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| Your Friday Briefing | Your Friday Briefing |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | |
| Good morning, | Good morning, |
| We’re following the aftermath of an extraordinary day in Washington, including an impending government shutdown and the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. We’re also covering the reopening of Gatwick Airport near London this morning. | We’re following the aftermath of an extraordinary day in Washington, including an impending government shutdown and the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. We’re also covering the reopening of Gatwick Airport near London this morning. |
| President Trump refused on Thursday to sign a stopgap measure to avert a government shutdown, saying that any spending bill must include $5 billion for a wall on the southwestern border. Without a deal, a partial shutdown would begin at midnight tonight. | President Trump refused on Thursday to sign a stopgap measure to avert a government shutdown, saying that any spending bill must include $5 billion for a wall on the southwestern border. Without a deal, a partial shutdown would begin at midnight tonight. |
| House Republicans approved a version of the bill on Thursday night that included money for the wall, but it’s almost certain to fail in the Senate today. | House Republicans approved a version of the bill on Thursday night that included money for the wall, but it’s almost certain to fail in the Senate today. |
| Why it matters: If funding expires, nine government departments — including Homeland Security and the Justice and State Departments — would close, and more than 420,000 federal employees would have to work without pay. Here’s what else to expect. | Why it matters: If funding expires, nine government departments — including Homeland Security and the Justice and State Departments — would close, and more than 420,000 federal employees would have to work without pay. Here’s what else to expect. |
| The Daily: On today’s episode, our deputy Washington editor explains the showdown. | The Daily: On today’s episode, our deputy Washington editor explains the showdown. |
| A day after President Trump said he would withdraw American troops from Syria, Jim Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, said he would leave the Pentagon in February. | A day after President Trump said he would withdraw American troops from Syria, Jim Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, said he would leave the Pentagon in February. |
| In his resignation letter, Mr. Mattis condemned Mr. Trump’s rejection of international alliances and emphasized the importance of challenging Russia and China, which he wrote wanted “a world consistent with their authoritarian model.” Read his letter. | In his resignation letter, Mr. Mattis condemned Mr. Trump’s rejection of international alliances and emphasized the importance of challenging Russia and China, which he wrote wanted “a world consistent with their authoritarian model.” Read his letter. |
| News analysis: The Syria withdrawal is one of several announcements this week that demonstrate Mr. Trump’s “unswerving conviction that his political survival depends on securing his conservative base,” one of our White House correspondents writes. | News analysis: The Syria withdrawal is one of several announcements this week that demonstrate Mr. Trump’s “unswerving conviction that his political survival depends on securing his conservative base,” one of our White House correspondents writes. |
| Catch up: Mr. Mattis is the third member of Mr. Trump’s cabinet to resign or be forced out in less than two weeks. Here’s a look at the turnover at the top of the administration. | Catch up: Mr. Mattis is the third member of Mr. Trump’s cabinet to resign or be forced out in less than two weeks. Here’s a look at the turnover at the top of the administration. |
| President Trump’s decision to bring home the 2,000 American troops in Syria clears the way for Iran to expand its influence in the region and leaves Israel isolated. | |
| President Vladimir Putin of Russia praised Mr. Trump on Thursday, saying, “Donald’s right, and I agree with him.” Moscow and Washington have supported opposite sides in the Syrian war. | |
| The reaction: America’s Kurdish allies in Syria were upset by the decision and are said to be discussing the release of 3,200 Islamic State prisoners. | The reaction: America’s Kurdish allies in Syria were upset by the decision and are said to be discussing the release of 3,200 Islamic State prisoners. |
| Closer look: We examine the winners and losers from an American withdrawal. | Closer look: We examine the winners and losers from an American withdrawal. |
| Notable: At the same time Mr. Trump made the decision about Syria, he also decided to withdraw about half of the 14,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan, two defense officials said. | Notable: At the same time Mr. Trump made the decision about Syria, he also decided to withdraw about half of the 14,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan, two defense officials said. |
| Matthew Whitaker, who was named acting attorney general last month, has cleared himself to supervise the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, according to a letter the Justice Department sent to Senate leaders. | Matthew Whitaker, who was named acting attorney general last month, has cleared himself to supervise the investigation by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, according to a letter the Justice Department sent to Senate leaders. |
