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Your Friday Briefing Iran, North Korea, British Prime Minister: Your Friday Briefing
(about 1 hour later)
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Good morning.Good morning.
We’re covering the possibility of a retaliatory strike against Iran, the next phase of the race for Britain’s prime minister and words of wisdom from a 103-year-old competitive runner.We’re covering the possibility of a retaliatory strike against Iran, the next phase of the race for Britain’s prime minister and words of wisdom from a 103-year-old competitive runner.
As late as 7 p.m. in Washington, military and diplomatic officials were expecting a strike, after intense discussions between top officials.As late as 7 p.m. in Washington, military and diplomatic officials were expecting a strike, after intense discussions between top officials.
The operation — attacks on a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries — was in its early stages when it was called off. Planes were in the air and ships were in position, but no missiles had been fired when word came to stand down.The operation — attacks on a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries — was in its early stages when it was called off. Planes were in the air and ships were in position, but no missiles had been fired when word came to stand down.
What we don’t know: It was not clear whether Mr. Trump simply changed his mind or whether the administration altered course because of logistics or strategy.What we don’t know: It was not clear whether Mr. Trump simply changed his mind or whether the administration altered course because of logistics or strategy.
Context: The retaliation plan was intended as a response to the downing of a $130 million surveillance drone, which was struck Thursday morning by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. Though Iran acknowledged it shot down the drone, the two countries disagree on whether it was in Iranian airspace. See our map.Context: The retaliation plan was intended as a response to the downing of a $130 million surveillance drone, which was struck Thursday morning by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. Though Iran acknowledged it shot down the drone, the two countries disagree on whether it was in Iranian airspace. See our map.
Big picture: The destruction of the drone underscored the already tense relations between the two countries. Mr. Trump blamed Iran for explosions last week that damaged oil tankers.Big picture: The destruction of the drone underscored the already tense relations between the two countries. Mr. Trump blamed Iran for explosions last week that damaged oil tankers.
Regionally related: The U.S. Senate voted to block a multibillion-dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The move was a bipartisan rebuke of the president’s unflagging support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Lawmakers are unlikely to be able to override President Trump’s expected veto.Regionally related: The U.S. Senate voted to block a multibillion-dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The move was a bipartisan rebuke of the president’s unflagging support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Lawmakers are unlikely to be able to override President Trump’s expected veto.
Britain’s Conservative Party narrowed the search for its leader down to two.Britain’s Conservative Party narrowed the search for its leader down to two.
Mr. Johnson, the bombastic former foreign secretary, and Mr. Hunt, the current foreign secretary, will face off for the votes of around 160,000 members of the party who will select a successor to Prime Minister Theresa May next month.Mr. Johnson, the bombastic former foreign secretary, and Mr. Hunt, the current foreign secretary, will face off for the votes of around 160,000 members of the party who will select a successor to Prime Minister Theresa May next month.
Mr. Johnson won 160 votes, and Mr. Hunt 77. A third candidate was eliminated.Mr. Johnson won 160 votes, and Mr. Hunt 77. A third candidate was eliminated.
Comparison: Foreign policy analysts say that Mr. Hunt performed significantly better in his post than Mr. Johnson. Mr. Hunt was also the health secretary, a difficult job for a Conservative politician, particularly in a time of austerity.Comparison: Foreign policy analysts say that Mr. Hunt performed significantly better in his post than Mr. Johnson. Mr. Hunt was also the health secretary, a difficult job for a Conservative politician, particularly in a time of austerity.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would speak to President Trump at the Group of 20 summit meeting in Japan about Mr. Erdogan’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would speak to President Trump at the Group of 20 summit meeting in Japan about Mr. Erdogan’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system.
The S-400 is Russia’s most advanced antiaircraft weaponry. Its acquisition would set off mandatory U.S. sanctions against Turkey, which could create another slide in the value of the Turkish lira.The S-400 is Russia’s most advanced antiaircraft weaponry. Its acquisition would set off mandatory U.S. sanctions against Turkey, which could create another slide in the value of the Turkish lira.
At a rare meeting with international journalists, Mr. Erdogan said that the missile system would arrive in Turkey in July and that 100 technicians had already been trained. Yet he seemed confident that his rapport with Mr. Trump could ease the disagreement.At a rare meeting with international journalists, Mr. Erdogan said that the missile system would arrive in Turkey in July and that 100 technicians had already been trained. Yet he seemed confident that his rapport with Mr. Trump could ease the disagreement.
Iran issue: Mr. Erdogan also warned that the Trump administration’s hard line toward Iran was a problem for Turkey, which relies on Iranian oil.Iran issue: Mr. Erdogan also warned that the Trump administration’s hard line toward Iran was a problem for Turkey, which relies on Iranian oil.
