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| Theresa May, China, Michael Cohen: Your Thursday Briefing | Theresa May, China, Michael Cohen: Your Thursday 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. Theresa May survives a leadership challenge, a Huawei executive gets out on bail and President Trump’s former lawyer receives a prison sentence. Here’s the latest: | Good morning. Theresa May survives a leadership challenge, a Huawei executive gets out on bail and President Trump’s former lawyer receives a prison sentence. Here’s the latest: |
| • Theresa May survives no-confidence vote over her Brexit plan. | • Theresa May survives no-confidence vote over her Brexit plan. |
| The British prime minister survived the gravest threat yet to her leadership, winning a confidence motion called by lawmakers in her own party. | The British prime minister survived the gravest threat yet to her leadership, winning a confidence motion called by lawmakers in her own party. |
| Mrs. May won the support of 200 Conservative lawmakers, while 117 voted against her. But the sizable opposition could further imperil her Brexit efforts, experts said. | Mrs. May won the support of 200 Conservative lawmakers, while 117 voted against her. But the sizable opposition could further imperil her Brexit efforts, experts said. |
| → What next? Under Conservative party rules, Mrs. May can’t be challenged again for a year, which could lend some stability going forward. | → What next? Under Conservative party rules, Mrs. May can’t be challenged again for a year, which could lend some stability going forward. |
| → Go deeper: The divisions around Brexit reflect wider political turmoil that has engulfed the European continent, including the countries that were once considered sources of stability, writes our chief European diplomatic correspondent. | → Go deeper: The divisions around Brexit reflect wider political turmoil that has engulfed the European continent, including the countries that were once considered sources of stability, writes our chief European diplomatic correspondent. |
| → Also: Days after saying Britain said it would suspend its so-called “golden visas,” the government backtracked without providing an explanation. | → Also: Days after saying Britain said it would suspend its so-called “golden visas,” the government backtracked without providing an explanation. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • New wrinkles in U.S.-China relations. | • New wrinkles in U.S.-China relations. |
| Trade negotiations between China and the U.S. seemed to be making progress — but our reporters have learned that the Trump administration is preparing a new series of actions against Beijing’s trade, cybersecurity and economic policies. Above, a car factory in China. | Trade negotiations between China and the U.S. seemed to be making progress — but our reporters have learned that the Trump administration is preparing a new series of actions against Beijing’s trade, cybersecurity and economic policies. Above, a car factory in China. |
| Adding to the urgency of the crackdown: The Marriot hack that exposed the data of around 500 million guests was traced back to a Chinese intelligence-gathering effort, according to U.S. officials. | Adding to the urgency of the crackdown: The Marriot hack that exposed the data of around 500 million guests was traced back to a Chinese intelligence-gathering effort, according to U.S. officials. |
| But President Trump complicated the narrative, saying he’d be willing to intervene in the U.S. case against Meng Wanzhou — the Huawei executive arrested in Canada on accusations that she violated sanctions against Iran — if that would help close a trade deal with China. Ms. Meng has been released on bail awaiting extradition to the U.S. | But President Trump complicated the narrative, saying he’d be willing to intervene in the U.S. case against Meng Wanzhou — the Huawei executive arrested in Canada on accusations that she violated sanctions against Iran — if that would help close a trade deal with China. Ms. Meng has been released on bail awaiting extradition to the U.S. |
| Compounding tensions, Beijing has said that a Canadian former diplomat detained in China worked for an organization that was not legally registered, but didn’t divulge any specific accusations or even officially confirm his arrest. Some experts see the case as retribution for Ms. Meng’s arrest. | Compounding tensions, Beijing has said that a Canadian former diplomat detained in China worked for an organization that was not legally registered, but didn’t divulge any specific accusations or even officially confirm his arrest. Some experts see the case as retribution for Ms. Meng’s arrest. |
| → Go deeper: Here’s a list of other foreigners who have recently been detained in China for undisclosed reasons. | → Go deeper: Here’s a list of other foreigners who have recently been detained in China for undisclosed reasons. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • Michael Cohen sentenced to three years. | • Michael Cohen sentenced to three years. |
| The penalty for President Trump’s former lawyer, above, was partly for his role in a hush-money scandal that could threaten Mr. Trump’s presidency. | The penalty for President Trump’s former lawyer, above, was partly for his role in a hush-money scandal that could threaten Mr. Trump’s presidency. |
| After federal agents raided Mr. Cohen’s office and home, he turned on the president and made the remarkable admission in court that Mr. Trump had directed him to arrange payments to a porn star and a former Playboy model before the 2016 election. | After federal agents raided Mr. Cohen’s office and home, he turned on the president and made the remarkable admission in court that Mr. Trump had directed him to arrange payments to a porn star and a former Playboy model before the 2016 election. |
