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James Comey, Sergey Lavrov, Moon Jae-in: Your Morning Briefing James Comey, South China Sea, Moon Jae-in: Your Morning Briefing
(about 4 hours later)
Good morning.Good morning.
Here’s what you need to know:Here’s what you need to know:
• “He wasn’t doing a good job.” • “He wasn’t doing a good job.” – President Trump defended his firing of James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, and accused Democrats of hypocrisy for denouncing the dismissal.
President Trump defended his firing of James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, and accused Democrats of hypocrisy for denouncing the dismissal.
Mr. Trump faced criticism that he had derailed a case — the investigation of Russian meddling — that had the potential to damage his presidency. Just days earlier, Mr. Comey had asked for more resources for the inquiry.Mr. Trump faced criticism that he had derailed a case — the investigation of Russian meddling — that had the potential to damage his presidency. Just days earlier, Mr. Comey had asked for more resources for the inquiry.
Here’s live analysis and reaction, as well as what might come next. And Mr. Trump had his first meeting with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov.
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• The upheaval in Washington came as President Trump had his first meeting with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. • Mr. Trump’s mixed signals on policy in Asia and focus on one issue — North Korea’s nuclear weapons program — has caused anxiety among allies in the region.
Mr. Lavrov also met separately with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The official agenda was expected to cover Syria, North Korea’s weapons program and Ukraine. Reporters were barred from the meeting, but the Russian Embassy posted photographs on Twitter. Diplomats and analysts told us that they see longtime economic and security alliances at risk and that China stands to benefit from American disengagement.
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• Turkey’s leadership criticized President Trump’s decision to arm Kurdish fighters in Syria, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying, “I want to believe that Turkey’s allies will side with us, not with terrorist organizations.”
American officials said that much of the weapons and equipment was already in Syria and could be distributed very soon.
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• “I will do whatever it takes to help settle peace on the Korean Peninsula,” pledged South Korea’s new president, Moon Jae-in, as he was formally sworn in.• “I will do whatever it takes to help settle peace on the Korean Peninsula,” pledged South Korea’s new president, Moon Jae-in, as he was formally sworn in.
Mr. Moon said he hoped to strengthen the alliance with President Trump, whose military posturing toward North Korea has rattled and confused South Koreans. Here’s a sampling of readers’ thoughts on the election. Mr. Moon said he hoped to strengthen the alliance with President Trump, whose military posturing toward North Korea has rattled and confused South Koreans. Here’s a sampling of readers’ thoughts on the election.
And looking at the recent elections in South Korea and France, our columnist discusses what makes a political movement populist — or not.And looking at the recent elections in South Korea and France, our columnist discusses what makes a political movement populist — or not.
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• A Hong Kong democracy group says its annual rally to mark the city’s handover to China was displaced by a pro-Beijing event.
This year’s anniversary is loaded with significance: It is the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s transfer in 1997 to China from Britain, and President Xi is expected to visit.
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• A troubling trend in Germany.• A troubling trend in Germany.
Officials investigating an assassination plot found Nazi memorabilia in army barracks that reveals a much broader presence of far-right extremists in the armed forces, something commanders are now accused of having long ignored.Officials investigating an assassination plot found Nazi memorabilia in army barracks that reveals a much broader presence of far-right extremists in the armed forces, something commanders are now accused of having long ignored.
The military police are currently investigating 275 cases involving accusations of racism or far-right extremism stretching six years, but most have emerged in the last 18 months.The military police are currently investigating 275 cases involving accusations of racism or far-right extremism stretching six years, but most have emerged in the last 18 months.
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• And it was a showdown of fighting styles in China.• And it was a showdown of fighting styles in China.
A viral video of a bout between a mixed martial arts fighter and a tai chi master, who suffered a swift defeat, has set off outrage and a debate over the merits of traditional Chinese martial arts.A viral video of a bout between a mixed martial arts fighter and a tai chi master, who suffered a swift defeat, has set off outrage and a debate over the merits of traditional Chinese martial arts.
