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Your Wednesday Briefing Donald Trump, China, James Bond: Your Wednesday Briefing
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Good morning.Good morning.
We’re covering air pollution in your city, an explosive video from Russia and the French chef who popularized grilled duck breast.We’re covering air pollution in your city, an explosive video from Russia and the French chef who popularized grilled duck breast.
European leaders once stoically bore President Trump’s attacks, and labored to adjust to his preferences and prejudices. But two developments on Tuesday highlight how they are forcing him to change his approach, our London bureau chief writes.European leaders once stoically bore President Trump’s attacks, and labored to adjust to his preferences and prejudices. But two developments on Tuesday highlight how they are forcing him to change his approach, our London bureau chief writes.
At a summit to celebrate NATO’s 70th anniversary, President Emmanuel Macron of France gave Mr. Trump a televised tongue lashing on terrorism. He also stood by earlier remarks about the Trump administration’s role in NATO’s “brain death.”At a summit to celebrate NATO’s 70th anniversary, President Emmanuel Macron of France gave Mr. Trump a televised tongue lashing on terrorism. He also stood by earlier remarks about the Trump administration’s role in NATO’s “brain death.”
Separately, Mr. Trump, who is deeply unpopular in Britain, heeded a plea from Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to barge into the country’s Dec. 12 election. Mr. Johnson’s advisers fear that an association with the American president would hurt his electoral chances.Separately, Mr. Trump, who is deeply unpopular in Britain, heeded a plea from Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to barge into the country’s Dec. 12 election. Mr. Johnson’s advisers fear that an association with the American president would hurt his electoral chances.
Go deeper: President Trump has a history of falling out with his friends.Go deeper: President Trump has a history of falling out with his friends.
Yesterday: Mr. Trump said he did not know Prince Andrew, a son of Queen Elizabeth II who has become entangled in the sexual abuse accusations against the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Photographs say otherwise.Yesterday: Mr. Trump said he did not know Prince Andrew, a son of Queen Elizabeth II who has become entangled in the sexual abuse accusations against the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Photographs say otherwise.
Today: The U.S. president is scheduled to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.Today: The U.S. president is scheduled to meet Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.
How could Ukrainian officials have felt the pressure of a freeze in military aid if they did not know about it when the White House was pushing for political favors? That’s how President Trump and his allies have defended his administration in the impeachment inquiry.How could Ukrainian officials have felt the pressure of a freeze in military aid if they did not know about it when the White House was pushing for political favors? That’s how President Trump and his allies have defended his administration in the impeachment inquiry.
But Olena Zerkal, who recently resigned her post as Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, told our reporter that senior figures in Kyiv knew about the aid freeze as the Trump administration lobbied them to investigate former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., his son and a discredited theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.But Olena Zerkal, who recently resigned her post as Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister, told our reporter that senior figures in Kyiv knew about the aid freeze as the Trump administration lobbied them to investigate former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., his son and a discredited theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
“We had this information,” she said. “It was definitely mentioned there were some issues.”“We had this information,” she said. “It was definitely mentioned there were some issues.”
Why this matters: Democrats are trying to build a case that President Trump pressured President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine by withholding the aid and a White House meeting — at the same time he was pressing for a public announcement that Ukraine would investigate Mr. Trump’s political rivals.Why this matters: Democrats are trying to build a case that President Trump pressured President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine by withholding the aid and a White House meeting — at the same time he was pressing for a public announcement that Ukraine would investigate Mr. Trump’s political rivals.
Yesterday: House Democrats released a report saying that by pressuring Ukraine to help him in the 2020 presidential election, Mr. Trump sought to undermine American democracy and placed his own interests above those of the nation.Yesterday: House Democrats released a report saying that by pressuring Ukraine to help him in the 2020 presidential election, Mr. Trump sought to undermine American democracy and placed his own interests above those of the nation.
Rudy Giuliani: Call records show that as the president’s personal lawyer developed an irregular foreign policy channel on Ukraine, he was in touch with top-ranking American officials.Rudy Giuliani: Call records show that as the president’s personal lawyer developed an irregular foreign policy channel on Ukraine, he was in touch with top-ranking American officials.
Chinese scientists are working with their government on a way to create an image of a person’s face from a genetic sample, using blood collected from ethnic Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim minority whose members have been swept up in mass detentions in China’s western frontier.Chinese scientists are working with their government on a way to create an image of a person’s face from a genetic sample, using blood collected from ethnic Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim minority whose members have been swept up in mass detentions in China’s western frontier.
For help with the project in the Xinjiang region, the Chinese police have turned to scientists with connections to two leading European institutions: The Max Planck Society, a top research group in Germany; and Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands.For help with the project in the Xinjiang region, the Chinese police have turned to scientists with connections to two leading European institutions: The Max Planck Society, a top research group in Germany; and Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands.
The Chinese scientists say in papers that they followed international norms that would require research subjects’ consent. But many people detained in Xinjiang would have no choice.The Chinese scientists say in papers that they followed international norms that would require research subjects’ consent. But many people detained in Xinjiang would have no choice.
