Your Thursday Press Conference – The New York Times

Explosion above the Kremlin

Afterward two explosions above the Kremlin Earlier yesterday, Russia accused Ukraine of trying to assassinate Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, with a drone strike. Kyiv denies any involvement and insists that Russia staged the incident to distract attention from Ukraine’s expected impending counter-offensive and possibly to justify the escalation of the protests. their own attack.

The video shows what appears to be two drones exploding over the Kremlin 15 minutes apart, the first just before 2:30 a.m., Russia calling it an unsuccessful “presidential assassination attempt” by Ukraine was defeated by Russia’s “electronic warfare systems”. ” but did not present any evidence of a connection with Ukraine.

A drone strike on the deeply symbolic center of Russian power would be a bold move by Kiev, with the potential for dire consequences. There were no reports of serious damage and the Russian government said Mr Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time.

American intelligence: agency Still trying to figure out what happened, according to officials. But the United States had in the past expressed concern that the Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil could provoke Moscow without directly affecting the battlefield.

In other news from the war:

School shooting in Serbia, 9 people were killed

A seventh grader armed with a pistol and Molotov cocktails shot and killed eight children and a security guard yesterday in an attack against his school in the Serbian capital Belgrade. According to authorities in Belgrade, the boy will not be held criminally responsible for the murder because he is under 14 years old.

The attack happened around 8:40 a.m. at Vladislav Ribnikar primary school, in the upscale neighborhood of Vracar. This student shot dead seven girls and one boy with two handguns he took from his father. Six children and a teacher were also injured in the attack.

The attacker, who officials said had “shown no remorse,” was arrested and taken to a mental health clinic. The boy’s parents were also arrested.

Quote: “Today is one of the most difficult days in the modern history of our country,” President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia said in a speech. “Unfortunately, Serbia is united in grief.”

United States: A gunman killed one person and injured at least four others in a Medical office building in Midtown Atlanta. A suspect was arrested by the police.

British voters go to the polls

local elections will be held all over the UK today in a test of the credibility of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has stabilized British politics but whose Conservatives have lost to the opposition Labor Party in opinion polls by double digits in context of rising inflation, sluggish economic growth and worker unrest.

At stake are seats for about 8,000 representatives at lower levels of government. Voter turnout will be much lower than at a general election, and local issues like planned housing developments could affect some races. However, it could be the biggest public vote between now and the next general election, most likely next year.

Keir Starmer, Labour’s leader, will need a good result to maintain hopes of becoming the next prime minister. Despite bringing his party close to power, he failed to excite voters. Some of the most closely watched votes will take place in so-called red walls in northern England and the Midlands, once the center of the Labor Party.

time: If the Conservatives struggle, the prime minister has a job for him: On Saturday, all British media attention will turn to the pomp and splendor of King Charles III’s coronation.

Voter ID: Voters for the first time will be asked to provide proof of identity. move yes caused a political storm in Englandwhere critics say the change could reduce voter turnout, discourage young people from voting and disenfranchise some minority voters.

As in so many other places in England, devotion to the monarchy in Bristol, where the average age is about 34, running hot and cold.

“The royal family, when I was a young girl, they were everything, and now it’s different,” said an 82-year-old resident. She added: “I don’t think we have so many people excited about the coronation now. It feels a bit more removed.

SPORTS NEWS FROM Ethics

Lionel Messi’s journey at PSG ends here. That’s the right call: There is certainly no turning back as Paris St.-Germain has suspended its superstar for two weeks. It can be an inspiring move.

This football team has surpassed its rivals. Now the worst in the Premier League: When not winning trophies, Chelsea were happy to break the dreams of their opponents. No more.

From the Era: Tori Bowie, the sprinter who won three medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the following year won the world championship in the 100 meters with a spectacular comeback, passed away at the age of 32.

What do Kate Bush, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow and Rage Against the Machine have in common?

With George Michael and the 1970s soul group Spinners, these acts are this year’s Genre stretching intro to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, voted for by more than 1,000 artists, historians and music industry experts.

None of these musicians fit the narrowest of confines of what makes rock music. But the genre and the institution are increasingly open to honoring rappers, pop singers and country artists like Dolly Parton, who tried to exclude herself from the polls last year but still be voted.

That’s it for today’s briefing. Thanks for joining me. — Natasha

PS Yes, it’s Star Wars Day. (Hint: Say “May the 4th be with you” aloud.) If watching movies continuously isn’t your thing, why not read original reviews by The Times?

You can contact Natasha and the team at [email protected].