After his brutal victory, the mixed martial arts fighter has been accused of violating “the morals of martial arts,” and has gone into hiding.After his brutal victory, the mixed martial arts fighter has been accused of violating “the morals of martial arts,” and has gone into hiding.
• SoftBank Group, the Tokyo-based telecom giant, reported a first-quarter profit of $5.1 billion — driven by gains at Sprint and the sale of part of its stake in Alibaba.• SoftBank Group, the Tokyo-based telecom giant, reported a first-quarter profit of $5.1 billion — driven by gains at Sprint and the sale of part of its stake in Alibaba.
• Canada is reaping the benefits of an influx of high-tech talent, especially in artificial intelligence, sparked by the anti-immigrant political climate in the U.S.• Canada is reaping the benefits of an influx of high-tech talent, especially in artificial intelligence, sparked by the anti-immigrant political climate in the U.S.
• Disney’s earnings outpaced expectations, with theme park profits and movie income soaring 20 percent, but concerns intensified over ESPN.• Disney’s earnings outpaced expectations, with theme park profits and movie income soaring 20 percent, but concerns intensified over ESPN.
• As the European Union urges Washington to commit to the Paris climate deal, here’s a look at the signatories’ commitments.• As the European Union urges Washington to commit to the Paris climate deal, here’s a look at the signatories’ commitments.
• Vietnam’s military, police and trade unions are boosting pork portions in their canteens to assist millions of pig farmers who are struggling after China began blocking imports from Vietnam.• Vietnam’s military, police and trade unions are boosting pork portions in their canteens to assist millions of pig farmers who are struggling after China began blocking imports from Vietnam.
• Most U.S. stocks were higher. Here’s a snapshot of global markets.• Most U.S. stocks were higher. Here’s a snapshot of global markets.
• A drastic rise in cholera cases in Yemen has aid groups fearing a disastrous epidemic in the war-ravaged country. [The New York Times]• A drastic rise in cholera cases in Yemen has aid groups fearing a disastrous epidemic in the war-ravaged country. [The New York Times]
• An Australian lawmaker, Larissa Waters, became the first politician to breast-feed in Parliament. [BBC] • An Australian lawmaker, Larissa Waters, became the first politician to breast-feed in the nation’s Parliament. [BBC]
• A Hong Kong democracy group says its annual rally to mark the city’s handover to China was displaced by a pro-Beijing event. [The New York Times]
• In Indonesia, prosecutors in Aceh demanded two gay men be caned with 80 strokes — the first case of court-ordered punishment specifically for homosexuality. [ABC]• In Indonesia, prosecutors in Aceh demanded two gay men be caned with 80 strokes — the first case of court-ordered punishment specifically for homosexuality. [ABC]
• The Dalai Lama met with Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. House minority leader, in India. She led a congressional delegation highlighting human rights issues in Tibet. [Reuters]• The Dalai Lama met with Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. House minority leader, in India. She led a congressional delegation highlighting human rights issues in Tibet. [Reuters]
• A physics professor who was wrongly charged with spying for China filed a lawsuit accusing an F.B.I. agent of falsifying evidence against him. [The New York Times]• A physics professor who was wrongly charged with spying for China filed a lawsuit accusing an F.B.I. agent of falsifying evidence against him. [The New York Times]
• In memoriam: Qian Qichen, a former foreign minister who helped China emerge from isolation after the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, died at 90. [South China Morning Post]• In memoriam: Qian Qichen, a former foreign minister who helped China emerge from isolation after the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, died at 90. [South China Morning Post]
• Quick, high-intensity workouts might not be better than longer, moderate ones. But they do save time.• Quick, high-intensity workouts might not be better than longer, moderate ones. But they do save time.
• Yoga shouldn’t be intimidating; anyone can get into it.• Yoga shouldn’t be intimidating; anyone can get into it.