Related: Turkey sentenced 151 people to life in prison for the failed 2016 military coup.Related: Turkey sentenced 151 people to life in prison for the failed 2016 military coup.
President Xi Jinping of China arrived in Pyongyang to the release of thousands of balloons and crowds lining the streets.President Xi Jinping of China arrived in Pyongyang to the release of thousands of balloons and crowds lining the streets.
American officials have said they expect Mr. Xi to try to make headway with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, on the country’s nuclear weapons, then use that as leverage with President Trump on trade next week, when the two are expected to meet in Japan.American officials have said they expect Mr. Xi to try to make headway with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, on the country’s nuclear weapons, then use that as leverage with President Trump on trade next week, when the two are expected to meet in Japan.
During the two-day trip, Mr. Kim was expected to seek the Chinese leader’s help in easing international sanctions over his country’s nuclear weapons program.During the two-day trip, Mr. Kim was expected to seek the Chinese leader’s help in easing international sanctions over his country’s nuclear weapons program.
As more Somali immigrants arrive in St. Cloud, Minn., white anti-immigration activists are trying to pressure local and state Republicans to embrace an increasingly explicit anti-Muslim agenda.As more Somali immigrants arrive in St. Cloud, Minn., white anti-immigration activists are trying to pressure local and state Republicans to embrace an increasingly explicit anti-Muslim agenda.
One woman bemoaned the so-called no-go areas of the city where there is a high Somali-American presence. “They were just —” she said, searching for the words to describe the offending behavior of the Somali-Americans. “They were just walking around.”One woman bemoaned the so-called no-go areas of the city where there is a high Somali-American presence. “They were just —” she said, searching for the words to describe the offending behavior of the Somali-Americans. “They were just walking around.”
Hong Kong: Hundreds of protesters held a sit-in outside Hong Kong’s legislature and government offices this morning, adding new pressure on the city’s leader to fully withdraw an unpopular extradition bill. Separately, we stitched together aerial images and stills from video to show you just how enormous last weekend’s protests were.Hong Kong: Hundreds of protesters held a sit-in outside Hong Kong’s legislature and government offices this morning, adding new pressure on the city’s leader to fully withdraw an unpopular extradition bill. Separately, we stitched together aerial images and stills from video to show you just how enormous last weekend’s protests were.
Russia: President Vladimir Putin spent the bulk of his annual televised call-in program trying to convince the country that life was improving. But the steady stream of text messages popping up at the bottom of the screen over the four hours suggested otherwise. “Just one question,” one of them read. “When will you leave?”Russia: President Vladimir Putin spent the bulk of his annual televised call-in program trying to convince the country that life was improving. But the steady stream of text messages popping up at the bottom of the screen over the four hours suggested otherwise. “Just one question,” one of them read. “When will you leave?”
Climate: European Union leaders failed to reach an agreement on a proposal to reduce their net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.Climate: European Union leaders failed to reach an agreement on a proposal to reduce their net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.
Slack: Shares of the workplace messaging company, whose platform has transformed office culture and communication, soared on the first day of trading to $38.50 a pop, up from its reference price of $26. That brought Slack’s valuation to $23 billion. Slack: Shares of the workplace messaging company, whose platform has transformed office culture and communication, soared on the first day of trading to $38.50 a pop, up from its reference price of $26. That brought Slack’s valuation to $19.5 billion.
Renault-Nissan: The two automakers settled a core dispute ahead of a pivotal meeting of Nissan shareholders in Japan next week.Renault-Nissan: The two automakers settled a core dispute ahead of a pivotal meeting of Nissan shareholders in Japan next week.
Snapshot: Above, Julia Hawkins, who, at the age of 103, just ran the 50- and 100-meter dash races in the National Senior Games in Albuquerque. She is believed to be the oldest woman to formally compete on an American track. Her advice? Look for “magic moments” — like sunsets, sunrises, rainbows, beautiful birds, music and people’s “lovely comments.”Snapshot: Above, Julia Hawkins, who, at the age of 103, just ran the 50- and 100-meter dash races in the National Senior Games in Albuquerque. She is believed to be the oldest woman to formally compete on an American track. Her advice? Look for “magic moments” — like sunsets, sunrises, rainbows, beautiful birds, music and people’s “lovely comments.”
Women’s World Cup: The Americans beat Sweden, 2-0, and will face Spain in the round of 16 on Monday in Reims, France. It was the third consecutive dominant performance by the U.S. team in defense of its world title.Women’s World Cup: The Americans beat Sweden, 2-0, and will face Spain in the round of 16 on Monday in Reims, France. It was the third consecutive dominant performance by the U.S. team in defense of its world title.
