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/2019/10/22/briefing/brexit-impeachment-inquiry-boeing.html

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

Version 0 Version 1
Your Wednesday Briefing Brexit, Impeachment Inquiry, Boeing: Your Wednesday Briefing
(about 2 hours later)
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)
Good morning.Good morning.
We’re covering what’s next in Brexit, evidence of a Trump quid pro quo on Ukraine and protesters in Lebanon who sang “Baby Shark” to calm a toddler down.We’re covering what’s next in Brexit, evidence of a Trump quid pro quo on Ukraine and protesters in Lebanon who sang “Baby Shark” to calm a toddler down.
An Oct. 31 Brexit is now looking nearly impossible, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a defeat on his planned timeline just after his first parliamentary victory.An Oct. 31 Brexit is now looking nearly impossible, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced a defeat on his planned timeline just after his first parliamentary victory.
British lawmakers approved the broad outlines of his plan with a larger than expected majority — which was, in itself, a big step forward. But they then voted down Mr. Johnson’s effort to fast-track the legislation, which would force them to scrutinize the 435-page plan in just three days.British lawmakers approved the broad outlines of his plan with a larger than expected majority — which was, in itself, a big step forward. But they then voted down Mr. Johnson’s effort to fast-track the legislation, which would force them to scrutinize the 435-page plan in just three days.
In short, the whole Brexit effort has been thrown into a legislative abyss that could mean months of further delays to a process that the nation has long since wearied of.In short, the whole Brexit effort has been thrown into a legislative abyss that could mean months of further delays to a process that the nation has long since wearied of.
Quotable: “This is a hell of a big document,” Rory Stewart, a member of the Conservative Party, said while waving a bound copy of the plan.Quotable: “This is a hell of a big document,” Rory Stewart, a member of the Conservative Party, said while waving a bound copy of the plan.
What’s next: The E.U. has offered a three-month extension, but Mr. Johnson, whose “do or die” Oct. 31 deadline has become ingrained in his public persona, said he would “pause” the legislation and tell E.U. leaders he was not interested in a delay.What’s next: The E.U. has offered a three-month extension, but Mr. Johnson, whose “do or die” Oct. 31 deadline has become ingrained in his public persona, said he would “pause” the legislation and tell E.U. leaders he was not interested in a delay.
He had said he would rather face a general election than ask for a long delay, which could be a negotiating strategy.He had said he would rather face a general election than ask for a long delay, which could be a negotiating strategy.
The top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine drew a “direct line” between President Trump’s withholding of security aid and his demand for investigations into Democrats, sketching out in detail in closed-door testimony on Tuesday a quid pro quo pressure campaign on Ukraine that Mr. Trump and his allies have long denied.The top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine drew a “direct line” between President Trump’s withholding of security aid and his demand for investigations into Democrats, sketching out in detail in closed-door testimony on Tuesday a quid pro quo pressure campaign on Ukraine that Mr. Trump and his allies have long denied.
The envoy, William Taylor, told impeachment investigators that Mr. Trump held up the aid and refused a White House meeting with Ukraine’s leader until he agreed to investigate Mr. Trump’s political rivals, a Democratic lawmaker said. Here’s Mr. Taylor’s opening statement.The envoy, William Taylor, told impeachment investigators that Mr. Trump held up the aid and refused a White House meeting with Ukraine’s leader until he agreed to investigate Mr. Trump’s political rivals, a Democratic lawmaker said. Here’s Mr. Taylor’s opening statement.
Another angle: The testimony raised questions about the veracity of the testimony of other prominent impeachment witnesses who have said behind closed doors they had not been aware of any improper pressure tactics.Another angle: The testimony raised questions about the veracity of the testimony of other prominent impeachment witnesses who have said behind closed doors they had not been aware of any improper pressure tactics.
Earlier, Mr. Trump took to Twitter to denounce the impeachment inquiry as a “lynching.” The language sparked swift outrage among Democrats, particularly African-Americans, and even some Republicans expressed discomfort.Earlier, Mr. Trump took to Twitter to denounce the impeachment inquiry as a “lynching.” The language sparked swift outrage among Democrats, particularly African-Americans, and even some Republicans expressed discomfort.
