They will never take our freedom! 2019 edition?

Trump’s new national security adviser flew to Turkey President Trump’s new national security adviser is in Turkey today ahead of Vice President Mike Pence, who is expected to speak with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday. The meetings are being held as the conflict in northern Syria becomes increasingly deadly. Also, Scotland voted to stay in the UK a few years ago, but following Brexit there is a renewed independence movement. And we have an award-winning photo of a badass marmot. (We’re still beta-testing this newsletter. Let us know your thoughts by replying to this email.) [Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan poses with supporters.]( US ramps up efforts to negotiate cease-fire in Syria Robert O'Brien, US President Donald Trump's national security adviser, flew to Turkey on Wednesday as part of an emergency delegation to try to persuade Ankara to halt an assault on northern Syria. The Trump administration is trying to contain the fallout from Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan's decision to send forces last week to attack Syrian Kurdish militia, Washington's allies. O'Brien, who has been national security adviser for a month, was due to meet Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, [ahead of talks on Thursday]( between Vice President Mike Pence and Erdoğan. Also: [For many US military vets, the offensive against the Kurds is personal]( And: [What Dems said about Syria last night]( With Brexit looming, calls for Scottish independence grow[People cross the street in Edinburgh.]( Northern Ireland has dominated the Brexit negotiations over the last few months. But even if British Prime Minister Boris Johnson manages to appease those on both sides of the Irish border, there’s another problem brewing —[renewed calls for independence from Scotland](. “Most people in Scotland, I think, have looked on in horror at what’s happened,” said Blair Jenkins referring to Brexit and years of failed negotiations. Jenkins, a journalist and the former chief executive of the pro-independence campaign, “Yes Scotland,” said his desire for independence is not driven by historical considerations — Scotland was once independent until it formed a political union with England in the 1700s — but, an independent Scotland would offer a more equitable society in which to live. [A scene in Braveheart] Giuliani won’t comply Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani [won’t comply with a Congressional subpoena](, according to an email Giuliani’s lawyer sent to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The letter called the impeachment inquiry “unconstitutional, baseless, and illegitimate,” and referenced the [White House’s Oct. 8 letter]( stating the president would refuse to cooperate. Giuliani has been implicated in the inquiry looking at whether Ukraine was pressed to investigate Trump’s political rivals in exchange for military aid. Giuliani has been characterized by former National Security Adviser John Bolton as a “hand grenade,” [according to Monday’s testimony]( from former White House adviser Fiona Hill. Testimony also: [White House directed ‘three amigos’ to run Ukraine policy]( Pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong disrupt Carrie Lam’s address Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam [had to abandon her policy speech]( in the legislature on Wednesday because of jeering lawmakers. Lam, who had to broadcast the annual address via a video link after the rowdy scenes in the city's assembly, hoped to restore confidence in her administration and address discontent after four months of often violent anti-government protests. She had to halt her initial attempts to deliver the address after pro-democracy lawmakers called out for "five demands, not one less" and projected the protest rallying cry onto a backdrop behind her. Also: [Why Hong Kong’s secret societies are attacking protesters]( Half of the world's children aren't getting enough nutrients[Soft drinks bottles are displayed on a shelf in a shop in London.]( At least half of kids under the age of 5 — or about 350 million children worldwide — are vitamin-deficient, according to a [sweeping report from UNICEF]( released Tuesday. [The problem of malnutrition has changed](, the report says. Now, children in both rich and poor countries may get plenty of food, but it's nutrient-deficient. “They may not lack food altogether, but they lack nutritious food,” said at UNICEF's director of global insight and policy, Laurence Chandy, who oversaw the new report. Also: [Khmer Riche — How relatives and allies of Cambodia's leader amassed wealth overseas]( Morning meme caption contest: “Watch yourself fox!” First, [look at this amazing photo]( that just won the top prize in the 2019 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, then let us know your caption by replying to this email. One more thing: [Kim Jong-un rode a white horse]( In case you missed it on The World: [Russian and Syrian flags flutter on military vehicles.]( - [Booker breaks the rules]( - [Childhood malnutrition and obesity]( - [How one family in London went single-use, plastic free]( - [These vets revere the Kurds]( - [US considering future of nukes stored in Turkey]( - [A looming Brexit renews calls for Scottish independence]( - [Protests in Spain]( - [Europeans react to Turkey-Syria crisis]( - [Aid in crisis]( - [Syrian civilians plea for 'no-fly' zone]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is brought to you by [PRI's The World](.