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Brexit, Apple, Venezuela: Your Wednesday Briefing Brexit, Apple, Venezuela: Your Wednesday Briefing
(35 minutes later)
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Good morning.Good morning.
Britain’s Parliament rejects exiting the E.U. without a deal, U.S. intelligence chiefs contradict their president, and a dramatic escalation in Venezuela raises fear of anarchy. Here’s the latest:Britain’s Parliament rejects exiting the E.U. without a deal, U.S. intelligence chiefs contradict their president, and a dramatic escalation in Venezuela raises fear of anarchy. Here’s the latest:
British lawmakers, voting on a broad spectrum of amendments to Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal plan, embraced a measure that, in principle, rules out withdrawing from the E.U. without a deal.British lawmakers, voting on a broad spectrum of amendments to Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal plan, embraced a measure that, in principle, rules out withdrawing from the E.U. without a deal.
Parliament also rejected delaying Brexit beyond the March 29 deadline.Parliament also rejected delaying Brexit beyond the March 29 deadline.
Surprise move: Hours before the session, Mrs. May raised the stakes by promising to reopen negotiations on the agreement — a 585-page text that was painstakingly crafted over more than two years — with the E.U. The E.U. has always ruled that out, and Mrs. May herself had previously insisted renegotiation would be impossible. Surprise move: Hours before the session, Mrs. May raised the stakes by promising to reopen negotiations on the agreement — a 585-page text that was painstakingly crafted over more than two years — with the E.U., which has always ruled that out.
The upshot: Mrs. May’s main hope remains that a Parliament that cannot agree on any other course will ultimately come around to a modestly altered version of her deal for fear of a disastrous no-deal Brexit. Critics say she is trying to run down the clock so that Parliament is left with two bad options.The upshot: Mrs. May’s main hope remains that a Parliament that cannot agree on any other course will ultimately come around to a modestly altered version of her deal for fear of a disastrous no-deal Brexit. Critics say she is trying to run down the clock so that Parliament is left with two bad options.
North Korea is “unlikely to give up” all of its nuclear stockpiles and Iran is not “currently undertaking” the activity needed to make a nuclear bomb, according to a new American intelligence assessment of global threats.North Korea is “unlikely to give up” all of its nuclear stockpiles and Iran is not “currently undertaking” the activity needed to make a nuclear bomb, according to a new American intelligence assessment of global threats.
Implications: The report challenges two top tenets of President Trump’s foreign policy: that North Korea can be persuaded to abandon its nuclear weapons capability, and that Iran is bent on acquiring such a capability. Meanwhile, a growing chorus of Republicans are denouncing Mr. Trump’s foreign policy as it accelerates away from party orthodoxy. Implications: The report challenges two top tenets of President Trump’s foreign policy: that North Korea can be persuaded to abandon its nuclear weapons capability, and that Iran is bent on acquiring such a capability. Meanwhile, a growing chorus of Republicans is denouncing Mr. Trump’s foreign policy as it accelerates away from party orthodoxy.
Details: The annual report to Congress also belies Mr. Trump’s insistence that the Islamic State has been defeated. The group “still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria,” and maintains eight branches and a dozen networks around the world, the report says.Details: The annual report to Congress also belies Mr. Trump’s insistence that the Islamic State has been defeated. The group “still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria,” and maintains eight branches and a dozen networks around the world, the report says.
Another angle: The report concludes that China is now capable of disabling U.S. infrastructure with cyberattacks, and warns that Russia is positioning itself to be able to do the same.Another angle: The report concludes that China is now capable of disabling U.S. infrastructure with cyberattacks, and warns that Russia is positioning itself to be able to do the same.
Belgium and France — two of the largest former colonial powers in Africa — are central trading hubs for artworks from sub-Saharan Africa. And dealers are alarmed by a November report commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron of France that recommends French museums permanently return artworks removed from Africa without consent, if their countries of origin ask for them back.Belgium and France — two of the largest former colonial powers in Africa — are central trading hubs for artworks from sub-Saharan Africa. And dealers are alarmed by a November report commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron of France that recommends French museums permanently return artworks removed from Africa without consent, if their countries of origin ask for them back.
