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Your Wednesday Briefing Your Wednesday Briefing
(about 1 hour later)
Good morning,Good morning,
We start today with the latest from Israel’s election, a conversation with Pakistan’s leader and a deep dive into everything you need to know about the coming royal baby.We start today with the latest from Israel’s election, a conversation with Pakistan’s leader and a deep dive into everything you need to know about the coming royal baby.
BreakingBreaking
Voting has ended in Israel and exit polls show a dead heat between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, Benny Gantz. We’ll bring you the results as they become clearer.Voting has ended in Israel and exit polls show a dead heat between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival, Benny Gantz. We’ll bring you the results as they become clearer.
Prime Minister Imran Khan gave an hourlong interview to The Times and other foreign journalists in which he sought to project resolve, including on one of the biggest issues he faces.Prime Minister Imran Khan gave an hourlong interview to The Times and other foreign journalists in which he sought to project resolve, including on one of the biggest issues he faces.
“We have decided, for the future of our country — forget the outside pressure — we will not allow armed militias to operate anymore,” he said.“We have decided, for the future of our country — forget the outside pressure — we will not allow armed militias to operate anymore,” he said.
He acknowledged that “the Pakistan Army created them,” referring to the 1980s, when Pakistan and the U.S. backed Muslim insurgents in Afghanistan against Soviet forces.He acknowledged that “the Pakistan Army created them,” referring to the 1980s, when Pakistan and the U.S. backed Muslim insurgents in Afghanistan against Soviet forces.
Backdrop: An international watchdog group, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force, is on the brink of blacklisting and leveling sanctions against Pakistan over the militias, which would make it more difficult for the country to obtain financial bailouts and loans.Backdrop: An international watchdog group, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force, is on the brink of blacklisting and leveling sanctions against Pakistan over the militias, which would make it more difficult for the country to obtain financial bailouts and loans.
On India: Mr. Khan expressed concerns over the shift toward Hindu nationalism and surging anti-Muslim crimes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party.On India: Mr. Khan expressed concerns over the shift toward Hindu nationalism and surging anti-Muslim crimes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party.
Coming up: India’s general elections begin tomorrow and proceed in phases until May 19. Results will be announced on May 23. Follow our coverage of the election here and in this Briefing. (India’s general elections begin tomorrow and proceed in phases until May 19. Results will be announced on May 23. Follow our coverage of the election here and in this Briefing.)
House Democrats took the opportunity of a routine appropriations subcommittee meeting on the 2019 budget to grill the attorney general, William Barr, about his handling of the special counsel’s findings about the Trump campaign’s links to Russia and questions of whether President Trump obstructed justice.House Democrats took the opportunity of a routine appropriations subcommittee meeting on the 2019 budget to grill the attorney general, William Barr, about his handling of the special counsel’s findings about the Trump campaign’s links to Russia and questions of whether President Trump obstructed justice.
One lawmaker called Mr. Barr’s brief summary of the report and his rapid conclusion that it showed no obstruction “unacceptable.”One lawmaker called Mr. Barr’s brief summary of the report and his rapid conclusion that it showed no obstruction “unacceptable.”
Mr. Barr said, “From my standpoint, within a week I will be in a position to release the report to the public.” He said he would be transparent about redactions, but he declined to say whether he had briefed the White House on the report.Mr. Barr said, “From my standpoint, within a week I will be in a position to release the report to the public.” He said he would be transparent about redactions, but he declined to say whether he had briefed the White House on the report.
Trump tax returns: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers that White House lawyers and his department had discussed a congressional request for the president’s returns — the first public acknowledgment of what is shaping up to be an extraordinary legal battle between two branches of the U.S. government.Trump tax returns: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers that White House lawyers and his department had discussed a congressional request for the president’s returns — the first public acknowledgment of what is shaping up to be an extraordinary legal battle between two branches of the U.S. government.
Beijing has been pushing back against global criticism for detaining as many as one million members of Muslim ethnic minority groups in the western Xinjiang region.Beijing has been pushing back against global criticism for detaining as many as one million members of Muslim ethnic minority groups in the western Xinjiang region.
Last month, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation — a group of 57 nations that has been a vocal defender of the Rohingyas and Palestinians — praised China for “providing care to its Muslim citizens,” surprising human rights activists.Last month, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation — a group of 57 nations that has been a vocal defender of the Rohingyas and Palestinians — praised China for “providing care to its Muslim citizens,” surprising human rights activists.
China’s power: In a word, money. Many Muslim countries — including Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey — have embraced Beijing’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, for which China is building a network of ports, railways and roads in nations across Asia, Europe and Africa.China’s power: In a word, money. Many Muslim countries — including Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey — have embraced Beijing’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, for which China is building a network of ports, railways and roads in nations across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Why it matters: As Muslim countries toe China’s line, pressure on the West to act on Xinjiang shrinks.Why it matters: As Muslim countries toe China’s line, pressure on the West to act on Xinjiang shrinks.
