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| Your Tuesday Briefing | Your Tuesday Briefing |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Good morning, | Good morning, |
| We start today with Sri Lanka’s failure to act on warnings, the Trump administration’s sanctions on Iran and how exercise may protect against certain kinds of cancer. | We start today with Sri Lanka’s failure to act on warnings, the Trump administration’s sanctions on Iran and how exercise may protect against certain kinds of cancer. |
| The Sri Lankan government had been keeping tabs on a secretive cell of a radical Islamist organization it knew was dangerous. | The Sri Lankan government had been keeping tabs on a secretive cell of a radical Islamist organization it knew was dangerous. |
| In the days leading up to attacks on churches and hotels that killed 310 people on Easter, security agencies closely watched the little-known group that Sri Lankan officials now say carried out the strikes: National Thowheeth Jama’ath. | |
| They had collected intelligence on the whereabouts of its leaders in an April security memo, which warned of Catholic church bombings. They had been warned even earlier by India that the group was plotting church attacks. And they knew as early as January that people potentially tied to the group were stockpiling weapons. | They had collected intelligence on the whereabouts of its leaders in an April security memo, which warned of Catholic church bombings. They had been warned even earlier by India that the group was plotting church attacks. And they knew as early as January that people potentially tied to the group were stockpiling weapons. |
| Officials said the organization most likely had help from an international network. | Officials said the organization most likely had help from an international network. |
| Why didn’t they act sooner? The government’s bitter infighting — between the president and prime minister — appears to have contributed to a security and communication breakdown. So far, there are no complete answers to why more was not done to thwart the bombers. | Why didn’t they act sooner? The government’s bitter infighting — between the president and prime minister — appears to have contributed to a security and communication breakdown. So far, there are no complete answers to why more was not done to thwart the bombers. |
| The Trump administration tightened sanctions on Iran, moving to isolate Tehran economically and undercut its projection of power across the Middle East. | The Trump administration tightened sanctions on Iran, moving to isolate Tehran economically and undercut its projection of power across the Middle East. |
| Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. would no longer grant waivers that had allowed China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey to buy oil from Iran without repercussions. The clampdown has complicated relations with China, Iran’s largest oil buyer, which has been increasing its purchases this year. It comes at a particularly sensitive moment, when the U.S. is negotiating an important trade deal with Beijing. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. would no longer grant waivers that had allowed China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey to buy oil from Iran without repercussions. The clampdown has complicated relations with China, Iran’s largest oil buyer, which has been increasing its purchases this year. It comes at a particularly sensitive moment, when the U.S. is negotiating an important trade deal with Beijing. |
| By withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and phasing in sanctions, the Trump administration has sought to cripple the Iranian government. | By withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and phasing in sanctions, the Trump administration has sought to cripple the Iranian government. |
| Context: Mr. Pompeo said Iran has earned about $50 billion annually from oil sales, accounting for as much as 40 percent of government revenues. | Context: Mr. Pompeo said Iran has earned about $50 billion annually from oil sales, accounting for as much as 40 percent of government revenues. |
| As some Democrats talk about impeaching President Trump in the wake of the Mueller report, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is advising a more cautious approach. | As some Democrats talk about impeaching President Trump in the wake of the Mueller report, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is advising a more cautious approach. |
| In her first extended comments since last week’s release of the special counsel’s report, Ms. Pelosi urged Democrats on a conference call to wait for hearings about the report, and a potential legal fight over access to the special counsel’s investigative files. | In her first extended comments since last week’s release of the special counsel’s report, Ms. Pelosi urged Democrats on a conference call to wait for hearings about the report, and a potential legal fight over access to the special counsel’s investigative files. |
| “This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about saving our democracy,” Ms. Pelosi told the 172 members who participated in the call on Monday, while keeping the possibility of impeachment alive. “If it is what we need to do to honor our responsibility to the Constitution — if that’s the place the facts take us, that’s the place we have to go.” | “This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about saving our democracy,” Ms. Pelosi told the 172 members who participated in the call on Monday, while keeping the possibility of impeachment alive. “If it is what we need to do to honor our responsibility to the Constitution — if that’s the place the facts take us, that’s the place we have to go.” |
| In 2020 news: Young voters are an important group for Democrats beginning their presidential campaigns. Candidates are trying to reach them with memes and platforms focused on issues that they care about most, like climate change. | In 2020 news: Young voters are an important group for Democrats beginning their presidential campaigns. Candidates are trying to reach them with memes and platforms focused on issues that they care about most, like climate change. |
| A recent outbreak of African swine fever, which affects only pigs and is harmless to humans, has spread to every Chinese province and region. | A recent outbreak of African swine fever, which affects only pigs and is harmless to humans, has spread to every Chinese province and region. |