Effects: The impact of the report so far is unclear, but dealers are grousing about possible implications for their bottom lines and insisting their trade is moral. They also wonder what the report means for collections like that of the Africa Museum in Belgium, many of whose 120,000 items were acquired during a brutal campaign by Belgian colonial leaders that killed millions of Congolese.Effects: The impact of the report so far is unclear, but dealers are grousing about possible implications for their bottom lines and insisting their trade is moral. They also wonder what the report means for collections like that of the Africa Museum in Belgium, many of whose 120,000 items were acquired during a brutal campaign by Belgian colonial leaders that killed millions of Congolese.
One take: Didier Claes, a tribal art trader in Brussels of Congolese ancestry, was critical of the report and said that, as a member of the African diaspora, he appreciated being able to see his heritage in European museums. “I’m so proud to go to an important museum and see my culture next to a Modigliani,” he said.One take: Didier Claes, a tribal art trader in Brussels of Congolese ancestry, was critical of the report and said that, as a member of the African diaspora, he appreciated being able to see his heritage in European museums. “I’m so proud to go to an important museum and see my culture next to a Modigliani,” he said.
Looking ahead: Mr. Macron has called for an international conference to be held in Paris this year to develop a policy based on exchanges of artifacts. Sharing, rather than restitution, could prove to be the preferred solution for problematic objects.Looking ahead: Mr. Macron has called for an international conference to be held in Paris this year to develop a policy based on exchanges of artifacts. Sharing, rather than restitution, could prove to be the preferred solution for problematic objects.
After years of expansion and record-setting profits, Apple appears to be entering a period of vulnerability.After years of expansion and record-setting profits, Apple appears to be entering a period of vulnerability.
The technology giant reported that profits in the most recent quarter were flat from a year earlier, citing an economic slump in China. Demand for iPhones there has slowed, particularly with the rise of cheaper, local alternatives.The technology giant reported that profits in the most recent quarter were flat from a year earlier, citing an economic slump in China. Demand for iPhones there has slowed, particularly with the rise of cheaper, local alternatives.
The company is also uniquely vulnerable to tariffs against China, where most of its products are assembled, and it has yet to find another product with the global impact of the iPhone, which was introduced more than a decade ago.The company is also uniquely vulnerable to tariffs against China, where most of its products are assembled, and it has yet to find another product with the global impact of the iPhone, which was introduced more than a decade ago.
Security bug: Reports surfaced that Apple’s FaceTime app could eavesdrop on people, even if recipients didn’t answer calls. Apple said it would release a software fix later this week. Until then, here’s how to disable FaceTime.Security bug: Reports surfaced that Apple’s FaceTime app could eavesdrop on people, even if recipients didn’t answer calls. Apple said it would release a software fix later this week. Until then, here’s how to disable FaceTime.
Venezuela: After the Trump administration said that it had handed control of Venezuela’s assets in the U.S. to the opposition leader Juan Guaidó, President Nicolás Maduro’s government struck back, opening an investigation into Mr. Guaidó and barring him from leaving the country.Venezuela: After the Trump administration said that it had handed control of Venezuela’s assets in the U.S. to the opposition leader Juan Guaidó, President Nicolás Maduro’s government struck back, opening an investigation into Mr. Guaidó and barring him from leaving the country.
2020 U.S. election: Senator Kamala Harris of California, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, has appeal for black voters. But some are skeptical of her background as a prosecutor, and she also faces sexism and a crowded field.2020 U.S. election: Senator Kamala Harris of California, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, has appeal for black voters. But some are skeptical of her background as a prosecutor, and she also faces sexism and a crowded field.
