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| North Korea, Texas, Afghanistan: Your Wednesday Briefing | North Korea, Texas, Afghanistan: Your Wednesday Briefing |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| Here’s what you need to know: | Here’s what you need to know: |
| • The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a statement condemning what it called North Korea’s “outrageous actions” in launching a ballistic missile over Japan on Tuesday and launching three missiles last Saturday. But there was no suggestion that the council was ready to toughen sanctions. | • The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a statement condemning what it called North Korea’s “outrageous actions” in launching a ballistic missile over Japan on Tuesday and launching three missiles last Saturday. But there was no suggestion that the council was ready to toughen sanctions. |
| President Trump warned that “all options are on the table,” while China called on the North to suspend its missile tests in return for a halt to U.S.-South Korean military exercises. | President Trump warned that “all options are on the table,” while China called on the North to suspend its missile tests in return for a halt to U.S.-South Korean military exercises. |
| And Japanese citizens, some of whom received a beeping alert on their cellphones just four minutes after the projectile was launched, may be rethinking support for their pacifist Constitution. | And Japanese citizens, some of whom received a beeping alert on their cellphones just four minutes after the projectile was launched, may be rethinking support for their pacifist Constitution. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • President Trump arrived in Texas to see the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey and demonstrate his commitment to a region in the grips of a historic natural disaster. | • President Trump arrived in Texas to see the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey and demonstrate his commitment to a region in the grips of a historic natural disaster. |
| At least 30 people have been killed, and parts of the Houston area broke the record for rainfall from a single storm anywhere in the continental U.S. Damages for homeowners could cost as much as $30 billion. | |
| The Times is providing free digital access to coverage of the storm. | |
| _____ | _____ |
| • While flooding in the U.S. has grabbed more attention, aid officials say a catastrophe is unfolding in South Asia. | • While flooding in the U.S. has grabbed more attention, aid officials say a catastrophe is unfolding in South Asia. |
| More than 1,000 people have died in floods across South Asia in recent weeks, according to the U.N., and at least 41 million people in Bangladesh, India and Nepal have been affected by flooding and landslides. Above, Mumbai on Tuesday. | More than 1,000 people have died in floods across South Asia in recent weeks, according to the U.N., and at least 41 million people in Bangladesh, India and Nepal have been affected by flooding and landslides. Above, Mumbai on Tuesday. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • In Afghanistan, airstrikes in Herat Province killed more than a dozen civilians, adding to the record number of civilians who have died this year as violence has intensified. | • In Afghanistan, airstrikes in Herat Province killed more than a dozen civilians, adding to the record number of civilians who have died this year as violence has intensified. |
| The new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan, announced by President Trump last week, includes plans to increase air support to Afghan forces fighting a resurgent Taliban. | The new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan, announced by President Trump last week, includes plans to increase air support to Afghan forces fighting a resurgent Taliban. |
| Foreign powers have tried to control Afghanistan for 300 years, our Kabul bureau chief writes, and it has not gone well for them. Above, Afghan fighters in 1910. | Foreign powers have tried to control Afghanistan for 300 years, our Kabul bureau chief writes, and it has not gone well for them. Above, Afghan fighters in 1910. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • As fighting in Myanmar intensifies, the top U.N. human rights official urged the military to show restraint and accused the office of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate and the country’s de facto leader, of issuing “irresponsible” statements that could endanger aid groups. | • As fighting in Myanmar intensifies, the top U.N. human rights official urged the military to show restraint and accused the office of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace laureate and the country’s de facto leader, of issuing “irresponsible” statements that could endanger aid groups. |
| More than 8,700 Rohingya Muslims had fled to Bangladesh since Saturday, like those above, after clashes last week between security forces and a Rohingya militant group killed more than 100 people. | More than 8,700 Rohingya Muslims had fled to Bangladesh since Saturday, like those above, after clashes last week between security forces and a Rohingya militant group killed more than 100 people. |
| _____ | _____ |
| • In Australia, the state of Queensland removed the names of a handful of mountains and creeks containing racial slurs, citing “community concern.” | • In Australia, the state of Queensland removed the names of a handful of mountains and creeks containing racial slurs, citing “community concern.” |
| In recent years, groups across Australia have voiced anger at names and monuments that they say are overtly racist, or because of their portrayal of painful historical events. | In recent years, groups across Australia have voiced anger at names and monuments that they say are overtly racist, or because of their portrayal of painful historical events. |
| A statue of Captain James Cook, above, was defaced in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Tuesday. | A statue of Captain James Cook, above, was defaced in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Tuesday. |
| • Indonesia will be granted a majority stake in Grasberg, the world’s largest gold mine and second-largest copper mine, by Freeport-McMoRan, the American firm that owns the mine. | • Indonesia will be granted a majority stake in Grasberg, the world’s largest gold mine and second-largest copper mine, by Freeport-McMoRan, the American firm that owns the mine. |
| • Betting on the “fear gauge.” A new generation of day traders, using Wall Street’s high-risk, high-return tactics, is pouring into one of the market’s most arcane corners. | • Betting on the “fear gauge.” A new generation of day traders, using Wall Street’s high-risk, high-return tactics, is pouring into one of the market’s most arcane corners. |
| • The Renault-Nissan alliance is teaming up with Dongfeng Motor to build electric cars in China. | • The Renault-Nissan alliance is teaming up with Dongfeng Motor to build electric cars in China. |
| • Tim Cook is using his platform as chief executive of Apple to wade into social issues and fill a void left by Washington’s gridlock. | • Tim Cook is using his platform as chief executive of Apple to wade into social issues and fill a void left by Washington’s gridlock. |
