Good morning, I’m Tim Walker with today’s essential stories.
Trump crows as Dems warn of ‘normalisation of lawlessness’
At least one of the four wavering Republicans who might have voted to hear witnesses in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial has said he opposes the idea, leaving the Senate poised to acquit the president as early as Friday. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said Trump’s misconduct did “not meet the US constitution’s high bar for an impeachable offense”. The lead impeachment prosecutor, Democratic congressman Adam Schiff, condemned the GOP’s attitude as the “normalisation of lawlessness”.
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Iowa rally. At a campaign rally in Des Moines on Thursday night, Trump called his accusers “deranged” and derided the impeachment process as “impeachment-lite”.
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Politics blog. Friday’s blog is up and running here.
Democrats fear a 2020 defeat on eve of Iowa caucus
On Monday the Democrats will take their first step towards choosing a 2020 presidential nominee, as voters line up for their preferred candidates at the Iowa caucuses. Pete Buttigieg has released a final ad focusing on unity, change and “boldness”. But, as Daniel Strauss reports from Washington, some in the party are increasingly concerned that infighting and a funding gap with the Trump campaign could leave them trailing in the general election.
WHO declares global emergency as coronavirus toll tops 200
The US state department has warned Americans not to travel to China, after the death toll from the coronavirus reached 213 on Friday. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global health emergency, but advised against governments imposing travel bans on China. Two people in the UK have now tested positive for the disease, while a spate of anti-Chinese incidents were reported in Italy, where another two cases have been confirmed.
Pompeo touts trade deal as UK counts down to Brexit
The UK is counting down to its exit from the EU on Friday evening with “low-key” celebrations, somber protests – and a new 50p coin. On a visit to London on Thursday, the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said Britain would be “at the front of the line” when it came to negotiating a post-Brexit trade deal. But the outgoing British ambassador to Washington has warned any such deal with the Trump administration would involve the UK making big concessions to US farming interests and pharmaceutical firms.
Cheat sheet
Must-reads
Bong Joon-ho: ‘I’m desperate to return to my main job’
South Korea’s most celebrated filmmaker has been on the campaign trail for months, promoting his latest masterwork, Parasite. Now he really wants to get back to writing scripts. The Oscars are “not an international film festival”, he tells Steve Rose. “They’re very local.”
How US workers cope without paid sick leave
The US is one of just a handful of high-income countries that do not guarantee sick leave, forcing many to stay on the job when they’re not medically fit to do so. Miranda Bryant talks to workers going to extraordinary lengths to fit their treatment around their shifts.
Should the music business do more to protect young rappers?
A generation of rap stars, including Mac Miller and Nipsey Hussle, has been dying young due to overdoses or violent crime, after achieving huge DIY success at incredible speed. In an industry ruthlessly dedicated to discovering the hot new thing, writes Sirin Kale, pastoral care can be nonexistent.
What happened next to Notre Dame’s bees?
Almost 10 months after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was ravaged by fire, the three rooftop bee colonies that miraculously survived the blaze are thriving – and still producing honey, as Kim Willsher reports.
Opinion
Britain’s ex-remainers must now hope that Brexit succeeds in some measure, writes Timothy Garton Ash. But they must also wish for Europe to thrive without the UK.
Only the most selfish, vengeful ex-remainer would wish those who voted for Brexit to suffer as a result. We are as patriotic as any Brexiteer, desiring the best for our country as well as our continent.
Sport
USA Gymnastics has offered a $215 settlement to the athletes who suffered sexual abuse by former national team doctor Larry Nassar, as part of the embattled organisation’s proposed bankruptcy plan.
As the 49ers prepare to meet the Chiefs at Super Bowl LIV in Miami on Sunday, the Guardian’s writers make their predictions – and they’re hoping for an instant classic.
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