Good morning. We're covering the opening of Evan Gershkovich's trial in Russia and a coup attempt in Bolivia. Plus: "Frog saunas" could help at-risk amphibians.
Evan Gershkovich's trial began in RussiaEvan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter and a U.S. citizen, has already endured nearly 15 months in a notorious Moscow prison. Yesterday, his trial finally began. Gershkovich, 32, is the first Western journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the 1980s. He faces up to 20 years in a penal colony on a spying charge that he, his employer and the U.S. have all called bogus and politically motivated. The Russian authorities haven't revealed any evidence that he was a spy. There is little doubt about the outcome of the trial, but there may be hope: a prisoner exchange. "It's widely accepted that the Russian state regards his case as leverage to get Russians held in custody — either in the U.S. or in other Western countries," said my colleague Ivan Nechepurenko, who is based in Tbilisi, Georgia, and has covered Gershkovich's case. "There's going to be this trial, but the more important process will be the ongoing talks between Russian and American intelligence services about a potential prisoner exchange," Ivan said. Shortly before the proceedings started, video showed Gershkovich standing in a glass cage and nodding at people in the courtroom. Observers have been barred from attending the trial, which began in the industrial city of Yekaterinburg, near the Ural Mountains. Gershkovich's lawyers have been prohibited from publicly revealing anything they learn. Ivan said that Gershkovich has a lot of public support, which could turn up the heat on U.S. negotiators, as it did for Brittney Griner, the W.N.B.A. star who was detained in Russia and released in late 2022. "It basically all depends on whether the U.S. and Russia can make a deal," Ivan told me. Also in Russia: A prominent playwright and a director are being prosecuted for their work. Cultural figures say their trial on terrorism charges is a chilling sign of increased repression.
Kenya's leader rejected tax billIn a sudden reversal, President William Ruto said yesterday that he would not sign a controversial finance bill, a day after rights groups said that at least 23 people had been killed during protests in Nairobi against the measure. "Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this finance bill, I concede," Ruto said in an address to the country, "and therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn." Tuesday was one of the bloodiest days in Kenya's recent history. Ruto deployed the military to deal with what he called "treasonous" protests. Some people vowed to march again today to protest the crackdown and mourn those killed. Context: Kenya has the fastest-growing economy in Africa, but it is also on the brink of fiscal calamity, with $80 billion in domestic and foreign public debt. Ruto had championed the bill as a way to stabilize the economy. Those against it argued that the tax hikes would raise the cost of living by too much.
Bolivian general arrested after a coup attemptA top general leading members of Bolivia's military tried to storm the presidential palace yesterday, and then quickly retreated, in what appeared to be a failed coup. Video on Bolivian television showed a camouflaged military vehicle ramming a palace door in La Paz, the administrative capital, and soldiers trying to make their way inside. The forces and the general leading them, Juan José Zuñiga, then pulled back, to be replaced by police officers who supported the democratically elected president, Luis Arce. The attempted incursion into the palace lasted just three hours. As time wore on, it became clear that General Zuñiga's plan had little support, and he was later taken into custody. Just before he was arrested, General Zuñiga claimed without evidence that Arce had asked him to stage the coup attempt. Background: Bolivia is a deeply polarized country that has had 190 coups during its 200 years of history. The country's economy has been struggling, and Arce has been accused of undemocratic moves, like detaining opposition figures.
A fatal fungal disease has devastated the world's frog population. But scientists may have come up with a solution: saunas. Researchers in Australia found that sun-warmed bricks attracted the green and golden bell frog, a vulnerable species, and raised its body temperature, helping it fight off infection and giving it a degree of immunity.
Is India the future for international brands?In a global marketplace reshaped by volatile forces — especially the animosity between the U.S. and China — some multinational retailers are turning away from Chinese factories. Instead, many are looking to India, which may be on the verge of becoming a major manufacturing power. The shift could fortify the global supply chain and lift India's fortunes. The country has roughly one billion people of working age, but only about 430 million jobs, according to an independent research institution. Growing exports could be a source of new jobs — especially for women, who have largely been shut out of the formal working ranks. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.
Cook: Whipped goat cheese is the base for this bright tomato and peach salad. Read: Emily Nussbaum's new book goes deep on reality television. Revisit: The Wayans brothers' subversive comedy "White Chicks" may be smarter than you remember. Organize: Bringing order to a cluttered closet can make daily life feel smoother. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. P.S. Play Strands, our newest puzzle. That's it for today. Thank you for reading, and see you tomorrow. — Dan A correction: Yesterday's newsletter referred imprecisely to the European Court of Human Rights as related to the E.U. It is an international court of the Council of Europe, not of the E.U. You can reach us at briefing@nytimes.com. Amelia Nierenberg contributed reporting. Thanks to Ivan Nechepurenko.
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jueves, 27 de junio de 2024
Thursday Briefing: Evan Gershkovich’s trial begins
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