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North Korea, Xi Jinping, Trade War: Your Monday Briefing North Korea, Xi Jinping, Trade War: Your Monday Briefing
(about 1 hour 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. Global recalculations, the demise of Toys “R” Us and “Black Panther” passes $1 billion at the box office. Here’s what you need to know: Good morning. Global recalculations, no fun for Toys “R” Us and the most ignorant man in America. Here’s what you need to know:
• A global trade war? Or just a skirmish?• A global trade war? Or just a skirmish?
Australia, South Korea and other countries are using persuasion, threats, personal appeals and diplomatic leverage to jockey for exemptions from new U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel. America’s allies are using persuasion, threats, personal appeals and diplomatic leverage to jockey for exemptions from new U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel.
“We’re calling in all contacts at every level,” said Julie Bishop, Australia’s foreign minister, pictured above at the U.N. last week. Top among those enlisted: Greg Norman, the golfing legend who counts President Trump as a friend. Australia joined Canada and Mexico as possible winners after deploying Greg Norman, the golfing legend who counts President Trump as a friend. But South Korea, which made an impassioned appeal based on its role trying to defang North Korea, is still waiting.
Which countries succeed, and which end up retaliating, will determine the severity of the disruption to global trade. In the end, which countries get a reprieve, and which end up retaliating, will determine the severity of the disruption to global trade.
Our Op-Ed columnist, Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate for his research on trade, writes that “the tariffs could unwind the whole global trade system built, largely under U.S. leadership, over the past 80 years.” He’s taking questions from readers on the subject. Ask yours here.Our Op-Ed columnist, Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate for his research on trade, writes that “the tariffs could unwind the whole global trade system built, largely under U.S. leadership, over the past 80 years.” He’s taking questions from readers on the subject. Ask yours here.
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• The Chinese legislature’s vote was almost unanimous. Presidential term limits are gone, as expected, allowing Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely.• The Chinese legislature’s vote was almost unanimous. Presidential term limits are gone, as expected, allowing Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely.
Here’s a look at how the limits came to be, and a fuller picture of what is at stake — not least of which is a return to the Mao-era danger of concentrating power in one supreme, unassailable leader.Here’s a look at how the limits came to be, and a fuller picture of what is at stake — not least of which is a return to the Mao-era danger of concentrating power in one supreme, unassailable leader.
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• President Trump’s abrupt “yes” to a meeting with North Korea, throwing aside caution and decades of conventions, is a case study in Trump-era international relations.• President Trump’s abrupt “yes” to a meeting with North Korea, throwing aside caution and decades of conventions, is a case study in Trump-era international relations.
The idea is so risky — and seemingly far-fetched — that some of Mr. Trump’s aides believe it will never happen. (Note that summits of geopolitical adversaries haven’t always worked out so well.)The idea is so risky — and seemingly far-fetched — that some of Mr. Trump’s aides believe it will never happen. (Note that summits of geopolitical adversaries haven’t always worked out so well.)
Here’s a fresh look at what we know about Kim Jong-un, the North’s enigmatic young dictator. And we have the back story of how two South Korean envoys brought his invitation to Washington. Above, one with Mr. Trump last week.Here’s a fresh look at what we know about Kim Jong-un, the North’s enigmatic young dictator. And we have the back story of how two South Korean envoys brought his invitation to Washington. Above, one with Mr. Trump last week.
The American moves on trade and North Korea have injected fresh uncertainty into strategic calculations in Asia. China has an opening. And Japan feels left in the cold.The American moves on trade and North Korea have injected fresh uncertainty into strategic calculations in Asia. China has an opening. And Japan feels left in the cold.
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Australia’s #MeToo may be just beginning. Vladimir Putin said he did not “care” about U.S. allegations of Russian election interference, suggesting in an interview broadcast over the weekend that the culprits might be “Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship.”
According to women who work in the halls of Australian power, the scandals that brought down Robert Doyle, the lord mayor of Melbourne, and Barnaby Joyce, the deputy prime minister, were but a tiny sampling of the pervasive culture of sexual harassment in politics. Above, Parliament in February. President Putin’s comments, which drew criticism from Jewish groups and U.S. lawmakers, came as an exhibition in Vienna explored the debt the Russian Revolution, communism and socialism owe to Jewish philosophers, politicians and artists.
