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| Your Friday Briefing | Your Friday Briefing |
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| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| The new Brexit deal and a slew of developments in Washington dominate the news cycle today. But, as a Friday treat for you, we also have interviews with four talents who have redefined elements of our culture. | The new Brexit deal and a slew of developments in Washington dominate the news cycle today. But, as a Friday treat for you, we also have interviews with four talents who have redefined elements of our culture. |
| Britain and the E.U. agreed on the draft text of a Brexit deal on Thursday, clearing a major hurdle in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to leave the E.U. by Oct. 31. The agreement sets up a fateful showdown on Saturday, when British Parliament is set to vote on the plan. | Britain and the E.U. agreed on the draft text of a Brexit deal on Thursday, clearing a major hurdle in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to leave the E.U. by Oct. 31. The agreement sets up a fateful showdown on Saturday, when British Parliament is set to vote on the plan. |
| The deal’s fate could rest with 10 lawmakers from Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, a conservative bloc in Parliament whose support hinges on the plan’s handling of the Irish border and trade with Britain. The party said on Thursday that it would not back the latest agreement. | The deal’s fate could rest with 10 lawmakers from Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, a conservative bloc in Parliament whose support hinges on the plan’s handling of the Irish border and trade with Britain. The party said on Thursday that it would not back the latest agreement. |
| The details: Mr. Johnson’s plan would avoid a border within Ireland by keeping Northern Ireland under the E.U.’s tariff rules — the same ones the Republic of Ireland follows. (Here are the specifics of how that would work.) | The details: Mr. Johnson’s plan would avoid a border within Ireland by keeping Northern Ireland under the E.U.’s tariff rules — the same ones the Republic of Ireland follows. (Here are the specifics of how that would work.) |
| Need a drink? A whisky distiller in Scotland spent months ensuring that Brexit wouldn’t keep him from exporting his single malt to the U.S. in time for the holidays. Then a 25 percent tariff imposed by the Trump administration threw a wrench in his plans. | Need a drink? A whisky distiller in Scotland spent months ensuring that Brexit wouldn’t keep him from exporting his single malt to the U.S. in time for the holidays. Then a 25 percent tariff imposed by the Trump administration threw a wrench in his plans. |
| President Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mike Mulvaney, told reporters that the holdup of military aid to Ukraine over the summer was linked in part to White House demands for an investigation related to what he called corruption by Democrats in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. | President Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mike Mulvaney, told reporters that the holdup of military aid to Ukraine over the summer was linked in part to White House demands for an investigation related to what he called corruption by Democrats in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. |
| He is the first White House official to acknowledge what impeachment investigators have heard in testimony this week. | He is the first White House official to acknowledge what impeachment investigators have heard in testimony this week. |
| Analysis: “The briefing was jaw-dropping by any metric,” said our White House correspondent Maggie Haberman. But Mr. Mulvaney’s statement, she added, “tries to shift the window on conduct by revealing stuff publicly to take the sting out of its discovery.” | |
| Another surprise: Mr. Mulvaney also announced that next year’s Group of 7 meeting would be held at Trump Doral, the president’s luxury resort near Miami, to the consternation of ethics watchdogs. Mr. Trump had raised the possibility at this year’s meeting in Biarritz, France. | Another surprise: Mr. Mulvaney also announced that next year’s Group of 7 meeting would be held at Trump Doral, the president’s luxury resort near Miami, to the consternation of ethics watchdogs. Mr. Trump had raised the possibility at this year’s meeting in Biarritz, France. |
| The inquiry: Mr. Trump’s ambassador to the E.U., Gordon Sondland, told impeachment investigators that the president had essentially delegated American foreign policy on Ukraine to Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer. | The inquiry: Mr. Trump’s ambassador to the E.U., Gordon Sondland, told impeachment investigators that the president had essentially delegated American foreign policy on Ukraine to Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer. |
| After five hours of talks with Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice President Mike Pence announced that Turkey had agreed to a suspend its military operations in northern Syria for five days to allow Kurdish militia to leave the area. | After five hours of talks with Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice President Mike Pence announced that Turkey had agreed to a suspend its military operations in northern Syria for five days to allow Kurdish militia to leave the area. |
| In return, Mr. Pence said, the U.S. would not impose any further sanctions on Turkey. | In return, Mr. Pence said, the U.S. would not impose any further sanctions on Turkey. |
| Turkey’s foreign minister reiterated that the “pause” didn’t mean the country would withdraw its forces. “We will go on being there,” he said. | Turkey’s foreign minister reiterated that the “pause” didn’t mean the country would withdraw its forces. “We will go on being there,” he said. |
| Hurdles: There are concerns over how workable the deal will be. The main actors on the ground — Kurdish, Russian and Syrian officials — weren’t at the negotiating table, and the Kurds are unlikely to be willing to leave the area. | Hurdles: There are concerns over how workable the deal will be. The main actors on the ground — Kurdish, Russian and Syrian officials — weren’t at the negotiating table, and the Kurds are unlikely to be willing to leave the area. |
