Tuesday Briefing: Trump’s criminal cases likely to be dismissed
Good morning. We’re covering a move to drop criminal cases against Donald Trump and a possible cease-fire deal in Lebanon. Plus, the thrill of wildlife spotting in Borneo.
Prosecutor moved to dismiss criminal charges against TrumpJack Smith, the special counsel, asked a federal judge in Washington and a court in Atlanta yesterday to dismiss two indictments against President-elect Donald Trump: one accusing him of attempting to overturn the 2020 election and one accusing him of illegally holding classified documents. In his requests, Smith made clear that the moves had nothing to do with the strength of the cases against Trump, but rather the Justice Department’s policy that sitting presidents may not be prosecuted. “Based on the department’s interpretation of the Constitution,” Smith wrote, “the government moves for dismissal without prejudice of the superseding indictment.” The requests were Smith’s final acknowledgment that after two years of courtroom drama, prosecutors will not be able to hold Trump accountable for trying to undo the 2020 election, or for accusations that he illegally kept scores of classified documents after he left office. But both filings left open the possibility that the charges could be refiled after Trump completes his term.
A decision on a cease-fire for Lebanon is close, officials saidIsrael’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to meet with his cabinet today to decide on a proposal for a cease-fire with Hezbollah, officials said. U.S. officials have been putting pressure on Israel to finalize a deal before Thursday. Under the proposal, Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days. Hezbollah would move north, away from the Israeli border, officials said. Then the Lebanese Army would deploy south, effectively creating a buffer zone along the Israeli border. Sticking points: One remaining hurdle appears to be that Israel wants the ability to take military action if Hezbollah militants break the truce or if the Lebanese Army fails to keep them away from the border, according to two Israeli officials. Hard-line factions in Netanyahu’s coalition have also opposed a deal, with Israel’s national security minister saying it would be a “big mistake.” On the ground: Every night, dozens of people gather on a hillside on the outskirts of Beirut to watch Israeli airstrikes rain down.
Thousands protested for Khan’s release in PakistanThousands of supporters of Imran Khan, the jailed former prime minister, marched to the outskirts of Islamabad yesterday to demand his release, despite a government lockdown and violent police opposition. At least one officer was killed, and several officers and demonstrators were injured, the government said. Context: Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and faces more than 150 criminal cases, but he remains hugely popular despite the effort by the military-backed civilian government to suppress his support. His party says the cases are politically motivated.
Sports
The Southeast Asian island of Borneo is home to some of the world’s strangest creatures, including orangutans, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys. For a growing number of “mammal watchers,” the island is the perfect place to chase the thrill of discovery. But this is an endangered Eden: Palm oil plantations are replacing large swaths of rainforest, and the wildlife is paying the price. My colleague Mihir Zaveri, an avid mammal watcher, recently traveled there with his father. This is what he saw. Lives lived: Charles Dumont, who wrote “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” and other enduring songs for Édith Piaf, died at 95.
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The comedy of pain, and Korean foodThe comedian Youngmi Mayer is fearless and unfiltered on her podcast “Feeling Asian” and on TikTok, where she riffs about her Korean American identity and foodie culture. But her new memoir, “I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying,” is less about making jokes and more about unpacking generational trauma. Mayer, however, sees that as foundational for comedy. “I come from the strongest people, who have been through the worst of humanity, and the jokes were what made it possible for us to continue,” she wrote. Read more here.
Cook: Meet the bite-size appetizer cousin of the grilled cheese. Read: These 10 picture books will help kids (and adults) celebrate gratitude. Shop: Don’t knock the monochrome. Black and white clothes can be festive, too. Play: Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle and Sudoku. Find all our games here. That’s it for today. See you next time. — Justin We welcome your feedback. Send us your suggestions at briefing@nytimes.com.
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