This article is from the source 'nytimes' 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.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/briefing/boris-johnson-democratic-party-north-korea.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Your Wednesday Briefing | Your Wednesday Briefing |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| We’re covering the sliding British pound, the second round of Democratic presidential debates in the U.S. and an Austrian woman who escaped a kidnapper by complimenting his orchids. | We’re covering the sliding British pound, the second round of Democratic presidential debates in the U.S. and an Austrian woman who escaped a kidnapper by complimenting his orchids. |
| Investors have taken Boris Johnson’s ascension to the role of prime minister as the impetus to evacuate their money ahead of a potential disaster, and the British pound has dropped as a result. | Investors have taken Boris Johnson’s ascension to the role of prime minister as the impetus to evacuate their money ahead of a potential disaster, and the British pound has dropped as a result. |
| The slide is expected to continue, perhaps right up until Oct. 31, the day Britain is scheduled to depart the European bloc. The moves are now gradual, reflecting a continued downgrading of sentiment rather than a meaningful change to the economy. But as Oct. 31 draws closer, the pound could plunge. Britain could well descend into recession. | The slide is expected to continue, perhaps right up until Oct. 31, the day Britain is scheduled to depart the European bloc. The moves are now gradual, reflecting a continued downgrading of sentiment rather than a meaningful change to the economy. But as Oct. 31 draws closer, the pound could plunge. Britain could well descend into recession. |
| Details: The currency has lost nearly 3 percent of its value against both the American dollar — it fell to $1.2151 on Tuesday afternoon — and the euro since Mr. Johnson took over last week. | Details: The currency has lost nearly 3 percent of its value against both the American dollar — it fell to $1.2151 on Tuesday afternoon — and the euro since Mr. Johnson took over last week. |
| Big picture: The decline is at once a reflection of the market’s recognition that Britain has been economically weakened by the looming Brexit, and a cause for distress. Most broadly, it signals that investors see less need for British currency in the future, because Brexit is already reducing the appeal of doing business in Britain. | Big picture: The decline is at once a reflection of the market’s recognition that Britain has been economically weakened by the looming Brexit, and a cause for distress. Most broadly, it signals that investors see less need for British currency in the future, because Brexit is already reducing the appeal of doing business in Britain. |
| Ten presidential candidates faced off in Detroit for the first of two debates this week, and the mood was at times heated as several tried to raise their profiles before a September debate with a higher barrier to entry. | Ten presidential candidates faced off in Detroit for the first of two debates this week, and the mood was at times heated as several tried to raise their profiles before a September debate with a higher barrier to entry. |
| Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, the leading liberal populists and the marquee matchup for the night, fought back accusations of impracticality in their plans. | Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, the leading liberal populists and the marquee matchup for the night, fought back accusations of impracticality in their plans. |
| Immigration: Ms. Warren and Beto O’Rourke argued for fully decriminalizing border crossing, while Pete Buttigieg was cautious. | Immigration: Ms. Warren and Beto O’Rourke argued for fully decriminalizing border crossing, while Pete Buttigieg was cautious. |
| Gun policy: Several candidates pushed for stronger gun control. “What I believe we have got to do is have the guts to finally take on the N.R.A.,” Mr. Sanders said. | Gun policy: Several candidates pushed for stronger gun control. “What I believe we have got to do is have the guts to finally take on the N.R.A.,” Mr. Sanders said. |
| Racism: Ms. Warren called white supremacy “domestic terrorism,” and Marianne Williamson, the self-help author, had a breakout moment: “If you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country, then I’m afraid that the Democrats are going to see some very dark days.” | Racism: Ms. Warren called white supremacy “domestic terrorism,” and Marianne Williamson, the self-help author, had a breakout moment: “If you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country, then I’m afraid that the Democrats are going to see some very dark days.” |
| More than 900 children have been removed from an adult at the U.S. southern border since June 2018, even though President Trump officially ended the family separation policy then. | More than 900 children have been removed from an adult at the U.S. southern border since June 2018, even though President Trump officially ended the family separation policy then. |
| The separations are occurring over crimes committed by adults, but some are as minor as having a traffic citation for driving without a license or not changing a baby’s diaper. | The separations are occurring over crimes committed by adults, but some are as minor as having a traffic citation for driving without a license or not changing a baby’s diaper. |
| What’s next: The American Civil Liberties Union, which is challenging the separations, asked a judge in San Diego to clarify a set of standards for such separations that would ensure that children are taken from their parents only when there is evidence that the parent is a genuine danger to the child or is unfit to provide care. | What’s next: The American Civil Liberties Union, which is challenging the separations, asked a judge in San Diego to clarify a set of standards for such separations that would ensure that children are taken from their parents only when there is evidence that the parent is a genuine danger to the child or is unfit to provide care. |
