This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/19/us-briefing-trump-impeached-obamacare-and-australia-fires

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US briefing: Trump impeached, Obamacare and Australia fires US briefing: Trump impeached, Obamacare and Australia fires
(about 1 hour later)
Thursday’s top story: House votes to impeach president for only third time in US history. Plus, the Cats movie lives down to its disturbing trailerThursday’s top story: House votes to impeach president for only third time in US history. Plus, the Cats movie lives down to its disturbing trailer
Good morning, I’m Tim Walker with today’s essential stories.Good morning, I’m Tim Walker with today’s essential stories.
Trump holds defiant rally during impeachment voteTrump holds defiant rally during impeachment vote
It was a moment long anticipated by Donald Trump’s critics, but House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, quickly silenced the celebrations in Congress after the House voted – mostly along party lines – to impeach the president on Wednesday. Trump is only the third president in US history to face such a censure, on what Pelosi described as “ a sad day”. But for all its supposed significance, the vote may come to be seen as simply another battle in America’s cold civil war. Tom McCarthy explains what is set to happen next. It was a moment long anticipated by Donald Trump’s critics, but the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, quickly silenced the celebrations in Congress after the House voted – mostly along party lines – to impeach the president on Wednesday. Trump is the third US president to face such a censure, on what Pelosi described as “ a sad day”. But for all its supposed significance, the vote may come to be seen as simply another battle in the US’s cold civil war. Tom McCarthy explains what is likely to happen next.
As the House voted in Washington, Trump himself was hosting a campaign rally in Michigan, insisting to supporters that “the country is doing better than ever before,” and that he “did nothing wrong”. And, as Tom Perkins reports from Battle Creek, those supporters appeared to agree with him. As the House voted in Washington, Trump was hosting a campaign rally in Michigan where he told supporters “the country is doing better than ever before,” and that he “did nothing wrong”. And, as Tom Perkins reports from Battle Creek, those supporters appeared to agree with him.
Fox News. Trump’s favourite news channel covered his impeachment in typical style, with its more serious anchors offering measured commentary on the debate in Congress – until the talkshows dived straight into rightwing conspiracy theories.Fox News. Trump’s favourite news channel covered his impeachment in typical style, with its more serious anchors offering measured commentary on the debate in Congress – until the talkshows dived straight into rightwing conspiracy theories.
Court strikes down Affordable Care Act’s individual mandateCourt strikes down Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate
A federal appeals court in New Orleans has ruled that the “individual mandate” of the Affordable Care Act – also known as Obamacare – is invalid. The ruling on Wednesday by the fifth US circuit court of appeals concurs with the 2018 decision of a US district judge in Texas, who found the mandate had been rendered unconstitutional by Congress, when lawmakers reduced the tax on people without insurance to zero in 2017.A federal appeals court in New Orleans has ruled that the “individual mandate” of the Affordable Care Act – also known as Obamacare – is invalid. The ruling on Wednesday by the fifth US circuit court of appeals concurs with the 2018 decision of a US district judge in Texas, who found the mandate had been rendered unconstitutional by Congress, when lawmakers reduced the tax on people without insurance to zero in 2017.
Pre-existing conditions. The new ruling stopped short of striking down more popular features of Obamacare, such as protections for those with pre-existing conditions and allowing people under 26 to remain on their parents’ insurance.Pre-existing conditions. The new ruling stopped short of striking down more popular features of Obamacare, such as protections for those with pre-existing conditions and allowing people under 26 to remain on their parents’ insurance.
Australia heat records fall again as fires rage onAustralia heat records fall again as fires rage on
Three firefighters were hospitalised with severe burns while tackling a blaze that destroyed some 20 properties near Sydney on Thursday, as eastern Australia continues to reckon with bushfires of unprecedented scale. Meanwhile, the record set on Tuesday for the country’s hottest ever day was broken again 24 hours later, with an average maximum temperature of 41.9C (107.4F) across the country. The heatwave is set to last into the weekend. Three firefighters were admitted to hospital with severe burns while tackling a blaze that destroyed about 20 properties near Sydney on Thursday, as eastern Australia continues to reckon with bushfires of unprecedented scale. Meanwhile, the record set on Tuesday for the country’s hottest ever day was broken 24 hours later, with an average maximum temperature of 41.9C (107.4F) across the country. The heatwave is expected to last into the weekend.
2020 temperatures. The UK’s Met Office has predicted that 2020 will again be one of the hottest years on record around the world, with temperatures more than 1.1C above the pre-industrial average. 2020 temperatures. The UK’s Met Office has predicted 2020 will again be one of the hottest years around the world, with temperatures more than 1.1C above the pre-industrial average.
Help the Guardian cover a historic moment for AmericaHelp the Guardian cover a historic moment for America
Donald Trump has been impeached by the House. The vote marks the latest twist in one of the most turbulent presidencies in US history. But the challenges to American democracy do not end today. 2020 will be an epic year – and could define the country for a generation. The need for robust, independent reporting has never been greater. Donald Trump has been impeached by the House. The vote marks the latest twist in one of the most turbulent presidencies in US history. But the challenges to the democracy do not end today. Next year will be an epic one – and could define the country for a generation. The need for robust, independent reporting has never been greater.
2020 goals. We hope you’ll make a year-end gift to the Guardian as we prepare for 2020. Help us reach our $1.5m goal by contributing now.2020 goals. We hope you’ll make a year-end gift to the Guardian as we prepare for 2020. Help us reach our $1.5m goal by contributing now.
