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Brunei, Najib Razak, Great Barrier Reef: Your Thursday Briefing Brunei, Najib Razak, Great Barrier Reef: Your Thursday Briefing
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Good morning.Good morning.
The U.S. sets the stage for a feisty 2020 presidential campaign, Brunei puts its stoning law into effect and Malaysia begins trying Najib Razak. Here’s the latest:The U.S. sets the stage for a feisty 2020 presidential campaign, Brunei puts its stoning law into effect and Malaysia begins trying Najib Razak. Here’s the latest:
The Trump team’s groundwork has included installing loyal allies atop the most significant state parties and urging them to speak up loudly to discourage conservative criticism of the president.The Trump team’s groundwork has included installing loyal allies atop the most significant state parties and urging them to speak up loudly to discourage conservative criticism of the president.
But Democrats in Congress remain focused on the Trump-Russia investigation, claiming subpoena power to wrest a full copy of the Mueller report. Actually issuing a subpoena would invite a confrontation with the Justice Department.But Democrats in Congress remain focused on the Trump-Russia investigation, claiming subpoena power to wrest a full copy of the Mueller report. Actually issuing a subpoena would invite a confrontation with the Justice Department.
And the House approved a nonbinding resolution calling for the Trump administration to drop its support for a ruling against the Affordable Care Act, while its intelligence panel asked one of the top contractors to President Trump’s inaugural to provide it with documents about the event.And the House approved a nonbinding resolution calling for the Trump administration to drop its support for a ruling against the Affordable Care Act, while its intelligence panel asked one of the top contractors to President Trump’s inaugural to provide it with documents about the event.
White House threat: The president reiterated his threat to close the southern border with Mexico. He has acknowledged that the move could damage the U.S. economy, but said protecting America’s security was more important than trade.White House threat: The president reiterated his threat to close the southern border with Mexico. He has acknowledged that the move could damage the U.S. economy, but said protecting America’s security was more important than trade.
China’s slowing growth is slashing demand for Japanese exports, and raising questions about the effectiveness of Abenomics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic program. A harsh new criminal law in Brunei which includes death by stoning for sex between men or for adultery, and amputation of limbs for theft is now in effect, despite an international outcry from other countries, rights groups, celebrities, and students.
Combined with lackluster spending at home and an aging society, the slowdown poses a major challenge to Mr. Abe, whose political opponents are sharpening their knives. The tiny monarchy on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia based its new penal code on Shariah, Islamic law based on the Quran and other writings, though interpretations of Shariah can vary widely.
Official comment: The Abe administration is focusing on the positive. “We continue to see an increase in consumer spending and capital investment, which are pillars of demand,” the chief cabinet secretary said last month. “There has been no change in the moderate recovery of the economy." The reaction: Human Rights Watch called the new penal code “barbaric to the core,” and celebrities and Los Angeles officials have called for a boycott of nine hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei — three in the U.K., and two each in France, Italy and the U.S.
After an outcry from the business community, Hong Kong authorities dropped some economic crimes from a proposed extradition law that would allow fugitives to be sent to mainland China.After an outcry from the business community, Hong Kong authorities dropped some economic crimes from a proposed extradition law that would allow fugitives to be sent to mainland China.
But it reaffirmed its broader push to ease extradition by introducing legislation that would help Hong Kong send fugitives to jurisdictions that it does not have rendition agreements with.But it reaffirmed its broader push to ease extradition by introducing legislation that would help Hong Kong send fugitives to jurisdictions that it does not have rendition agreements with.
The move stoked fears in Hong Kong that Beijing is eroding the territory’s protections for individual rights and free speech.The move stoked fears in Hong Kong that Beijing is eroding the territory’s protections for individual rights and free speech.
The background: The urgency to change Hong Kong’s extradition policy came after a Hong Kong woman was found dead in Taiwan last year. The suspect, her boyfriend, was arrested in Hong Kong, but extradition laws did not allow him to be sent to face charges for her killing in Taiwan.The background: The urgency to change Hong Kong’s extradition policy came after a Hong Kong woman was found dead in Taiwan last year. The suspect, her boyfriend, was arrested in Hong Kong, but extradition laws did not allow him to be sent to face charges for her killing in Taiwan.
Scientists thought the Great Barrier Reef was too big to fail. A new study finds otherwise.Scientists thought the Great Barrier Reef was too big to fail. A new study finds otherwise.
Monitoring coral growth and death after mass bleachings in 2016 and 2017, they had expected to see signs of the resilience of nature. Instead, they found for the first time a significant decline in new corals settling on the reef, compromising its capacity to recover.Monitoring coral growth and death after mass bleachings in 2016 and 2017, they had expected to see signs of the resilience of nature. Instead, they found for the first time a significant decline in new corals settling on the reef, compromising its capacity to recover.
Takeaway: The study is the first to show the collapse of fundamental ecosystem processes in a marine environment, according to the chief researcher.Takeaway: The study is the first to show the collapse of fundamental ecosystem processes in a marine environment, according to the chief researcher.
Other climate news: More than 40 governments worldwide have now adopted some sort of price on carbon, either through direct taxes on fossil fuels or through cap-and-trade programs. We tracked some notable plans, many of which are still too weak to drive truly deep cuts in emissions.Other climate news: More than 40 governments worldwide have now adopted some sort of price on carbon, either through direct taxes on fossil fuels or through cap-and-trade programs. We tracked some notable plans, many of which are still too weak to drive truly deep cuts in emissions.
Tell us: Has your community been affected by climate change? Our journalists want to hear from you.Tell us: Has your community been affected by climate change? Our journalists want to hear from you.