• Recipe of the day: Tonight, make this chicken dish inspired by the Middle Eastern seasoning mix za’atar.• Recipe of the day: Tonight, make this chicken dish inspired by the Middle Eastern seasoning mix za’atar.
• K2, perched atop the China-Pakistan border, the world’s most dangerous mountain. No one has reached the top in winter, and many have died trying. Later this year, a group of Polish climbers will attempt it.• K2, perched atop the China-Pakistan border, the world’s most dangerous mountain. No one has reached the top in winter, and many have died trying. Later this year, a group of Polish climbers will attempt it.
• Ostrichlike dinosaurs as heavy as a rhino and as tall as an elephant. For the first time, clues have emerged about Baby Louie, a 90-million-year-old fossilized dinosaur embryo found in China.• Ostrichlike dinosaurs as heavy as a rhino and as tall as an elephant. For the first time, clues have emerged about Baby Louie, a 90-million-year-old fossilized dinosaur embryo found in China.
• Finally, a look at the career of the trailblazing journalist Anne Morrissy Merick, who died last week at 83. She made headlines as a sportswriter, and convinced the Pentagon to overturn a ban on women covering combat in the Vietnam War.• Finally, a look at the career of the trailblazing journalist Anne Morrissy Merick, who died last week at 83. She made headlines as a sportswriter, and convinced the Pentagon to overturn a ban on women covering combat in the Vietnam War.
A lot of people didn’t participate in Sunday’s French presidential election — nearly one-fourth of voters, in fact.A lot of people didn’t participate in Sunday’s French presidential election — nearly one-fourth of voters, in fact.
And more than four million voters were so displeased with their choice of candidates — the centrist Emmanuel Macron and the far-right leader Marine Le Pen — that they endured long lines specifically to cast a blank or spoiled ballot in protest.And more than four million voters were so displeased with their choice of candidates — the centrist Emmanuel Macron and the far-right leader Marine Le Pen — that they endured long lines specifically to cast a blank or spoiled ballot in protest.
But some countries, including Spain, Ukraine and Greece, recognize these types of ballots, better known as “none of the above” or “scratch” ballots. If “none of the above” selections are in the majority, a fresh vote may be held for the office. Or it could be filled by appointment, or simply remain vacant.But some countries, including Spain, Ukraine and Greece, recognize these types of ballots, better known as “none of the above” or “scratch” ballots. If “none of the above” selections are in the majority, a fresh vote may be held for the office. Or it could be filled by appointment, or simply remain vacant.
In Australia, where voters are required to rank candidates in order of preference, “donkey voting” is a form of protest or apathy where the voter simply ranks the candidates in numerical order, regardless of preference.In Australia, where voters are required to rank candidates in order of preference, “donkey voting” is a form of protest or apathy where the voter simply ranks the candidates in numerical order, regardless of preference.
Writing in candidates not on the ballot is popular in the U.S. It’s rumored that a cat named Stubbs won the mayoral seat of Talkeetna, Alaska, in 1997, written in by voters disgusted with human politicians. In fact, it’s only an honorary position; the town has no official mayor.Writing in candidates not on the ballot is popular in the U.S. It’s rumored that a cat named Stubbs won the mayoral seat of Talkeetna, Alaska, in 1997, written in by voters disgusted with human politicians. In fact, it’s only an honorary position; the town has no official mayor.
Des Shoe contributed reporting.Des Shoe contributed reporting.
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This briefing was prepared for the Australian morning. We also have briefings timed for the Asian, European and American mornings. You can sign up for these and other Times newsletters here.This briefing was prepared for the Australian morning. We also have briefings timed for the Asian, European and American mornings. You can sign up for these and other Times newsletters here.
Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings and updated online.Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings and updated online.
What would you like to see here? Contact us at asiabriefing@nytimes.com.What would you like to see here? Contact us at asiabriefing@nytimes.com.