Here’s what you need to know at the end of the day.
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Good evening. Here’s the latest.
1. British lawmakers dealt a crushing defeat to Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan for leaving the European Union.
The 432-to-202 vote was the biggest loss in the House of Commons in recent history for a prime minister. The turn of events thrusts Britain into further political chaos just 10 weeks before the country’s scheduled exit from the E. U. Mrs. May above center.
The opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn put forward a motion of no confidence in Mrs. May, which Parliament will debate and vote on Wednesday. As things stand, the prime minister must return to Parliament by Monday to present a backup withdrawal plan.
If nothing is approved by March 29, Britain will make a “no-deal” exit from the E. U., which lawmakers have warned could be chaotic and pose grave economic risks. Here are some other ways everything could shake out.
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2. President Trump’s nominee for attorney general assured senators at his confirmation hearing that he would allow the special counsel, Robert Mueller, to finish the Russia investigation, and promised to withstand any political pressure from the White House.
“It is in the best interest of everyone — the president, Congress and, most importantly, the American people — that this matter be resolved by allowing the special counsel to complete his work,” William Barr said of the inquiry, which is believed to be in its final stages.
With Republicans firmly in control of the Senate, his confirmation to lead the Justice Department appears to be on track.
Mr. Barr, who also served as attorney general under President George Bush, is known for his unusually expansive views of executive power. But during the hearing, he qualified some of his beliefs, emphasizing legal limits on the presidency and the independence of law enforcement.
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3. House Democrats were a no-show at a White House lunch as both sides continue to search for a compromise to end the government shutdown.
The Democrats’ absence was the latest indication that the party is still standing firm against Mr. Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion for a border wall. Above, demonstrators at a rally organized by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
With the shutdown in its 25th day, the Federal Aviation Administration recalled thousands of furloughed workers to address air safety concerns. (They will work without pay.) And the government closings are weighing heavily on young people caught up in the impasse.
From the border, our journalists sent in their latest dispatch as they drive the length of the approximately 1,900-mile U.
