Good morning. We’re covering Trump saying he’ll meet with Iran and the U.S. pulling funding for a global vaccine agency. Plus, the importance of baby talk.
Trump announced a meeting with IranPresident Trump said yesterday that he would speak with Iran “next week,” as the cease-fire between it and Israel entered a second day. It was unclear what format the discussions would take or if they would lead to limits on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump told reporters at a NATO conference that he didn’t “think it was necessary” for the talks to produce an agreement with Iran, presumably to give up its nuclear ambitions. Here’s the latest. Trump also railed against the findings of a preliminary U.S. intelligence report that was released on Tuesday, which said that America’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities had set the country’s ambitions back by only a matter of months. Trump repeated that the attacks had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio fleshed out Trump’s case with more detail. Rubio said that a “conversion facility” — which is crucial for converting nuclear fuel into the form needed to produce a nuclear weapon — had been destroyed. Israel also released a statement supporting Trump’s claims. Satellite photographs show extensive destruction, but it won’t be possible to know what it will take to rebuild, on the site or elsewhere, until international nuclear inspectors are allowed there.
The U.S. pulled funding for a global vaccine agencyThe U.S. said it would end its financial support of Gavi, the global organization that helps purchase vaccines for children in poor countries. The U.S. is the biggest donor to the group, whose work is estimated to have saved the lives of 17 million children over the last two decades. In a brief, prerecorded video, Robert F. Kennedy, the U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, accused Gavi’s leaders of having “ignored the science” in immunizing children around the world, a claim the organization vehemently denied. Kennedy offered no evidence to support the allegation. It’s the first indication that the Trump administration’s decision to end funding for Gavi may be motivated by a mistrust of vaccines, in addition to a desire to reduce foreign aid. Related: A new drug that provides almost complete protection against H.I.V. was to be administered across Africa this year. Then the Trump administration slashed foreign assistance.
Mamdani is leading the pack in New York’s mayoral raceZohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state lawmaker whose progressive platform electrified younger voters, took a commanding lead over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City late Tuesday night. Cuomo, 67, conceded the primary. If Mamdani, a democratic socialist, gets the nomination and wins in November, he will be the city’s first Muslim mayor. His left-leaning policies would represent a sharp directional change for the city. Some of his proposals would most likely face opposition from the governor and state lawmakers. Here’s a breakdown of the results, and five things to know about Mamdani.
Other mammals can bark, meow, roar and hoot. But the way that human adults talk to young children is unique among primates, a new study found. Turns out, baby talk — which scientists call infant-directed speech — might be a secret to our species’ grasp of language.
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Find (all) of your selves in this sci-fi adventureWhy are you who you are? What choices and events create the you that exists, and decide how you agonize over small decisions or handle excuses or burdens? The Alters is a sci-fi video game about a man physically confronted with such questions. To survive on a remote planet, Jan Dolski must learn to live with the other selves he might have been. Using technology on his ship, he grows clones of himself based on alternate paths from his own life that have skills he needs — a builder, a technician. Some of the clones are less than pleased with this arrangement. Our critic, Christopher Byrd, found the game “rewardingly stressful.” He writes that The Alters invites “players to reflect on their own priorities, and to ponder what we owe others and what we owe ourselves.”
Cook: These chicken thighs with lime-basil butter are great when charred on a grill. Ask: Are paper receipts toxic to the touch? Our Well desk answers the question. Plan: The medieval French town of Hyères has everything a visitor could want. Listen: Our “Modern Love” podcast tackles how location sharing is changing our relationships. Play: Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle and Sudoku. Find |