Brazil: The police arrested five people as part of an investigation into the collapse of a mining dam that left at least 84 people dead and almost 300 missing. Three of those arrested were employees of the Brazilian mining giant Vale, and the others were German engineers who carried out safety inspections of the dam last year.Brazil: The police arrested five people as part of an investigation into the collapse of a mining dam that left at least 84 people dead and almost 300 missing. Three of those arrested were employees of the Brazilian mining giant Vale, and the others were German engineers who carried out safety inspections of the dam last year.
Afghanistan: Talk of a peace deal, however far off, has two of our Afghan reporters — who have only ever known wartime — dreaming of what they’d do with new freedoms.Afghanistan: Talk of a peace deal, however far off, has two of our Afghan reporters — who have only ever known wartime — dreaming of what they’d do with new freedoms.
Weather extremes: Parts of the U.S. Midwest are colder than parts of Antarctica as wildfires rage in Australia’s record-breaking heat. Here’s the climate change connection.Weather extremes: Parts of the U.S. Midwest are colder than parts of Antarctica as wildfires rage in Australia’s record-breaking heat. Here’s the climate change connection.
Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government offered to ease a Nazi-era law to allow doctors and clinics to advertise abortion services. Women’s rights advocates say it does not go far enough. Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government offered to ease a Nazi-era law in order to allow doctors and clinics to advertise abortion services. Women’s rights advocates say it does not go far enough.
Pakistan: Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who has been in hiding because of death threats from hard-line Islamists after the country’s Supreme Court overturned her blasphemy conviction last year, is now apparently free to leave the country.Pakistan: Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who has been in hiding because of death threats from hard-line Islamists after the country’s Supreme Court overturned her blasphemy conviction last year, is now apparently free to leave the country.
John Malkovich: The actor will play a depraved Hollywood mogul based in part on Harvey Weinstein in a David Mamet play called “Bitter Wheat” coming to the Garrick Theater in London. There are questions about whether it will be in bad taste.John Malkovich: The actor will play a depraved Hollywood mogul based in part on Harvey Weinstein in a David Mamet play called “Bitter Wheat” coming to the Garrick Theater in London. There are questions about whether it will be in bad taste.
Tips for a more fulfilling life.Tips for a more fulfilling life.
Recipe of the day: Start this easy paella on the stove and finish it in a superhot oven, all in just 30 minutes.Recipe of the day: Start this easy paella on the stove and finish it in a superhot oven, all in just 30 minutes.
Here are seven questions to challenge your health expertise.Here are seven questions to challenge your health expertise.
Why insomnia increases sensitivity to pain.Why insomnia increases sensitivity to pain.
What does it really mean for something to be off the record?What does it really mean for something to be off the record?
Or on the record, for that matter?Or on the record, for that matter?
When reporters talk to sources, we try to establish ground rules in plain English. For example: Can we quote you by name?When reporters talk to sources, we try to establish ground rules in plain English. For example: Can we quote you by name?
But there is also a shorthand for these questions, and our national political reporter Matt Flegenheimer offers a primer in our series Understanding the Times.But there is also a shorthand for these questions, and our national political reporter Matt Flegenheimer offers a primer in our series Understanding the Times.
If the conversation is on the record, then we can quote the source and use his or her name. That’s our strong preference — always.If the conversation is on the record, then we can quote the source and use his or her name. That’s our strong preference — always.
Off-the-record conversations are generally understood to be confidential. We can’t use anything for publication.Off-the-record conversations are generally understood to be confidential. We can’t use anything for publication.
(Then there are background and deep background, where it gets complicated.)(Then there are background and deep background, where it gets complicated.)
“Sources come to reporters for all sorts of reasons,” Mr. Flegenheimer writes, “many of them less than pure.”“Sources come to reporters for all sorts of reasons,” Mr. Flegenheimer writes, “many of them less than pure.”
But, he adds: “These exchanges can have tremendous value. Many of our best scoops are the fruit of such encounters. And you can quote me on that.”But, he adds: “These exchanges can have tremendous value. Many of our best scoops are the fruit of such encounters. And you can quote me on that.”
Blake Wilson and Jennifer Krauss helped with today’s Back Story.Blake Wilson and Jennifer Krauss helped with today’s Back Story.
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