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| Iran, Burisma, Taal Volcano: Your Wednesday Briefing | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering the ways Iran’s struggling economy may limit its next steps, how Australian towns cut off from the world are coping and the mystery of piles of money left around a small English village. | We’re covering the ways Iran’s struggling economy may limit its next steps, how Australian towns cut off from the world are coping and the mystery of piles of money left around a small English village. |
| Sanctions imposed by the Trump administration have decimated Iran’s economy: Jobs are scarce, and the prices for food and other necessities are soaring. | Sanctions imposed by the Trump administration have decimated Iran’s economy: Jobs are scarce, and the prices for food and other necessities are soaring. |
| Public unrest over the economy has built up for months. And while that anger was briefly redirected after the killing of a top general by the U.S., it quickly refocused on the Iranian authorities after they admitted to shooting down a passenger jet. | Public unrest over the economy has built up for months. And while that anger was briefly redirected after the killing of a top general by the U.S., it quickly refocused on the Iranian authorities after they admitted to shooting down a passenger jet. |
| The fear of worse damage to national fortunes appears to have tempered the escalation of tensions with the U.S. — though some experts suggest that hard-liners may come to embrace the conflict as a means of stimulating the economy, or at least excusing its weakness. | The fear of worse damage to national fortunes appears to have tempered the escalation of tensions with the U.S. — though some experts suggest that hard-liners may come to embrace the conflict as a means of stimulating the economy, or at least excusing its weakness. |
| Related: President Hassan Rouhani of Iran called for a special court to examine the downing of the plane, which killed 176 people, as protests flared in several cities. | Related: President Hassan Rouhani of Iran called for a special court to examine the downing of the plane, which killed 176 people, as protests flared in several cities. |
| Another angle: Britain, France and Germany took a first step toward reimposing further United Nations sanctions on Iran under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. | Another angle: Britain, France and Germany took a first step toward reimposing further United Nations sanctions on Iran under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. |
| Russian military hackers have infiltrated Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company that has been at the center of the impeachment investigation against President Trump, security experts told The Times. | Russian military hackers have infiltrated Burisma, the Ukrainian gas company that has been at the center of the impeachment investigation against President Trump, security experts told The Times. |
| The hacking attempts against the company, whose board once included former Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, began in early November, as talk of the Bidens, Ukraine and impeachment dominated the news in the U.S. | The hacking attempts against the company, whose board once included former Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, began in early November, as talk of the Bidens, Ukraine and impeachment dominated the news in the U.S. |
| It’s unclear what the hackers found, but the timing and scale of the attacks suggest a search for material that could embarrass the Bidens. Mr. Trump’s push for Ukraine to investigate the Bidens set off the chain of events that led to his impeachment. | It’s unclear what the hackers found, but the timing and scale of the attacks suggest a search for material that could embarrass the Bidens. Mr. Trump’s push for Ukraine to investigate the Bidens set off the chain of events that led to his impeachment. |
| Response: Joe Biden’s presidential campaign sought to cast the Russian effort as an indication of his political strength. Neither the Russian government nor Burisma immediately responded to requests for comment. | Response: Joe Biden’s presidential campaign sought to cast the Russian effort as an indication of his political strength. Neither the Russian government nor Burisma immediately responded to requests for comment. |
| Related: Senate Republicans indicated that they wouldn’t seek to summarily dismiss the impeachment charges against Mr. Trump, proceeding instead to a trial that could begin as soon as Wednesday. | Related: Senate Republicans indicated that they wouldn’t seek to summarily dismiss the impeachment charges against Mr. Trump, proceeding instead to a trial that could begin as soon as Wednesday. |
| The beach town Mallacoota and about a dozen other communities have grown tense after being cut off from the world by the fires in Australia. | The beach town Mallacoota and about a dozen other communities have grown tense after being cut off from the world by the fires in Australia. |
