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~~Your Thursday Briefing~~	Robert Mueller, Hong Kong, Boris Johnson: Your Thursday Briefing
2019-07-25 04:26:16 UTC	2019-07-25 05:36:08 UTC (about 1 hour later)
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Good morning.	Good morning.
We’re covering the Mueller hearings, the F.T.C. investigation into Facebook and the heat wave in Western Europe.	We’re covering the Mueller hearings, the F.T.C. investigation into Facebook and the heat wave in Western Europe.
Robert Mueller, above, was a reluctant witness during two hearings on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers spent hours grilling him about his investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and whether President Trump obstructed justice.	Robert Mueller, above, was a reluctant witness during two hearings on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers spent hours grilling him about his investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and whether President Trump obstructed justice.
While Republicans sought to undermine Mr. Mueller and his investigation, and Democrats to highlight his most damning findings, the former special counsel defended his work and sought to drive home the report’s grave implications, particularly on the systematic effort Russia made to influence the 2016 presidential election. Here are seven takeaways, and watch the biggest moments here.	While Republicans sought to undermine Mr. Mueller and his investigation, and Democrats to highlight his most damning findings, the former special counsel defended his work and sought to drive home the report’s grave implications, particularly on the systematic effort Russia made to influence the 2016 presidential election. Here are seven takeaways, and watch the biggest moments here.
Closer look: Once famous for his laserlike focus, Mr. Mueller at times appeared flustered or at a loss for words over hours of testimony. He declined repeatedly to offer his opinion on key issues, including impeachment, and seemed hesitant about the facts in his own 448-page report. The president, who appeared to be watching the testimony closely, declared himself vindicated.	Closer look: Once famous for his laserlike focus, Mr. Mueller at times appeared flustered or at a loss for words over hours of testimony. He declined repeatedly to offer his opinion on key issues, including impeachment, and seemed hesitant about the facts in his own 448-page report. The president, who appeared to be watching the testimony closely, declared himself vindicated.
What’s next: Mr. Mueller failed to provide the dramatic moment that Mr. Trump’s critics wanted, and afterward impeachment appeared a more distant prospect than before. “Lawmakers,” our Washington correspondent writes, “were left to make the difficult decision whether to proceed or not on their own.”	What’s next: Mr. Mueller failed to provide the dramatic moment that Mr. Trump’s critics wanted, and afterward impeachment appeared a more distant prospect than before. “Lawmakers,” our Washington correspondent writes, “were left to make the difficult decision whether to proceed or not on their own.”
Beijing suggested on Wednesday that it was prepared to use military force in Hong Kong to maintain order and quell protests.	Beijing suggested on Wednesday that it was prepared to use military force in Hong Kong to maintain order and quell protests.
The warning — the most explicit to date since protests began in the territory — was a stark reminder of who ultimately controls the semiautonomous city. The chief spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense made the comments in a briefing on a document outlining China’s defense strategy. He cited protests on Sunday outside the Chinese government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, which demonstrators painted with graffiti.	The warning — the most explicit to date since protests began in the territory — was a stark reminder of who ultimately controls the semiautonomous city. The chief spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense made the comments in a briefing on a document outlining China’s defense strategy. He cited protests on Sunday outside the Chinese government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, which demonstrators painted with graffiti.
Analysts said the warning could inflame, rather than calm, the underlying grievances driving the protests in Hong Kong.	Analysts said the warning could inflame, rather than calm, the underlying grievances driving the protests in Hong Kong.
Explainer: Soon after China resumed control over Hong Kong in 1997, the People’s Liberation Army established a garrison of 6,000 soldiers there, but China has never ordered them to intervene in the territory’s affairs.	Explainer: Soon after China resumed control over Hong Kong in 1997, the People’s Liberation Army established a garrison of 6,000 soldiers there, but China has never ordered them to intervene in the territory’s affairs.
According to a law detailing relations between Hong Kong and the People’s Liberation Army, the military can intervene in “local affairs” only when requested by Hong Kong’s leaders.	According to a law detailing relations between Hong Kong and the People’s Liberation Army, the military can intervene in “local affairs” only when requested by Hong Kong’s leaders.
Another angle: Organized crime groups, known as triads, have been blamed for an attack on passengers at a train station last weekend that appeared to target antigovernment protesters. Here’s a look at their history.	Another angle: Organized crime groups, known as triads, have been blamed for an attack on passengers at a train station last weekend that appeared to target antigovernment protesters. Here’s a look at their history.
In its quarterly earnings announcement, the social media company revealed that it was the target of an antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, underlining the steady stream of actions that regulators are taking to curtail the power of America’s tech giants.	In its quarterly earnings announcement, the social media company revealed that it was the target of an antitrust investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, underlining the steady stream of actions that regulators are taking to curtail the power of America’s tech giants.