| In a speech in Washington, Mark Zuckerberg gave a full-throated defense of Facebook as a crucial new structure in human culture. He also live-streamed it on his Facebook page. | In a speech in Washington, Mark Zuckerberg gave a full-throated defense of Facebook as a crucial new structure in human culture. He also live-streamed it on his Facebook page. |
| He portrayed the platform — under fire for years over enabling the dissemination of disinformation and violent, hateful content — as spreading free speech and democracy. He referred by way of contrast to China, where Beijing controls and censors speech, including on the internet. | He portrayed the platform — under fire for years over enabling the dissemination of disinformation and violent, hateful content — as spreading free speech and democracy. He referred by way of contrast to China, where Beijing controls and censors speech, including on the internet. |
| “People having the power to express themselves at scale is a new kind of force in the world — a Fifth Estate alongside the other power structures of society,” Mr. Zuckerberg said. | “People having the power to express themselves at scale is a new kind of force in the world — a Fifth Estate alongside the other power structures of society,” Mr. Zuckerberg said. |
| Analysis: The Times’s Mike Isaac, who interviewed Mr. Zuckerberg before the speech, said the Facebook founder was “positioning himself and his company as the hero of Western ideals.” | Analysis: The Times’s Mike Isaac, who interviewed Mr. Zuckerberg before the speech, said the Facebook founder was “positioning himself and his company as the hero of Western ideals.” |
| Above, from left: the actress Rachel Weisz, the artist Nick Cave, the architect Shigeru Ban and the fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquière. | Above, from left: the actress Rachel Weisz, the artist Nick Cave, the architect Shigeru Ban and the fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquière. |
| The four are featured in the annual Greats issue of T: The New York Times Style Magazine, which celebrates those who have changed their fields — and the culture at large. | The four are featured in the annual Greats issue of T: The New York Times Style Magazine, which celebrates those who have changed their fields — and the culture at large. |
| Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte suffered bruises after falling off a motorcycle, according to his aides, adding to the mounting public concern about his health. A spokesman for the opposition Liberal Party demanded full disclosure on his health and hospital records. | Philippines: President Rodrigo Duterte suffered bruises after falling off a motorcycle, according to his aides, adding to the mounting public concern about his health. A spokesman for the opposition Liberal Party demanded full disclosure on his health and hospital records. |
| China: The authorities in southern China have for weeks detained two Americans who ran an English-language teaching company, accusing them of organizing illegal border crossings. With tensions between the U.S. and China high, foreigners are increasingly vulnerable to arrest, and English teachers are under new scrutiny as potential challenges to an educational system stressing patriotism. | China: The authorities in southern China have for weeks detained two Americans who ran an English-language teaching company, accusing them of organizing illegal border crossings. With tensions between the U.S. and China high, foreigners are increasingly vulnerable to arrest, and English teachers are under new scrutiny as potential challenges to an educational system stressing patriotism. |
| Canada: Former U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s re-election, potentially giving him a lift before Canadians go to the polls on Monday in closely fought elections. | Canada: Former U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s re-election, potentially giving him a lift before Canadians go to the polls on Monday in closely fought elections. |
| London: A video captured a violent exchange between commuters and a climate protester standing atop a train. The demonstration was part of a recent campaign by the group Extinction Rebellion to draw attention to the climate crisis with disruptive tactics, a strategy the mayor of London called “counterproductive.” | London: A video captured a violent exchange between commuters and a climate protester standing atop a train. The demonstration was part of a recent campaign by the group Extinction Rebellion to draw attention to the climate crisis with disruptive tactics, a strategy the mayor of London called “counterproductive.” |
| Snapshot: Above, Virgin Galactic’s new high-tech jumpsuit for passengers on its flights to the edge of space, which will be included in the ticket price: a cool $250,000. | Snapshot: Above, Virgin Galactic’s new high-tech jumpsuit for passengers on its flights to the edge of space, which will be included in the ticket price: a cool $250,000. |
| In memoriam: Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland, 68, a son of sharecroppers who rose to become one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress. He was a central figure in the impeachment inquiry. | In memoriam: Representative Elijah Cummings of Maryland, 68, a son of sharecroppers who rose to become one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress. He was a central figure in the impeachment inquiry. |
| 52 Places traveler: In his latest dispatch, our columnist fulfills a long-held dream of visiting Dakar, the capital of Senegal, and reaffirms his belief that “low season” is just a state of mind. | 52 Places traveler: In his latest dispatch, our columnist fulfills a long-held dream of visiting Dakar, the capital of Senegal, and reaffirms his belief that “low season” is just a state of mind. |
