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Your Thursday Briefing Your Thursday Briefing
(about 2 hours later)
Good morning.Good morning.
We’re covering the impeachment of Donald Trump, the Queen’s speech in London, and the verdict in a German court case about stinky cheese. We’re covering the impeachment of Donald Trump, the queen’s speech in London, and the verdict in a German court case about stinky cheese.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Donald Trump on Wednesday night, a historic condemnation that sets up a Senate trial at the start of an election year.The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted to impeach Donald Trump on Wednesday night, a historic condemnation that sets up a Senate trial at the start of an election year.
Here’s a recap of how the day unfolded, and an overview of how it reverberated in Washington.Here’s a recap of how the day unfolded, and an overview of how it reverberated in Washington.
No House Republicans voted with the Democrats, and it’s highly unlikely that the Republican-controlled Senate will decide to remove Mr. Trump from office. Instead, it is likely to acquit him of the two charges he faces: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.No House Republicans voted with the Democrats, and it’s highly unlikely that the Republican-controlled Senate will decide to remove Mr. Trump from office. Instead, it is likely to acquit him of the two charges he faces: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Regardless, Mr. Trump is now only the third American president in history to be impeached, and his Senate trial will aggravate the political and cultural fault lines that his divisive presidency has brought into dramatic relief.Regardless, Mr. Trump is now only the third American president in history to be impeached, and his Senate trial will aggravate the political and cultural fault lines that his divisive presidency has brought into dramatic relief.
Details: The impeachment charges are linked to Mr. Trump’s campaign to withhold American military aid to Ukraine as he pressured its government to announce investigations that could discredit his political rivals.Details: The impeachment charges are linked to Mr. Trump’s campaign to withhold American military aid to Ukraine as he pressured its government to announce investigations that could discredit his political rivals.
Response: During a rambling performance at a campaign rally on Wednesday, President Trump lashed out at Democrats and insisted he had done nothing wrong.Response: During a rambling performance at a campaign rally on Wednesday, President Trump lashed out at Democrats and insisted he had done nothing wrong.
Democrats: Impeaching the president carries political risks for Democrats, dozens of whom represent districts where he remains popular. But they went ahead anyway, our chief Washington correspondent writes, “not for an outcome but for a principle.”Democrats: Impeaching the president carries political risks for Democrats, dozens of whom represent districts where he remains popular. But they went ahead anyway, our chief Washington correspondent writes, “not for an outcome but for a principle.”
Context: All of the impeachment battles in American history, including this one, have come at a time “when the fabric of society feels tenuous and the future uncertain,” writes Peter Baker, our chief White House correspondent and the author of a book on impeachment.Context: All of the impeachment battles in American history, including this one, have come at a time “when the fabric of society feels tenuous and the future uncertain,” writes Peter Baker, our chief White House correspondent and the author of a book on impeachment.
There is bound to be plenty of royal pomp and stagecraft in London today when Queen Elizabeth II gives a speech laying out Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s agenda for next year. Here’s a handy guide to the pageantry, based on the last such speech.There is bound to be plenty of royal pomp and stagecraft in London today when Queen Elizabeth II gives a speech laying out Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s agenda for next year. Here’s a handy guide to the pageantry, based on the last such speech.
Today’s speech comes a week after the Conservative Party won a landslide victory in a general election, and a day before Parliament begins debating legislation that would enable Britain to leave the European Union on Jan. 31 — Mr. Johnson’s central campaign promise.Today’s speech comes a week after the Conservative Party won a landslide victory in a general election, and a day before Parliament begins debating legislation that would enable Britain to leave the European Union on Jan. 31 — Mr. Johnson’s central campaign promise.
Here are two issues that analysts are watching closely.Here are two issues that analysts are watching closely.
There’s no doubt that Brexit will happen next month, but a key question concerns the timing of Britain’s post-Brexit transition. Mr. Johnson’s government has set a hard deadline of December 2020 for reaching a trade deal with the European Union. But Brussels, which seeks British regulations that do not diverge too far from Europe’s, is skeptical.There’s no doubt that Brexit will happen next month, but a key question concerns the timing of Britain’s post-Brexit transition. Mr. Johnson’s government has set a hard deadline of December 2020 for reaching a trade deal with the European Union. But Brussels, which seeks British regulations that do not diverge too far from Europe’s, is skeptical.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Wednesday that Mr. Johnson’s proposed timeline would be “extremely challenging,” and that Britain stands to lose more than the bloc would if the negotiations fail.Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on Wednesday that Mr. Johnson’s proposed timeline would be “extremely challenging,” and that Britain stands to lose more than the bloc would if the negotiations fail.
Mr. Johnson, who has said that Britain’s revered National Health Service is his top domestic priority, is expected to promote a bill that would commit the government to spend more on it than his Conservative predecessors did. But the N.H.S. has deteriorated under the party’s watch, and some see Brexit as a further threat to its future.Mr. Johnson, who has said that Britain’s revered National Health Service is his top domestic priority, is expected to promote a bill that would commit the government to spend more on it than his Conservative predecessors did. But the N.H.S. has deteriorated under the party’s watch, and some see Brexit as a further threat to its future.
