Hong Kong protesters return when tables change
After a relative calm, thousands of pro-democratic activists returned to the streets a week after achieving a great victory in the elections that were considered as broad support for the movement's objectives.
Hundreds took their children to a march against the use of tear gas.
Unlike the recent demonstrations, the three on Sunday received "letters of no objection," essentially official approval. The first two were peaceful, but the third saw several tense clashes.
The essence: Carrie Lam, executive director of the territory, agreed to establish a committee to investigate the crisis, but the measure failed to address the main demand to establish an independent investigation into the use of force by the police.
Summary: Last Sunday’s elections saw candidates for democracy win 87 percent of the seats in the local district council contests, reflecting widespread discontent with the Beijing government’s stance.
Details of Iranian protests and brutal repression emerge
At least 180 people, and possibly hundreds more, were killed in the unbridled attempts by the government to quell the worst riots in the country since the Islamic Revolution 40 years ago.
The repression focused on four days of intense violence unleashed by an increase in the price of gasoline of at least 50 percent that was announced on November 15. At least 2,000 people were injured and 7,000 arrested, according to international rights organizations, opposition groups and locals. journalists
Details: In many places, security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters, largely unemployed or low-income youth between the ages of 19 and 26, according to witness accounts and videos.
The Interior Minister said protests had broken out in 29 of 31 provinces and that 50 military bases had been attacked. Property damage included 731 banks, 140 public spaces, nine religious centers, 70 gas stations, 307 vehicles, 183 police cars, 1,076 motorcycles and 34 ambulances, he said..
Big picture: The protesters called for an end to the government of the Islamic Republic, revealing amazing levels of frustration with the leaders of Iran and the serious challenges they face, from the US sanctions to the resentment of the neighbors.
Is China's impulse to regulate fentanyl enough?
Until recently, much of the illicit and deadly fentanyl that caused the opioid crisis in the United States could easily be ordered online from China.
After years of American pressure, China is taking steps to control its poorly regulated fentanyl industry, expanding its reach to all variants of the drug and increasing inspections and arrests, resulting in reduced shipments.
But a Times investigation found that many manufacturers and distributors It may have simply changed underground operations.
Context: Fentanyl is cheap, easy to synthesize and more addictive than heroin. It can be prescribed as an anesthetic and to relieve severe pain, but addiction levels are epidemic in the US. UU.
If you have six minutes, it's worth it
Danger and dreams for Filipino sea people
Life on board a cargo ship can be isolated and dangerous, with risks of machinery on board, natural disasters at sea and loneliness. Filipinos, particularly young men from provincial villages attracted by visions of achievement, have dominated maritime works since the 1980s.
Our reporter and photographer joined the crew of a cement carrier traveling from Japan to the Philippines, to see the reality of past lives at sea.
This is what is happening most.
Julian Assange: The founder of WikiLeaks, who is in jail in Britain and faces a trial in the United States, plans to testify remotely this month in a criminal case accusing a Spanish security company of spying on him.
Australian arrested: Yan Hengjun's lawyers say Chinese officials have cut off all contact between him and his family in an effort to "break it,quot; and force the writer and democracy activist to confess to being a spy.
US Political Trial Consultation UU .: In Congress, the House Intelligence Committee delivers a written report of the findings of its hearings to today's members, while the Judiciary Committee begins its own hearings on the constitutional foundations. A vote on whether to dismiss President Trump could come as early as December 16.
Hong Kong Markets: The dramatic falls in three actions offer a warning story about doubtful practices that have not been controlled and the rules that stifle detractors that could curb the gullible.
Snapshot: Above, a snowy match between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in New Jersey. A strong winter storm moved through the northeastern United States yesterday on one of the busiest weekends of the year, bringing heavy snowfall, high winds and delays, delays, delays.
Chinese banquets: From our Opinion section, the novelist Yan Ge decodes the social structure of the "xi,quot; and how, as a woman, to survive them.
What we are seeing: The best National Geographic photos of 2019. "Just because," writes Steven Erlanger, our main diplomatic correspondent in Europe. "Beauty, wonder, wonder and all those things."
Now, a break from the news
Cook: Roasted salmon with chili and orange zest looks elegant and takes 15 minutes.
Clock: "The Irishman," starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, came to Netflix. Here is a guide of who is who, what events are real and if you believe in your claim about the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.
Read: "The hidden history of Burma,quot; by Thant Myint-U is one of the nine books we recommend this week.
Smarter life: Our weekly Climate Fwd newsletter: includes tips for sustainable holiday shopping.
And now for the backstory in …
The chess queen
Present this in the Who knew category? The queen chess piece was not always as powerful as it is today.
I'm Katharine Seelye, a long time reporter for The Times and a chess player. I learned about the change in the queen's power last week, while writing the obituary for Marilyn Yalom, a feminist author. His 2004 book, "The Birth of the Chess Queen: A Story," describes the evolution of the queen from the weakest piece on the board to the owner of the universe.
When the game was first played in the sixth century in India and the Arab world, the chess queen did not exist.
But in real life, powerful queens – see Leonor of Aquitaine in the twelfth century and Isabel I of Castile in the fifteenth century were leaving their mark.
Ms. Yalom states that these examples inspired game creators to reflect such power on the board. Initially, the queen could only move a square, diagonally.
Over time, the queen was granted super powers and became the most powerful of all, at least in chess.
That's all for this informative session. His movement
– Melina
Thank you
To Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. You can contact the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
P.S.
• We are listening to "The Daily," which presents a special three-part series about a mysterious family in India.
• Here is our Mini Crossword Puzzle and a clue: almost any element that ends in -ium (five letters). You can find all our puzzles here.
• Reporters and editors of The Times recently shared some examples of important local reports from other news organizations.
