Your Thursday Briefing – New York Times

Tina Turner, 1939-2023

Singer Tina Turner, an unforgettable live performer and one of the most successful artists of all time, has died at 83 in her home in Switzerland, near Zurich. The cause of her death was not announced; she had a stroke in recent years and was known to struggle with a kidney ailment and other illnesses.

Turner began her half-century career in the late 1950s, while still in high school, when she began singing with Ike Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm. She soon became the group’s star attraction – and Turner’s wife – and the ensemble was renamed the Ike and Tina Turner Revue.

But Ike Turner was abusive, and after she fled the marriage in her 30s, her career faltered. Her solo album “Private Dancer,” released in 1984, returned her to the limelight – and lifted her into the pop stratosphere. The album would go on to sell five million copies and launch a career that established her as a worldwide phenomenon.

In her own words: “My music doesn’t sound dated; it’s still standing strong,” she said in 2008. “Like me.”

Simply the best: “She was truly a hugely talented artist and singer,” Mick Jagger wrote on Instagram. “She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her.” Read other tributes.

For more: See Turner’s life in picturesand listen to one playlist with 11 essential tracks.

Intelligence on the Kremlin’s drone attack

A drone attack on the Kremlin in Moscow on May 3 was most likely orchestrated by one of Ukraine’s special military or intelligence services units, according to US officials. But they said they did not know which unit carried out the attack, and it was unclear whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or his top officials were aware of the operation.

U.S. intelligence agencies reached their preliminary assessment in part through intercepted communications in which Russian officials blamed Ukraine and through other communications in which Ukrainian officials said they believed their country was responsible for the attack.

It caused little damage but appeared to be part of a series of covert operations that have alarmed US officials. The Biden administration is concerned about the risk that Russia will blame the United States for these actions and retaliate by expanding the war outside of Ukraine.

The latest: Fresh from leading a military incursion into Russian territory, commanders of anti-Kremlin armed groups mocked the Russian army for its slow reaction and threatened Moscow with more raids in the future.

In other war news:

• China’s supreme leader, Xi Jinping, promised it Sino-Russian cooperation would reach a “higher level” during talks with the Russian Prime Minister in Beijing.

• The leader of Russia’s largest mercenary force warned that the country faced further setbacks unless its ruling elite took drastic and likely unpopular, measures to win the war.

Ron DeSanti’s big moment goes awry

Ron DeSanti’s long-awaited official entry into the 2024 presidential campaign went crazy in the beginning last night during a glitch-filled live stream over Twitter that was marred by technical issues and dead air. The audio cut in and out with talk of “melting the servers,” whispering hot microphones, and on-site troubleshooting.

Despite the problems, DeSantis, the embattled 44-year-old Republican governor of Florida who has championed conservative causes and thrown years of blows at America’s left, gives Donald Trump the most formidable Republican rival he has faced since his rise in 2016.

His candidacy comes at a crucial moment for the Republican Party, which must choose between once again siding with Trump — who lost in 2020 and continues to rage falsely about a stolen election — or coalesce around a new challenger to take on President Biden .

Response: The extended social media hiccup – as more than 500,000 people were waiting – was gleefully cheered on the platform itself. Donald Trump Jr wrote a single word: “#DeSaster.” President Biden posted a donation button to his re-election campaign with the words “This link is working.”

Analysis: “DeSantis has long been seen as the candidate for Republicans who want Trumpism without the chaos,” said Trip Gabriel, who covers politics for The Times. “Although DeSantis is Trump’s closest rival — really the only serious one for now — he has fallen about 30 points behind Trump in Republican polls since the start of the year.”

To lean back or not to lean back? A veteran flight attendant lists her airline etiquette ruleswhich aims to strike a balance between reasonable comfort and consideration for fellow passengers.

SPORTS NEWS FROM THE ATHLETICS

Is Wrexham welcome to the US?: Wrexham’s rapid rise in popularity is undeniable, but this summer it will be quantified in dollars and cents.

Myths about the best stories of the Premier League season: An evaluation of most compelling stories to see who was motivated and who was not.

The most reviewed shirt in football: Jersey No. 7 not worn at Manchester United at the moment, and whoever uses it next will have to live up to the hype.

From The Times: “This is definitely bigger.” Andrea Varnier, Executive Director of the Organizing Committee for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, speaks about manage the most sprawling games in history.

Happy Africa Day

Today is the 60th anniversary of Africa Day, an opportunity to challenge the negative perceptions of this rich continent. In some countries, May 25 is a public holiday; in others it is a day of concerts, food fairs and fashion. There is no single way to celebrate. Below are some ideas:

Read from the past: Chinua Achebe changed African literature in 1958 with “Things Fall Apart”, a book that defines modern storytelling. Achebe challenged simplistic representations Africa in books such as Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”.

Dance in the moment: Afrobeats artists have sold out in arenas in the United States, and pounding Amapiano beats has infiltrated dance clubs in Europe. These genres, and the viral dances in social media they have created, showcases a happy, youthful side of the continent.

See the future: If superhero movies are a vision of the future, Africa’s future appears to be female. And these heroines kick asses and take names. “Supa Team 4,” the latest blockbuster African animation project, premieres on Netflix in July. The series follows four teenage girls who fight crime in a futuristic Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. — Lynsey Chutel, a briefing writer in Johannesburg.

That’s all for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow. – Natasha

PS The Times reached an agreement on a new contract with the union representing a majority of the company’s US editorial staff.

The latest episode of “The daily” is located on the ruined city of Bakhmut.

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