had praise for his administration’s response to recent natural disasters. “We are doing a great job,” he declared. (A new poll found that nearly half of Americans don’t know that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.) |
| _____ | _____ |
| • Saudi Arabia announced that it would finally allow women to take the wheel. | • Saudi Arabia announced that it would finally allow women to take the wheel. |
| Activists have long fought for the change. Their campaign was buoyed by the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pushed to loosen social restrictions. | Activists have long fought for the change. Their campaign was buoyed by the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has pushed to loosen social restrictions. |
| Meanwhile, the kingdom is resisting a U.N.-backed independent inquiry into human rights abuses in Yemen. | Meanwhile, the kingdom is resisting a U.N.-backed independent inquiry into human rights abuses in Yemen. |
| • A new European transportation giant: Siemens and Alstom confirmed that they planned to merge their rail businesses. | • A new European transportation giant: Siemens and Alstom confirmed that they planned to merge their rail businesses. |
| • Dyson, the British maker of appliances, revealed that a 400-strong team of engineers was working on its plan to introduce an electric car by 2020. | • Dyson, the British maker of appliances, revealed that a 400-strong team of engineers was working on its plan to introduce an electric car by 2020. |
| • In the U.S., the Federal Reserve is struggling to understand a recent slowdown in inflation. It could mean a slower increase in interest rates. | • In the U.S., the Federal Reserve is struggling to understand a recent slowdown in inflation. It could mean a slower increase in interest rates. |
| • Here’s a snapshot of global markets. | • Here’s a snapshot of global markets. |
| • Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, announced a referendum next year, ahead of a planned visit by Pope Francis, over a proposal to lift or ease the constitutional ban on abortions. [The New York Times] | • Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, announced a referendum next year, ahead of a planned visit by Pope Francis, over a proposal to lift or ease the constitutional ban on abortions. [The New York Times] |
| • Iraq gave Kurdish leaders until Friday to surrender control of its two international airports because their referendum had “destabilized” the region. [The New York Times] | • Iraq gave Kurdish leaders until Friday to surrender control of its two international airports because their referendum had “destabilized” the region. [The New York Times] |
| • The police in Egypt arrested seven people for promoting homosexuality after they raised rainbow-colored flags at a concert. [The New York Times] | • The police in Egypt arrested seven people for promoting homosexuality after they raised rainbow-colored flags at a concert. [The New York Times] |
| • In Alabama, an evangelical firebrand supported by the former Trump strategist Stephen Bannon, won a Republican Senate runoff, dealing a blow to President Trump, who backed his opponent. [The New York Times] | • In Alabama, an evangelical firebrand supported by the former Trump strategist Stephen Bannon, won a Republican Senate runoff, dealing a blow to President Trump, who backed his opponent. [The New York Times] |
| • “I hate America,” a trader told our correspondent at China’s border with North Korea. “Why don’t they let me do any business?” [The New York Times] | • “I hate America,” a trader told our correspondent at China’s border with North Korea. “Why don’t they let me do any business?” [The New York Times] |
| • An investigation in Ukraine highlights the role of some companies there in exporting European arms to conflict zones. [OCCRP] | |
| • Google’s efforts to fight fake news have raised concerns among groups outside the mainstream that their content is being censored. [The New York Times] | • Google’s efforts to fight fake news have raised concerns among groups outside the mainstream that their content is being censored. [The New York Times] |
| Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life. | Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life. |
| • Recipe of the day: Try Meera Sodha’s roasted broccoli with almonds and cardamom, inspired by a dish she found in Goa. | • Recipe of the day: Try Meera Sodha’s roasted broccoli with almonds and cardamom, inspired by a dish she found in Goa. |
| • After a hurricane or a flood, local markets are filled with used cars. Here’s how to avoid buying a water-damaged vehicle. | • After a hurricane or a flood, local markets are filled with used cars. Here’s how to avoid buying a water-damaged vehicle. |
| • Makeup advice: Master the elusive cat-eye eyeliner and add some color at the same time. | • Makeup advice: Master the elusive cat-eye eyeliner and add some color at the same time. |
| • Our latest 360 video: Step inside a Lego factory in Denmark that produces 116 million pieces a day. | • Our latest 360 video: Step inside a Lego factory in Denmark that produces 116 million pieces a day. |
| • Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the group stage. | • Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the group stage. |
| • Twitter is questioning its defining attribute: brevity. The company is now testing a version of its service that would double the length of a tweet. | • Twitter is questioning its defining attribute: brevity. The company is now testing a version of its service that would double the length of a tweet. |
| • In Britain, the Royal Exchange Theater is trying to help Manchester heal after being traumatized by the bombing in May with the performance of an all-American classic, “Our Town.” | • In Britain, the Royal Exchange Theater is trying to help Manchester heal after being traumatized by the bombing in May with the performance of an all-American classic, “Our Town.” |
| • In memoriam: Jan Triska, an actor who emigrated to the U.S. over his opposition to the Communist regime, died at 80 after he fell from the Charles Bridge in Prague. | |
| • “I wasn’t really sure what to expect.” A Swedish photojournalist in Afghanistan discovered Kabul’s unexpectedly stylish side in beauty parlors, hip teenagers and weekend cricket players. | • “I wasn’t really sure what to expect.” A Swedish photojournalist in Afghanistan discovered Kabul’s unexpectedly stylish side in beauty parlors, hip teenagers and weekend cricket players. |
| The box office success of the new film adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” has put evil clowns front and center. | The box office success of the new film adaptation of Stephen King’s “It” has put evil clowns front and center. |
| In Australia, near hysteria broke out after a mysterious Facebook group promised to send 50 clowns to one spot. The backlash, including threats of violence, looked like a case study of coulrophobia — clown phobia. | In Australia, near hysteria broke out after a mysterious Facebook group promised to send 50 clowns to one spot. The backlash, including threats of violence, looked like a case study of coulrophobia — clown phobia. |
| Like a fear of masks, a fear of clowns stems from the obscuring of the face, according to Corrie Ackland, clinical director at the Sydney Phobia Clinic. “We use people’s facial expressions as such an indicator of safety and their intentions,” she explained. “And if we don’t get that really important piece of information, then we feel like we should be cautious.” | Like a fear of masks, a fear of clowns stems from the obscuring of the face, according to Corrie Ackland, clinical director at the Sydney Phobia Clinic. “We use people’s facial expressions as such an indicator of safety and their intentions,” she explained. “And if we don’t get that really important piece of information, then we feel like we should be cautious.” |
| Phobias can form from childhood experiences, critical events later in life, or gradual processes. With clowns, there’s plenty of disturbing material. In the 1970s, John Wayne Gacy, an amateur clown, tortured and killed at least 33 young men and boys in the U.S. And both the U.S. and Australia grappled with reports in 2016 of clowns terrorizing the public. | Phobias can form from childhood experiences, critical events later in life, or gradual processes. With clowns, there’s plenty of disturbing material. In the 1970s, John Wayne Gacy, an amateur clown, tortured and killed at least 33 young men and boys in the U.S. And both the U.S. and Australia grappled with reports in 2016 of clowns terrorizing the public. |
| Therapy involves gradual exposure in positive settings. For example, Ms. Ackland said, one might take the patient to see the red-haired clown who hides amid burgers and fries: Ronald McDonald. | Therapy involves gradual exposure in positive settings. For example, Ms. Ackland said, one might take the patient to see the red-haired clown who hides amid burgers and fries: Ronald McDonald. |
| Isabella Kwai contributed reporting. | Isabella Kwai contributed reporting. |
| _____ | _____ |
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