Our reporter takes the measure of the country’s reckoning.
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• The most ignorant man in America?• The most ignorant man in America?
Since President Trump’s election victory, an Ohio man has blocked out the news — completely. He’s managed to become shockingly uninformed.Since President Trump’s election victory, an Ohio man has blocked out the news — completely. He’s managed to become shockingly uninformed.
Extreme as it is, it’s a path that likely holds some appeal for liberals these days — a D.I.Y. version of leaving the country.Extreme as it is, it’s a path that likely holds some appeal for liberals these days — a D.I.Y. version of leaving the country.
“I am bored,” he said. “But it’s not bugging me.”“I am bored,” he said. “But it’s not bugging me.”
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• “Black Panther” pushed past $1 billion in global box office sales with what the Walt Disney Company estimates was a $66.5 million opening in China.• “Black Panther” pushed past $1 billion in global box office sales with what the Walt Disney Company estimates was a $66.5 million opening in China.
No fun for Toys “R” Us. The toy chain is preparing to liquidate its bankrupt operations in the U.S., and is in talks to unload its growing Asian business. • Toys “R” Us is preparing to liquidate its bankrupt operations in the U.S., and is in talks to unload its growing Asian business.
• Dropbox, the U.S.-based file sharing service, is expected to set a price range for its offering as soon as this week and to trade on the stock market by the end of March. When it does, its 35-year-old founder, Drew Houston, will become a billionaire.• Dropbox, the U.S.-based file sharing service, is expected to set a price range for its offering as soon as this week and to trade on the stock market by the end of March. When it does, its 35-year-old founder, Drew Houston, will become a billionaire.
• The Kushner Companies and the Trump Organization are stepping up their real estate collaborations, blurring the line between family, business and politics. Both companies have dismissed ethics concerns.• The Kushner Companies and the Trump Organization are stepping up their real estate collaborations, blurring the line between family, business and politics. Both companies have dismissed ethics concerns.
Here’s a snapshot of global markets. The International Solar Alliance, a treaty-based organization launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, received a $862 million pledge from France. The I.S.A. aims to mobilize $1 trillion for global solar projects.
• Market watchers, please note that U.S. clocks have moved forward an hour. Here’s a snapshot of global markets.
• Hong Kong held by-elections Sunday to fill four Legislative Council seats once held by pro-democracy lawmakers, who were ousted over invalid oaths of office. Results are expected today. [A.P.]• Hong Kong held by-elections Sunday to fill four Legislative Council seats once held by pro-democracy lawmakers, who were ousted over invalid oaths of office. Results are expected today. [A.P.]
• In the Philippines, the army said its forces killed at least 44 pro-Islamic State militants and wounded 26 more, after days of fighting and shelling in southern Maguindanao province. The rebel group is known as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, or BIFF. [Reuters]
• Andrew Barr, the chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory, announced a plan to bypass traditional news media. “I hate journalists,” he said. “I’m over dealing with the mainstream media.” [The Canberra Times]• Andrew Barr, the chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory, announced a plan to bypass traditional news media. “I hate journalists,” he said. “I’m over dealing with the mainstream media.” [The Canberra Times]
Vladimir Putin said he did not “care” about U.S. allegations of Russian election interference, suggesting in an interview broadcast over the weekend that the culprits might be “Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship.” [A.P.] Recent scandals in Australia’s halls of power have exposed a pervasive culture of sexual harassment in the country’s politics. Our reporter takes the measure of the national reckoning. [The New York Times]
• President Putin’s comments, which drew criticism from Jewish groups and U.S. lawmakers, came as an exhibition in Vienna explored the debt the Russian Revolution, communism and socialism owe to Jewish philosophers, politicians and artists. [The New York Times]
• Wash clothes and use baby wipes. A week after a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned with a nerve agent in England, the authorities issued some advice but said the risk to the public remained “low.” [The New York Times]• Wash clothes and use baby wipes. A week after a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned with a nerve agent in England, the authorities issued some advice but said the risk to the public remained “low.” [The New York Times]
• U2’s frontman, Bono, said he was “furious” after a charity he co-founded was accused of fostering an atmosphere of bullying and abuse, including an attempt at sexual coercion. [The New York Times]• U2’s frontman, Bono, said he was “furious” after a charity he co-founded was accused of fostering an atmosphere of bullying and abuse, including an attempt at sexual coercion. [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: Start the week off simply with homemade mushroom soup.• Recipe of the day: Start the week off simply with homemade mushroom soup.