Cheat sheetCheat sheet
The EPA is being sued by conservation and community groups representing millions of Americans over the agency’s failure to police pollution generated by slaughterhouses, which has been blamed for contaminating waterways across the US.The EPA is being sued by conservation and community groups representing millions of Americans over the agency’s failure to police pollution generated by slaughterhouses, which has been blamed for contaminating waterways across the US.
Prosecutors in Bolivia have issued a warrant for the arrest of former president Evo Morales, who fled the country last month following what he described as a coup to remove him. Now based in Argentina, Morales is accused of sedition and terrorism. Prosecutors in Bolivia have issued a warrant for the arrest of the former president Evo Morales, who fled the country last month after what he described as a coup to remove him. Now based in Argentina, Morales is accused of sedition and terrorism.
Five members of the Philippines’ powerful Ampatuan dynasty have been found guilty of murder over the 2009 slaughter of 58 people designed to quash an election challenge from a rival clan. It was the worst political massacre in the country’s history.Five members of the Philippines’ powerful Ampatuan dynasty have been found guilty of murder over the 2009 slaughter of 58 people designed to quash an election challenge from a rival clan. It was the worst political massacre in the country’s history.
The original manifesto for the modern Olympics, written by the Games’ founder, Pierre de Coubertin, in 1892 has fetched $8.8m at auction, making it the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold.The original manifesto for the modern Olympics, written by the Games’ founder, Pierre de Coubertin, in 1892 has fetched $8.8m at auction, making it the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold.
Must-readsMust-reads
Why the Cats movie is purr-fectly dreadfulWhy the Cats movie is purr-fectly dreadful
The hotly-anticipated new movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats musical absolutely lives up – or should that be down – to its widely-panned trailer, says Peter Bradshaw, who pays homage to the felines’ original creator TS Eliot with his review. The hotly anticipated movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats musical absolutely lives up – or should that be down – to its widely panned trailer, says Peter Bradshaw, who pays homage to the felines’ original creator, TS Eliot, with his review.
2020 Democrats place their bets on California2020 Democrats place their bets on California
The major remaining candidates in the Democratic presidential race will descend on Los Angeles on Thursday for their final televised debate of the year. In the past the party has viewed California as little more than a cash cow, but after moving its primary to March, California is now a key battleground, as Andrew Gumbel reports.The major remaining candidates in the Democratic presidential race will descend on Los Angeles on Thursday for their final televised debate of the year. In the past the party has viewed California as little more than a cash cow, but after moving its primary to March, California is now a key battleground, as Andrew Gumbel reports.
‘Prince Andrew wanted to tell me everything’‘Prince Andrew wanted to tell me everything’
The BBC’s Emily Maitlis is the journalist behind 2019’s most explosive TV interview: a rare audience with Prince Andrew, whose attempts to swerve the Epstein scandal instead left him sinking in controversy. “After a decade of silent frustration,” Maitlis writes, “he wanted to tell me everything.”The BBC’s Emily Maitlis is the journalist behind 2019’s most explosive TV interview: a rare audience with Prince Andrew, whose attempts to swerve the Epstein scandal instead left him sinking in controversy. “After a decade of silent frustration,” Maitlis writes, “he wanted to tell me everything.”
Inside the ski industry’s battle with climate changeInside the ski industry’s battle with climate change
For reasons scientists don’t fully understand, the Alps are warming faster than the global average: a serious problem for the region’s snow-starved ski resorts. Simon Parkin reports on efforts to bring the white stuff back to the mountains – and how artificial snow could hold the key to saving the world’s glaciers. For reasons scientists don’t fully understand, the Alps are warming faster than the global average – a serious problem for the region’s snow-starved ski resorts. Simon Parkin reports on efforts to bring the white stuff back to the mountains – and how artificial snow could hold the key to saving the world’s glaciers.
OpinionOpinion
Trump’s impeachment is historic, yet he remains highly unlikely to be convicted by the Senate. To Nathan Robinson, Wednesday’s vote felt like an anticlimax. But Andrew Gawthorpe argues that it was nonetheless crucial for Congress to defend the American ideal.Trump’s impeachment is historic, yet he remains highly unlikely to be convicted by the Senate. To Nathan Robinson, Wednesday’s vote felt like an anticlimax. But Andrew Gawthorpe argues that it was nonetheless crucial for Congress to defend the American ideal.
SportSport
Herman Boone, the inspiring high school football coach portrayed by Denzel Washington in the 2000 film Remember the Titans, has died at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, aged 84.Herman Boone, the inspiring high school football coach portrayed by Denzel Washington in the 2000 film Remember the Titans, has died at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, aged 84.
The La Liga clash, widely known as El Clásico, turned out to be less than classic on Wednesday night, as Barcelona drew 0-0 with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. But there was drama off the field, as Catalan independence protesters confronted police in clashes that left more than 40 people injured.The La Liga clash, widely known as El Clásico, turned out to be less than classic on Wednesday night, as Barcelona drew 0-0 with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou. But there was drama off the field, as Catalan independence protesters confronted police in clashes that left more than 40 people injured.
Sign upSign up
The US morning briefing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you’re not already signed up, subscribe now.The US morning briefing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you’re not already signed up, subscribe now.