| Prosecutors also announced that the tabloid publisher American Media Inc., which played an important role in keeping those women silent, was cooperating with them. | |
| Mr. Cohen’s sentencing involved a guilty plea in a second case as well, filed by the special counsel, Robert Mueller. He admitted that he lied to Congress, failing to divulge the extent of Mr. Trump’s involvement in negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the election campaign. | Mr. Cohen’s sentencing involved a guilty plea in a second case as well, filed by the special counsel, Robert Mueller. He admitted that he lied to Congress, failing to divulge the extent of Mr. Trump’s involvement in negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow during the election campaign. |
| “I blame myself for the conduct which has brought me here today,” Mr. Cohen told the court, “and it was my own weakness and a blind loyalty to this man that led me to choose a path of darkness over light.” | “I blame myself for the conduct which has brought me here today,” Mr. Cohen told the court, “and it was my own weakness and a blind loyalty to this man that led me to choose a path of darkness over light.” |
| → Separately, lawyers for Michael Flynn, President Trump’s first national security adviser, asked a federal judge for leniency ahead of his sentencing next week. He has admitted to lying to the F.B.I., and has since cooperated with the special counsel investigation. | → Separately, lawyers for Michael Flynn, President Trump’s first national security adviser, asked a federal judge for leniency ahead of his sentencing next week. He has admitted to lying to the F.B.I., and has since cooperated with the special counsel investigation. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • ‘Subtle Asian Traits’ becomes a not-so-subtle global hit. | • ‘Subtle Asian Traits’ becomes a not-so-subtle global hit. |
| When a group of Asian-Australian students started their Facebook group in September, it was to share jokes and memes about their experiences “being brought up in the in-between,” as one founder put it. | When a group of Asian-Australian students started their Facebook group in September, it was to share jokes and memes about their experiences “being brought up in the in-between,” as one founder put it. |
| Now “Subtle Asian Traits” has amassed nearly a million followers, bringing together a young international audience to reflect on the complicated experience of first-generation Asian immigrants. | Now “Subtle Asian Traits” has amassed nearly a million followers, bringing together a young international audience to reflect on the complicated experience of first-generation Asian immigrants. |
| “We don’t have to explain stuff,” another founder explained. Above, six of the group’s nine founders. | “We don’t have to explain stuff,” another founder explained. Above, six of the group’s nine founders. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • A Chinese oil tycoon, Ye Jianming, above left, established high-profile connections in Washington to broker business deals in the U.S. and around the world. But now Mr. Ye is in Chinese custody and his empire is crashing down. | • A Chinese oil tycoon, Ye Jianming, above left, established high-profile connections in Washington to broker business deals in the U.S. and around the world. But now Mr. Ye is in Chinese custody and his empire is crashing down. |
| • The Indian government named a former finance ministry official to lead the central bank. He was a high-profile backer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s troubled effort to recall much of the country’s paper currency. | • The Indian government named a former finance ministry official to lead the central bank. He was a high-profile backer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s troubled effort to recall much of the country’s paper currency. |
| • Hotels around the world are turning their lobbies into communal working spaces not just for guests but for locals too, unlocking their Wi-Fi and offering snacks. | • Hotels around the world are turning their lobbies into communal working spaces not just for guests but for locals too, unlocking their Wi-Fi and offering snacks. |
| • U.S. stocks were up. Here’s a snapshot of global markets. | • U.S. stocks were up. Here’s a snapshot of global markets. |
| • The Vatican removed two cardinals implicated in sexual abuse cases from a powerful council, including George Pell of Australia who has been facing charges of sexual abuse in legal proceedings that are subject to a news media gag order in the country. Above, Pope Francis. [The New York Times] | • The Vatican removed two cardinals implicated in sexual abuse cases from a powerful council, including George Pell of Australia who has been facing charges of sexual abuse in legal proceedings that are subject to a news media gag order in the country. Above, Pope Francis. [The New York Times] |
| • A shooting in France that killed at least two people and wounded a dozen others in Strasbourg was an act of terrorism, officials said. [The New York Times] | • A shooting in France that killed at least two people and wounded a dozen others in Strasbourg was an act of terrorism, officials said. [The New York Times] |
| • Dozens of Cambodian immigrants in the U.S., many of whom fled the Khmer Rouge, are expected to be deported over the next few days, according to human rights organizations and an American official. [The New York Times] | • Dozens of Cambodian immigrants in the U.S., many of whom fled the Khmer Rouge, are expected to be deported over the next few days, according to human rights organizations and an American official. [The New York Times] |