Related: The anonymous Trump administration official who wrote a Times Op-Ed about resisting the president’s agenda will publish a book next month. The author’s publisher said the official would donate any royalties to nonprofit organizations that focus on government accountability and press freedom.Related: The anonymous Trump administration official who wrote a Times Op-Ed about resisting the president’s agenda will publish a book next month. The author’s publisher said the official would donate any royalties to nonprofit organizations that focus on government accountability and press freedom.
Russian and Turkish troops will take joint control over a vast swath of territory in northern Syria.Russian and Turkish troops will take joint control over a vast swath of territory in northern Syria.
The move, which came after President Vladimir Putin of Russia hosted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey for talks on how they will divide control of Syria, strengthens the rapid expansion of Russian influence there at the expense of the U.S. and its Kurdish former allies.The move, which came after President Vladimir Putin of Russia hosted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey for talks on how they will divide control of Syria, strengthens the rapid expansion of Russian influence there at the expense of the U.S. and its Kurdish former allies.
Big picture: As President Trump questions American alliances and troop deployments around the world, Russia, like China, has been flexing its muscles, eager to fill the power vacuum left by a more isolationist United States.Big picture: As President Trump questions American alliances and troop deployments around the world, Russia, like China, has been flexing its muscles, eager to fill the power vacuum left by a more isolationist United States.
Worldwide, desalinated seawater is increasingly seen as an answer to water shortages that will worsen with population growth and climate change.Worldwide, desalinated seawater is increasingly seen as an answer to water shortages that will worsen with population growth and climate change.
Our reporter traveled to a desalination plant in Saudi Arabia, pictured above, to learn more about the promise, and challenges, of the process.Our reporter traveled to a desalination plant in Saudi Arabia, pictured above, to learn more about the promise, and challenges, of the process.
Boeing: The executive in charge of the company’s commercial airplanes is leaving. Kevin McAllister, the executive, is the most senior official to depart as the plane maker struggles to contain the crisis following the deadly crashes of two of its 737 Max jets.Boeing: The executive in charge of the company’s commercial airplanes is leaving. Kevin McAllister, the executive, is the most senior official to depart as the plane maker struggles to contain the crisis following the deadly crashes of two of its 737 Max jets.
The European Union has said it will not certify the grounded plane to return to service until January at the earliest.The European Union has said it will not certify the grounded plane to return to service until January at the earliest.
Iraq: The government said it would prosecute military and police leaders over fatal shootings of civilian protesters that left more than 100 dead.Iraq: The government said it would prosecute military and police leaders over fatal shootings of civilian protesters that left more than 100 dead.
Harry Dunn: An American woman who claimed diplomatic immunity after an accident that killed a 19-year-old British man is now willing to be interviewed by the police.Harry Dunn: An American woman who claimed diplomatic immunity after an accident that killed a 19-year-old British man is now willing to be interviewed by the police.
Hungary: A freewheeling U.S. ambassador is drawing attention — he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a huge party, cozied up to the country’s authoritarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, and seemingly works against anticorruption efforts.Hungary: A freewheeling U.S. ambassador is drawing attention — he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a huge party, cozied up to the country’s authoritarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, and seemingly works against anticorruption efforts.
Rodrigo Duterte: The Philippine president cut short a trip to Japan because of “unbearable pain” from a motorcycle accident last week, his spokesman said.Rodrigo Duterte: The Philippine president cut short a trip to Japan because of “unbearable pain” from a motorcycle accident last week, his spokesman said.
Snapshot: Above, protesters in Beirut. Thousands have gathered to demand an end to chronic corruption in Lebanon and denounce the government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. In one viral incident, a group of demonstrators stopped what they were doing to sing the infectious hit song “Baby Shark” to a toddler in a car passing through the action.Snapshot: Above, protesters in Beirut. Thousands have gathered to demand an end to chronic corruption in Lebanon and denounce the government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. In one viral incident, a group of demonstrators stopped what they were doing to sing the infectious hit song “Baby Shark” to a toddler in a car passing through the action.
History of the oceans: The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago also acidified the planet’s oceans, disrupted their food chain and resulted in a mass extinction, a new study posits.History of the oceans: The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago also acidified the planet’s oceans, disrupted their food chain and resulted in a mass extinction, a new study posits.