The disclosure came hours after the F.T.C. fined the company $5 billion for privacy violations and ordered it to create new layers of oversight on how it collects and handles users’ data. However, the agency stopped short of restricting Facebook’s ability to gather people’s personal information and use it to sell advertising.	The disclosure came hours after the F.T.C. fined the company $5 billion for privacy violations and ordered it to create new layers of oversight on how it collects and handles users’ data. However, the agency stopped short of restricting Facebook’s ability to gather people’s personal information and use it to sell advertising.
The Securities and Exchange Commission also said on Wednesday that it had imposed a $100 million penalty against Facebook for making misleading disclosures to investors about the risks of misuse of user data.	The Securities and Exchange Commission also said on Wednesday that it had imposed a $100 million penalty against Facebook for making misleading disclosures to investors about the risks of misuse of user data.
Background: In the past few years, American regulators have appeared to lag behind European officials and other international authorities in their attempts to weaken the power of tech giants. But Wednesday’s developments point to a new reality for these companies: Scrutiny from American regulators and lawmakers has become a constant.	Background: In the past few years, American regulators have appeared to lag behind European officials and other international authorities in their attempts to weaken the power of tech giants. But Wednesday’s developments point to a new reality for these companies: Scrutiny from American regulators and lawmakers has become a constant.
Go deeper: Under its agreement with the F.T.C., Facebook would create an independent privacy committee and appoint an outside assessor to monitor the handling of data, among other conditions. But some said the agency had not gone far enough: A dissenting F.T.C. commissioner said the deal gave Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg and other senior executives “blanket immunity” for their roles in the violations.	Go deeper: Under its agreement with the F.T.C., Facebook would create an independent privacy committee and appoint an outside assessor to monitor the handling of data, among other conditions. But some said the agency had not gone far enough: A dissenting F.T.C. commissioner said the deal gave Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg and other senior executives “blanket immunity” for their roles in the violations.
The worst of a heat wave that has swept across Western Europe this week is predicted to hit today, with Britain, France, Germany and the Low Countries expecting life-threatening, record-breaking high temperatures.	The worst of a heat wave that has swept across Western Europe this week is predicted to hit today, with Britain, France, Germany and the Low Countries expecting life-threatening, record-breaking high temperatures.
Officials across the continent have issued unusually dire health-related alerts. Previous heat waves have claimed thousands of lives across a region where people are not used to such weather, many structures are not designed for it and few homes have air conditioning.	Officials across the continent have issued unusually dire health-related alerts. Previous heat waves have claimed thousands of lives across a region where people are not used to such weather, many structures are not designed for it and few homes have air conditioning.
Details: Workers in Paris and London described extremely difficult conditions on Wednesday. A number of passengers on Paris’s Metro system fainted. Earlier this week in Portugal, 1,000 firefighters supported by aircraft and a military unit battled forest fires that started over the weekend. The fires have consumed about 22,000 acres and injured about 30 people.	Details: Workers in Paris and London described extremely difficult conditions on Wednesday. A number of passengers on Paris’s Metro system fainted. Earlier this week in Portugal, 1,000 firefighters supported by aircraft and a military unit battled forest fires that started over the weekend. The fires have consumed about 22,000 acres and injured about 30 people.
For more than a year, the Sativa Los Angeles County Water District in California has provided households with brown water, prompting outrage from customers who complain of unexplained stomach pains and irritated skin.	For more than a year, the Sativa Los Angeles County Water District in California has provided households with brown water, prompting outrage from customers who complain of unexplained stomach pains and irritated skin.
They aren’t alone: As many as 1,000 community water systems in the state — one out of three — may be at high risk of failing to deliver potable water. The troubled districts, which operate with little oversight in poor areas, face a host of problems.	They aren’t alone: As many as 1,000 community water systems in the state — one out of three — may be at high risk of failing to deliver potable water. The troubled districts, which operate with little oversight in poor areas, face a host of problems.
Puerto Rico: Gov. Ricardo A. Rosselló said he would step down on Aug. 2, conceding that he could no longer credibly remain in power after an extraordinary popular uprising and looming impeachment proceedings derailed his administration.	Puerto Rico: Gov. Ricardo A. Rosselló said he would step down on Aug. 2, conceding that he could no longer credibly remain in power after an extraordinary popular uprising and looming impeachment proceedings derailed his administration.
Iran: President Hassan Rouhani suggested Wednesday that his country might swap a British-flagged tanker for an Iranian ship captured by the British military, a possible gesture toward reducing escalating tensions between Tehran and the West.	Iran: President Hassan Rouhani suggested Wednesday that his country might swap a British-flagged tanker for an Iranian ship captured by the British military, a possible gesture toward reducing escalating tensions between Tehran and the West.
South Korea: The government said Moscow had expressed “deep regret” that a Russian military plane had flown into its territorial airspace, prompting South Korean jets to fire warning shots. But a Russian spokesman countered the statement, saying that his country had not formally apologized.	South Korea: The government said Moscow had expressed “deep regret” that a Russian military plane had flown into its territorial airspace, prompting South Korean jets to fire warning shots. But a Russian spokesman countered the statement, saying that his country had not formally apologized.
