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Your Thursday Briefing Britain, Ukraine, ‘The Crown’: Your Thursday Briefing
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Good morning.Good morning.
We’re covering Boris Johnson’s election campaign strategy, what Ukraine did when President Trump asked for a favor and the argument for removing the Mona Lisa.We’re covering Boris Johnson’s election campaign strategy, what Ukraine did when President Trump asked for a favor and the argument for removing the Mona Lisa.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson kicked off his campaign for a general election that is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable, and consequential, in Britain in recent memory. As he did, he appeared to back away from President Trump, whose support he once counted on.Prime Minister Boris Johnson kicked off his campaign for a general election that is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable, and consequential, in Britain in recent memory. As he did, he appeared to back away from President Trump, whose support he once counted on.
The opposition Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is using Mr. Johnson’s relationship with Mr. Trump to capitalize on the president’s unpopularity in Britain and claim that the prime minister would sell out the country’s National Health Service for a trade deal.The opposition Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is using Mr. Johnson’s relationship with Mr. Trump to capitalize on the president’s unpopularity in Britain and claim that the prime minister would sell out the country’s National Health Service for a trade deal.
Mr. Corbyn has good reason to do so: Only 19 percent of Britons surveyed said they had a positive opinion of Mr. Trump, according to YouGov.Mr. Corbyn has good reason to do so: Only 19 percent of Britons surveyed said they had a positive opinion of Mr. Trump, according to YouGov.
Context: Although Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party leads the Labour Party in the polls, the prime minister was hit by the resignation of one of his cabinet ministers in a legal scandal and accusations that his party doctored a TV interview with a Labour leader.Context: Although Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party leads the Labour Party in the polls, the prime minister was hit by the resignation of one of his cabinet ministers in a legal scandal and accusations that his party doctored a TV interview with a Labour leader.
Quotable: “Donald Trump is so exceptional. We hear and see so much about him that he has almost become a presence in domestic British politics,” said one professor of politics in London.Quotable: “Donald Trump is so exceptional. We hear and see so much about him that he has almost become a presence in domestic British politics,” said one professor of politics in London.
In early September, the country’s new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was faced with a dilemma: capitulate to President Trump’s demands to publicly announce investigations of his political enemies, or refuse — and lose desperately needed military aid.In early September, the country’s new president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was faced with a dilemma: capitulate to President Trump’s demands to publicly announce investigations of his political enemies, or refuse — and lose desperately needed military aid.
After much discussion, Mr. Zelensky’s staff members made the decision to concede, and made plans for him to announce investigations on CNN. They reasoned that it would be worth the aid and support in peace talks to appear as though they were taking sides, something they would have preferred to avoid.After much discussion, Mr. Zelensky’s staff members made the decision to concede, and made plans for him to announce investigations on CNN. They reasoned that it would be worth the aid and support in peace talks to appear as though they were taking sides, something they would have preferred to avoid.
But word of the aid freeze leaked, and U.S. lawmakers were furious. Just two days before the scheduled public statement on CNN, Mr. Trump released the aid, and the Ukrainians canceled Mr. Zelensky’s appearance.But word of the aid freeze leaked, and U.S. lawmakers were furious. Just two days before the scheduled public statement on CNN, Mr. Trump released the aid, and the Ukrainians canceled Mr. Zelensky’s appearance.
How we know: We went to Kiev and spoke to government officials, lawmakers and others close to the Zelensky government. We also relied on testimony from the Trump impeachment inquiry.How we know: We went to Kiev and spoke to government officials, lawmakers and others close to the Zelensky government. We also relied on testimony from the Trump impeachment inquiry.
A shift: The trade became explicit in September when Gordon Sondland, Mr. Trump’s ambassador to the E.U., explained in blunt terms to Mr. Zelensky and a senior aide that there was little chance the aid would come until they made the public statement on the investigations.A shift: The trade became explicit in September when Gordon Sondland, Mr. Trump’s ambassador to the E.U., explained in blunt terms to Mr. Zelensky and a senior aide that there was little chance the aid would come until they made the public statement on the investigations.
