Thursday Briefing – The New York Times

Airstrikes hit Ukraine and Russia

Explosive drones were launched overnight Wednesday at six regions of Russia, Russian officials said, damaging military cargo planes at an airfield 30 miles from the border with NATO member Estonia, a sign apparent that Ukraine was increasingly able to retaliate in depth. The territory of Moscow.

Around the same time, Russia launched an airstrike on at least three regions of Ukraine, officials there said, including one of the largest barrages the Kyiv region has received in decades. month. The Ukrainian Air Force said it shot down 43 of the 44 incoming missiles and drones.

The assault in Russia came after months of deadly missile and drone strikes from Moscow against Ukrainian cities, infrastructure and military targets. Ukrainian officials did not claim responsibility for the night strikes on Russian soil, as is standard practice.

Strategy: Attacks on Russian soil are also meant to break Russian propaganda by showing Russians that their army is vulnerable, and to boost the morale of Ukrainians who want revenge.

Other news from the war:

A coup in Gabon

Military officers in Gabon said they seized power early yesterday, overturning disputed election results that returned incumbent President Ali Bongo Ondimba to power. The president, being held inside his residence, made a video call for help. But celebrations erupted in the streets, as many Gabonese rejoiced at the apparent demise of a family dynasty that ruled for half a century.

At the end of the day, the officers announced that General Brice Oligui Nguema, cousin of Bongo and head of the Republican Guard responsible for his protection, would be the new leader of Gabon.

Context: If successful, the coup in Gabon would be the latest in an extraordinary series of military takeovers across parts of Africa – at least nine over the past three years, including one last month in Niger.

Sharp remarks from Pope Francis

Speaking in Lisbon earlier this month, in comments made public this week, Pope Francis expressed dismay at “a very strong, organized and reactionary attitude” opposing him within the Catholic Church. Roman of the United States, an attitude that focuses on social issues like abortion and abortion. sexuality to the exclusion of concern for the poor and the environment.

Quoteable: “I would like to remind these people that delay is useless,” said Francis, 86. “By doing this, you lose true tradition and turn to ideologies for support. In other words, ideologies replace faith.

Other news: Theodore McCarrick, a former Catholic cardinal, is not competent to stand trial for sexual abuse, a Massachusetts judge has ruled.

In the 14th arrondissement of Paris, a citizens’ initiative is trying to improve the links between the inhabitants.

Members of the group, called the Republic of Super Neighbors, hold weekly brunches, after-work drinks and community gatherings. Their mission is to transform neighbors who interact five times a day into those who do so 50 times a day – one of many cities around the world that take inspiration from the idea of ​​hyperlocality.

lives lived

Nicholas Hitchon, who appeared at the age of 7 in “Seven Up! », a 1964 British documentary, and reappeared in subsequent episodes for more than half a century, has died aged 65.

SPORTS NEWS

John Isner’s last hurray: The dean of American men’s tennis is playing his last US Open.

US Ryder Cup Team: Key questions were answered after the team’s announcement.

Strengthen the Aston Martin brand: How the team is looking to capitalize on the Formula 1 boom.

Cautionary tale: It happens every year: a promising young player wins a match or two at a Grand Slam tournament, and all of a sudden the next big thing is coming.

ARTS AND IDEAS

A heavy tribute to an abolitionist heroine

A year ago, the city of Philadelphia invited a sculptor to design a public statue of Harriet Tubman. Complaints poured in, in part because the selected artist was a white male, and the city eventually issued an open call for entries. Five semi-finalist creations, all created by black artists, were finally selected.

“We know the depth and the value of our stories,” said Vinnie Bagwell, a 65-year-old New York artist who is among the semi-finalists. Wesley Wofford, above, the originally commissioned artist, was appalled by the public outcry. “Art is meant to be a universal language that transcends gender, race and culture,” he said.