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| Syria, Federal Reserve, Gatwick Airport: Your Thursday Briefing | Syria, Federal Reserve, Gatwick Airport: 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, | Good morning, |
| We start with the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, what rising interest rates mean for you, and the Senate vote to avert a government shutdown. | We start with the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, what rising interest rates mean for you, and the Senate vote to avert a government shutdown. |
| In announcing the return of 2,000 American troops, the president brought a sudden end to the U.S. military campaign in Syria, declaring that it had “defeated ISIS” there. | In announcing the return of 2,000 American troops, the president brought a sudden end to the U.S. military campaign in Syria, declaring that it had “defeated ISIS” there. |
| The decision, announced on Wednesday over the objections of Mr. Trump’s military and civilian advisers, fulfills the president’s frequently expressed desire to bring troops home. But it also cedes control of Syria to Russia and Iran, and it abandons America’s Kurdish allies. | The decision, announced on Wednesday over the objections of Mr. Trump’s military and civilian advisers, fulfills the president’s frequently expressed desire to bring troops home. But it also cedes control of Syria to Russia and Iran, and it abandons America’s Kurdish allies. |
| International reaction: President Vladimir Putin of Russia called the U.S. withdrawal “the right decision” during a speech today in Moscow. Russia has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, putting it on the opposite side of the conflict from the U.S. | |
| News analysis: Mr. Trump doesn’t believe that U.S. forces can alter the strategic balance in the Middle East, a view shared by his immediate predecessor, Barack Obama, our national security correspondent writes. | News analysis: Mr. Trump doesn’t believe that U.S. forces can alter the strategic balance in the Middle East, a view shared by his immediate predecessor, Barack Obama, our national security correspondent writes. |
| From Opinion: “The Islamic State has not been ‘defeated’ — and our mission in Syria has not been fully accomplished,” two counterterrorism officials in the Trump and Obama administrations write. | From Opinion: “The Islamic State has not been ‘defeated’ — and our mission in Syria has not been fully accomplished,” two counterterrorism officials in the Trump and Obama administrations write. |
| Senators approved a spending bill Wednesday night that would keep the government funded through Feb. 8 and leave the question of funding President Trump’s southern border wall for the new year. | Senators approved a spending bill Wednesday night that would keep the government funded through Feb. 8 and leave the question of funding President Trump’s southern border wall for the new year. |
| The bill is expected to pass the House today and to be sent to Mr. Trump before the deadline of midnight Friday. It was unclear, however, if the president would sign the measure, which doesn’t include the $5 billion he has demanded for a wall. | The bill is expected to pass the House today and to be sent to Mr. Trump before the deadline of midnight Friday. It was unclear, however, if the president would sign the measure, which doesn’t include the $5 billion he has demanded for a wall. |
| If you missed it: In a farewell speech to Congress on Wednesday, Speaker Paul Ryan said that politics in America is “broken.” A former rising star in the Republican Party, Mr. Ryan oversaw the enactment of a tax overhaul that many welcomed but that has also contributed to a growing federal deficit. | If you missed it: In a farewell speech to Congress on Wednesday, Speaker Paul Ryan said that politics in America is “broken.” A former rising star in the Republican Party, Mr. Ryan oversaw the enactment of a tax overhaul that many welcomed but that has also contributed to a growing federal deficit. |
| The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the fifth consecutive quarter on Wednesday, as expected, emphasizing continued economic growth. | The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the fifth consecutive quarter on Wednesday, as expected, emphasizing continued economic growth. |
| The benchmark rate will now sit in a range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent, near the lower end of what the central bank considers the neutral zone, in which rates neither stimulate nor restrain the economy. | The benchmark rate will now sit in a range of 2.25 percent to 2.5 percent, near the lower end of what the central bank considers the neutral zone, in which rates neither stimulate nor restrain the economy. |
| President Trump has repeatedly urged the central bank to keep rates low. | President Trump has repeatedly urged the central bank to keep rates low. |
| Watch: The Fed’s chairman, Jerome Powell, said political considerations played “no role” in the decision. | Watch: The Fed’s chairman, Jerome Powell, said political considerations played “no role” in the decision. |
| For you: Rising interest rates affect both savers and spenders. | For you: Rising interest rates affect both savers and spenders. |
| The Roman Catholic Church in the state withheld the names of at least 500 priests who were accused of the sexual abuse of minors, Illinois’ attorney general said on Wednesday in a report that also accused the church of neglecting to investigate victims’ allegations. | The Roman Catholic Church in the state withheld the names of at least 500 priests who were accused of the sexual abuse of minors, Illinois’ attorney general said on Wednesday in a report that also accused the church of neglecting to investigate victims’ allegations. |
| The report by Attorney General Lisa Madigan said 690 priests had been accused of abuse, but only 185 names were made public. | The report by Attorney General Lisa Madigan said 690 priests had been accused of abuse, but only 185 names were made public. |