Demonstrators in Sudan are demanding the departure of the country’s authoritarian ruler. Algeria’s longtime leader was forced out. And in Libya, an aging general is promising to end the chaos that followed the ouster of the dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in 2011.Demonstrators in Sudan are demanding the departure of the country’s authoritarian ruler. Algeria’s longtime leader was forced out. And in Libya, an aging general is promising to end the chaos that followed the ouster of the dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in 2011.
Our correspondent, a veteran of the uprisings across the Arab world eight years ago, says the rebellions are still reverberating across North Africa.Our correspondent, a veteran of the uprisings across the Arab world eight years ago, says the rebellions are still reverberating across North Africa.
Takeaway: The problems that sparked the Arab Spring — disaffected youth, closed and corrupt economies, and authoritarian governments unresponsive to the public — remain.Takeaway: The problems that sparked the Arab Spring — disaffected youth, closed and corrupt economies, and authoritarian governments unresponsive to the public — remain.
The Boeing 737 Max jet that crashed twice in five months relied on decades-old systems and left pilots without some common safety features.The Boeing 737 Max jet that crashed twice in five months relied on decades-old systems and left pilots without some common safety features.
“It was state-of-the-art at the time, but that was 50 years ago,” said a former engineer who helped design the Max’s cockpit. “It’s not a good airplane for the current environment.”“It was state-of-the-art at the time, but that was 50 years ago,” said a former engineer who helped design the Max’s cockpit. “It’s not a good airplane for the current environment.”
Bitcoin: Beijing is planning new steps to put an end to Bitcoin mining in China, which would quash one of the world’s largest sources of the unstable cryptocurrency.Bitcoin: Beijing is planning new steps to put an end to Bitcoin mining in China, which would quash one of the world’s largest sources of the unstable cryptocurrency.
Hong Kong: Nine democracy activists were convicted on Tuesday on public nuisance charges for their roles in the Umbrella Movement protests that swept the city five years ago, demanding electoral reform. The activists face up to seven years in prison.Hong Kong: Nine democracy activists were convicted on Tuesday on public nuisance charges for their roles in the Umbrella Movement protests that swept the city five years ago, demanding electoral reform. The activists face up to seven years in prison.
Standard Chartered: The British bank agreed to pay $1.1 billion to settle allegations from U.S. and British authorities that it violated economic sanctions by processing hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions from Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria.Standard Chartered: The British bank agreed to pay $1.1 billion to settle allegations from U.S. and British authorities that it violated economic sanctions by processing hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions from Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria.
Carlos Ghosn: The former head of Nissan Motor slammed the company’s management in a video made before his fourth arrest in Tokyo last week and played at a hastily arranged news conference on Tuesday. He accused the same executives he says were plotting against him of running the Japanese automaker into the ground.Carlos Ghosn: The former head of Nissan Motor slammed the company’s management in a video made before his fourth arrest in Tokyo last week and played at a hastily arranged news conference on Tuesday. He accused the same executives he says were plotting against him of running the Japanese automaker into the ground.
India: The authorities in the southern state of Kerala charged a bishop with repeatedly raping a nun, the first case of its kind in the country.India: The authorities in the southern state of Kerala charged a bishop with repeatedly raping a nun, the first case of its kind in the country.
Saudi Arabia: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, facing criticism that the Trump administration was too soft on the kingdom after the killing of the dissident Jamal Khashoggi, barred 16 Saudis from entering the U.S., including one of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s closest aides.Saudi Arabia: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, facing criticism that the Trump administration was too soft on the kingdom after the killing of the dissident Jamal Khashoggi, barred 16 Saudis from entering the U.S., including one of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s closest aides.
Snapshot: Above, a scene from the popular new Amazon Prime India series “Made in Heaven,” about a pair of wedding planners for the elite upper class. The show is part of a recent wave of original series on global streaming services that tackle an array of sensitive social issues in a way that Bollywood, India’s behemoth film industry, hasn’t yet.Snapshot: Above, a scene from the popular new Amazon Prime India series “Made in Heaven,” about a pair of wedding planners for the elite upper class. The show is part of a recent wave of original series on global streaming services that tackle an array of sensitive social issues in a way that Bollywood, India’s behemoth film industry, hasn’t yet.
52 Places traveler: In his latest dispatch, our columnist visits Doha, the capital of Qatar, where he found a desert pearl-diving settlement transformed into a gleaming vision of the future, with the help of A-list architects.52 Places traveler: In his latest dispatch, our columnist visits Doha, the capital of Qatar, where he found a desert pearl-diving settlement transformed into a gleaming vision of the future, with the help of A-list architects.