There’s no single explanation for the wave of right-wing populism across the world. But Rupert Murdoch’s empire has done more than any other media company to enable it, promote it and profit from it.There’s no single explanation for the wave of right-wing populism across the world. But Rupert Murdoch’s empire has done more than any other media company to enable it, promote it and profit from it.
Our three-part investigation describes the Murdoch family’s role in destabilizing democracy in North America, Europe and Australia. The product of six months of digging, the report shows how two major stories of our times — one of nativist forces, the other of the Murdoch dynasty — are part of a single narrative.Our three-part investigation describes the Murdoch family’s role in destabilizing democracy in North America, Europe and Australia. The product of six months of digging, the report shows how two major stories of our times — one of nativist forces, the other of the Murdoch dynasty — are part of a single narrative.
Brunei: A harsh new criminal law which includes death by stoning for sex between men or for adultery, and amputation of limbs for theft went into effect on Wednesday, despite an international outcry. Japan: China’s slowing growth is slashing demand for Japanese exports, and raising questions about the effectiveness of Abenomics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic program.
Egypt: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is extending his iron grip to a new corner of society: the country’s cherished soap operas.Egypt: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is extending his iron grip to a new corner of society: the country’s cherished soap operas.
Mar-a-Lago: A woman from China carrying four cellphones and a thumb drive infected with malware gained access to President Trump’s Florida resort during his visit there over the weekend, federal court records show.Mar-a-Lago: A woman from China carrying four cellphones and a thumb drive infected with malware gained access to President Trump’s Florida resort during his visit there over the weekend, federal court records show.
Malaysia: The first of multiple corruption trials is underway for Najib Razak, the former prime minister who is accused of diverting $4.5 billion from a state-owned investment fund.Malaysia: The first of multiple corruption trials is underway for Najib Razak, the former prime minister who is accused of diverting $4.5 billion from a state-owned investment fund.
Mozambique: A vaccination campaign is set to start today after a devastating storm two weeks ago displaced about two million people. Cases of malaria are also expected, but aid agencies are optimistic.Mozambique: A vaccination campaign is set to start today after a devastating storm two weeks ago displaced about two million people. Cases of malaria are also expected, but aid agencies are optimistic.
Measles: Clusters of measles outbreaks, some linked and some not, are confounding health officials in places as diverse as Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines and Venezuela.Measles: Clusters of measles outbreaks, some linked and some not, are confounding health officials in places as diverse as Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines and Venezuela.
Brexit: Prime Minister Theresa May and the opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, have battled for years over how to withdraw Britain from the E.U. On Wednesday, they met as potential but wary partners.Brexit: Prime Minister Theresa May and the opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, have battled for years over how to withdraw Britain from the E.U. On Wednesday, they met as potential but wary partners.
Jamal Khashoggi: The children of the Saudi dissident have received tens of thousands of dollars and millions in real estate from the kingdom’s rulers as compensation for their father’s murder.Jamal Khashoggi: The children of the Saudi dissident have received tens of thousands of dollars and millions in real estate from the kingdom’s rulers as compensation for their father’s murder.
Carlos Ghosn: The embattled former Nissan executive joined Twitter and said he was ready to talk.Carlos Ghosn: The embattled former Nissan executive joined Twitter and said he was ready to talk.
Tips for a more fulfilling life.Tips for a more fulfilling life.
Recipe of the day: This quick, pressure cooker chipotle chicken pozole tastes as if it has simmered for a long time.Recipe of the day: This quick, pressure cooker chipotle chicken pozole tastes as if it has simmered for a long time.
Instead of painting a rosy picture of a job, you’re better off going in with a realistic preview of what it’s really like, warts and all.Instead of painting a rosy picture of a job, you’re better off going in with a realistic preview of what it’s really like, warts and all.
The right sports bra might change the way you work out. Here’s how to find one that actually fits.The right sports bra might change the way you work out. Here’s how to find one that actually fits.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization officially turns 70 today.The North Atlantic Treaty Organization officially turns 70 today.
Having lunch in the cafeteria at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels is like attending a costume party, given the varied uniforms of the 29 members. A 30th nation, North Macedonia, is to join soon.Having lunch in the cafeteria at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels is like attending a costume party, given the varied uniforms of the 29 members. A 30th nation, North Macedonia, is to join soon.
The appeal is a mutual defense pact that has a rejuvenated purpose: to keep Russia contained and Germany defended.The appeal is a mutual defense pact that has a rejuvenated purpose: to keep Russia contained and Germany defended.
Tensions with Europe that had seemed to diminish with the fall of the Soviet Union are back, thanks to the 2008 Georgian war, the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and warfare in eastern Ukraine, and Russian meddling in Montenegro, Greece and other countries of Central Europe.Tensions with Europe that had seemed to diminish with the fall of the Soviet Union are back, thanks to the 2008 Georgian war, the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and warfare in eastern Ukraine, and Russian meddling in Montenegro, Greece and other countries of Central Europe.
President Trump has disparaged NATO’s huge new headquarters as too expensive. But for this frequent visitor, it was a needed replacement for the ramshackle old structure. I once nearly lost my foot going through a rotten floor thrown together when Charles de Gaulle threw NATO out of France in 1966.President Trump has disparaged NATO’s huge new headquarters as too expensive. But for this frequent visitor, it was a needed replacement for the ramshackle old structure. I once nearly lost my foot going through a rotten floor thrown together when Charles de Gaulle threw NATO out of France in 1966.
But even France has come back to full membership, 10 years ago now.But even France has come back to full membership, 10 years ago now.
Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe for The Times, wrote today’s Back Story.Steven Erlanger, the chief diplomatic correspondent in Europe for The Times, 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.
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