The Presidential Daily Brief

First Trump Administration Report on Climate Change Released

A long-awaited study has found climate change will hit the country hard, running contrary to President Donald Trump’s own line. Potentially costing hundreds of billions of dollars annually, the report says labor will be lost from extreme heat and agriculture will be affected by high temperatures, drought and flooding. Penned by 13 different agencies with the help of around 1,000 people, it also said there’d be more fatalaties. Friday’s release is the second of two volumes, the first stated there was no other convincing explanation for changing climate other than human activity. 

Trump Disputes CIA Account of Khashoggi Murder

Speaking to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort yesterday, President Donald Trump emphasized his support of Saudi Arabia, saying the CIA’s conclusion that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a result of “feelings” rather than facts. “Do people really want me to give up hundreds of thousands of jobs?” the president asked, stressing Washington’s economic partnership with Riyadh. He unleashed a flurry of Thanksgiving Day commentary — including, when asked what he was thankful for, responding, “I made a tremendous difference in our country.”

Spain Threatens to Derail UK’s Brexit Deal

They’re between a Rock and a hard Brexit. Spanish officials have warned their country could “stop the clock” on negotiations over the future of British-administered Gibraltar. Madrid says London has quietly included the disputed territory in a trade deal without its consent, despite Spain’s longstanding insistence that Gibraltar cannot benefit from any such agreements without Madrid being directly involved. British Prime Minister Theresa May is hoping to secure EU approval of her hard-fought Brexit deal this weekend — but a Spanish veto would force the EU to reconvene next month.

Gunmen Storm Chinese Consulate in Pakistan

Diplomats and staff were reported safe after armed separatists from the so-called Baluch Liberation Army attacked the consulate in the port city of Karachi earlier today. Two police officers, two civilians and all three gunmen were killed in the resulting shoot-out. Prime Minister Imran Khan called the assault a “conspiracy” aimed at destabilizing close strategic relations between China and Pakistan. Meanwhile, at least 25 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a market in the northwestern region of Orakzai. The two incidents did not appear to be linked.

Report: Ghosn Bought Homes With Company Cash

Carlos Ghosn, who was formally ousted yesterday as chairman of Nissan, allegedly used around $18 million in company money to purchase personal residences in Brazil and Beirut while also paying his older sister hefty consulting fees. The 64-year-old executive was arrested Monday by Japanese authorities but hasn’t yet been charged. Meanwhile, observers say Ghosn’s downfall paves the way for ambitious CEO Hiroto Saikawa, who’s reportedly seeking to tip the balance of the Nissan-Renault partnership toward the Japanese firm. “It’s a coup,” one analyst said. “Ghosn’s era is over.”

Migrants, Samsung and the PDB Quiz

Know This: Tensions continue to rise in Tijuana as members of the Central American migrant caravan amass at the U.S. border. The United Nations has appealed to North Korea to readmit its nuclear weapons inspectors. And Samsung has apologized for the allegedly work-related deaths of some of its employees.

Try This: Feeling presidential after a week of briefings? Prove it with the PDB Quiz.

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