Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Wednesday.
Trump directed his wrath at IndiaPresident Trump announced today that he would double U.S. tariffs on goods imported from India to 50 percent, as punishment for the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The move was a sharp escalation in a sudden trade war between the world’s two largest democracies, which had both seemed to be enjoying the friendship that their leaders had forged. The U.S. and its businesses had long viewed India as a counterweight to China and a potential haven for trade, as Trump promised to ramp up tariffs on Chinese products. Trump’s onslaught began last week, when he declared India’s economy “dead.” Until that time, his administration had been angling to reduce India’s trade barriers. Now India is keeping company with Brazil, whose leftist president Trump considers a political enemy. India’s foreign ministry called Trump's planned tariffs “extremely unfortunate” and reiterated that it was importing oil from Russia to meet the energy needs of its 1.4 billion people. Here’s what to know about India’s oil trade with Russia. In other Trump news:
Trump said he intends to meet with Putin and ZelenskyDuring a call today with European leaders, Trump said he intends to meet in person with Vladimir Putin as soon as next week. He told the European officials that he would follow up shortly afterward with a meeting between himself, Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. The meetings would include only those three, according to people familiar with the discussion. The European leaders, who have tried to play a coordinating role during peace talks, appeared to accept Trump’s plan, though it was not immediately clear if Putin or Zelensky had agreed to the meetings. In related news, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, met with Putin today for the fifth time this year.
China turned to A.I. to further information warfareThe Chinese government is using companies with expertise in artificial intelligence to monitor and manipulate public opinion in Hong Kong and Taiwan, according to current and former U.S. officials and documents. Internal documents from the Chinese company GoLaxy show how Beijing undertook influence campaigns in Hong Kong and Taiwan and collected data on members of the U.S. Congress and other influential Americans. Experts said that China’s use of A.I. in this way could result in far more sophisticated influence operations.
Uber has a festering sexual assault problemBetween 2017 and 2022, Uber received reports from riders in the U.S. of sexual assault or sexual misconduct almost every eight minutes on average. The ride-sharing company has not disclosed more recent data, though court records indicate that reports of such incidents have increased. The company has tested tools that have proved effective at making trips safer. But, according to documents and interviews with employees, some have been set aside in favor of protecting the company’s interests, such as requiring cameras in cars, largely because it might classify drivers as employees instead of independent contractors. In the video above, my colleague Emily Steel discusses her investigation. More top news
Remembering Hiroshima The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, 80 years ago today. The bombing, which took place on Aug. 6, 1945, and that of Nagasaki three days later, instantly left the two cities void of their color and life. These photos captured the excruciating aftermath of the bombings in stark black and white. Take a look.
After 10 years, ‘Hamilton’ has left its imprint on BroadwayLin-Manuel Miranda’s much-loved musical “Hamilton” opened on Broadway a decade ago today. Since then, it has sold more than four million tickets, pulled in more than $1 billion and dramatically altered American musical theater. My colleagues on our Culture desk wrote about nine ways in which Miranda’s portrait of a founding father transformed casting, marketing, pricing and even stardom on Broadway.
Lindsey Vonn has become a folk hero for many aging AmericansAfter the ski-racing star Lindsey Vonn announced last year that she was coming out of retirement at the age of 40, she noticed a change. People who didn’t know or care about skiing began approaching her to express their admiration. With her eyes on next year’s Olympics, Vonn has become a hero of sorts to those who believe in not letting age hold them back. If she is successful, Vonn would become the oldest ski racer, man or woman, ever to win a medal. “The cultural shift in how we view age is already happening,” Vonn said, “Hopefully I’m helping the shift — and not just in sports.”
Dinner table topics
Bake: In these cookies, the white chocolate and raspberry flavors provide just the right balance. Watch: These are some of the best movies and TV shows coming soon to Netflix. Read: “Tart” is a spicy and delectable memoir by an anonymous chef. Listen: These tunes will make you love Roy Hargrove. Prepare: Here are Wirecutter’s back-to-school favorites for all ages. Consider: Dentists know that you hate flossing. Try this instead. Play: Here are today’s Spelling Bee, |