Details: Critics of the DNA project say Beijing is exploiting the openness of the international scientific community to build a tool that could be used to justify — and intensify — racial profiling and other state discrimination against ethnic Uighurs.Details: Critics of the DNA project say Beijing is exploiting the openness of the international scientific community to build a tool that could be used to justify — and intensify — racial profiling and other state discrimination against ethnic Uighurs.
What’s next: In the long term, it may be possible to add DNA-produced images into the mass surveillance systems that China is already building.What’s next: In the long term, it may be possible to add DNA-produced images into the mass surveillance systems that China is already building.
As climate delegates from more than 190 countries gather in Madrid this week to finalize rules governing the 2015 Paris accord, new data adds urgency to their task: Carbon dioxide emissions hit a record high this year.As climate delegates from more than 190 countries gather in Madrid this week to finalize rules governing the 2015 Paris accord, new data adds urgency to their task: Carbon dioxide emissions hit a record high this year.
The new figures, reported by a nonprofit and published simultaneously in three scientific journals, put the world even further off course from halting global warming. They also show that natural gas — which is less polluting than coal but still a fossil fuel — has recently emerged as the biggest driver of emissions growth.The new figures, reported by a nonprofit and published simultaneously in three scientific journals, put the world even further off course from halting global warming. They also show that natural gas — which is less polluting than coal but still a fossil fuel — has recently emerged as the biggest driver of emissions growth.
Silver lining: The United States and the European Union both cut their carbon dioxide output this year, and industrial emissions are on track to rise at a slower place than they did in 2017 and 2018.Silver lining: The United States and the European Union both cut their carbon dioxide output this year, and industrial emissions are on track to rise at a slower place than they did in 2017 and 2018.
Air pollution: We compiled a graphic showing pollution in various cities around the world. Find out how your city fares.Air pollution: We compiled a graphic showing pollution in various cities around the world. Find out how your city fares.
Lebanon is drowning in garbage that its government can’t collect. The dysfunction is rooted in history: A deal to end a civil war nearly 30 years ago divided power between 18 recognized religious sects, enriching political elites and effectively institutionalizing corruption.Lebanon is drowning in garbage that its government can’t collect. The dysfunction is rooted in history: A deal to end a civil war nearly 30 years ago divided power between 18 recognized religious sects, enriching political elites and effectively institutionalizing corruption.
“Garbage,” said one Lebanese lawmaker, “is like a gold mine for the political caste.” But ordinary people are fed up, and the nation’s perpetual trash crisis is in part what’s driving widespread protests that have already forced out the prime minister.“Garbage,” said one Lebanese lawmaker, “is like a gold mine for the political caste.” But ordinary people are fed up, and the nation’s perpetual trash crisis is in part what’s driving widespread protests that have already forced out the prime minister.
Markets: President Trump’s scattershot comments on trade roiled global markets, again. The latest jolt was his suggestion on Tuesday that he would wait until after the 2020 presidential election for a trade deal with China.Markets: President Trump’s scattershot comments on trade roiled global markets, again. The latest jolt was his suggestion on Tuesday that he would wait until after the 2020 presidential election for a trade deal with China.
Iran: The government acknowledged that security officers used firearms to quell widespread demonstrations last month over a gasoline price hike. It said unofficial accounts that 180 to 450 people were killed were overblown, but did not specify the number of victims.Iran: The government acknowledged that security officers used firearms to quell widespread demonstrations last month over a gasoline price hike. It said unofficial accounts that 180 to 450 people were killed were overblown, but did not specify the number of victims.
Measles: The government of Samoa is shutting down all public services for two days to fight an outbreak that has killed 60 people and infected thousands in the South Pacific island nation.Measles: The government of Samoa is shutting down all public services for two days to fight an outbreak that has killed 60 people and infected thousands in the South Pacific island nation.
Finland: Prime Minister Antti Rinne resigned on Tuesday amid questions over how his government handled weeks of strikes that affected the state postal service and the national airline.Finland: Prime Minister Antti Rinne resigned on Tuesday amid questions over how his government handled weeks of strikes that affected the state postal service and the national airline.
Deutsche Bank: An appeals court in the United States ruled that the lender must comply with congressional requests for documents detailing President Trump’s finances, a ruling that is almost certain to be appealed to the Supreme Court.Deutsche Bank: An appeals court in the United States ruled that the lender must comply with congressional requests for documents detailing President Trump’s finances, a ruling that is almost certain to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
U.S. politics: Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat from California who hoped to become the first black woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination, said she would suspend her 2020 campaign after months of falling poll numbers.U.S. politics: Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat from California who hoped to become the first black woman to win a major party’s presidential nomination, said she would suspend her 2020 campaign after months of falling poll numbers.