| Ethics specialists at the department had recommended that Mr. Whitaker recuse himself from the investigation into Russian election interference, as his predecessor Jeff Sessions had done. | Ethics specialists at the department had recommended that Mr. Whitaker recuse himself from the investigation into Russian election interference, as his predecessor Jeff Sessions had done. |
| The news came soon after the disclosure that President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, William Barr, had written a memo in June criticizing Mr. Mueller for focusing on whether Mr. Trump had committed obstruction of justice. | The news came soon after the disclosure that President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, William Barr, had written a memo in June criticizing Mr. Mueller for focusing on whether Mr. Trump had committed obstruction of justice. |
| Read: The letter about Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Barr’s memo. | Read: The letter about Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Barr’s memo. |
| Why it matters: The developments raise questions about Mr. Mueller’s ability to complete his work without interference. | Why it matters: The developments raise questions about Mr. Mueller’s ability to complete his work without interference. |
| The country’s leading provider of reproductive services is among several employers that champion women but face accusations of discriminating against their pregnant workers, a Times investigation has found. | The country’s leading provider of reproductive services is among several employers that champion women but face accusations of discriminating against their pregnant workers, a Times investigation has found. |
| In interviews and legal documents, women described discrimination that violated federal or state laws, such as managers considering pregnancy in hiring decisions or denying breaks recommended by doctors. | In interviews and legal documents, women described discrimination that violated federal or state laws, such as managers considering pregnancy in hiring decisions or denying breaks recommended by doctors. |
| Response: “We must do better than we are now,” Dr. Leana Wen, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said. “It’s our obligation to do better, for our staff, for their families and for our patients.” | Response: “We must do better than we are now,” Dr. Leana Wen, the president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said. “It’s our obligation to do better, for our staff, for their families and for our patients.” |
| Why are opioids so compelling? Overdoses have overtaken car crashes and gun violence to become the leading cause of death for Americans under 55. | Why are opioids so compelling? Overdoses have overtaken car crashes and gun violence to become the leading cause of death for Americans under 55. |
| To understand what goes through the minds and bodies of opioid users, we spent months interviewing users, family members and addiction experts. This is a visual representation of what we learned. | To understand what goes through the minds and bodies of opioid users, we spent months interviewing users, family members and addiction experts. This is a visual representation of what we learned. |
| London airport reopens: Flights resumed at Gatwick Airport this morning, nearly 36 hours after drones first flew over its runway. At least 800 flights were canceled, disrupting traffic across Europe and affecting 120,000 passengers. | London airport reopens: Flights resumed at Gatwick Airport this morning, nearly 36 hours after drones first flew over its runway. At least 800 flights were canceled, disrupting traffic across Europe and affecting 120,000 passengers. |
| Food stamp limits: The Trump administration said it would impose more stringent work requirements for adults who rely on food stamps. Critics said it was circumventing Congress to do so. | Food stamp limits: The Trump administration said it would impose more stringent work requirements for adults who rely on food stamps. Critics said it was circumventing Congress to do so. |
| U.S. systems infiltrated: The Justice Department accused two Chinese citizens of hacking into corporate and government computer systems. | U.S. systems infiltrated: The Justice Department accused two Chinese citizens of hacking into corporate and government computer systems. |
| Juul deal: The tobacco giant Altria, which makes Marlboro and other top-selling cigarettes, has agreed to pay nearly $13 billion for a 35 percent stake in Juul Labs, the popular vaping company. | Juul deal: The tobacco giant Altria, which makes Marlboro and other top-selling cigarettes, has agreed to pay nearly $13 billion for a 35 percent stake in Juul Labs, the popular vaping company. |
| Uber’s self-driving cars: The company said its autonomous vehicles were back on public roads, nine months after one killed a pedestrian in Arizona. | Uber’s self-driving cars: The company said its autonomous vehicles were back on public roads, nine months after one killed a pedestrian in Arizona. |
| Snapshot: Above, sunset at Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Summer starts today in the Southern Hemisphere. | Snapshot: Above, sunset at Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Summer starts today in the Southern Hemisphere. |
| The year in pictures: Revisit 2018 through some of the best photographs from The Times. | The year in pictures: Revisit 2018 through some of the best photographs from The Times. |
| News quiz: Did you follow the headlines this week? Test yourself. | News quiz: Did you follow the headlines this week? Test yourself. |
| Late-night comedy: Stephen Colbert noted the departure of Jim Mattis, using his nickname: “Kind of scary when everyone says, ‘Oh, there goes the voice of reason, Mad Dog.’ ” | Late-night comedy: Stephen Colbert noted the departure of Jim Mattis, using his nickname: “Kind of scary when everyone says, ‘Oh, there goes the voice of reason, Mad Dog.’ ” |