Royal baby F.A.Q.: Everything you ever wanted to know about the eagerly anticipated offspring of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. (Tip: Try opening several questions at a time to reveal a secret feature.)Royal baby F.A.Q.: Everything you ever wanted to know about the eagerly anticipated offspring of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. (Tip: Try opening several questions at a time to reveal a secret feature.)
What we’re reading: This Twitter thread by Hind Makki, a Sudanese-American woman who lives outside Chicago. She breaks down the significance of a widely shared image of a woman from the mass protests in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.What we’re reading: This Twitter thread by Hind Makki, a Sudanese-American woman who lives outside Chicago. She breaks down the significance of a widely shared image of a woman from the mass protests in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.
Cook: Miso chicken ramen is a perfect excuse to pull out that pressure cooker.Cook: Miso chicken ramen is a perfect excuse to pull out that pressure cooker.
Go: “Oasis” is a charming, cheering piece of site-specific theater in Lower Manhattan. It’s a Critic’s Pick.Go: “Oasis” is a charming, cheering piece of site-specific theater in Lower Manhattan. It’s a Critic’s Pick.
Watch: A boy discovers his superpowers in this scene from “Shazam!,” with commentary from the film’s director, David F. Sandberg.Watch: A boy discovers his superpowers in this scene from “Shazam!,” with commentary from the film’s director, David F. Sandberg.
Read: The “Captain Underpants” series and 10 other titles made the American Library Association’s annual list of the “most challenged” books, those that community members tried to get removed from schools and libraries.Read: The “Captain Underpants” series and 10 other titles made the American Library Association’s annual list of the “most challenged” books, those that community members tried to get removed from schools and libraries.
Smarter Living: Many of us can tailor our jobs to maximize our satisfaction and sense of purpose. Start with a notebook. Draw a line on the paper and write “love” on one side and “loathe” on the other. For a full week, list your daily tasks as you carry them out according to how they make you feel. With that road map, you can focus on doing more of what energizes you.Smarter Living: Many of us can tailor our jobs to maximize our satisfaction and sense of purpose. Start with a notebook. Draw a line on the paper and write “love” on one side and “loathe” on the other. For a full week, list your daily tasks as you carry them out according to how they make you feel. With that road map, you can focus on doing more of what energizes you.
Also, we have ideas on adjusting the lighting in your home to best effect.Also, we have ideas on adjusting the lighting in your home to best effect.
For someone who called Canada home for only about five years, Frederick Arthur Stanley certainly found effective ways for his name to live on.For someone who called Canada home for only about five years, Frederick Arthur Stanley certainly found effective ways for his name to live on.
The signature park that dominates Vancouver’s downtown bears his name. Even more famously, there’s the Stanley Cup, the silver trophy he donated in 1892. (It cost about $50.) Top teams in the National Hockey League begin this year’s competition for it today.The signature park that dominates Vancouver’s downtown bears his name. Even more famously, there’s the Stanley Cup, the silver trophy he donated in 1892. (It cost about $50.) Top teams in the National Hockey League begin this year’s competition for it today.
Stanley was a British politician who was appointed governor general of Canada in 1888. Canadians were still British subjects, so the job as Queen Victoria’s representative loomed large.Stanley was a British politician who was appointed governor general of Canada in 1888. Canadians were still British subjects, so the job as Queen Victoria’s representative loomed large.
He created the hockey award because of his sons’ interest in the sport. Originally called the Dominion Challenge Trophy, it was for the best amateur team in Canada.He created the hockey award because of his sons’ interest in the sport. Originally called the Dominion Challenge Trophy, it was for the best amateur team in Canada.
But there is no indication that the man who first awarded it ever picked up a stick and took to the ice. His real passion was horse racing.But there is no indication that the man who first awarded it ever picked up a stick and took to the ice. His real passion was horse racing.
That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.
— Alisha— Alisha
Thank youTo Mark Josephson, Eleanor Stanford and James K. Williamson for the break from the news. Ian Austen, our Canada correspondent, wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com.Thank youTo Mark Josephson, Eleanor Stanford and James K. Williamson for the break from the news. Ian Austen, our Canada correspondent, 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 on Kirstjen Nielsen, the ousted homeland security secretary.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Something built in a gym (4 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The Times is bringing our journalism to television. “The Weekly” will premiere on Sunday, June 2, on FX and Monday, June 3, on Hulu. Watch the trailer.P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is on Kirstjen Nielsen, the ousted homeland security secretary.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Something built in a gym (4 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The Times is bringing our journalism to television. “The Weekly” will premiere on Sunday, June 2, on FX and Monday, June 3, on Hulu. Watch the trailer.