| It’s catastrophic. Already, more than a million pigs have been culled, according to the Chinese government, and there may be many more unreported cases of infection. | It’s catastrophic. Already, more than a million pigs have been culled, according to the Chinese government, and there may be many more unreported cases of infection. |
| Impact: China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pork, and the spread of the disease is eroding trust in the authorities. Farmers are skeptical they will receive timely help, and shoppers are beginning to shun the meat. | Impact: China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pork, and the spread of the disease is eroding trust in the authorities. Farmers are skeptical they will receive timely help, and shoppers are beginning to shun the meat. |
| The pork shortage is also pushing up inflation amid a broader economic slowdown. | The pork shortage is also pushing up inflation amid a broader economic slowdown. |
| In almost every election, the Bharatiya Janata Party makes the same promise: to build a Hindu temple in the city of Ayodhya. | In almost every election, the Bharatiya Janata Party makes the same promise: to build a Hindu temple in the city of Ayodhya. |
| The site is the center of a historical dispute. The minority Muslim population knows it as that of a 16th-century mosque built under a Mughal emperor. Hindus believe it is where the deity Lord Ram was born. | The site is the center of a historical dispute. The minority Muslim population knows it as that of a 16th-century mosque built under a Mughal emperor. Hindus believe it is where the deity Lord Ram was born. |
| In 1990, Hindu efforts to claim the site led to deadly sectarian riots and the collapse of the central government. Two years later, Hindu fundamentalists razed the mosque, setting off more riots that claimed 2,000 lives, mostly Muslim. | In 1990, Hindu efforts to claim the site led to deadly sectarian riots and the collapse of the central government. Two years later, Hindu fundamentalists razed the mosque, setting off more riots that claimed 2,000 lives, mostly Muslim. |
| The crisis illuminates India’s special brand of “secularism,” which is not at all like the West’s definition: a formal separation of church and state. | The crisis illuminates India’s special brand of “secularism,” which is not at all like the West’s definition: a formal separation of church and state. |
| For India, it means equal governmental treatment for the constellation of the country’s faiths. In practice, the government can intervene to remedy religious “inequalities and oppressive social practices,” according to a report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. It can also provide support for sectarian schools — and for temples. | For India, it means equal governmental treatment for the constellation of the country’s faiths. In practice, the government can intervene to remedy religious “inequalities and oppressive social practices,” according to a report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. It can also provide support for sectarian schools — and for temples. |
| Is that administered equitably? Many Indians are unlikely to think so, especially if the B.J.P.’s vision for Ayodhya becomes a reality. — Alisha Haridasani Gupta | Is that administered equitably? Many Indians are unlikely to think so, especially if the B.J.P.’s vision for Ayodhya becomes a reality. — Alisha Haridasani Gupta |
| Send us your feedback or questions on this series here. | Send us your feedback or questions on this series here. |
| Paraguay: Paraguayans fed up with corruption discovered that public shame was more effective than state institutions at holding crooked politicians accountable. They used toilet paper and eggs to mark the houses of those accused of corruption, and banged pots and pans outside while they chanted. | Paraguay: Paraguayans fed up with corruption discovered that public shame was more effective than state institutions at holding crooked politicians accountable. They used toilet paper and eggs to mark the houses of those accused of corruption, and banged pots and pans outside while they chanted. |
| Philippines: An earthquake in the northern Philippines killed up to eight people. It struck near the town of Castillejos in Zambales Province, west of Manila, around 5 p.m. | Philippines: An earthquake in the northern Philippines killed up to eight people. It struck near the town of Castillejos in Zambales Province, west of Manila, around 5 p.m. |
| Carlos Ghosn: Prosecutors in Japan have charged the former head of the Nissan-Renault alliance with breach of trust, adding a count of financial impropriety to existing charges. | Carlos Ghosn: Prosecutors in Japan have charged the former head of the Nissan-Renault alliance with breach of trust, adding a count of financial impropriety to existing charges. |
| Climate change: Inequality between rich and poor countries would have been reduced far faster without climate change, according to a new study by two Stanford University professors that underlines the economic toll of global warming. | Climate change: Inequality between rich and poor countries would have been reduced far faster without climate change, according to a new study by two Stanford University professors that underlines the economic toll of global warming. |
| Health: One of the most important benefits of exercise is how it reduces our risk of developing certain types of cancer, but exactly how that happens remains largely unknown. A new study has found it may have to do with inflammation. | Health: One of the most important benefits of exercise is how it reduces our risk of developing certain types of cancer, but exactly how that happens remains largely unknown. A new study has found it may have to do with inflammation. |
| Snapshot: Our travel writer rode a bicycle to find some of the tulips, above, that inspired Rembrandt. The Dutch city of Leiden, which is marking the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death, remains the center of a world of blooms. | Snapshot: Our travel writer rode a bicycle to find some of the tulips, above, that inspired Rembrandt. The Dutch city of Leiden, which is marking the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death, remains the center of a world of blooms. |
| Tech: Samsung postponed the release of a highly anticipated foldable phone, another black eye for the company, which has developed a reputation for rushing to be first with new innovations at the risk of quality assurance. | Tech: Samsung postponed the release of a highly anticipated foldable phone, another black eye for the company, which has developed a reputation for rushing to be first with new innovations at the risk of quality assurance. |
