Washington Braces for Trump Trial | China’s Coronavirus Is Spreading

Smart news for busy people www.ozy.com *Podcast available from 8 am et *Podcast available from 8 am et Sponsored by HAPPENING TODAY | January 21 [Washington Braces for Trump Trial | China’s Coronavirus Is Spreading]( important 1 [Washington Braces for Trump Trial]( As the Senate kicks off the main phase of its third-ever impeachment trial today, Democrats and Republicans are expected [to continue wrangling over]( its basic rules. That’s because Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled his plan to fast-track proceedings by giving each side only 24 hours over two days for opening arguments. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s lawyers submitted a 110-page brief describing the charges a “dangerous perversion of the Constitution” and calling for their dismissal. What’s next? Expect days of procedural jockeying behind closed doors — since senators aren’t allowed to pipe up during proceedings. SOURCES: [AP]( / [NYT]( 2 [China's New Coronavirus Is Spreading]( Triggering fears of a massive epidemic compounded by travel for the Lunar New Year, a Chinese government expert says the new coronavirus strain — a pneumonia-like respiratory condition — can be transmitted between humans. The outbreak, which started in the city of Wuhan, has caused at least four deaths and sickened more than 200. Four cases have also been confirmed across Thailand, Japan and South Korea. What’s being done? China’s National Health Commission believes the epidemic can be controlled, while air, train, bus and boat passengers in Wuhan are being screened before they leave the city. Don’t miss [this OZY series]( on medical breakthroughs. SOURCES: [BBC]( / [CNN]( / [The Guardian]( / [Xinhua]( 3 [Virginia Gun Lovers Gather in Peace]( Despite fearful anticipation that the event would turn violent, thousands of gun advocates — many of them armed — [rallied peacefully]( in Richmond yesterday to voice impassioned pleas against firearms control. Only one person was arrested, for wearing a mask in public. Among those who flocked to the Old Dominion’s Capitol were out-of-state militias and extremist groups. “This sends a strong visual message,” said one demonstrator carrying a massive .50-caliber rifle. Who were they angry at? Much of the discontent was directed at Gov. Ralph Northam, who’s pushed for universal background checks and a “red flag” law, among other measures. SOURCES: [Richmond Times-Dispatch]( / [Washington Post]( 4 [Huawei CFO's Extradition Trial Begins]( Lawyers for embattled executive Meng Wanzhou — charged by U.S. authorities with bank fraud and accused of skirting American sanctions on Iran — argued in a Vancouver court yesterday that she didn’t break any Canadian laws. Meng, the 47-year-old daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in December 2018. While she remains free on bail, her case [has seriously hampered relations]( between Beijing and Ottawa. How long could the case go on? Because Canada’s justice system allows plenty of room for appeal, experts say a final decision could take years. SOURCES: [Reuters]( / [WSJ (sub)]( 5 [Also Important...]( The World Economic Forum began in Davos today [with an appeal from Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg]( for participants to listen to younger voices. Chinese authorities [have sentenced ex-Interpol boss Meng Hongwei]( to 13.5 years in prison for bribery. And for the first time ever, the U.S. Navy [will name an aircraft carrier after an African American](: decorated World War II sailor Doris Miller. #OZYfact: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is one of just six original Cabinet members from early 2017. Read more [on OZY](. OZY is hiring! We’re looking for an ambitious journalist to cover business and finance through unique, analytical and globally minded write-ups. Check out our [jobs page]( and read the description [here](. 6 [Sponsored by Bright Cellars]( [Drinking Wine Is Easy. Choosing Wine Is Hard]( That’s why two MIT grads created an algorithm that recommends wine based on your individual palate by using a simple seven-question quiz. You don’t have to know anything about wine to take the quiz. They ask questions like “What’s your favorite chocolate?” and “How do you like your tea?” Seeing which wines they recommend is 100 percent free. [So take the quiz.]( Bright Cellars is offering OZY readers [$50]( off their first order! SOURCES: [Bright Cellars]( intriguing 1 [UN: Climate Refugees Can Claim Asylum]( According to a landmark United Nations decision Monday, refugees of [climate-related catastrophes]( can’t be forced back home if their lives are endangered. The nonbinding ruling came in the case of Ioane Teitiota, who was denied asylum in New Zealand from the Pacific island nation of Kiribati. While the U.N. sided with Wellington in rejecting Teitiota’s claim, it was on the basis that Kiribati still has 10 to 15 years to combat rising sea levels before it becomes submerged. How is this good news for refugees? The decision sets a precedent in international law that countries will have to provide asylum to those fleeing urgent climate disasters. SOURCES: [Newsweek]( / [Time]( 2 [Why Most Global CEOs Are Getting Nervous]( The number of [company bosses who expect]( an economic slowdown this year has risen tenfold since 2018, according to a PwC survey of 1,581 CEOs from 83 countries. These days, 53 percent believe their profits will take a hit due to trade conflicts and overregulation — up from only 5 percent two years ago. Bosses in North America and Western Europe reported the highest levels of pessimism. Were there any surprising results? CEOs are also growing more alarmed about the toll climate change is taking on their businesses, yet the issue still didn’t make it into their top 10 concerns. SOURCES: [Bloomberg]( / [Irish Times]( 3 [Lebanon Busts American Journalist]( Freelancer Nicholas Frakes was arrested in Beirut Monday night, accused of livestreaming events to Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Problem is, the paper said it had “no connection” to Frakes, and that Reuters provided all its footage from the scene. Lebanon prohibits citizens or visitors from contacting Israelis, since the countries are technically at war. Is it safe to report from Lebanon? Press advocates warn that in recent weeks security forces have detained and beaten multiple journalists. Read [this OZY feature]( about the Arab-style war on terror. SOURCES: [The New Arab]( / [Haaretz]( / [Washington Post]( 4 [Ex-Universal Exec Wins #MeToo Case]( Nearly two years after being fired over allegations of “inappropriate conduct,” former Universal marketing chief Josh Goldstine has reportedly won a monthslong arbitration case. The Comcast-owned studio must now pay him $20 million. Goldstine — whose lawyer said the trial “totally vindicated” his client — resorted to legal action after being unable to find work [at the peak of the #MeToo movement](. What happened? While the details haven’t been released, Goldstine was reportedly ousted after an internal investigation found evidence the studio claimed was “credible and indicative of an unacceptable climate.” SOURCES: [The Wrap]( / [Deadline]( / [THR]( 5 [Can the Warriors Build a Winning Legacy?]( At 10-35, the Golden State Warriors have reached a turning point: Can the team claw back to its epic highs after bottoming out this year, or is it destined to follow the late ’90s-era Chicago Bulls into infamy? Observers suggest the former is more likely, [OZY reports](, so long as the front office uncovers hidden value in the draft and all its stars come back next year in one piece. How could they improve? Learning from former dynasties — such as the San Antonio Spurs, who chose wisely in the 1997 draft — will be key. SOURCES: [OZY]( caught up? now vault ahead ... To get more fresh stories and bold ideas in your inbox, [check out The Daily Dose.]( The New + the Next [The Man Educating Young ISIS Survivors]( Abdul Khaliq has built an education center for Syrian children. Can it survive the latest upheaval? [READ NOW]( OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](