| • U.S. stocks were up. Here’s a snapshot of global markets. | • U.S. stocks were up. Here’s a snapshot of global markets. |
| • Today is the first day of the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca taken each year by millions of Muslims. Above, pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Mecca this week before the start of the hajj.[Al Jazeera] | • Today is the first day of the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca taken each year by millions of Muslims. Above, pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Mecca this week before the start of the hajj.[Al Jazeera] |
| • In Iran, an appeals court upheld the convictions of a prominent Iranian-American father and son who were accused of “collaborating with an enemy state” — meaning the U.S. [The New York Times] | • In Iran, an appeals court upheld the convictions of a prominent Iranian-American father and son who were accused of “collaborating with an enemy state” — meaning the U.S. [The New York Times] |
| • Sea Shepherd, the self-described “eco-vigilante” group, called off its annual pursuit of Japanese whaling ships in the Southern Ocean, saying they were unable to get around surveillance technology. [The New York Times] | • Sea Shepherd, the self-described “eco-vigilante” group, called off its annual pursuit of Japanese whaling ships in the Southern Ocean, saying they were unable to get around surveillance technology. [The New York Times] |
| • President Rodrigo Duterte said the heirs of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos had offered to return some of the family’s disputed wealth, including “gold bars.” [Agence France-Presse] | • President Rodrigo Duterte said the heirs of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos had offered to return some of the family’s disputed wealth, including “gold bars.” [Agence France-Presse] |
| • Ed Skrein backed out of the movie “Hellboy,” saying that criticism of his casting as a partially Asian character was “understandable.” [The New York Times] | • Ed Skrein backed out of the movie “Hellboy,” saying that criticism of his casting as a partially Asian character was “understandable.” [The New York Times] |
| • At the U.S. Open, hopes are high that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will play each other in New York for the first time — even if it is not in the final. [The New York Times] | • At the U.S. Open, hopes are high that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will play each other in New York for the first time — even if it is not in the final. [The New York Times] |
| Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life. | Tips, both new and old, for a more fulfilling life. |
| • Tracing your family history? Our product testers rated five DNA testing services. And our science reporter looked at how surprising the results can be. | • Tracing your family history? Our product testers rated five DNA testing services. And our science reporter looked at how surprising the results can be. |
| • Can psychedelics be used therapeutically? | • Can psychedelics be used therapeutically? |
| • Recipe of the day: For a light meal, go with Mark Bittman’s spicy shrimp salad. | • Recipe of the day: For a light meal, go with Mark Bittman’s spicy shrimp salad. |
| • First, Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” obliterated Spotify’s record for most plays in a single day, and now the video has become the biggest 24-hour debut ever on YouTube. Our critics discussed the song and where it positions Ms. Swift after a bumpy few years. | • First, Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” obliterated Spotify’s record for most plays in a single day, and now the video has become the biggest 24-hour debut ever on YouTube. Our critics discussed the song and where it positions Ms. Swift after a bumpy few years. |
| • Here are 10 tours that are aimed at turning travelers into photographers. And an adventure photographer, Jimmy Chin, offers advice for taking great travel pictures. | • Here are 10 tours that are aimed at turning travelers into photographers. And an adventure photographer, Jimmy Chin, offers advice for taking great travel pictures. |
| • Sydney hosted the Stanford-Rice football game over the weekend, and the N.C.A.A. president is in Japan to consult on athletic systems: It’s clear that interest in U.S. college sports is resonating beyond the United States. | • Sydney hosted the Stanford-Rice football game over the weekend, and the N.C.A.A. president is in Japan to consult on athletic systems: It’s clear that interest in U.S. college sports is resonating beyond the United States. |
| What’s billed as the world’s biggest food fight gets underway today in Buñol, Spain: La Tomatina. | What’s billed as the world’s biggest food fight gets underway today in Buñol, Spain: La Tomatina. |
| Thousands of people from all over the world travel to the town, near Valencia, to throw more than 100 metric tons of overripe tomatoes at each other, on the last Wednesday of August each year. Since 2013, organizers limited the event to 20,000 people, because of its popularity. | Thousands of people from all over the world travel to the town, near Valencia, to throw more than 100 metric tons of overripe tomatoes at each other, on the last Wednesday of August each year. Since 2013, organizers limited the event to 20,000 people, because of its popularity. |
| According to local lore, it started at the end of World War II, when a street brawl broke out near a vegetable store. So much fun was had that it became an annual event. It was banned for a time in the 1950s, under the Franco dictatorship, but it was eventually declared an official festival after residents protested by holding a “tomato funeral.” | According to local lore, it started at the end of World War II, when a street brawl broke out near a vegetable store. So much fun was had that it became an annual event. It was banned for a time in the 1950s, under the Franco dictatorship, but it was eventually declared an official festival after residents protested by holding a “tomato funeral.” |
| The one-hour food fight won’t start until a competitor climbs a greased pole to retrieve a ham, amid hooting and cheers from the crowd. Trucks bring in low-quality tomatoes from the province of Extremadura, and water cannons are fired to start the battle. (Participants are encouraged to squish the tomatoes to lessen their impact.) | The one-hour food fight won’t start until a competitor climbs a greased pole to retrieve a ham, amid hooting and cheers from the crowd. Trucks bring in low-quality tomatoes from the province of Extremadura, and water cannons are fired to start the battle. (Participants are encouraged to squish the tomatoes to lessen their impact.) |
| Afterward, the cobble streets are hosed down, and the acidity of the tomatoes is said to leave them shining. | Afterward, the cobble streets are hosed down, and the acidity of the tomatoes is said to leave them shining. |
| Karen Zraick contributed reporting. | Karen Zraick contributed reporting. |
| _____ | _____ |
| We have briefings timed for the Australian, Asian, European and American mornings. You can sign up for these and other Times newsletters here. | We have briefings timed for the Australian, 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. |