• Go green and save by skipping hotel housekeeping.• Go green and save by skipping hotel housekeeping.
• Want an easier way to buy art? There’s an app for that.• Want an easier way to buy art? There’s an app for that.
• Andy Griffiths, whose books (and butt jokes) are wildly popular among young readers in Australia, Europe and the U.S., keeps building on his hit “Treehouse” series.
• In Japan, a girl turned to her Buddhist faith to help rebuild her village temple destroyed in the tsunami in 2011. Our photographer and photo editor, Hiroko Masuike, has been following her efforts for seven years.• In Japan, a girl turned to her Buddhist faith to help rebuild her village temple destroyed in the tsunami in 2011. Our photographer and photo editor, Hiroko Masuike, has been following her efforts for seven years.
• China’s heavy-handed attempts to drive tens of thousands of migrant workers out of big cities have inspired a backlash of paintings, songs and poetry.
• In the Times Magazine music issue, we write about 25 songs that show where music is going. Check it out: The digital presentation plays each song as you scroll through the article.• In the Times Magazine music issue, we write about 25 songs that show where music is going. Check it out: The digital presentation plays each song as you scroll through the article.
News from Washington often isn’t so pleasant these days. But one of the U.S. capital’s most-celebrated springtime traditions begins this coming weekend: Its famed cherry trees are predicted to be in peak bloom.News from Washington often isn’t so pleasant these days. But one of the U.S. capital’s most-celebrated springtime traditions begins this coming weekend: Its famed cherry trees are predicted to be in peak bloom.
More than 3,000 of the trees were presented as a gift by the city of Tokyo in 1912. The gesture of international good will has a rich history, but one of its more contentious episodes occurred 80 years ago: the Cherry Tree Rebellion.More than 3,000 of the trees were presented as a gift by the city of Tokyo in 1912. The gesture of international good will has a rich history, but one of its more contentious episodes occurred 80 years ago: the Cherry Tree Rebellion.
The trees had already become a favorite of Washingtonians by 1938, when construction was set to begin on the Jefferson Memorial. The site for the monument was along the Tidal Basin, where many of the trees had been planted.The trees had already become a favorite of Washingtonians by 1938, when construction was set to begin on the Jefferson Memorial. The site for the monument was along the Tidal Basin, where many of the trees had been planted.
The planned removal of the trees was opposed by parts of Washington society, in particular by the city’s newspapers. A group of women even briefly chained themselves to a tree on the site in an effort to stop construction.The planned removal of the trees was opposed by parts of Washington society, in particular by the city’s newspapers. A group of women even briefly chained themselves to a tree on the site in an effort to stop construction.
An exasperated President Franklin D. Roosevelt dismissed the controversy — which died down soon after the memorial’s groundbreaking — as a “flimflam game” designed to sell newspapers.An exasperated President Franklin D. Roosevelt dismissed the controversy — which died down soon after the memorial’s groundbreaking — as a “flimflam game” designed to sell newspapers.
“If anybody wants to chain herself to the tree and the tree is in the way, we will move the tree and the lady and the chains, and transplant them to some other place,” he said.“If anybody wants to chain herself to the tree and the tree is in the way, we will move the tree and the lady and the chains, and transplant them to some other place,” he said.
Chris Stanford contributed reporting.Chris Stanford contributed reporting.
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Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings and updated online. Sign up here to get it by email in the Australian, Asian, European or American morning. You can also receive an Evening Briefing on U.S. weeknights.Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings and updated online. Sign up here to get it by email in the Australian, Asian, European or American morning. You can also receive an Evening Briefing on U.S. weeknights.
And our Australia bureau chief offers a weekly letter adding analysis and conversations with readers.And our Australia bureau chief offers a weekly letter adding analysis and conversations with readers.
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