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Jacob Zuma, Stormy Daniels, Year of the Dog: Your Thursday Briefing Jacob Zuma, Stormy Daniels, Year of the Dog: Your Thursday Briefing
(about 2 hours later)
Good morning.Good morning.
Here’s what you need to know:Here’s what you need to know:
• A shooting at a high school in Florida has caused multiple fatalities. Television images showed students running from the school and law enforcement officers at the scene.• A shooting at a high school in Florida has caused multiple fatalities. Television images showed students running from the school and law enforcement officers at the scene.
A suspect is in custody.A suspect is in custody.
Check back here on this developing story.Check back here on this developing story.
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• President Jacob Zuma stepped down, ending a nine-year, scandal-plagued tenure as South Africa’s president after his own party repudiated him.• President Jacob Zuma stepped down, ending a nine-year, scandal-plagued tenure as South Africa’s president after his own party repudiated him.
Some wonder if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will be next. He is lashing out at critics, and called a damning corruption case against him “full of holes, like Swiss cheese.”Some wonder if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will be next. He is lashing out at critics, and called a damning corruption case against him “full of holes, like Swiss cheese.”
Here are highlights from the police investigation that found Mr. Netanyahu should be charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.Here are highlights from the police investigation that found Mr. Netanyahu should be charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
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• Our White House correspondent broke the story that President Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 out of his own pocket to Stormy Daniels, above, the pornographic-film actress who once claimed to have had an affair with Mr. Trump. • President Trump said he was “totally opposed to domestic violence,” in his first condemnation of the alleged conduct behind a scandal involving Rob Porter, the aide who resigned last week. Here’s our video profile of Mr. Porter.
Mr. Cohen said he was not reimbursed, and declined to answer follow-up questions. Scrutiny of the White House is intensifying on another front, too. Our White House correspondent broke the story that President Trump’s longtime personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 out of his own pocket to Stormy Daniels, above, the pornographic-film actress who once claimed to have had an affair with Mr. Trump.
(The same correspondent, Maggie Haberman — known in some quarters as “the Trump whisperer” — discusses the art of interviewing and forecasts the year’s top story lines here.)(The same correspondent, Maggie Haberman — known in some quarters as “the Trump whisperer” — discusses the art of interviewing and forecasts the year’s top story lines here.)
The White House is also under increasing pressure over its handling of Rob Porter, the aide who resigned after two former wives accused him of physical abuse. Here’s our video profile of Mr. Porter.
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• The slap shots heard ’round the world?• The slap shots heard ’round the world?
Even in a Winter Olympics rife with geopolitics, no event carried more political implications than the hockey game between a unified Korea team and Japan, the region’s former colonial occupier.Even in a Winter Olympics rife with geopolitics, no event carried more political implications than the hockey game between a unified Korea team and Japan, the region’s former colonial occupier.
In the end it was a 4-1 victory for Japan and, given the circumstances, it was civil. When Japan scored, Korean fans didn’t boo, but chanted “It’s O.K.!”In the end it was a 4-1 victory for Japan and, given the circumstances, it was civil. When Japan scored, Korean fans didn’t boo, but chanted “It’s O.K.!”
Other stories from Pyeongchang: North Korea’s skaters made it into today’s long program. Shaun White “put it down” for another gold medal.Other stories from Pyeongchang: North Korea’s skaters made it into today’s long program. Shaun White “put it down” for another gold medal.
Here’s our full coverage of the Games, and the schedule, live results and medal count.Here’s our full coverage of the Games, and the schedule, live results and medal count.
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• Higher powers.
China is negotiating a possible deal that would give the Vatican a formal role in appointing clergy in the country — and, in return, force local communities to accept government-appointed clerics. Above, Pope Francis in Rome on Wednesday.
Our correspondent visited a stronghold of Catholicism in China’s southeast to gauge how the possible deal is being seen by the faithful. Many Chinese Catholics feel a sense of powerlessness, he writes, “as if awaiting a storm that they cannot control.”
“This is something higher-ups will decide,” said a shopkeeper near a holy mountaintop cave. “We believers just go to church and pray.”
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• #barnababy.
Barnaby Joyce is no stranger to scandal: He once made global headlines for threatening to euthanize Johnny Depp’s dogs. Above, Mr. Joyce in Parliament on Wednesday.