President Emmanuel Macron announced new immigration measures, including clearing out informal migrant camps around Paris, in an attempt to lure voters from the far right ahead of upcoming municipal elections.President Emmanuel Macron announced new immigration measures, including clearing out informal migrant camps around Paris, in an attempt to lure voters from the far right ahead of upcoming municipal elections.
Mr. Macron’s main political challengers, the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen, have for years skillfully used immigration in their political ascent.Mr. Macron’s main political challengers, the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen, have for years skillfully used immigration in their political ascent.
Another angle: Immigration has been a delicate issue for the French president, a centrist whose shape-shifting has often dissatisfied French voters across the political spectrum.Another angle: Immigration has been a delicate issue for the French president, a centrist whose shape-shifting has often dissatisfied French voters across the political spectrum.
The right said the measures weren’t enough, while the left said they endangered a vulnerable population of asylum seekers.The right said the measures weren’t enough, while the left said they endangered a vulnerable population of asylum seekers.
By the numbers: Nearly 124,000 people requested asylum in France last year, a record number and an increase of 23 percent from the previous year. Shelters have been overwhelmed, leading migrants to set up tent cities.By the numbers: Nearly 124,000 people requested asylum in France last year, a record number and an increase of 23 percent from the previous year. Shelters have been overwhelmed, leading migrants to set up tent cities.
The House of Windsor may have never seemed more anachronistic, but 56-year-old Peter Morgan has given it a new luster with “The Crown,” his popular Netflix series now beginning the third of its six seasons.The House of Windsor may have never seemed more anachronistic, but 56-year-old Peter Morgan has given it a new luster with “The Crown,” his popular Netflix series now beginning the third of its six seasons.
The Times Magazine looks at the life of the writer and showrunner, and the interplay between “The Crown” and the real monarchy. “I understand why people are furious, why they want the whole institution gone,” Mr. Morgan said. “But I’m quite proud we haven’t kicked them out.”The Times Magazine looks at the life of the writer and showrunner, and the interplay between “The Crown” and the real monarchy. “I understand why people are furious, why they want the whole institution gone,” Mr. Morgan said. “But I’m quite proud we haven’t kicked them out.”
Twitter: Two former employees of the social media company were charged with using their access to the site’s workings to spy for Saudi Arabia. The incident raised concerns about Big Tech’s ability to protect its users.Twitter: Two former employees of the social media company were charged with using their access to the site’s workings to spy for Saudi Arabia. The incident raised concerns about Big Tech’s ability to protect its users.
Mexico: The ambush that killed nine people, coming closely on the heels of two other prominent episodes of violence, laid bare the government’s helplessness against violence. And it added pressure on the new president to do what he promised: curb the record-high murder rate.Mexico: The ambush that killed nine people, coming closely on the heels of two other prominent episodes of violence, laid bare the government’s helplessness against violence. And it added pressure on the new president to do what he promised: curb the record-high murder rate.
Jordan: Four foreign tourists and four Jordanians were stabbed at a popular archaeological site, Jerash.Jordan: Four foreign tourists and four Jordanians were stabbed at a popular archaeological site, Jerash.
Russia in the U.S.: Critics of a program for Russian cultural studies at American University in Washington say it presents too favorable a perspective on Russia by focusing on the glories of its arts and history at a time of aggression in Ukraine and election meddling.Russia in the U.S.: Critics of a program for Russian cultural studies at American University in Washington say it presents too favorable a perspective on Russia by focusing on the glories of its arts and history at a time of aggression in Ukraine and election meddling.
U.N.: The head of the United Nations agency that aids Palestinian refugees resigned on Wednesday, the U.N. said, amid an investigation into allegations of misconduct.U.N.: The head of the United Nations agency that aids Palestinian refugees resigned on Wednesday, the U.N. said, amid an investigation into allegations of misconduct.
Snapshot: Above, one of Amsterdam’s iconic houseboats. Renting space to live in the city’s canals was once for the poor, but they have turned into a luxury playground. Houseboat prices have increased 30 to 40 percent in the last five years, and some owners have skirted rules by building what are essentially floating houses rather than boats.Snapshot: Above, one of Amsterdam’s iconic houseboats. Renting space to live in the city’s canals was once for the poor, but they have turned into a luxury playground. Houseboat prices have increased 30 to 40 percent in the last five years, and some owners have skirted rules by building what are essentially floating houses rather than boats.
