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Trump, Weinstein, Kirkuk: Your Monday Evening Briefing Trump, Weinstein, Kirkuk: Your Monday Evening Briefing
(about 1 hour later)
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)
Good evening. Here’s the latest.Good evening. Here’s the latest.
1. Huge news from space: Astronomers have captured images of “the greatest fireworks show in the universe,” the collision of two neutron stars. The cosmic crash, which took place 130 million light years from Earth, rattled space-time. Above, an artist’s depiction. 1. Huge news from space: Astronomers have captured images of “the greatest fireworks show in the universe,” the collision of two neutron stars. The cosmic crash, which took place 130 million light-years from Earth, rattled space-time. Above, an artist’s depiction.
Astronomers around the world scrambled to register the event, a kilonova, which offered them a view into the kind of “cosmic forge” where the world’s jewels, precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and uranium, were minted billions of years ago.Astronomers around the world scrambled to register the event, a kilonova, which offered them a view into the kind of “cosmic forge” where the world’s jewels, precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and uranium, were minted billions of years ago.
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2. Today at the White House, President Trump and the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, put aside their recent feud at an impromptu 45-minute news conference. The sudden détente highlighted how utterly crucial the White House’s tax plan is for Republicans now.2. Today at the White House, President Trump and the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, put aside their recent feud at an impromptu 45-minute news conference. The sudden détente highlighted how utterly crucial the White House’s tax plan is for Republicans now.
“The relationship is very good,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “We are fighting for the same thing. We are fighting for lower taxes, big tax cuts, the biggest tax cuts in the history of our nation.”“The relationship is very good,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “We are fighting for the same thing. We are fighting for lower taxes, big tax cuts, the biggest tax cuts in the history of our nation.”
The president commented on a wide range of other subjects. Among the highlights: He blamed Cuba for the mysterious attacks on American diplomats at the embassy in Havana, and falsely claimed that President Obama never contacted families of fallen soldiers.The president commented on a wide range of other subjects. Among the highlights: He blamed Cuba for the mysterious attacks on American diplomats at the embassy in Havana, and falsely claimed that President Obama never contacted families of fallen soldiers.
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3. “We Puerto Ricans are fighters and hard workers. My life depends on it.”3. “We Puerto Ricans are fighters and hard workers. My life depends on it.”
Nearly a month after Maria devastated the island, life remains a struggle. Residents have learned to improvise without power or running water, especially those who live in remote areas, who waited the longest for help and for whom recovery is the farthest off. Above, a makeshift pulley replaced a bridge.Nearly a month after Maria devastated the island, life remains a struggle. Residents have learned to improvise without power or running water, especially those who live in remote areas, who waited the longest for help and for whom recovery is the farthest off. Above, a makeshift pulley replaced a bridge.
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4. In California wine country, affordable housing was already scarce and hard to build before the wildfires. Now, with 5,700 homes and buildings destroyed, and some sites left toxic by electronics residue, thousands of people have been displaced.4. In California wine country, affordable housing was already scarce and hard to build before the wildfires. Now, with 5,700 homes and buildings destroyed, and some sites left toxic by electronics residue, thousands of people have been displaced.
“We are desperately looking for a house we can rent, but there’s just nothing available,” said a woman whose home burned. Above, waiting outside a FEMA center.“We are desperately looking for a house we can rent, but there’s just nothing available,” said a woman whose home burned. Above, waiting outside a FEMA center.
In Europe, at least 35 people have been killed by wildfires in Portugal and Spain that were fanned by an unusually strong, lethal northeastern Atlantic storm.In Europe, at least 35 people have been killed by wildfires in Portugal and Spain that were fanned by an unusually strong, lethal northeastern Atlantic storm.
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5. The Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr., defended his decision not to prosecute Harvey Weinstein in 2015, as many women posted “#MeToo” on social media, to show just how many experienced sexual harassment or assault.5. The Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr., defended his decision not to prosecute Harvey Weinstein in 2015, as many women posted “#MeToo” on social media, to show just how many experienced sexual harassment or assault.