| In Mallacoota, where fallen and smoldering trees block the main road out, help has come slowly, often in the forms of water, fresh fruits and vegetables and, perhaps most critically, fuel. A 90-mile stretch of highway from Mallacoota to Orbost in southeastern Australia still needs to be cleared. | In Mallacoota, where fallen and smoldering trees block the main road out, help has come slowly, often in the forms of water, fresh fruits and vegetables and, perhaps most critically, fuel. A 90-mile stretch of highway from Mallacoota to Orbost in southeastern Australia still needs to be cleared. |
| “People are starting to get angry and frustrated with the lack of supplies, being stuck here and the power is still off,” said one business owner on the town’s main street. | “People are starting to get angry and frustrated with the lack of supplies, being stuck here and the power is still off,” said one business owner on the town’s main street. |
| Context: Some towns are accessible only by planes or helicopters, which have been dropping water, food and satellite phones, and even carrots for wildlife. Along roads to others, arborists and engineers are working shifts of up to 14 hours to remove “killer trees” at risk of falling. | Context: Some towns are accessible only by planes or helicopters, which have been dropping water, food and satellite phones, and even carrots for wildlife. Along roads to others, arborists and engineers are working shifts of up to 14 hours to remove “killer trees” at risk of falling. |
| Toxic ash and smoke, reeking of sulfur and other noxious gases, have transformed the verdant island of Taal into a vast carpet of lifeless gray since a volcano there erupted on Sunday. | Toxic ash and smoke, reeking of sulfur and other noxious gases, have transformed the verdant island of Taal into a vast carpet of lifeless gray since a volcano there erupted on Sunday. |
| The island, a popular tourist spot, is no longer habitable, and volcanologists say that another hazardous eruption is possible within hours to days — but our reporter and photographer followed a few residents who ignored government warnings to venture in and see firsthand what remained of their homes. | The island, a popular tourist spot, is no longer habitable, and volcanologists say that another hazardous eruption is possible within hours to days — but our reporter and photographer followed a few residents who ignored government warnings to venture in and see firsthand what remained of their homes. |
| Quotable: “The island sustained our livelihoods, but also took everything back. Everything’s gone in the blink of an eye,” said one man who went back to the ruins of his home. | Quotable: “The island sustained our livelihoods, but also took everything back. Everything’s gone in the blink of an eye,” said one man who went back to the ruins of his home. |
| Humans were exposed to airborne toxins millions of years before the first cigarette was lit or the first car hit the road. As a result, new research argued, our ancestors evolved at least some defenses. Above, a cyclist in New Delhi’s morning fog. | Humans were exposed to airborne toxins millions of years before the first cigarette was lit or the first car hit the road. As a result, new research argued, our ancestors evolved at least some defenses. Above, a cyclist in New Delhi’s morning fog. |
| Millions of people still die from indoor air pollution, but as one scientist noted, “All that matters from an evolutionary standpoint is that you reproduce.” | Millions of people still die from indoor air pollution, but as one scientist noted, “All that matters from an evolutionary standpoint is that you reproduce.” |
| Korean exchange: President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said he would consider allowing South Korean tourists to visit North Korea for the first time since 2008. North Korea has been trying to bolster tourism, one of the few industries not covered by U.N. sanctions. | Korean exchange: President Moon Jae-in of South Korea said he would consider allowing South Korean tourists to visit North Korea for the first time since 2008. North Korea has been trying to bolster tourism, one of the few industries not covered by U.N. sanctions. |
| U.S.-China trade: President Trump is expected to sign a deal with China on Wednesday that will be a step toward peace — for now. The U.S. has yet to reveal the details, and thornier issues like China’s support for companies that compete with American firms could take more rounds of negotiation. | U.S.-China trade: President Trump is expected to sign a deal with China on Wednesday that will be a step toward peace — for now. The U.S. has yet to reveal the details, and thornier issues like China’s support for companies that compete with American firms could take more rounds of negotiation. |
| Out-of-this-world match: Yusaku Maezawa, the billionaire founder of Japan’s largest fashion retailer, is seeking a woman to join him on a trip around the moon. (If you’re interested, the deadline to apply is Friday.) | Out-of-this-world match: Yusaku Maezawa, the billionaire founder of Japan’s largest fashion retailer, is seeking a woman to join him on a trip around the moon. (If you’re interested, the deadline to apply is Friday.) |
| Snapshot: Above, smoky tennis courts at the Australian Open qualifiers in Melbourne. Hazardous air from nearby fires is delaying play, and it caused one player to double over in coughing fits. | Snapshot: Above, smoky tennis courts at the Australian Open qualifiers in Melbourne. Hazardous air from nearby fires is delaying play, and it caused one player to double over in coughing fits. |