Boeing: The aircraft manufacturer said it might halt production of the 737 Max, its best-selling jet, as it struggled with the fallout from two deadly crashes. Boeing reported a $2.9 billion quarterly net loss, in large part because of costs related to the grounded jet.	Boeing: The aircraft manufacturer said it might halt production of the 737 Max, its best-selling jet, as it struggled with the fallout from two deadly crashes. Boeing reported a $2.9 billion quarterly net loss, in large part because of costs related to the grounded jet.
Snapshot: Above, Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Boris Johnson to Buckingham Palace and formally invited him to form a government. In his first address as prime minister, he projected an optimistic view of Britain’s future and promised an orderly, on-time Brexit.	Snapshot: Above, Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Boris Johnson to Buckingham Palace and formally invited him to form a government. In his first address as prime minister, he projected an optimistic view of Britain’s future and promised an orderly, on-time Brexit.
Loch Ness monster: Facebook users were urged last week to descend on Loch Ness in Scotland in September to find the fabled underwater creature, weeks after a similar call went out to “storm Area 51,” a top-secret U.S. military site, and flush out aliens said to be hidden there. A spokeswoman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution pointed out that there was no need to storm Loch Ness, as it is “open to the public 24/7, 365 days a year.”	Loch Ness monster: Facebook users were urged last week to descend on Loch Ness in Scotland in September to find the fabled underwater creature, weeks after a similar call went out to “storm Area 51,” a top-secret U.S. military site, and flush out aliens said to be hidden there. A spokeswoman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution pointed out that there was no need to storm Loch Ness, as it is “open to the public 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Booker Prize: “The Testaments,” Margaret Atwood’s upcoming sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and Salman Rushdie’s new novel “Quichotte” are among the 13 books on the long list for Britain’s most prestigious literary award.	Booker Prize: “The Testaments,” Margaret Atwood’s upcoming sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and Salman Rushdie’s new novel “Quichotte” are among the 13 books on the long list for Britain’s most prestigious literary award.
What we’re reading: This essay in Medium about the myth of calorie counting, with a fascinating explanation of what exactly a calorie is. “It forces you to reconsider agonizing over what you eat and how many calories you burn,” says Alisha Haridasani Gupta of our Briefings team, “which is, in a way, liberating.”	What we’re reading: This essay in Medium about the myth of calorie counting, with a fascinating explanation of what exactly a calorie is. “It forces you to reconsider agonizing over what you eat and how many calories you burn,” says Alisha Haridasani Gupta of our Briefings team, “which is, in a way, liberating.”
Cook: Try a different, full-bodied pesto made with broccoli and walnuts.	Cook: Try a different, full-bodied pesto made with broccoli and walnuts.
Go: Jacqueline Novak’s “Get On Your Knees,” at the Cherry Lane Theater in Manhattan. “She is brilliant on the absurdity of having and being a thinking, feeling, desiring body, especially a female one, in a world that might not want that,” our critic writes.	Go: Jacqueline Novak’s “Get On Your Knees,” at the Cherry Lane Theater in Manhattan. “She is brilliant on the absurdity of having and being a thinking, feeling, desiring body, especially a female one, in a world that might not want that,” our critic writes.
Watch: The short-lived spy drama “Rubicon” is finally streaming, via AMC Premiere.	Watch: The short-lived spy drama “Rubicon” is finally streaming, via AMC Premiere.
Read: “The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited!,” a graphic novel based on the podcast by the McElroy family, which is new this week on our paperback trade fiction and combined print and e-book fiction best seller lists.	Read: “The Adventure Zone: Murder on the Rockport Limited!,” a graphic novel based on the podcast by the McElroy family, which is new this week on our paperback trade fiction and combined print and e-book fiction best seller lists.
Smarter Living: Summer is for swimming and backyards, but it’s also reading season. Scientists and librarians have recommendations for how to get started. In an age of smartphone reading, Maryanne Wolf, the author of “Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World,” recommends reading for 20 minutes every day to improve your focus.	Smarter Living: Summer is for swimming and backyards, but it’s also reading season. Scientists and librarians have recommendations for how to get started. In an age of smartphone reading, Maryanne Wolf, the author of “Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World,” recommends reading for 20 minutes every day to improve your focus.
We also have five games that will help you through long trips.	We also have five games that will help you through long trips.
Lawmakers questioning Robert Mueller on Wednesday tried mightily to decipher what may become the most infamous double negative in U.S. history: “If we had had confidence … that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. However, we are unable to reach that judgment.”	Lawmakers questioning Robert Mueller on Wednesday tried mightily to decipher what may become the most infamous double negative in U.S. history: “If we had had confidence … that the President clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. However, we are unable to reach that judgment.”