| Why it matters: The report is the latest effort by state prosecutors to hold the Catholic Church accountable. At least 16 states have opened investigations since August, after a grand jury report in Pennsylvania accused more than 300 priests of sexual abuse over 50 years. | Why it matters: The report is the latest effort by state prosecutors to hold the Catholic Church accountable. At least 16 states have opened investigations since August, after a grand jury report in Pennsylvania accused more than 300 priests of sexual abuse over 50 years. |
| Yesterday: Pope Francis accepted the resignation of an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles accused of sexual misconduct with a minor. | Yesterday: Pope Francis accepted the resignation of an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles accused of sexual misconduct with a minor. |
| Dr. W. Melvin Brown III is a native of Charleston, S.C., a military veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan, an emergency-room doctor and a family man. | Dr. W. Melvin Brown III is a native of Charleston, S.C., a military veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan, an emergency-room doctor and a family man. |
| But the African-American couldn’t break the barrier of a social club founded a few years before the Civil War. His white friends are furious. | But the African-American couldn’t break the barrier of a social club founded a few years before the Civil War. His white friends are furious. |
| Facebook criticism: Lawmakers in the U.S. and Britain called for greater oversight of the company after a Times report about undisclosed data-sharing. Here are five ways Facebook shared users’ data. | Facebook criticism: Lawmakers in the U.S. and Britain called for greater oversight of the company after a Times report about undisclosed data-sharing. Here are five ways Facebook shared users’ data. |
| North Korean denuclearization: The country won’t dismantle its nuclear weapons program until the U.S. also agrees to diminish its military capacity near the Korean Peninsula, its official news agency said today. | North Korean denuclearization: The country won’t dismantle its nuclear weapons program until the U.S. also agrees to diminish its military capacity near the Korean Peninsula, its official news agency said today. |
| London airport suspends flights: Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second busiest, is shut down today after a drone was seen flying illegally nearby. The authorities said it was a deliberate act to disrupt flights during the busy holiday season. | London airport suspends flights: Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second busiest, is shut down today after a drone was seen flying illegally nearby. The authorities said it was a deliberate act to disrupt flights during the busy holiday season. |
| Imitating Russian election tricks: A group of Democratic tech experts tested tactics in Alabama’s fiercely contested Senate race last December similar to those used nationally by Russia, according to people familiar with the effort and a report on its results. | Imitating Russian election tricks: A group of Democratic tech experts tested tactics in Alabama’s fiercely contested Senate race last December similar to those used nationally by Russia, according to people familiar with the effort and a report on its results. |
| China detains another Canadian: The Chinese government is holding a third Canadian citizen, apparently in retaliation for the arrest of a technology executive. | China detains another Canadian: The Chinese government is holding a third Canadian citizen, apparently in retaliation for the arrest of a technology executive. |
| Relief for Russian oligarch: The Trump administration plans to lift sanctions against the business empire of Oleg Deripaska, one of Russia’s most influential businessmen, after lobbying by his companies. | Relief for Russian oligarch: The Trump administration plans to lift sanctions against the business empire of Oleg Deripaska, one of Russia’s most influential businessmen, after lobbying by his companies. |
| American demographics: U.S. population growth is at its lowest level since 1937, up 0.62 percent from July 2017 to July 2018, the Census Bureau said. | American demographics: U.S. population growth is at its lowest level since 1937, up 0.62 percent from July 2017 to July 2018, the Census Bureau said. |
| Marijuana in New York: Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed legalization of the drug for the first time — with a few caveats — three days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo added the issue to his agenda for next year. | Marijuana in New York: Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed legalization of the drug for the first time — with a few caveats — three days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo added the issue to his agenda for next year. |
| Snapshot: Above, Zion Williamson, a star freshman at Duke University, has a 45-inch vertical leap, the highest since Duke started measuring its players. He is expected to enter the N.B.A. draft in June, and is already earning comparisons to Hall of Fame players. Read our profile. | Snapshot: Above, Zion Williamson, a star freshman at Duke University, has a 45-inch vertical leap, the highest since Duke started measuring its players. He is expected to enter the N.B.A. draft in June, and is already earning comparisons to Hall of Fame players. Read our profile. |
| A snag for baseball deal: An agreement that would let Cubans play in Major League Baseball without defecting has met resistance from the White House. | A snag for baseball deal: An agreement that would let Cubans play in Major League Baseball without defecting has met resistance from the White House. |
| Olympic swimmer retires: Citing chronic shoulder pain, Missy Franklin, a world-record holder and five-time Olympic gold medalist, announced that she was leaving the sport. Our columnist looked back at her career. | Olympic swimmer retires: Citing chronic shoulder pain, Missy Franklin, a world-record holder and five-time Olympic gold medalist, announced that she was leaving the sport. Our columnist looked back at her career. |
| Late-night comedy: Jimmy Fallon was in a festive mood: “You guys, it’s the holiday season and everyone is in the giving spirit. In fact, Facebook just gave away all of your private information.” | Late-night comedy: Jimmy Fallon was in a festive mood: “You guys, it’s the holiday season and everyone is in the giving spirit. In fact, Facebook just gave away all of your private information.” |