| “Game of Thrones”: The second episode of Season 8 was injected with a little human tenderness, writes our television editor, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic battle with the White Walkers next week. | “Game of Thrones”: The second episode of Season 8 was injected with a little human tenderness, writes our television editor, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic battle with the White Walkers next week. |
| What we’re looking at: This photo essay of the judging of the Pulitzer Prizes. The briefings editor, Andrea Kannapell, writes: “This year, the photojournalist Jose R. Lopez (who happens to be a veteran of the briefings team) was given unique access to the process by which jurors decide on the premier awards in journalism. Their faces record utter seriousness of purpose.” | What we’re looking at: This photo essay of the judging of the Pulitzer Prizes. The briefings editor, Andrea Kannapell, writes: “This year, the photojournalist Jose R. Lopez (who happens to be a veteran of the briefings team) was given unique access to the process by which jurors decide on the premier awards in journalism. Their faces record utter seriousness of purpose.” |
| Cook: White beans and avocado are a perfect match in a simple, flavorful salad. | Cook: White beans and avocado are a perfect match in a simple, flavorful salad. |
| Go: An increasing number of hotels and resorts are ramping up efforts to reduce or eliminate their resource and energy consumption. | Go: An increasing number of hotels and resorts are ramping up efforts to reduce or eliminate their resource and energy consumption. |
| Watch: We spoke to the creator of “Gentleman Jack,” on HBO, about the real 19th-century Englishwoman the show chronicles. | Watch: We spoke to the creator of “Gentleman Jack,” on HBO, about the real 19th-century Englishwoman the show chronicles. |
| Listen: Our favorite artists told us about the piano music that matters to them. | Listen: Our favorite artists told us about the piano music that matters to them. |
| Smarter Living: “Find your passion” is actually pretty bad career advice, if you assume passion means you won’t be dealing with tedium or struggle. After all, we’re pretty bad at most things when we first try them. There’s an alternative model to consider. Interests and passions are capable of developing with enough time, effort and investment. Try that on, and temper your expectations, build failure into your plan, and learn to recognize and celebrate small milestones along the way. | Smarter Living: “Find your passion” is actually pretty bad career advice, if you assume passion means you won’t be dealing with tedium or struggle. After all, we’re pretty bad at most things when we first try them. There’s an alternative model to consider. Interests and passions are capable of developing with enough time, effort and investment. Try that on, and temper your expectations, build failure into your plan, and learn to recognize and celebrate small milestones along the way. |
| And if you’re off on a solo vacation, we have guidance for how to connect safely with people throughout your travels. | And if you’re off on a solo vacation, we have guidance for how to connect safely with people throughout your travels. |
| In 1995, the United Nations’ cultural and educational agency, Unesco, designated April 23 as the day to honor reading, as well as publishing and intellectual property rights. | In 1995, the United Nations’ cultural and educational agency, Unesco, designated April 23 as the day to honor reading, as well as publishing and intellectual property rights. |
| The date is one on which several prominent writers are traditionally thought to have died — notably William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, both in 1616. (Some records show that Cervantes died on April 22.) | The date is one on which several prominent writers are traditionally thought to have died — notably William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, both in 1616. (Some records show that Cervantes died on April 22.) |
| But at the time, the same date didn’t necessarily mean the same day. | But at the time, the same date didn’t necessarily mean the same day. |
| At the time Cervantes died, his home country, Spain, operated under the Gregorian calendar, the one that most of the world uses today. It was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. | At the time Cervantes died, his home country, Spain, operated under the Gregorian calendar, the one that most of the world uses today. It was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. |
| But Shakespeare’s England, a Protestant country, still followed the Julian calendar. It didn’t adopt the Gregorian version until 1752. | But Shakespeare’s England, a Protestant country, still followed the Julian calendar. It didn’t adopt the Gregorian version until 1752. |
| So April 23 in Shakespeare’s day would have been May 3 in ours. | So April 23 in Shakespeare’s day would have been May 3 in ours. |
| That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. | That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. |
| — Melina | — Melina |
| Thank youChris Stanford wrote today’s Back Story. Mark Josephson, Eleanor Stanford and Kenneth R. Rosen provided the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. | Thank youChris Stanford wrote today’s Back Story. Mark Josephson, Eleanor Stanford and Kenneth R. Rosen provided the break from the news. You can reach the team at briefing@nytimes.com. |
| P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about Donald McGahn, the former White House counsel, and his role in Robert Mueller’s report.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Dish often made with coconut milk (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The New York Times is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the start of The Upshot, a site that covers politics, policy and everyday life in experimental formats, including data visualizations, images and interactive features. | P.S.• We’re listening to “The Daily.” Our latest episode is about Donald McGahn, the former White House counsel, and his role in Robert Mueller’s report.• Here’s today’s mini crossword puzzle, and a clue: Dish often made with coconut milk (5 letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The New York Times is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the start of The Upshot, a site that covers politics, policy and everyday life in experimental formats, including data visualizations, images and interactive features. |