| • Hong Kong prosecutors decided not to pursue corruption charges against the territory’s previous leader, Leung Chun-ying. [The New York Times] | • Hong Kong prosecutors decided not to pursue corruption charges against the territory’s previous leader, Leung Chun-ying. [The New York Times] |
| • The Arctic region is warming at twice the rate as the rest of the planet and has been warmer over the last five years than at any time on record, scientists found. [The New York Times] | • The Arctic region is warming at twice the rate as the rest of the planet and has been warmer over the last five years than at any time on record, scientists found. [The New York Times] |
| • New Zealanders mourned a young British tourist killed in Auckland this month. Her death prompted a reflection on high rates of violence against women in a country often seen as progressive and safe. [The New York Times] | • New Zealanders mourned a young British tourist killed in Auckland this month. Her death prompted a reflection on high rates of violence against women in a country often seen as progressive and safe. [The New York Times] |
| • Kim Jong-un beauty masks in “nuclear bomb” packaging (yes, you read that right) have been pulled from shelves in South Korea [The New York Times] | • Kim Jong-un beauty masks in “nuclear bomb” packaging (yes, you read that right) have been pulled from shelves in South Korea [The New York Times] |
| • Liquid chocolate escaped from a German factory, caking a street and requiring firefighters to dig up the “sweet danger with shovels and muscle power,” officials said. [CNN] | • Liquid chocolate escaped from a German factory, caking a street and requiring firefighters to dig up the “sweet danger with shovels and muscle power,” officials said. [CNN] |
| Tips for a more fulfilling life. | Tips for a more fulfilling life. |
| • Recipe of the day: Harness the savory-sweet flavors of Korean barbecue with this recipe for meatballs. | • Recipe of the day: Harness the savory-sweet flavors of Korean barbecue with this recipe for meatballs. |
| • It’s healthy to get enough sleep, but not too much sleep. | • It’s healthy to get enough sleep, but not too much sleep. |
| • Here’s what we know about diet and weight loss. | • Here’s what we know about diet and weight loss. |
| • U.N. diplomats from around the world go on weekly pre-dawn jogs, pictured above, through Central Park in New York, casting aside their hierarchical titles and policy disagreements and focusing instead on shared concerns, from aching joints to parenting. | • U.N. diplomats from around the world go on weekly pre-dawn jogs, pictured above, through Central Park in New York, casting aside their hierarchical titles and policy disagreements and focusing instead on shared concerns, from aching joints to parenting. |
| • Up for a challenge? Try our “Year in Dissonance” game, which places the defining events of 2018 — the fun and the serious, the absurd and the tragic — side by side. | • Up for a challenge? Try our “Year in Dissonance” game, which places the defining events of 2018 — the fun and the serious, the absurd and the tragic — side by side. |
| • Classic Christmas movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” weren’t always hits with The Times’s critics. Here’s a look at their original reviews of the movies that have since endured. | • Classic Christmas movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas” weren’t always hits with The Times’s critics. Here’s a look at their original reviews of the movies that have since endured. |
| Maybe the world is not so small after all — even in an age of mass culture. | Maybe the world is not so small after all — even in an age of mass culture. |
| In Spain, drumming parties called tamboradas go around the clock for days. Across Georgia, athletes perform chidaoba — wrestling accompanied by music. And in Kazakhstan, horse farmers celebrate the new breeding season with songs, dances and games. | In Spain, drumming parties called tamboradas go around the clock for days. Across Georgia, athletes perform chidaoba — wrestling accompanied by music. And in Kazakhstan, horse farmers celebrate the new breeding season with songs, dances and games. |
| The cultural agency of the U.N. recently added these traditions, and more, to its List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. | The cultural agency of the U.N. recently added these traditions, and more, to its List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. |
| The idea is to recognize and preserve unique and impalpable rituals that are passed down through generations. Unesco acknowledges music and dance, hunting practices and traditional crafts, knowledge about nature and the universe — in short, the things that tell us who we are. | The idea is to recognize and preserve unique and impalpable rituals that are passed down through generations. Unesco acknowledges music and dance, hunting practices and traditional crafts, knowledge about nature and the universe — in short, the things that tell us who we are. |
| Traditions in danger of vanishing are given a special designation. This year those included traditional Egyptian hand puppetry and Syrian shadow play, which is pictured above. | Traditions in danger of vanishing are given a special designation. This year those included traditional Egyptian hand puppetry and Syrian shadow play, which is pictured above. |
| You can browse hundreds of examples, many with videos, at Unesco’s website. | You can browse hundreds of examples, many with videos, at Unesco’s website. |
| Jean Rutter wrote today’s Back Story. | Jean Rutter wrote today’s Back Story. |
| _____ | _____ |
| 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. |
| Browse our full range of Times newsletters here. | Browse our full range of Times newsletters here. |
| 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. |