A Bridge Explosion Rocked Russia

A vital bridge linking the occupied Crimean Peninsula to mainland Russia was attacked early this morning, killing two people and forcing its temporary closure.

Rail service over the crossing, known as the Kerch Strait Bridge, resumed soon after the assault, but damage to the car lanes will likely complicate Russia’s efforts to resupply its troops in southern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials celebrated the assault, which Russia said was carried out by maritime drones, but declined to officially take credit.

Initial reports suggested that today’s explosions were far less severe than a similar attack in October. But in the wake of last month’s failed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, the latest assault was cited by prominent Russian bloggers as more evidence of the failures of Russia’s military command.

Hours after the explosions were reported, Moscow announced that it was pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal, an agreement that helped keep global food prices stable. Kremlin officials insisted that the decision was not connected with the attack.

The assault came as Ukraine has begun to focus more on wearing down Russian forces with artillery and long-range missiles, in an effort to slow its losses amid a grinding five-week counteroffensive that has moved slower than expected.

It was another smoky day across much of the U.S.

Pollution from hundreds of wildfires in western Canada billowed through the Midwest today and blanketed several East Coast cities. New York, Washington, Boston and Atlanta all reported air quality levels that can be unhealthy for vulnerable populations. In Pittsburgh, the air was “unhealthy for all.”

Officials in several states urged residents to take precautions by limiting outdoor activities and wearing masks. See the air quality forecast near you.

Biden invited Netanyahu to the U.S.

President Biden invited Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, to a meeting in the U.S. later this year, easing months of tensions between the two leaders. It would be their first meeting since Netanyahu reassumed the role in December.

The invitation came on the eve of a visit to Washington by Israel’s president, which had long been seen as a slight to Netanyahu. It also reversed Biden’s decision in March to avoid meeting the prime minister “in the near term” after criticizing Netanyahu for pushing to overhaul his country’s judiciary.

In Israel, lawmakers are advancing parts of a plan to reduce the power of the Supreme Court. A final vote is expected by early next week.

Can we achieve a soft landing?

That’s a question that has bedeviled economists and policymakers, as the Fed has aggressively raised interest rates in an effort to tame inflation. And we still won’t know the answer for a while.

But my colleague Jeanna Smialek explored an economic surprise that has increased the possibility of a so-called soft landing: the labor market. Prices have cooled while unemployment has remained at rock bottom and hiring has remained healthy. If that continues, inflation could return to normal without zapping the job market or pulling the U.S. into a recession — a situation once considered improbable.

Taylor Swift is No. 1 again

The pop star’s latest installment of rerecorded music, “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),” debuted this week as the year’s biggest new album. It notched the equivalent of 716,000 sales in the U.S., far outpacing the rest of the competition.

It was Swift’s 12th No. 1 album, beating Barbra Streisand for the most chart-toppers by a woman. Drake also has 12 No. 1 albums, but the only acts with more are Jay-Z (14) and the Beatles (19).

Miami embraced Messi

Lionel Messi has yet to play a game for Inter Miami. But as the greatest soccer player of his era, and maybe the greatest of all time, his reputation precedes him. South Florida, home to America’s largest Argentine community, has taken notice.

Artists in and around Miami have raced to paint murals of Messi, restaurants have redrawn their menus to offer his favorite dish (milanesa) and shoppers stopped and gawked when he was recently spotted at a grocery store. The craze culminated last night when Inter Miami officially presented him and his No. 10 jersey in a rain-soaked but packed stadium.

“I’m very happy to have chosen to come to this city with my family,” he said. He is set to debut in a match on Friday. With Inter Miami in last place, expectations are high.

Less cocaine, more vegetables

Beyoncé’s current Renaissance World Tour employs 14 culinary professionals, including a pastry chef who makes his famous cookies for her 400 to 600 crew members.

It’s extravagant, but not entirely out of the ordinary. Many touring artists now take several professional cooks and mobile kitchens on the road with them for efficiency, health and morale. And unlike in decades past, many tours now include a vegan chef and place a priority on physical and mental well-being.

“Before, back in the early ’80s and ’90s, it was more of a party — cocaine and whatever they wanted. And now it’s just a business,” Linkin Park’s longtime chef said.

Have a top-shelf evening.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Matthew

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