| Where Star Wars bombs: One after another, “Star Wars” movies have flopped in China, defying efforts to bring one of the most successful franchises in history into a market that has printed money for the heroes, monsters and robots of other films. | Where Star Wars bombs: One after another, “Star Wars” movies have flopped in China, defying efforts to bring one of the most successful franchises in history into a market that has printed money for the heroes, monsters and robots of other films. |
| What we’re reading: This Phoenix magazine feature about how the Arizona capital became a hotbed for Galápagos tortoise breeding. If you liked reading about Diego, the 100-year-old reptile who helped save his species, you’ll love this. If nothing else, go look at the pictures (I’m partial to the fourth one) for a smile. | What we’re reading: This Phoenix magazine feature about how the Arizona capital became a hotbed for Galápagos tortoise breeding. If you liked reading about Diego, the 100-year-old reptile who helped save his species, you’ll love this. If nothing else, go look at the pictures (I’m partial to the fourth one) for a smile. |
| Cook: Oat milk chocolate pudding is equal parts comfort and romance. | Cook: Oat milk chocolate pudding is equal parts comfort and romance. |
| Go: Jimi Hendrix fans can find pieces of the rock star’s legacy across London, 50 years after he last lived there. The months he spent in the city were pivotal to his meteoric rise. | Go: Jimi Hendrix fans can find pieces of the rock star’s legacy across London, 50 years after he last lived there. The months he spent in the city were pivotal to his meteoric rise. |
| Read: In Meng Jin’s debut novel, “Little Gods,” a teenage immigrant excavates her late mother’s long-buried truths. | Read: In Meng Jin’s debut novel, “Little Gods,” a teenage immigrant excavates her late mother’s long-buried truths. |
| Smarter Living: Is your child shy? NYT Parenting has a guide on when to help, when to step back and when to worry. | Smarter Living: Is your child shy? NYT Parenting has a guide on when to help, when to step back and when to worry. |
| Over the past six years, residents of the English village of Blackhall Colliery would sometimes find neat bundles of cash amounting to 2,000 pounds, or about $2,600, on their sidewalks. | Over the past six years, residents of the English village of Blackhall Colliery would sometimes find neat bundles of cash amounting to 2,000 pounds, or about $2,600, on their sidewalks. |
| This week, the police there revealed that two people who wished to be known only as good Samaritans were the source of the anonymous charity. | This week, the police there revealed that two people who wished to be known only as good Samaritans were the source of the anonymous charity. |
| The parable of the good Samaritan comes from the Bible: Jesus recounts how a man from Samaria, which was hostile to the Jews, stops and rescues a traveler beaten and half-dead by the side of a road when others wouldn’t. This tale led to calling helpful strangers “good Samaritans.” | The parable of the good Samaritan comes from the Bible: Jesus recounts how a man from Samaria, which was hostile to the Jews, stops and rescues a traveler beaten and half-dead by the side of a road when others wouldn’t. This tale led to calling helpful strangers “good Samaritans.” |
| In ancient times, Samaria was located in the northern part of where Israel is today, between Galilee and Judea, and is part of today’s West Bank. | In ancient times, Samaria was located in the northern part of where Israel is today, between Galilee and Judea, and is part of today’s West Bank. |
| Actual Samaritans exist there today. They number around 800 and practice a religion closely related to Judaism, but they reject the idea of Jerusalem as their central place of worship. | Actual Samaritans exist there today. They number around 800 and practice a religion closely related to Judaism, but they reject the idea of Jerusalem as their central place of worship. |
| 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. Victoria Shannon, on the Briefings team, 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. Victoria Shannon, on the Briefings team, 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 escape of Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan chief.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: App’s audience (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Readers of the news want to know more than just the story: They want to know why it’s being told, who is telling it and how it came together. That’s one of 10 themes that emerged in a Times research team’s conversations with readers last year. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about the escape of Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan chief.• Here’s our Mini Crossword, and a clue: App’s audience (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Readers of the news want to know more than just the story: They want to know why it’s being told, who is telling it and how it came together. That’s one of 10 themes that emerged in a Times research team’s conversations with readers last year. |