Good morning. We’re covering Trump’s rare criticism of Vladimir Putin and a surge in India-Pakistan tensions. Plus, was Shakespeare a bad husband?
Trump to Putin: ‘Vladimir, STOP!’Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv killed at least 12 people and injured 90 others yesterday. The attack prompted President Trump to express rare disapproval of Moscow. “Vladimir, STOP!” Trump posted on social media, addressing Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin. “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing.” The attack came hours after Trump and his top aides had demanded that Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, accept an American-designed plan that favored Russia. Speaking in the Oval Office yesterday, Trump said that he had “no allegiance” to either side and that his only goal was to stop the war and save lives, but he did claim that Putin had made a “pretty big concession” to end the conflict. When pressed on what that concession was, Trump replied, “stopping taking the whole country.” Crimea: Trump may acknowledge Russia’s claim to Crimea. Doing so would abandon a decade of U.S. foreign policy and set a dangerous precedent of formal American recognition for the changing of one country’s border by force by another country. In Ukraine, the very idea is a nonstarter. Diplomacy: Europeans see the future of Ukraine as vital to their own. Officials say they are prepared to keep supporting Kyiv should the U.S. walk away from peace negotiations. A general jailed: Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, who was fired for complaining about battlefield problems to Russia’s military leadership, was sentenced to five years in prison on a corruption charge.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharplyPakistan announced a series of retaliatory measures yesterday against India, a day after India moved to punish Pakistan over a militant attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian carriers and said it would order India to reduce its diplomatic staff in Islamabad and suspend all trade with India. India has not officially identified any group as being behind the attack on Tuesday near the town of Pahalgam, and Pakistan has denied any involvement. But across Pakistan, people are worried as Indian officials hint at the possibility of military strikes. Television reports have been filled with defense analysts warning of unpredictable consequences if hostilities intensify. Details: After India suspended a critical water treaty, Pakistan said any attempt to block rivers would be “considered an act of war.” Pakistan relies on water from the Indus river system, which flows through India, for about 90 percent of its agriculture. Here’s what else to know.
Pope Francis will be buried tomorrowThe Vatican yesterday released the first image of Pope Francis’ tomb, a simple, undecorated resting place, in accordance with his will. The tomb is made with marble and marked with the inscription, “Franciscus.” Tens of thousands of Catholics have paid their respects to Francis, whose body has laid in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. His funeral will take place tomorrow. Here’s what to expect.
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One of the best digital detectives goes by the handle ZachXBT, and is a well-known figure in the crypto world. In 2024, he received an alert about an unusual transaction and quickly traced it to a Bitcoin wallet with roughly $240 million in crypto. A month later, a group of young thieves was caught, including a notorious 20-year-old Minecraft player from Singapore. Read about how investigators unraveled the heist. Lives lived: Masahiro Shinoda, a leading director of the postwar Japanese New Wave, died at 94.
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