good morning. It covers major climate-related decisions by the US Supreme Court, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s relationship with China, and Ukraine’s victory.
New restrictions on EPA authority
The US Supreme Court has restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to limit carbon emissions from power plants.
Coupled with the global energy crisis and intra-party politics, this ruling makes it nearly impossible for President Biden to reach his climate goals. Experts said the ruling would make it mathematically impossible for him to keep his promise to cut US pollution in half by the end of the decade.
The 6 to 3 decision is made when experts are issuing disastrous warnings about climate change. In the objection, three liberal judges in the court said the decision deprived the EPA of “the ability to respond to the most pressing environmental problems of our time.”
Judge John Roberts wrote for the majority and only hinted at climate change. Instead, Roberts argued that Congress had not given the EPA’s drastic authority to regulate the energy industry. Here is the live update.
Xi Jinping visits Hong Kong
Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Hong Kong yesterday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the end of British rule.
“Hong Kong has endured tough challenges one after another and overcame dangers one after another,” Xi said in a short speech on arrival. “After the storm, Hong Kong is reborn from ashes and is vibrant.”
It was his first trip from mainland China since the pandemic began. Covid infections have recently increased in Hong Kong, and the city has sent thousands of people (officials, diplomats, journalists, workers) to hotels for several days of quarantine and daily Covid testing prior to his visit. rice field.
Xi also visited Hong Kong for the first time in five years. For the first time since Beijing, she cracked down on the 2019 democratic movement, bringing serious challenges to its rules. Western policy has curbed the city’s dissent, and his visit emphasizes the importance of signaling his control over the former British colonies.
A better understanding of the Russian-Ukraine war
analysis: In 1997, China promised a light touch for 50 years when Hong Kong regained control. In the middle of that period, those pledges, if not broken, appear to be badly weakened.
history: Over the last 25 years, life has changed on Queen’s Road, the first road built after the British occupation of Hong Kong.
Ukraine regains Zmiinyi Island
Russian troops withdrew from Snake Island, a small but strategic outpost in the Black Sea, after repeated assaults by Ukrainian troops. Here is the live update.
Development is a setback of the Moscow army. Just a week ago, the Kremlin was proud to repel attempts to recapture the Ukrainian islands.
Ukraine’s control of Snake Island could undermine Russia’s blockade of important grain routes in the Black Sea, which would increase food costs and even the possibility of shortages and famine in some countries. I created it. Still, there were no signs that the Kremlin was ready to allow the safe passage of Ukrainian vessels leaving the port of Odesa.
Diplomacy: At this week’s Group 7 and NATO Summit, Western leaders showed a unified front to Russia. However, energy costs were soaring, the Western people were tired, and leaders could not explain the end of the war.
we: President Biden said the country could face higher gas prices “as much as necessary” to defeat Russia. A dangerous statement as the midterm elections approach.
China: Beijing “has maliciously attacked and defiled the country” after announcing a definitive new vision that alliance leaders saw China as a strategic “challenge” for the first time. It caused a conflict. “
the latest news
Asia Pacific
Behind the scenes, global consulting firm McKinsey advised companies at the heart of the opioid crisis. A large number of documents reveal how opioid makers have helped target doctors, promote sales, and sell tablets that are twice as powerful as oxycontin.
Art and ideas
FBI steps into art case
In February, the Orlando Museum held a show by Jean-Michel Basquiat with 25 paintings never seen before. However, Brett Sokol’s Times article cast doubt on their credibility. One was drawn on the FedEx box in a typeface that was not used until 1994, six years after Basquiat’s death.
According to the FBI’s affidavit, De Groft threatened a dissatisfied expert after evaluating the artwork. “Shut up,” De Groft allegedly wrote in an email. “Stop being more holy than you.”
Play, see, eat
What to cook
That’s all for today’s briefing. See you. — Amelia
PS Nester Ramos will be us Next metro editor..
The latest episode of “The Daily” is about Europe’s support for Ukraine.
You can reach Amelia and the team briefing@nytimes.com..