Russia: A video released by the activist Alexey Navalny accuses the head of a government-owned bank of showering gifts — including a $4 million mansion — on his girlfriend, a reporter for state TV, that seemingly could only have been paid for out of government coffers.Russia: A video released by the activist Alexey Navalny accuses the head of a government-owned bank of showering gifts — including a $4 million mansion — on his girlfriend, a reporter for state TV, that seemingly could only have been paid for out of government coffers.
McKinsey: The consulting giant helped American immigration authorities execute the White House’s clampdown on illegal immigration. Its recommendations included speeding up deportation, and cutting spending on food for migrants and medical care of detainees.McKinsey: The consulting giant helped American immigration authorities execute the White House’s clampdown on illegal immigration. Its recommendations included speeding up deportation, and cutting spending on food for migrants and medical care of detainees.
Snapshot: Above, a bar in Milan. Italy wants its traditional espresso — freshly ground, brewed for 20 to 27 seconds — to be inscribed on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.Snapshot: Above, a bar in Milan. Italy wants its traditional espresso — freshly ground, brewed for 20 to 27 seconds — to be inscribed on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In memoriam: André Daguin, a chef from French region of Gascony who put grilled duck breast on the culinary map, died on Tuesday. He was 84.In memoriam: André Daguin, a chef from French region of Gascony who put grilled duck breast on the culinary map, died on Tuesday. He was 84.
Turner Prize: In an announcement likely to baffle the art world, the jury deciding the winner of British art’s highest accolade said that all four artists on the shortlist had won.Turner Prize: In an announcement likely to baffle the art world, the jury deciding the winner of British art’s highest accolade said that all four artists on the shortlist had won.
Take the A Train: New York’s subway map is a record of how graphic design, politics and geography have shaped the city over the past 40 years. Use our animated guide to catch a ride — and see how the map evolved.Take the A Train: New York’s subway map is a record of how graphic design, politics and geography have shaped the city over the past 40 years. Use our animated guide to catch a ride — and see how the map evolved.
What we’re reading: This New Yorker article. “Did you know there was an Airbnb for campers?” writes the Briefings editor, Andrea Kannapell. “There is — and it has its own complications.”What we’re reading: This New Yorker article. “Did you know there was an Airbnb for campers?” writes the Briefings editor, Andrea Kannapell. “There is — and it has its own complications.”
Cook: For a dazzling appetizer, try crisp feta with lemon over toast.Cook: For a dazzling appetizer, try crisp feta with lemon over toast.
Read: We picked six cookbooks for you to take on the road.Read: We picked six cookbooks for you to take on the road.
Smarter Living: If you start practicing your New Year’s resolutions now, your chances of sticking to them will be a cinch in 2020.Smarter Living: If you start practicing your New Year’s resolutions now, your chances of sticking to them will be a cinch in 2020.
His name is Bond. James Bond. But as the trailer for the latest Bond movie comes out today, we wondered where the name came from.His name is Bond. James Bond. But as the trailer for the latest Bond movie comes out today, we wondered where the name came from.
The writer behind the super spy, Ian Fleming, was also an avid bird watcher. On a trip to Jamaica after World War II, he spotted a book, “Birds of the West Indies,” by an ornithologist from Philadelphia. Who happened to be named James Bond.The writer behind the super spy, Ian Fleming, was also an avid bird watcher. On a trip to Jamaica after World War II, he spotted a book, “Birds of the West Indies,” by an ornithologist from Philadelphia. Who happened to be named James Bond.
“It struck me that this brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon and yet very masculine name was just what I needed,” he once wrote in a letter to the ornithologist’s wife.“It struck me that this brief, unromantic, Anglo-Saxon and yet very masculine name was just what I needed,” he once wrote in a letter to the ornithologist’s wife.
But, as in any good spy story, there’s a twist: Last year, the BBC reported that newly released records showed an intelligence officer named James Bond had served under Fleming in a secret elite unit that led a guerrilla war against Hitler.But, as in any good spy story, there’s a twist: Last year, the BBC reported that newly released records showed an intelligence officer named James Bond had served under Fleming in a secret elite unit that led a guerrilla war against Hitler.
That Bond, a metal worker from Wales, had taken his spy past to the grave, his family said — and they suspected Fleming had used the bird-watching Bond as a “classic red herring,” to keep his identity a secret.That Bond, a metal worker from Wales, had taken his spy past to the grave, his family said — and they suspected Fleming had used the bird-watching Bond as a “classic red herring,” to keep his identity a secret.
That’s it for this briefing. See you on the subway platform.That’s it for this briefing. See you on the subway platform.
— Mike— Mike
Thank youTo Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. Tom Wright-Piersanti 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. Tom Wright-Piersanti 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 deadly crackdown in Iran.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: “Gross!” (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • Pamela Paul, the editor of our Book Review, discussed how her staff decides the 10 best books of the year.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the deadly crackdown in Iran.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: “Gross!” (three letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • Pamela Paul, the editor of our Book Review, discussed how her staff decides the 10 best books of the year.