But the Australian deputy prime minister’s affair with a former staff member who is now pregnant has left his political future in doubt and raised deeper questions about a political culture that, as one analyst put it, “runs on alcohol and gossip and fumes and power.”
In our opinion section, a writer ponders why so many Australian reporters were reluctant to tackle the Joyce affair. Amid charged debates over workplace gender dynamics, she asks, how well is the media serving the public interest?
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• Farewell, Year of the Rooster …• Farewell, Year of the Rooster …
Today is Lunar New Year’s Eve, awaiting the arrival of the Year of the Dog.Today is Lunar New Year’s Eve, awaiting the arrival of the Year of the Dog.
The holiday can be serious and poignant, and also funny. During a recent New Year’s travel rush in southern China, for example, a woman climbed into an X-ray scanner because she could not bear to part with her handbag.The holiday can be serious and poignant, and also funny. During a recent New Year’s travel rush in southern China, for example, a woman climbed into an X-ray scanner because she could not bear to part with her handbag.
And astrologers in China were quick to forecast the highs and lows ahead for President Trump, who was born in 1946, a Fire Dog year. (Many played it safe, predicting unpredictability.)And astrologers in China were quick to forecast the highs and lows ahead for President Trump, who was born in 1946, a Fire Dog year. (Many played it safe, predicting unpredictability.)
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• Punjab National Bank, one of India’s largest state-run commercial lenders, revealed fraudulent transactions worth $1.77 billion — at one branch. The scandal risks drying up the loans small- and medium-size businesses need to power the country’s growth. Shares in PNB closed down 10 percent, erasing nearly one-third of its market value.• Punjab National Bank, one of India’s largest state-run commercial lenders, revealed fraudulent transactions worth $1.77 billion — at one branch. The scandal risks drying up the loans small- and medium-size businesses need to power the country’s growth. Shares in PNB closed down 10 percent, erasing nearly one-third of its market value.
• President Trump, who has vowed to pressure China on trade, said the U.S. was likely to impose restrictions on imported metals. But a group of American manufacturers warned that such moves could undermine their competitiveness.• President Trump, who has vowed to pressure China on trade, said the U.S. was likely to impose restrictions on imported metals. But a group of American manufacturers warned that such moves could undermine their competitiveness.
• The Commonwealth Bank, Australia’s largest lender, banned customers from buying Bitcoin with its credit cards, citing swings in value and a lack of regulation. [The Sydney Morning Herald]
• Netflix jumped ahead in the streaming wars, poaching Ryan Murphy, a hit television producer, from 21st Century Fox, in a five-year deal reportedly worth as much as $300 million. Mr. Murphy’s writing credits include “Glee” and “American Horror Story.”• Netflix jumped ahead in the streaming wars, poaching Ryan Murphy, a hit television producer, from 21st Century Fox, in a five-year deal reportedly worth as much as $300 million. Mr. Murphy’s writing credits include “Glee” and “American Horror Story.”
• Credit Suisse reported a net loss of about $1 billion for 2017, and said U.S. authorities were investigating whether it had hired employees referred by Asian governments in exchange for deals and regulatory approvals.
• U.S. stocks were up. Here’s a snapshot of global markets.• U.S. stocks were up. Here’s a snapshot of global markets.
• “You can’t ban love.” Some Pakistanis defied a government ban on Valentine’s Day celebrations by buying flowers or going on “virtual dates.” [The New York Times]• “You can’t ban love.” Some Pakistanis defied a government ban on Valentine’s Day celebrations by buying flowers or going on “virtual dates.” [The New York Times]
• In Bangladesh, makeshift camps that house more than 100,000 Rohingya refugees sit in areas prone to flooding and landslides. The U.N. said tens of thousands will need to be relocated before the monsoon season. [The New York Times] • Japan received a record 19,628 asylum applications in 2017, nearly 9,000 more than 2016, and the seventh consecutive record year. The number of successful applicants last year: 20. [The Asahi Shimbun]
• As the Maldives’ president, Abdulla Yameen, cracks down on opposition, analysts and diplomats warn that the small nation’s troubles could provoke a crisis that draws in China and India. [The New York Times]• As the Maldives’ president, Abdulla Yameen, cracks down on opposition, analysts and diplomats warn that the small nation’s troubles could provoke a crisis that draws in China and India. [The New York Times]
• The Australian Football League will, for the first time, allow a transgender athlete to play state-level women’s football. [BBC] • In Bangladesh, makeshift camps that house more than 100,000 Rohingya refugees sit in areas prone to flooding and landslides. The U.N. said tens of thousands will need to be relocated before the monsoon season. [The New York Times]
• A United Airlines flight lost an engine casing over the Pacific Ocean, hours after leaving San Francisco. It landed safely in Honolulu. [The New York Times]• A United Airlines flight lost an engine casing over the Pacific Ocean, hours after leaving San Francisco. It landed safely in Honolulu. [The New York Times]
• The last video store closed in Brisbane, highlighting a string of such closings in Australia since 2001. The store’s movies, worth $150,000 Australian ($118,056 U.S.), will be sold. [news.com.au]
Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life.Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life.