In a sign of strains on the health service, 15,000 nurses went on strike in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, partly to demand that the authorities address inadequate staffing that they say endangers patient safety.In a sign of strains on the health service, 15,000 nurses went on strike in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, partly to demand that the authorities address inadequate staffing that they say endangers patient safety.
France, the United States and other countries use invasive surveillance techniques to track terrorists or drug lords. China wants to use similar tools to keep tabs on anyone walking down the street.France, the United States and other countries use invasive surveillance techniques to track terrorists or drug lords. China wants to use similar tools to keep tabs on anyone walking down the street.
Our latest story on China’s expanding surveillance state draws on police databases to show how the authorities use phone scanners, facial-recognition cameras and other gadgets to enhance their spying on the country’s nearly 1.4 billion people. The targets include not only criminals, but also migrant workers, ethnic minorities and sympathizers of the protest movement in Hong Kong.Our latest story on China’s expanding surveillance state draws on police databases to show how the authorities use phone scanners, facial-recognition cameras and other gadgets to enhance their spying on the country’s nearly 1.4 billion people. The targets include not only criminals, but also migrant workers, ethnic minorities and sympathizers of the protest movement in Hong Kong.
Reporter’s take: Key to building the world’s largest domestic surveillance “is not so much tech as a lack of checks on police power,” Paul Mozur, our Shanghai-based technology correspondent, writes in a Twitter thread about his story.Reporter’s take: Key to building the world’s largest domestic surveillance “is not so much tech as a lack of checks on police power,” Paul Mozur, our Shanghai-based technology correspondent, writes in a Twitter thread about his story.
Another angle: Macau, a former Portuguese colony turned global gambling hub, is a semiautonomous Chinese territory, like Hong Kong. But Macau has been more willing to accept Beijing’s authority.Another angle: Macau, a former Portuguese colony turned global gambling hub, is a semiautonomous Chinese territory, like Hong Kong. But Macau has been more willing to accept Beijing’s authority.
Yesterday: In a rare and risky rebuke to China’s president, students at a prominent Shanghai university rallied against efforts by the Communist Party to further extend its control over college campuses.Yesterday: In a rare and risky rebuke to China’s president, students at a prominent Shanghai university rallied against efforts by the Communist Party to further extend its control over college campuses.
Why did the transition from preschool to kindergarten turn a sweet 5-year-old into a screaming bundle of tears?Why did the transition from preschool to kindergarten turn a sweet 5-year-old into a screaming bundle of tears?
In a deeply emotional essay for The Times Magazine, the writer Rivka Galchen watches her child grow up.In a deeply emotional essay for The Times Magazine, the writer Rivka Galchen watches her child grow up.
Slovakia: A trial begins today for the businessman Marian Kocner, who is accused of ordering the 2018 murder of the investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova. The case prompted protests and eventually forced the resignation of the country’s prime minister.Slovakia: A trial begins today for the businessman Marian Kocner, who is accused of ordering the 2018 murder of the investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova. The case prompted protests and eventually forced the resignation of the country’s prime minister.
The Netherlands: Ridouan Taghi, an elusive Dutch criminal thought to sit atop a large and lethal criminal organization, was arrested in Dubai this week on charges of murder and drug trafficking.The Netherlands: Ridouan Taghi, an elusive Dutch criminal thought to sit atop a large and lethal criminal organization, was arrested in Dubai this week on charges of murder and drug trafficking.
New auto giant: Fiat Chrysler and PSA of France, which makes Peugeot and Citroën vehicles, said on Wednesday that they had agreed to the terms of a merger that would create the world’s fourth-largest automaker.New auto giant: Fiat Chrysler and PSA of France, which makes Peugeot and Citroën vehicles, said on Wednesday that they had agreed to the terms of a merger that would create the world’s fourth-largest automaker.
Spain: Protesters from Catalonia’s separatist movement clashed with riot police officers Wednesday night outside a soccer match between Barcelona and its rival Real Madrid.Spain: Protesters from Catalonia’s separatist movement clashed with riot police officers Wednesday night outside a soccer match between Barcelona and its rival Real Madrid.
Japan: A Tokyo court sided with the journalist Shiori Ito — a feminist icon in a country where few women speak out about sexual assault — in a landmark case against a television journalist she had accused of raping her. The court ordered the man, a biographer of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to pay damages worth about $30,000.Japan: A Tokyo court sided with the journalist Shiori Ito — a feminist icon in a country where few women speak out about sexual assault — in a landmark case against a television journalist she had accused of raping her. The court ordered the man, a biographer of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to pay damages worth about $30,000.
Haiti: United Nations peacekeepers fathered and left behind hundreds of children in the country, researchers found in a newly released academic study.Haiti: United Nations peacekeepers fathered and left behind hundreds of children in the country, researchers found in a newly released academic study.