What we’re reading: This Esquire story about the failed restart of Gawker, the once insatiable news site. “The behind-the-scenes look,” Remy Tumin on the Briefings team writes, “is delicious.”What we’re reading: This Esquire story about the failed restart of Gawker, the once insatiable news site. “The behind-the-scenes look,” Remy Tumin on the Briefings team writes, “is delicious.”
Cook: Roasted sausages, sweet grapes and vinegar-spiked onions make a good combination.Cook: Roasted sausages, sweet grapes and vinegar-spiked onions make a good combination.
Watch: “I’m feeling the sense of discovery. It’s a little playful,” says Calvin Royal III of his lead role in George Balanchine’s “Apollo” at American Ballet Theater.Watch: “I’m feeling the sense of discovery. It’s a little playful,” says Calvin Royal III of his lead role in George Balanchine’s “Apollo” at American Ballet Theater.
Go: To commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, the Louvre is staging an ambitious retrospective featuring some 160 works by the Renaissance artist starting this week and continuing until February 2020.Go: To commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, the Louvre is staging an ambitious retrospective featuring some 160 works by the Renaissance artist starting this week and continuing until February 2020.
Read: Raina Telgemeier, the best-selling graphic novelist, shared how she works and talked about why she opened up about her anxiety in graphic novel format.Read: Raina Telgemeier, the best-selling graphic novelist, shared how she works and talked about why she opened up about her anxiety in graphic novel format.
Smarter Living: How old are you? Actually, how old do you feel? The way someone answers the second question will tell you a lot about that person’s health and well-being. Scientists found that people who feel younger than their chronological age are typically healthier and more psychologically resilient.Smarter Living: How old are you? Actually, how old do you feel? The way someone answers the second question will tell you a lot about that person’s health and well-being. Scientists found that people who feel younger than their chronological age are typically healthier and more psychologically resilient.
Regardless of your age, it’s good to have a will. Here’s what you need to know about the growing movement to allow electronic wills.Regardless of your age, it’s good to have a will. Here’s what you need to know about the growing movement to allow electronic wills.
The WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann will get a huge payout as part of a deal that will give control of the co-working start-up to its Japanese investor, SoftBank — a move that some described as an enormous “golden parachute.”The WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann will get a huge payout as part of a deal that will give control of the co-working start-up to its Japanese investor, SoftBank — a move that some described as an enormous “golden parachute.”
The phrase dates to 1961, and initially described a contract clause designed to ensure that a top executive would get paid in the event of a corporate takeover. “Equipped with this safety device, an executive who is shoved out the door by a new owner will be cushioned by a tidy pile of cash,” the Times reporter N.R. Kleinfield wrote in 1982.The phrase dates to 1961, and initially described a contract clause designed to ensure that a top executive would get paid in the event of a corporate takeover. “Equipped with this safety device, an executive who is shoved out the door by a new owner will be cushioned by a tidy pile of cash,” the Times reporter N.R. Kleinfield wrote in 1982.
The definition has become broader over the years, and has come to mean any large corporate severance payout, especially if the executive in question has a tarnished reputation.The definition has become broader over the years, and has come to mean any large corporate severance payout, especially if the executive in question has a tarnished reputation.
Where does Mr. Neumann rank in the annals of golden parachutes? It depends on how you measure his payout, which includes a line of credit and the ability to sell some of his shares to SoftBank. But the co-founder’s “consulting fee” of $185 million, on its own, ranks among the biggest corporate exit payouts ever.Where does Mr. Neumann rank in the annals of golden parachutes? It depends on how you measure his payout, which includes a line of credit and the ability to sell some of his shares to SoftBank. But the co-founder’s “consulting fee” of $185 million, on its own, ranks among the biggest corporate exit payouts ever.
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. Adam Pasick, 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. Adam Pasick, 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 the second of a two-part series about the effort to extract detainees from northern Syria. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: What gossipy people love to stir up (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • For nearly a decade, Brian Rea, an illustrator for The Times, has drawn the distinctive images that appear in our Modern Love columns. He discussed how he does it.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is the second of a two-part series about the effort to extract detainees from northern Syria. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: What gossipy people love to stir up (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • For nearly a decade, Brian Rea, an illustrator for The Times, has drawn the distinctive images that appear in our Modern Love columns. He discussed how he does it.