• We’ve shown you how to make pizza. Here’s how to make it better.• We’ve shown you how to make pizza. Here’s how to make it better.
• To handle a partner’s depression, seek outside help.• To handle a partner’s depression, seek outside help.
• A Korean braised short-rib stew might be just the thing tonight.• A Korean braised short-rib stew might be just the thing tonight.
• Chris Rock’s first new filmed hour in a decade, “Tamborine,” is now streaming. Our reviewer calls it “triumphant.”• Chris Rock’s first new filmed hour in a decade, “Tamborine,” is now streaming. Our reviewer calls it “triumphant.”
• Australia Diary: Missing a blue-tongued friend, and finding a new one. • Facial recognition technology is increasingly accurate — if you’re a white man.
• Two new books explore how marriages in China and India cope with social change, rapid economic growth and the rising financial independence of women. A common thread: “Marriage is changing because women are changing.”• Two new books explore how marriages in China and India cope with social change, rapid economic growth and the rising financial independence of women. A common thread: “Marriage is changing because women are changing.”
Canada has one of the world’s most recognizable flags, but the banner is only 53 years old and took far longer to create.Canada has one of the world’s most recognizable flags, but the banner is only 53 years old and took far longer to create.
The red-and-white flag, featuring a silhouette of a maple leaf, was raised for the first time on this day in 1965.The red-and-white flag, featuring a silhouette of a maple leaf, was raised for the first time on this day in 1965.
Previously, Canada had flown the Union Jack as a member of the British Commonwealth. An unofficial flag known as the Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada, had been used on government buildings.Previously, Canada had flown the Union Jack as a member of the British Commonwealth. An unofficial flag known as the Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada, had been used on government buildings.
A national maple leaf flag was first suggested in 1895, but it wasn’t until 1964 that the Canadian Parliament approved it.A national maple leaf flag was first suggested in 1895, but it wasn’t until 1964 that the Canadian Parliament approved it.
Prime Minister Lester Pearson had proposed a “truly distinctive” flag that represented all the cultures in Canada, not just its French or British colonial identity. A committee evaluated thousands of designs featuring national symbols (a beaver wearing a Mountie hat was among those rejected).Prime Minister Lester Pearson had proposed a “truly distinctive” flag that represented all the cultures in Canada, not just its French or British colonial identity. A committee evaluated thousands of designs featuring national symbols (a beaver wearing a Mountie hat was among those rejected).
The flag was bitterly debated, especially by Mr. Pearson and his predecessor, the opposition leader John Diefenbaker. (Mr. Diefenbaker called the maple leaf motif “a flag without a past” and wept when it was inaugurated.)The flag was bitterly debated, especially by Mr. Pearson and his predecessor, the opposition leader John Diefenbaker. (Mr. Diefenbaker called the maple leaf motif “a flag without a past” and wept when it was inaugurated.)
But even though its tree doesn’t grow nationwide, the maple leaf was considered a neutral symbol.But even though its tree doesn’t grow nationwide, the maple leaf was considered a neutral symbol.
“It was the perfect, perhaps the prototypical, Canadian compromise,” the historian Rick Archbold wrote.“It was the perfect, perhaps the prototypical, Canadian compromise,” the historian Rick Archbold wrote.
Jennifer Jett contributed reporting.Jennifer Jett contributed reporting.
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