Wednesday Morning Briefing: Trump impeachment probe goes public as political drama mounts

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Republicans and Democrats in Congress set battle lines ahead of televised hearings on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, drawing a vow from the Democrat leading the probe to thwart “sham investigations” into presidential hopeful Joe Biden’s family.

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority signaled support for President Donald Trump’s bid to kill a program that protects hundreds of thousands of immigrants - dubbed “Dreamers” - who entered the United States illegally as children, even as liberal justices complained that the move would destroy lives.

Donald Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook are expected to tour facilities in Texas where Apple products are made as soon as next week to showcase companies that keep jobs in America, according to people familiar with the matter. The trip, which has not yet been announced, would highlight Cook’s strong relationship with Trump as he seeks further relief for Apple from U.S. tariffs on imports from China.

White mothers may receive more pain assessments after delivery and have better access to painkillers than women from other racial and ethnic groups, two new studies suggest. For one study, researchers examined data on postpartum pain scores and pain management for 9,900 women. When women rated their pain on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst, Hispanic women were 61% more likely to report scores of 5 or higher and black women were more than twice as likely to report high pain scores, this study found.

Environmental group the Sierra Club urged automakers and dealerships to help cut U.S. carbon emissions and fight the climate crisis by making more electric vehicles available in U.S. showrooms.

World

Australian officials ordered residents and tourists to get out of the way of fast-approaching flames as firefighters struggled to contain more than 150 bushfires raging on both the east and west coasts.

Hong Kong anti-government protesters paralysed parts of the Asian financial hub for a third day, with some transport links, schools and many businesses closing as police warned of a rise in violence to a deadly level. About 1,000 protesters blocked roads in the heart of the city’s Central business district at lunchtime.

An Israeli air-strike killed a Palestinian gunman and Gaza militants fired rockets into Israel as a spike in violence edged into a second day. As dawn broke, air raid sirens sent Israelis rushing to shelters in towns near the Gaza border and deeper in the country.

The head of Bolivia’s Senate, Jeanine Anez, took office as interim president as former leader Evo Morales pledged to keep up his political fight from exile in Mexico after resigning in what he has alleged was a coup.

Business

Alibaba poised to launch record-breaking $13.4 billion Hong Kong share sale

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group is poised to launch a Hong Kong share sale expected to raise up to $13.4 billion as soon as Thursday, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions.

4 min read

Automakers expect Trump will delay decision on imposing EU, Japan auto tariffs

Major automakers think President Donald Trump will again this week push back a self-imposed deadline on whether to put up to 25% tariffs on national security grounds on imported cars and parts from the European Union and Japan amid an ongoing trade war with China, five auto officials told Reuters.

4 min read

'Made in Germany': Tesla sets up shop in Berlin

Tesla will build its first European factory and design center near Berlin to produce cars “Made in Germany” as it seeks to burnish its reputation for reliability and sporting prowess.

2 min read

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Venice mayor declares disaster after flood

Bloomberg, weighing presidential bid, enters ballot in Arkansas