| What we’re reading: This citizens’ investigation from Medium. Jennifer Steinhauer, a Washington correspondent, says it’s “like a greatest hits of 2018 media themes — aggressive fact-checking, rural mythology, the search for the ‘truth’ of the Trump voter, global disinformation — wrapped in an amusing, point-by-point take down of a Der Spiegel chronicle of life in a small American town. Bonus points for the coffee tips.” | What we’re reading: This citizens’ investigation from Medium. Jennifer Steinhauer, a Washington correspondent, says it’s “like a greatest hits of 2018 media themes — aggressive fact-checking, rural mythology, the search for the ‘truth’ of the Trump voter, global disinformation — wrapped in an amusing, point-by-point take down of a Der Spiegel chronicle of life in a small American town. Bonus points for the coffee tips.” |
| Cook: Tempura-fried green beans are hot, crunchy and irresistible with a sweet-and-spicy mustard sauce. | Cook: Tempura-fried green beans are hot, crunchy and irresistible with a sweet-and-spicy mustard sauce. |
| Watch: The director James Wan narrates a dizzying fight scene inside an underwater volcano from his film “Aquaman.” | Watch: The director James Wan narrates a dizzying fight scene inside an underwater volcano from his film “Aquaman.” |
| Go: A 113-mile road trip from Key Largo to Key West is an immersion in the subtropical, sometimes kitschy Florida Keys. | |
| Listen: “The Girl From Chickasaw County,” a collection of Bobbie Gentry albums and singles, is one of the year’s standout music box sets. | |
| Smarter Living: Tuning up your heating system can both cut your carbon dioxide emissions and save you money on energy, not to mention reduce the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide leaks in your home. It’s a win on every front. Hiring a technician to do it may set you back $100, but your energy bills should fall. Find more tips in our Climate Fwd: newsletter. | Smarter Living: Tuning up your heating system can both cut your carbon dioxide emissions and save you money on energy, not to mention reduce the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide leaks in your home. It’s a win on every front. Hiring a technician to do it may set you back $100, but your energy bills should fall. Find more tips in our Climate Fwd: newsletter. |
| Also, we have some last-minute gift suggestions. | Also, we have some last-minute gift suggestions. |
| Today is the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, also known as the day that gets the least sunlight. | Today is the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, also known as the day that gets the least sunlight. |
| Some of us earthlings may grumble about the darkness. But without it, we might not be alive. | Some of us earthlings may grumble about the darkness. But without it, we might not be alive. |
| Seasons occur because most planets do not spin perfectly upright. The earth’s “axial tilt” is a jaunty 23.5 degrees, for example, while Uranus spins at 98 degrees. | Seasons occur because most planets do not spin perfectly upright. The earth’s “axial tilt” is a jaunty 23.5 degrees, for example, while Uranus spins at 98 degrees. |
| The earth’s tilt is good for humans because it helps to moderate our sun exposure. Our four seasons are comparatively mild and, thanks to our proximity to the sun, fairly brief. | The earth’s tilt is good for humans because it helps to moderate our sun exposure. Our four seasons are comparatively mild and, thanks to our proximity to the sun, fairly brief. |
| Much of Uranus, by contrast, spends winters in permanent darkness and summers under constant sunlight. And those seasons last decades in Earth years. | Much of Uranus, by contrast, spends winters in permanent darkness and summers under constant sunlight. And those seasons last decades in Earth years. |
| “If there were creatures on Uranus — and I don’t think there are — seasonal affective disorder would be a lifetime thing,” the planetary scientist Heidi Hammel told The Times. | “If there were creatures on Uranus — and I don’t think there are — seasonal affective disorder would be a lifetime thing,” the planetary scientist Heidi Hammel told The Times. |
| That’s it for this briefing. Thanks to all the readers who submitted Back Story ideas yesterday. There were more Christmas-related ones than we’ll be able to get to this year, but we’ll add them to the list for 2019. | That’s it for this briefing. Thanks to all the readers who submitted Back Story ideas yesterday. There were more Christmas-related ones than we’ll be able to get to this year, but we’ll add them to the list for 2019. |
| Have a good weekend. | Have a good weekend. |
| — Chris | — Chris |
| Thank youTo Aisha Harris for mining our cultural coverage and Kenneth R. Rosen for curating Smarter Living. Mike Ives, a Hong Kong-based reporter, wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youTo Aisha Harris for mining our cultural coverage and Kenneth R. Rosen for curating Smarter Living. Mike Ives, a Hong Kong-based reporter, wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. |
| P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about the possible government shutdown.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Parter of the Red Sea (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • Readers looked up more than 18,000 cities and towns in our feature “How Much Hotter Is Your Hometown Than When You Were Born?” | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about the possible government shutdown.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Parter of the Red Sea (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • Readers looked up more than 18,000 cities and towns in our feature “How Much Hotter Is Your Hometown Than When You Were Born?” |