What we’re reading: This article in National Geographic. Lynda Richardson, a Travel editor, calls it “a haunting and timely piece, on the heels of the U.S. House of Representatives hearing on reparations, about the discovery in Alabama of the last known American slave ship.” The accompanying video has rare footage of some of the enslaved it carried, who lived into the 20th century.What we’re reading: This article in National Geographic. Lynda Richardson, a Travel editor, calls it “a haunting and timely piece, on the heels of the U.S. House of Representatives hearing on reparations, about the discovery in Alabama of the last known American slave ship.” The accompanying video has rare footage of some of the enslaved it carried, who lived into the 20th century.
Cook: Slather sweet potatoes with tahini butter mixed with soy sauce.Cook: Slather sweet potatoes with tahini butter mixed with soy sauce.
Read: Natalia Ginzburg was one of the great Italian writers of the 20th century. Several of her books have been recently reissued.Read: Natalia Ginzburg was one of the great Italian writers of the 20th century. Several of her books have been recently reissued.
Go: David Mamet’s new play “Bitter Wheat” stars John Malkovich as a film mogul laid low by his own sexual malfeasance. Our critic wondered whether it needed to be written at all.Go: David Mamet’s new play “Bitter Wheat” stars John Malkovich as a film mogul laid low by his own sexual malfeasance. Our critic wondered whether it needed to be written at all.
Watch: “Toy Story 4” is exactly what you expect — not more, not less — from an estimably well-oiled machine like Pixar, writes our critic.Watch: “Toy Story 4” is exactly what you expect — not more, not less — from an estimably well-oiled machine like Pixar, writes our critic.
Smarter Living: The chance of encountering bedbugs in any given hotel room is “pretty darn unlikely,” according to one expert, but we have tips on how to check and what to do if you find the bloodsuckers. Pull back the sheets and look closely, particularly near the headboard. The bugs are flat, slightly teardrop-shaped and visible to the naked eye, so you can rest easy if you don’t find any after a cursory inspection.Smarter Living: The chance of encountering bedbugs in any given hotel room is “pretty darn unlikely,” according to one expert, but we have tips on how to check and what to do if you find the bloodsuckers. Pull back the sheets and look closely, particularly near the headboard. The bugs are flat, slightly teardrop-shaped and visible to the naked eye, so you can rest easy if you don’t find any after a cursory inspection.
And a growing amount of research reveals how unfavorable workplaces can be for women. We have tips on how to fight bias.And a growing amount of research reveals how unfavorable workplaces can be for women. We have tips on how to fight bias.
Grab your crystals, everyone: The solstice is here.Grab your crystals, everyone: The solstice is here.
It’s the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the period when the region is most tilted toward the sun. The opposite is happening in the Southern Hemisphere.It’s the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the period when the region is most tilted toward the sun. The opposite is happening in the Southern Hemisphere.
Jenna Wortham, host of The Times’s “Still Processing” podcast, says the solstice “is an invitation to lean into the light and awaken the awareness that lives inside of us all.” How?Jenna Wortham, host of The Times’s “Still Processing” podcast, says the solstice “is an invitation to lean into the light and awaken the awareness that lives inside of us all.” How?
Your Back Story writer today is a communications director at The Times, and also a yoga instructor. So, of course, I recommend a few postures.Your Back Story writer today is a communications director at The Times, and also a yoga instructor. So, of course, I recommend a few postures.
As it happens, the United Nations has declared today the International Day of Yoga, so I invite you to look up at the sky and consider our connection to the universe. The word “yoga,” after all, means “union” in Sanskrit.As it happens, the United Nations has declared today the International Day of Yoga, so I invite you to look up at the sky and consider our connection to the universe. The word “yoga,” after all, means “union” in Sanskrit.
You can do an abbreviated sun salutation by inhaling and reaching both arms straight up to the sky, then exhaling, bending at the waist and bowing forward. Or try the full version.You can do an abbreviated sun salutation by inhaling and reaching both arms straight up to the sky, then exhaling, bending at the waist and bowing forward. Or try the full version.
Whichever you choose, namaste — meaning the teacher in me salutes the teacher in you.Whichever you choose, namaste — meaning the teacher in me salutes the teacher in you.
That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.
— Melina— Melina
Thank youTo Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. Ari Isaacman Bevacqua wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.Thank youTo Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford for the break from the news. Ari Isaacman Bevacqua wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about how the Trump administration is telling asylum seekers to wait in Mexico. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: He popularized the idea of the unconscious mind (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • In honor of Pride month, The Times conducted a walking tour of 11 important locations in New York City’s L.G.B.T. history.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about how the Trump administration is telling asylum seekers to wait in Mexico. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword puzzle, and a clue: He popularized the idea of the unconscious mind (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • In honor of Pride month, The Times conducted a walking tour of 11 important locations in New York City’s L.G.B.T. history.