Blame: In his handle, Putin claimed that Western nations had “began the battle” in Ukraine — an assertion that Biden flatly rejected in Warsaw. “President Putin selected this battle. Day by day the battle continues is his selection,” Biden stated. He accused the Russian chief of committing atrocities on an unlimited scale.

An extended battle: Putin confirmed no signal that he would change course. He sidestepped Russia’s battlefield struggles and used his speech to put out a plan for a protracted battle to return. He promised adjustments to the training system, and to science and know-how coverage, to assist Russia outlast Western sanctions. And he pledged that fighters would obtain two weeks of go away each six months.

Different developments:

• A Russian assault in Kherson killed not less than six folks at a bus station. Russia can also be shelling northern areas to tie up Ukrainian troops who would possibly in any other case defend in opposition to assaults within the south.

• Wang Yi, China’s most senior overseas coverage official, went to Moscow after a tour of Europe. The go to confirmed Beijing’s fragile place because it seeks to fix ties with the E.U. with out alienating Russia.

Saudi Arabia’s crackdown

Authorities within the conservative Islamic kingdom are meting out harsher punishments than ever to individuals who criticize the federal government. Many Saudis are deeply disturbed by the crackdown.

Take the case of Saad Almadi, a 72-year-old Saudi American residing in Florida who, in 2015, criticized Mohammed bin Salman on Twitter. Seven years later, Almadi was arrested throughout a go to to Saudi Arabia and sentenced to 16 years in jail. After he appealed, his sentence was lengthened to 19 years.

Ten years in the past, Almadi’s account might have prompted a warning or an interrogation. Saudi prosecutors now argue that posts which are essential of the federal government, together with Almadi’s, help terrorism or different views that threaten its safety.

Context: Till lately, jail sentences longer than 20 years have been uncommon within the kingdom, and Saudis with American citizenship or ties to native elites, like Almadi, would have been ready to attract on connections to guard themselves. “One of many deserves of Mohammed bin Salman is that he’s created equality of injustice for all,” stated a Saudi lawyer who lives in exile in Germany.

The Philippines’ shift

In his practically eight months in workplace, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has adopted the Philippines’ most muscular overseas coverage in near a decade. Pushed by the territorial dispute that the Philippines has with Beijing, Marcos is making the Philippines the linchpin of the U.S. effort to counter China with a stronger navy presence in Asia.

Final week, Marcos summoned the Chinese language ambassador after a Chinese language vessel directed a military-grade laser at a Philippine ship. It was the primary time in years {that a} Philippine president had personally lodged such a protest. Marcos has granted the U.S. navy entry to 4 new protection websites and the U.S. has stated it’ll restart joint patrols of the South China Sea, which the Philippines had suspended.

Marcos additionally has issues a few potential Chinese language invasion of Taiwan. He has stated that “it’s very exhausting to think about a state of affairs the place the Philippines won’t in some way become involved.” The Instances studies that three of the new websites quickly opening to the U.S. navy face Taiwan — and one is bordering the South China Sea. Manila may grant the U.S. entry to extra websites within the coming months, regardless of anger from China.

Subic Bay: The Philippines ordered the U.S. in 1991 to depart its naval base there, then its largest abroad, however the U.S. could also be invited again.

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Asia Pacific

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A Morning Learn

New editions of Roald Dahl’s books, together with “Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit,” have been rewritten to chop doubtlessly offensive language. The adjustments prompted widespread criticism from distinguished literary figures and others, together with Salman Rushdie.

ARTS AND IDEAS

Why Morioka?

When Morioka, Japan, was featured on our annual 52 Locations to Go journey record, the selection turned nationwide information. Our author Craig Mod was interviewed by journalists from practically 20 Japanese media retailers. They requested: Why Morioka? It’s simply one other midsize metropolis. What’s the fuss?

After returning to Morioka for a go to, Craig wrote about his controversial journey advice. (He’s now one thing of an area movie star there.)

“I’ve turn out to be delicate to cities and cities with sturdy socioeconomic foundations that elevate their residents, enabling them to stay wealthy, full and artistic lives,” Craig wrote. “Cities that really feel — to distill it to a single phrase — wholesome.”

Morioka, which is only a few hours north of Tokyo by high-speed rail, provides a mixture of kindness, delicacies, walkability and historical past. And younger folks come again to take over their mother and father’ companies. “Morioka allows its residents to thrive,” Craig wrote.

PLAY, WATCH, EAT

What to Prepare dinner

What to Watch

The Australian drama “Lonesome” depicts characters who really feel most snug speaking by way of intercourse.

Well being

Each lady ought to strengthen her pelvic flooring.

Now Time to Play

Play the Mini Crossword, and a clue: Add fancy decorations to (5 letters).

Listed here are the Wordle and the Spelling Bee.

You’ll find all our puzzles right here.

That’s it for right now’s briefing. See you subsequent time. — Amelia

P.S. Jonathan Knight, The Instances’s head of video games, talked to VentureBeat about Wordle, the Spelling Bee, the crossword and all the opposite enjoyable stuff.

“The Every day” is about Chinese language firms making merchandise in Mexico.

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