U.S. presidential debate: Seven of the remaining 15 candidates vying to be the Democratic Party’s nominee in the 2020 election will debate each other tonight in Los Angeles. We have fresh stories on two of them: Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg.U.S. presidential debate: Seven of the remaining 15 candidates vying to be the Democratic Party’s nominee in the 2020 election will debate each other tonight in Los Angeles. We have fresh stories on two of them: Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg.
Snapshot: A Californian went looking for an old-fashioned Christmas. She found it in Seiffen, Germany, above, a rural part of Saxony so devoted to holiday décor that Germans call it the “home of Christmas.”Snapshot: A Californian went looking for an old-fashioned Christmas. She found it in Seiffen, Germany, above, a rural part of Saxony so devoted to holiday décor that Germans call it the “home of Christmas.”
Stinky cheese: A judge in Germany has ordered a woman who lived upstairs from a cheese shop to stop posting cautionary signs that warned of its stench. The court told her to deal with the smell, saying the signs had infringed upon the shop owner’s ability to run his business.Stinky cheese: A judge in Germany has ordered a woman who lived upstairs from a cheese shop to stop posting cautionary signs that warned of its stench. The court told her to deal with the smell, saying the signs had infringed upon the shop owner’s ability to run his business.
What we’re reading: This self-elegy written with unshrinking clarity by the art critic Peter Schjeldahl. Our obituaries editor, William McDonald, calls it “brave, accepting, self-deprecating, even good-humored,” and says, “Mr. Schjeldahl’s time is short, but remarkably, he seems at peace.”What we’re reading: This self-elegy written with unshrinking clarity by the art critic Peter Schjeldahl. Our obituaries editor, William McDonald, calls it “brave, accepting, self-deprecating, even good-humored,” and says, “Mr. Schjeldahl’s time is short, but remarkably, he seems at peace.”
Cook: This cheese-filled puff pancake is perfect with a simple salad.Cook: This cheese-filled puff pancake is perfect with a simple salad.
Watch: No spoilers here. Read our review of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”Watch: No spoilers here. Read our review of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
Eat: Our critic Pete Wells examined how restaurant dining changed in the past decade. One of the top trends: We now eat with our cameras.Eat: Our critic Pete Wells examined how restaurant dining changed in the past decade. One of the top trends: We now eat with our cameras.
Smarter Living: Are you considering getting someone a pet as a present? There are a few things to consider first.Smarter Living: Are you considering getting someone a pet as a present? There are a few things to consider first.
Kim Jong-un has sent repeated signals that he will abandon diplomacy unless Washington meets his Dec. 31 deadline to return to nuclear negotiations with more concessions.Kim Jong-un has sent repeated signals that he will abandon diplomacy unless Washington meets his Dec. 31 deadline to return to nuclear negotiations with more concessions.
Over the last few months, he has twice done something to publicize his resolve, visiting a mountain sacred to his people as their mythical birthplace. That’s Mount Baekdu, a 9,029-foot peak near the Chinese border.Over the last few months, he has twice done something to publicize his resolve, visiting a mountain sacred to his people as their mythical birthplace. That’s Mount Baekdu, a 9,029-foot peak near the Chinese border.
In 2013, he traveled there two weeks before he executed his uncle, then No. 2 in his regime.In 2013, he traveled there two weeks before he executed his uncle, then No. 2 in his regime.
He returned in 2017, shortly after the successful launch of a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile billed as “capable of striking the whole mainland of the U.S.” — and just before beginning a flurry of diplomacy ​that led to his summit meetings with President Trump.He returned in 2017, shortly after the successful launch of a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile billed as “capable of striking the whole mainland of the U.S.” — and just before beginning a flurry of diplomacy ​that led to his summit meetings with President Trump.
This October, North Korean state media showed Mr. Kim riding a white horse to the mountain to presage “a great operation to strike the world with wonder again.”This October, North Korean state media showed Mr. Kim riding a white horse to the mountain to presage “a great operation to strike the world with wonder again.”
He apparently returned a few weeks later, on a horse that galloped “through knee-high virgin snow.” Within days, North Korea had conducted two tests of what appeared to be an advanced missile engine.He apparently returned a few weeks later, on a horse that galloped “through knee-high virgin snow.” Within days, North Korea had conducted two tests of what appeared to be an advanced missile engine.
That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.
— Mike— Mike
Thank youTo Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. Mike 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. Mike 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 President Trump’s executive order aimed at curbing anti-Semitism.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: “Sure, whatever you say” (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • Two of The Times’s Op-Docs have been shortlisted for an Academy Award in the documentary short subject category. Watch the contenders here and here.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about President Trump’s executive order aimed at curbing anti-Semitism.• Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: “Sure, whatever you say” (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • Two of The Times’s Op-Docs have been shortlisted for an Academy Award in the documentary short subject category. Watch the contenders here and here.