| What we’re reading: This article from Gizmodo, recommended by Kendra Pierre-Louis, a climate reporter. “Often overshadowed by flashier coral reefs,” she writes, “seagrass is both threatened by and a bulwark against our warming climate, as this article makes clear.” | What we’re reading: This article from Gizmodo, recommended by Kendra Pierre-Louis, a climate reporter. “Often overshadowed by flashier coral reefs,” she writes, “seagrass is both threatened by and a bulwark against our warming climate, as this article makes clear.” |
| Cook: A fast pasta dinner with broccoli, peppers and sweet Italian sausage. | Cook: A fast pasta dinner with broccoli, peppers and sweet Italian sausage. |
| Watch: “Vice,” with Christian Bale portraying Dick Cheney as a real-life supervillain. (“Aquaman” offers Jason Momoa as a hero — but in what our reviewer Wesley Morris calls a lackluster mash-up of “Thor,” “Black Panther” and “Avatar.”) | Watch: “Vice,” with Christian Bale portraying Dick Cheney as a real-life supervillain. (“Aquaman” offers Jason Momoa as a hero — but in what our reviewer Wesley Morris calls a lackluster mash-up of “Thor,” “Black Panther” and “Avatar.”) |
| Enjoy: Our restaurant critic, Pete Wells, is often at his best when the food isn’t great. A recent visit to Manhattan’s latest British import, Bluebird London, left him wondering what it would look like if Brexit were a restaurant. | Enjoy: Our restaurant critic, Pete Wells, is often at his best when the food isn’t great. A recent visit to Manhattan’s latest British import, Bluebird London, left him wondering what it would look like if Brexit were a restaurant. |
| Read: If you’re still looking for stocking stuffers for the kids, check out our best-seller lists for children’s picture books, middle grade hardcovers and young adult hardcovers. | Read: If you’re still looking for stocking stuffers for the kids, check out our best-seller lists for children’s picture books, middle grade hardcovers and young adult hardcovers. |
| Smarter Living: Need help making sense of an invitation that specifies “cocktail” or “semiformal” dress? Our party guide has reassurance about gray suits (for men) and separates (for women) but a warning about “plain cotton anything.” | Smarter Living: Need help making sense of an invitation that specifies “cocktail” or “semiformal” dress? Our party guide has reassurance about gray suits (for men) and separates (for women) but a warning about “plain cotton anything.” |
| We also have tips on being an ethical tech consumer and gear for cold weather running. | We also have tips on being an ethical tech consumer and gear for cold weather running. |
| Clare Macdonald, a reader from Keene, N.H., asked us when electric lights were first used on a Christmas tree. | Clare Macdonald, a reader from Keene, N.H., asked us when electric lights were first used on a Christmas tree. |
| It was in 1882, just three years after Thomas Edison filed a patent for his light bulb. The tree became a fixture in the experiment-filled home of an executive at his company. | It was in 1882, just three years after Thomas Edison filed a patent for his light bulb. The tree became a fixture in the experiment-filled home of an executive at his company. |
| Eighty walnut-size red, white and blue bulbs covered the tree, which sat on a revolving box. A newspaper article described it: “As the tree turned, the colors alternated, all the lamps going out and being relit at every revolution. The result was a continuous twinkling of dancing colors, red, white, blue, white, red, blue, all evening.” | Eighty walnut-size red, white and blue bulbs covered the tree, which sat on a revolving box. A newspaper article described it: “As the tree turned, the colors alternated, all the lamps going out and being relit at every revolution. The result was a continuous twinkling of dancing colors, red, white, blue, white, red, blue, all evening.” |
| President Grover Cleveland popularized electric Christmas lights in the 1890s by installing them on the White House tree. | President Grover Cleveland popularized electric Christmas lights in the 1890s by installing them on the White House tree. |
| But it wasn’t until (relatively) inexpensive strings of Christmas lights became available a few years later that the tradition really caught on. | But it wasn’t until (relatively) inexpensive strings of Christmas lights became available a few years later that the tradition really caught on. |
| That’s it for Thursday’s briefing. If, like Clare, you have an idea for a Back Story, email us. We prefer light(ish) subjects that can be described succinctly. | That’s it for Thursday’s briefing. If, like Clare, you have an idea for a Back Story, email us. We prefer light(ish) subjects that can be described succinctly. |
| See you next time. | See you next time. |
| — Chris | — Chris |
| Thank youTo a lot of contributors in motion: Eleanor Stanford sent her cultural guidance from the airport, and Kenneth R. Rosen shared the Smarter Living tips from an undisclosed location. Albert Sun wrote today’s Back Story before getting on a plane. But our email address is staying home for the holidays: briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youTo a lot of contributors in motion: Eleanor Stanford sent her cultural guidance from the airport, and Kenneth R. Rosen shared the Smarter Living tips from an undisclosed location. Albert Sun wrote today’s Back Story before getting on a plane. But our email address is staying home for the holidays: briefing@nytimes.com. |
| P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, who is preparing to leave office.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Uno + dos (4 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The Times published more than 55,000 articles this year, adding up to more than 50 million words. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, who is preparing to leave office.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Uno + dos (4 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The Times published more than 55,000 articles this year, adding up to more than 50 million words. |