| Related: Three pink seesaws have been placed along the border as part of an installation allowing children on each side to play with one another, despite being separated by the border wall. | Related: Three pink seesaws have been placed along the border as part of an installation allowing children on each side to play with one another, despite being separated by the border wall. |
| Two Beijing-backed leaders from the Xinjiang region said most inmates in a sprawling network of re-education camps had “returned to society.” | Two Beijing-backed leaders from the Xinjiang region said most inmates in a sprawling network of re-education camps had “returned to society.” |
| But the U.S. government, experts and members of the Muslim minority groups that have been targeted by the camps said there was no evidence of mass releases and that it was unclear how much freedom released inmates actually enjoyed. One researcher said the government was moving inmates into coercive labor programs and “transitioning from internment to societywide control.” | |
| Reminder: Detention centers in Xinjiang have held an estimated million or more people from Muslim minority groups since 2017, drawing global condemnation. Chinese officials say the camps are benign facilities that offer vocational training and language classes; former detainees say they are meant to remove devotion to Islam and instill loyalty to China and its ruling Communist Party. | Reminder: Detention centers in Xinjiang have held an estimated million or more people from Muslim minority groups since 2017, drawing global condemnation. Chinese officials say the camps are benign facilities that offer vocational training and language classes; former detainees say they are meant to remove devotion to Islam and instill loyalty to China and its ruling Communist Party. |
| Protesters in France are increasingly angry about the use of force by the police there, after the body of a missing young man who disappeared after a concert was found in the Loire river. | Protesters in France are increasingly angry about the use of force by the police there, after the body of a missing young man who disappeared after a concert was found in the Loire river. |
| He disappeared at a concert where the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Hundreds of protesters gathered earlier this month in Nantes to form a human chain along the Loire, asking, “Where is Steve?” | He disappeared at a concert where the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. Hundreds of protesters gathered earlier this month in Nantes to form a human chain along the Loire, asking, “Where is Steve?” |
| North Korea: The country fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, the North’s second weapons test in less than a week. | North Korea: The country fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, the North’s second weapons test in less than a week. |
| Apple: The iPhone maker’s net income fell nearly 13 percent as sales of its flagship smartphone declined for the third straight quarter. | Apple: The iPhone maker’s net income fell nearly 13 percent as sales of its flagship smartphone declined for the third straight quarter. |
| Dubai: Princess Haya, the estranged sixth wife of the ruler of Dubai who fled with their two children several months ago, asked a London court to protect her child from being forced into marriage. | Dubai: Princess Haya, the estranged sixth wife of the ruler of Dubai who fled with their two children several months ago, asked a London court to protect her child from being forced into marriage. |
| Austria: A new mother, kidnapped and beaten by a captor as she rode her bike, escaped death by complimenting his orchids and connecting with him. | Austria: A new mother, kidnapped and beaten by a captor as she rode her bike, escaped death by complimenting his orchids and connecting with him. |
| Huawei: The Chinese tech giant said its sales for January through June grew by nearly a quarter from a year earlier, despite the Trump administration’s clampdown. | Huawei: The Chinese tech giant said its sales for January through June grew by nearly a quarter from a year earlier, despite the Trump administration’s clampdown. |
| California: A new state law requires President Trump to release his tax returns to get on the 2020 Republican primary ballot. It is likely to face legal challenges. | California: A new state law requires President Trump to release his tax returns to get on the 2020 Republican primary ballot. It is likely to face legal challenges. |
| Snapshot: Above, the town of Vevey, where Switzerland’s over-the-top Fête des Vignerons, or winegrowers’ festival, takes place every 20 years. It lasts 25 days, and this year its organizers built a 20,000-capacity stadium for the daily show. | Snapshot: Above, the town of Vevey, where Switzerland’s over-the-top Fête des Vignerons, or winegrowers’ festival, takes place every 20 years. It lasts 25 days, and this year its organizers built a 20,000-capacity stadium for the daily show. |
| ASAP Rocky: The rapper’s trial on assault charges began in Stockholm, and a special envoy for hostage affairs from the U.S. was in the courtroom. “The president asked me to come here and support these American citizens,” the envoy, Robert O’Brien, said. | ASAP Rocky: The rapper’s trial on assault charges began in Stockholm, and a special envoy for hostage affairs from the U.S. was in the courtroom. “The president asked me to come here and support these American citizens,” the envoy, Robert O’Brien, said. |