Mona Lisa: Should the iconic Leonardo da Vinci portrait be taken down? Our art critic says yes. He argues it’s a security hazard, an educational obstacle and not even a satisfying bucket-list item.Mona Lisa: Should the iconic Leonardo da Vinci portrait be taken down? Our art critic says yes. He argues it’s a security hazard, an educational obstacle and not even a satisfying bucket-list item.
What we’re reading: This Billboard interview with the musician Trent Reznor. Michael Roston, a science editor, writes: “The man behind Nine Inch Nails and a lot of movie and TV soundtracks has many interesting things to say, but maybe the best is how he describes telling his kids he was the accidental musician behind Lil Nas X’s viral megahit ‘Old Town Road.’”What we’re reading: This Billboard interview with the musician Trent Reznor. Michael Roston, a science editor, writes: “The man behind Nine Inch Nails and a lot of movie and TV soundtracks has many interesting things to say, but maybe the best is how he describes telling his kids he was the accidental musician behind Lil Nas X’s viral megahit ‘Old Town Road.’”
Cook: A green okonomiyaki with spinach, zucchini and Napa cabbage.Cook: A green okonomiyaki with spinach, zucchini and Napa cabbage.
Watch: HBO’s new show “His Dark Materials” has a more rebellious, questioning outlook — adolescent, in a good way — than some other fantasy sagas.Watch: HBO’s new show “His Dark Materials” has a more rebellious, questioning outlook — adolescent, in a good way — than some other fantasy sagas.
Read: Bernardine Evaristo, the first black woman to win the Booker Prize, talks about her mission to write about the African diaspora and why her novel involves 12 interconnected characters.Read: Bernardine Evaristo, the first black woman to win the Booker Prize, talks about her mission to write about the African diaspora and why her novel involves 12 interconnected characters.
NASA isn’t the only U.S. agency working in space.NASA isn’t the only U.S. agency working in space.
This month, the Navy’s Research Laboratory is testing the idea that space equipment could draw on electrons in the ionosphere to enable fuel-free space maneuvering hundreds of miles from Earth’s surface.This month, the Navy’s Research Laboratory is testing the idea that space equipment could draw on electrons in the ionosphere to enable fuel-free space maneuvering hundreds of miles from Earth’s surface.
A satellite launched from a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in June will, when given the command from Earth, split into two identical pieces, each smaller than a shoe box. They will unfurl between them a kilometer-long electrodynamic filament.A satellite launched from a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in June will, when given the command from Earth, split into two identical pieces, each smaller than a shoe box. They will unfurl between them a kilometer-long electrodynamic filament.
As they pull that tether through the Earth’s magnetic field, the mini-satellites will draw in electrons at each end. Sending them through the tether in one direction creates a propulsive force, and in the other, drag. It’s the same physics — the Lorentz force — that drives an electric motor.As they pull that tether through the Earth’s magnetic field, the mini-satellites will draw in electrons at each end. Sending them through the tether in one direction creates a propulsive force, and in the other, drag. It’s the same physics — the Lorentz force — that drives an electric motor.
The experiment won’t generate enough current for meaningful propulsion, but if it works, it holds the promise of longevity for satellites, as well as a way to nudge a satellite at the end of its useful life into the atmosphere to burn up, to prevent the accumulation of space junk in orbit.The experiment won’t generate enough current for meaningful propulsion, but if it works, it holds the promise of longevity for satellites, as well as a way to nudge a satellite at the end of its useful life into the atmosphere to burn up, to prevent the accumulation of space junk in orbit.
That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.
— Melina— Melina
Thank youTo Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. Kenneth Chang, who covers NASA for The Times, 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. Kenneth Chang, who covers NASA for The Times, 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 on how impeachment consumed a governor’s race.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Weapon for a knight (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The New York Times added a net of 273,000 online subscribers in the third quarter, bringing digital subscriptions to four million and total subscriptions to a high of 4.9 million.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is on how impeachment consumed a governor’s race.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Weapon for a knight (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The New York Times added a net of 273,000 online subscribers in the third quarter, bringing digital subscriptions to four million and total subscriptions to a high of 4.9 million.