And the faltering Weinstein Company is getting a cash infusion from the same investor that saved Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch from foreclosure — a financier who is one of President Trump’s closest outside advisers.And the faltering Weinstein Company is getting a cash infusion from the same investor that saved Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch from foreclosure — a financier who is one of President Trump’s closest outside advisers.
That would be Thomas Barrack Jr. of Colony Capital.That would be Thomas Barrack Jr. of Colony Capital.
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6. The world once laughed at North Korean cyberpower. No more. The pariah country has quietly developed online capabilities capable of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars and unleashing global havoc. Above, a rally in Pyongyang.6. The world once laughed at North Korean cyberpower. No more. The pariah country has quietly developed online capabilities capable of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars and unleashing global havoc. Above, a rally in Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, as China prepares for the start of the Communist Party congress on Wednesday, our correspondents looked at how the “Great Firewall” — China’s harsh controls on the internet — has actually created a powerful shield against fake news.Meanwhile, as China prepares for the start of the Communist Party congress on Wednesday, our correspondents looked at how the “Great Firewall” — China’s harsh controls on the internet — has actually created a powerful shield against fake news.
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7. Iraqi government forces swept into the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk, making good on a threat to use military force to blunt the independence drive by the nation’s Kurds.7. Iraqi government forces swept into the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk, making good on a threat to use military force to blunt the independence drive by the nation’s Kurds.
In clashes that pit two crucial American allies against each other, government troops seized the vital city and surrounding oil fields, ousting the Kurdish forces who had controlled the region for three years in an effort to build an independent nation.In clashes that pit two crucial American allies against each other, government troops seized the vital city and surrounding oil fields, ousting the Kurdish forces who had controlled the region for three years in an effort to build an independent nation.
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8. As rescuers continue to pull bodies from the rubble in Mogadishu, Somalia, many fear that the country could slip under total control of the terrorist group the Shabab.8. As rescuers continue to pull bodies from the rubble in Mogadishu, Somalia, many fear that the country could slip under total control of the terrorist group the Shabab.
Twin truck bombings there on Saturday killed more than 270 people, and people are referring to it as the country’s Sept. 11. The Shabab has not publicly claimed responsibility, but its members are believed to be behind the attack. This video shows the terrible aftermath.Twin truck bombings there on Saturday killed more than 270 people, and people are referring to it as the country’s Sept. 11. The Shabab has not publicly claimed responsibility, but its members are believed to be behind the attack. This video shows the terrible aftermath.
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9. Katie Smith, one of the most decorated players in W.N.B.A. history, has been named coach of the New York Liberty.9. Katie Smith, one of the most decorated players in W.N.B.A. history, has been named coach of the New York Liberty.
She had been an assistant under Bill Laimbeer, who is reportedly headed to Las Vegas to coach and manage a new team there. The Liberty made the playoffs the last three seasons, but they have never won the championship.She had been an assistant under Bill Laimbeer, who is reportedly headed to Las Vegas to coach and manage a new team there. The Liberty made the playoffs the last three seasons, but they have never won the championship.
And our new N.B.A. columnist previews the season. He says it already seems inevitable that the Golden State Warriors will win the title again.And our new N.B.A. columnist previews the season. He says it already seems inevitable that the Golden State Warriors will win the title again.
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10. Finally, Barack and Michelle Obama have chosen the artists who will paint their official portraits for the Smithsonian.10. Finally, Barack and Michelle Obama have chosen the artists who will paint their official portraits for the Smithsonian.
Mr. Obama chose Kehinde Wiley, above, the art-world star who depicts his subjects with flamboyance, vibrant color and historical sweep. Ms. Obama chose Amy Sherald, a Baltimore-based painter who was added to the list of candidates at the very last minute.Mr. Obama chose Kehinde Wiley, above, the art-world star who depicts his subjects with flamboyance, vibrant color and historical sweep. Ms. Obama chose Amy Sherald, a Baltimore-based painter who was added to the list of candidates at the very last minute.
The portraits will be unveiled in early 2018.The portraits will be unveiled in early 2018.
Have a great night.Have a great night.
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Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p.m. Eastern.
And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a.m. Sundays.And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a.m. Sundays.
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