Britain Stands Alone | Senate Bars Impeachment Witnesses

Smart news for busy people www.ozy.com *Podcast available from 8 am et *Podcast available from 8 am et Sponsored by HAPPENING TODAY | February 01 [Britain Stands Alone | Senate Bars Impeachment Witnesses]( important 1 [Done: Britain Has Left the EU]( At the stroke of 11 last night, the United Kingdom ended 47 years as a European Union member. The moment marked the end of a battle, starting with a close 2016 referendum that [polarized the nation](, signs of which were evident in Friday’s celebrations and candlelight vigils. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the divorce’s most prominent advocate, vowed to “bring this country together.” Is it really done? Yes, but Britain’s trade and other relationships with the bloc continue until the end of the year, providing a tight deadline to negotiate new arrangements. SOURCES: [Daily Mail]( / [BBC]( / [CNBC]( 2 [Senate Blocks Impeachment Witnesses]( With only two defections, Senate Republicans voted 51-49 against allowing witnesses or new documents in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. One key GOP member, Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, said he was convinced of Trump’s wrongdoing, but it didn’t warrant impeachment. The Democratic leader, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, said that without the evidence, it was “not a real trial.” What’s next? By Wednesday, senators are expected to vote along party lines to acquit Trump, but that means he’ll still be on trial during his Tuesday State of the Union address. [OZY examines]( what may really matter in November. SOURCES: [NYT]( / [Washington Examiner]( / [Washington Post]( 3 [Iowa Caucuses to Begin 2020 Race]( The 2020 presidential election truly kicks off Monday, when Iowa Democrats show up for their famous caucuses. For those anxious for actual results, however, it may be a letdown, as there are three sets of results: The first vote, the realignment vote and the delegate estimate. So multiple candidates [could declare themselves a winner](, and the race could look just as muddled as it is today. Who’s favored? Sen. Bernie Sanders, hoping for a big turnout, has a 37 percent chance of winning, according to FiveThirtyEight, which gives former Veep Joe Biden a 35 percent chance. SOURCES: [NYT]( / [FiveThirtyEight]( / [WSJ (sub)]( 4 [New Peace Plan Is Winning Palestinian Scorn]( When U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his Middle East peace plan this week, it was welcomed by members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s shaky hard-line government. They quickly moved toward implementing parts of it, like annexing West Bank settlements to which the plan would grant Israeli sovereignty. But Palestinians have utterly rejected the plan, which offers them a “state” with a long-sought East Jerusalem capital, but one pockmarked with Israeli settlements. Does it have a chance? Gulf Arab states, which historically have backed Palestinian aims, are giving tacit approval — seen as a sign of cooperation with a Trump administration that’s holding the line on Iran. [OZY examines]( how startups boost the West Bank’s economy. SOURCES: [Times of Israel]( / [Al Jazeera]( / [Haaretz]( 5 [Also Important...]( The U.S. is [barring foreigners who have visited China]( within two weeks as part of its emergency declaration over the coronavirus outbreak, which has reached 12,000 cases. Washington has [added six more nations to its travel ban](, including Myanmar and Nigeria. And American Sofia Kenin beat Spaniard Garbiñe Muguruza, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in Melbourne today for the [Australian Open women’s tennis title]( and her first Grand Slam trophy. In the week ahead: On Sunday, U.S. [Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Uzbekistan]( to meet with foreign ministers of five Central Asian nations. On Friday, Democratic presidential candidates will [debate in New Hampshire](. And that day the European Space Agency hopes to see its [Solar Orbiter probe]( launched from Florida. OZY is hiring! We’re looking for an ambitious, Washington-based political reporter to cover the 2020 presidential election — and beyond. Check out our [jobs page]( and read the description [here](. 