| What we’re reading: This story in the Verge by Amanda Chicago Lewis about Big Alcohol’s plans for cannabis. Brewing giants struggling with declining sales are all making big bets on drinkable marijuana products. “But there’s one big problem,” writes Adam Pasick on the briefings team, “nobody really wants or likes them.” | What we’re reading: This story in the Verge by Amanda Chicago Lewis about Big Alcohol’s plans for cannabis. Brewing giants struggling with declining sales are all making big bets on drinkable marijuana products. “But there’s one big problem,” writes Adam Pasick on the briefings team, “nobody really wants or likes them.” |
| Cook: These no-bake chocolate mousse bars melt in your mouth. | Cook: These no-bake chocolate mousse bars melt in your mouth. |
| Listen: Chance the Rapper’s long-awaited new album, “The Big Day,” finds the artist reveling in the joy of married life. The album’s “most striking lyrical moment,” our critic writes, “is the most somber.” | Listen: Chance the Rapper’s long-awaited new album, “The Big Day,” finds the artist reveling in the joy of married life. The album’s “most striking lyrical moment,” our critic writes, “is the most somber.” |
| Go: Hannah Gadsby’s “Douglas,” now playing at the Daryl Roth Theater in Manhattan, is as startling and divisive as “Nanette.” It’s a critic’s pick. | Go: Hannah Gadsby’s “Douglas,” now playing at the Daryl Roth Theater in Manhattan, is as startling and divisive as “Nanette.” It’s a critic’s pick. |
| Read: Yuval Noah Harari’s book “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” is now available in Russian — but it is heavily censored, with mentions of the fighting in Ukraine and Crimea removed and criticism of the Russian government toned down or cut. | Read: Yuval Noah Harari’s book “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” is now available in Russian — but it is heavily censored, with mentions of the fighting in Ukraine and Crimea removed and criticism of the Russian government toned down or cut. |
| Smarter Living: Don’t let the bed bugs bite when you check into a hotel room. Stash your luggage in the bathroom until you’ve had a good, hard look at the bed and luggage rack for bed bugs. And don’t assume that a luxury hotel couldn’t possibly have them — it can happen anywhere. Here are other tips for a cleaner and safer hotel stay. | Smarter Living: Don’t let the bed bugs bite when you check into a hotel room. Stash your luggage in the bathroom until you’ve had a good, hard look at the bed and luggage rack for bed bugs. And don’t assume that a luxury hotel couldn’t possibly have them — it can happen anywhere. Here are other tips for a cleaner and safer hotel stay. |
| We also have advice on how to keep your bedroom cool as summer heats up. | We also have advice on how to keep your bedroom cool as summer heats up. |
| The tourist traps are open, but it’ll be hard to find a baker, plumber or dry cleaner in Europe next month, as much of the Continent races off to the beach for all of August. How did that happen? | The tourist traps are open, but it’ll be hard to find a baker, plumber or dry cleaner in Europe next month, as much of the Continent races off to the beach for all of August. How did that happen? |
| Before the 1930s, paid vacation was rare. Then, between the world wars, European unions and political parties from across the ideological spectrum pushed for the idea, calling for “total and sustained freedom from toil” and “an absolute rest from work.” | Before the 1930s, paid vacation was rare. Then, between the world wars, European unions and political parties from across the ideological spectrum pushed for the idea, calling for “total and sustained freedom from toil” and “an absolute rest from work.” |
| The nascent travel industry picked up the gauntlet, especially as the spread of the automobile and improved roads made skipping town easier. | The nascent travel industry picked up the gauntlet, especially as the spread of the automobile and improved roads made skipping town easier. |
| In the United States, President William Howard Taft said in 1910 that a worker (meaning a man) should get two to three months off every year, “in order to continue his work next year with the energy and effectiveness that it ought to have.” | In the United States, President William Howard Taft said in 1910 that a worker (meaning a man) should get two to three months off every year, “in order to continue his work next year with the energy and effectiveness that it ought to have.” |
| But nothing came of his proposal. There is still no U.S. law requiring paid days off, and many Americans don’t even use all the time they have. | But nothing came of his proposal. There is still no U.S. law requiring paid days off, and many Americans don’t even use all the time they have. |
| Despite the extended holiday, or perhaps because of it, The Economist notes that Europeans are the most productive workers in the world. | Despite the extended holiday, or perhaps because of it, The Economist notes that Europeans are the most productive workers in the world. |
| That’s it for this briefing. Have a toil-less August, if you’re among the lucky vacationers. | That’s it for this briefing. Have a toil-less August, if you’re among the lucky vacationers. |
| — Melina | — Melina |
| Thank youAlisha Haridasani Gupta helped compile today’s briefing. Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford wrote 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 youAlisha Haridasani Gupta helped compile today’s briefing. Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford wrote 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 Boeing’s 737 Max crisis. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Doggie doctor (3 letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Jodi Rudoren, an associate managing editor at The Times, is leaving to become editor in chief of The Forward. We’ll miss you, Jodi — mazel tov! | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about Boeing’s 737 Max crisis. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: Doggie doctor (3 letters). You can find all our puzzles here.• Jodi Rudoren, an associate managing editor at The Times, is leaving to become editor in chief of The Forward. We’ll miss you, Jodi — mazel tov! |