| What we’re watching: If you are confused about why the Irish border issue is a roadblock in Brexit negotiations, try a few episodes of “Derry Girls” on Netflix. “It’s a profound look at the history of the violent sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland,” says Melina Delkic, on the briefings team. “And it adds a light (and hilarious) touch to the story of coming of age in a conflict zone.” | What we’re watching: If you are confused about why the Irish border issue is a roadblock in Brexit negotiations, try a few episodes of “Derry Girls” on Netflix. “It’s a profound look at the history of the violent sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland,” says Melina Delkic, on the briefings team. “And it adds a light (and hilarious) touch to the story of coming of age in a conflict zone.” |
| Cook: Take time this weekend to make sinigang, a comforting soup with pork, vegetables and a tamarind broth. | Cook: Take time this weekend to make sinigang, a comforting soup with pork, vegetables and a tamarind broth. |
| Listen: The actresses Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, from “The Office,” are rewatching every episode of the show for a new podcast. | Listen: The actresses Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, from “The Office,” are rewatching every episode of the show for a new podcast. |
| Go: The Rugby World Cup made Yokohama, Japan, a destination for sports fans. But beyond the stadiums, visitors will find traditional gardens, temples and only-in-Japan night life. | Go: The Rugby World Cup made Yokohama, Japan, a destination for sports fans. But beyond the stadiums, visitors will find traditional gardens, temples and only-in-Japan night life. |
| Read: “Letters From an Astrophysicist,” a collection of letters by Neil deGrasse Tyson, is new this week on our hardcover nonfiction and combined print and e-book nonfiction best-seller lists. | Read: “Letters From an Astrophysicist,” a collection of letters by Neil deGrasse Tyson, is new this week on our hardcover nonfiction and combined print and e-book nonfiction best-seller lists. |
| Smarter Living: The CBD industry is flourishing in the U.S., conservatively projected to hit $16 billion by 2025. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of many components of the marijuana plant, and claims are rampant about its ability to lift depression, ease anxiety and chronic pain, and aid sleep. Our “Scam or Not” series finds that it has some real promise. | Smarter Living: The CBD industry is flourishing in the U.S., conservatively projected to hit $16 billion by 2025. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of many components of the marijuana plant, and claims are rampant about its ability to lift depression, ease anxiety and chronic pain, and aid sleep. Our “Scam or Not” series finds that it has some real promise. |
| “Scam or Not” also takes on the myths about turmeric, kombucha, celery juice and activated charcoal. | “Scam or Not” also takes on the myths about turmeric, kombucha, celery juice and activated charcoal. |
| Don’t watch the tape. | Don’t watch the tape. |
| That was the takeaway for moviegoers who saw the horror film “The Ring,” starring Naomi Watts and directed by Gore Verbinski, when it opened on this day in 2002. | That was the takeaway for moviegoers who saw the horror film “The Ring,” starring Naomi Watts and directed by Gore Verbinski, when it opened on this day in 2002. |
| A remake of the 1997 Japanese film “Ringu,” the movie made more than $249 million worldwide, a haul that encouraged more English-language remakes of Asian horror films — and two more American “Ring” movies. | A remake of the 1997 Japanese film “Ringu,” the movie made more than $249 million worldwide, a haul that encouraged more English-language remakes of Asian horror films — and two more American “Ring” movies. |
| The plot centers on a mysterious videotape that curses its viewers, leaving them with seven days to live. The cursed tape, and the film itself, focus on a well. | The plot centers on a mysterious videotape that curses its viewers, leaving them with seven days to live. The cursed tape, and the film itself, focus on a well. |
| The Japanese original, directed by Hideo Nakata, was based on one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories, which is set at Himeji castle. Declared one of the first Japanese UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1993, the castle is open to the public, but the well that figured in the story is sealed shut. | The Japanese original, directed by Hideo Nakata, was based on one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories, which is set at Himeji castle. Declared one of the first Japanese UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1993, the castle is open to the public, but the well that figured in the story is sealed shut. |
| Mr. Nakata’s most recent film revisits the fable again, this time drawing on social media as its own curse in lieu of a VHS tape. | Mr. Nakata’s most recent film revisits the fable again, this time drawing on social media as its own curse in lieu of a VHS tape. |
| That’s it for this briefing. May you have a scare-free weekend. | That’s it for this briefing. May you have a scare-free weekend. |
| — Tom and Andrea | — Tom and Andrea |
| Thank youTo Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. Nadav Gavrielov wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youTo Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. Nadav Gavrielov wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. |
| P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the effects of the U.S. military withdrawal in Syria.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Woman “with the good hair” on Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • A panel including Times journalists will discuss the future of local news at an event in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the effects of the U.S. military withdrawal in Syria.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: Woman “with the good hair” on Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • A panel including Times journalists will discuss the future of local news at an event in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday. |