6 [Sponsored by CARIUMA]( [Shoes to Help You Keep Your Cool in PANTONE Classic Blue]( You can’t predict the news, but you can choose your shoes. This year, responsibly sourced footwear company CARIUMA has partnered with PANTONE to create a limited-edition line of high-tops and low-tops in PANTONE's color of the year: Classic Blue, chosen to be reflective and meditative amid world unrest. It’s one way to stay grounded in an era of impossible-to-predict events. Start 2020 in sneakers made for walking … and staying cool. Treat yourself to a pair and [save $15 by using the OZYOZY code here.]( SOURCES: [CARIUMA]( intriguing 1 [How Big Oil Punishes Its Enemies]( Steven Donziger was David to Chevron’s Goliath in Ecuador, convincing a court there that the petrochemical giant owed billions of dollars for causing an “Amazon Chernobyl” in an area that indigenous people called home. Since then, the $228 billion multinational has removed its assets from the country, preventing any payouts, and gone after Donziger personally: He now wears an ankle bracelet, stands accused of “judicial fraud,” has been disbarred and his personal assets have been frozen. What’s the bigger picture? The firm is the second-largest private greenhouse gas emitter, showing what climate activists may face. OZY looks into the [future of oil](. SOURCES: [The Intercept]( 2 [Big Tech Steps Up to Fight Pathogen]( It’s spreading, both biologically and digitally. This week the World Health Organization declared China’s coronavirus a global health emergency. The crisis also bears a digital component: viral misinformation. That can confuse and confound health authorities’ efforts, so Google, for one, has launched SOS Alert w/@WHO, a banner topping [coronavirus]( results pages that directs users to facts about the outbreak, rather than misinformation, such as how the virus is a Chinese bioweapon being manufactured in a Canadian lab. Can this help? It’s been glitchy, but with Twitter and Facebook joining the fight, it may be possible to keep fact and infection straight. SOURCES: [Mashable]( / [PolitiFact]( / [Vox]( 3 [They Want to Fling Rockets Into Space]( SpinLaunch wants to do what its name suggests. A huge centrifuge will spin rockets and satellites at immense speeds, then release them into the air. It’s not a new or easy idea, but SpinLaunch hopes it can come together this year after a series of trials. The trend toward constellations of mini-satellites might offer the boost the company needs. Can it work? Patents say so, but experts warn that the G-forces in the centrifuge would damage the spacecraft, so it’ll take verifiable results to convince them it isn’t just spin. OZY asks what happens to [humans in space](. SOURCES: [WIRED]( 4 [A Prisoner Got to See the Real Tehran]( The July day that British journalist Nicolas Pelham was due to return home from Tehran, he was [detained by the Revolutionary Guards](. After a short period of strict detention, Pelham was allowed to roam the city without the minders usually assigned to foreign journalists — despite his continuing status as a detainee facing regular questioning. He witnessed a vibrant, if sanctions-stressed, city, where he saw plays such as The Sound of Music and even met and worshipped with fellow Jews. Was it enjoyable? At times, but upon Pelham’s September release, he could not breathe freely until his flight left Iranian airspace. SOURCES: [The Economist (sub)]( 5 [Will KC’s Sackmaster Make Super Bowl History?]( Favored in Sunday’s Super Bowl by only 1.5 points, the championship-starved Kansas City Chiefs’ fate against the San Francisco 49ers could pivot on a variety of factors. That means it could be Frank Clark’s moment of glory. [OZY notes]( that when the 26-year-old defensive end sacks opponents’ quarterback at least once, his Chiefs are 8-1. In fact, even his Nov. 18 near-sack of San Diego’s QB, prompting an interception, seemed to launch a KC winning streak. Will he stand out? While Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes should hog the spotlight, a bruising Niners defense may give Clark extra time to shine. SOURCES: [OZY]( caught up? now vault ahead ... To get more fresh stories and bold ideas in your inbox, [check out The Daily Dose.]( Good Sh*t [Mind Over Body Fitness]( Want to get fit? Start with your head. In this original series, we look at how mindfulness can improve physical performance. [READ NOW]( OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](