Your Thursday Briefing: Explosions over the Kremlin

Dueling accusations about the Kremlin explosion

Two explosions occurred 15 minutes apart in the Kremlin early yesterday, video footage verified by The Times showed. The incident led to many accusations and heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia has accused the Ukrainian government of orchestrating the drone strike, which it described as a deliberate attempt to attack President Vladimir Putin’s residence. The Kremlin said the attack was foiled by Russia’s “electronic warfare system,” but has not released evidence to suggest Ukraine was behind the explosion.

Ukraine strongly denies involvement. It asserted that Russia had staged the incident to divert attention from a counterattack. Senior Ukrainian officials warned that this was an attempt by the Kremlin to set the stage for more deadly attacks.

US intelligence agencies are still trying to determine what happened. “We don’t know,” said Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, when asked about the incident. “I’ll take anything that comes out of the Kremlin with a huge shaker of salt.”

Video: Watch footage of what appears to be two drones exploding for minutes over the Kremlin.

Analysis: Our Moscow bureau chief noted that the Kremlin made a deliberate choice to quickly publicize the incident. Now the question is whether Russia will use the incident to justify further escalation in Ukraine.

How the US miscalculated in Sudan

Just a few weeks ago, American diplomats thought Sudan was on the verge of a deal to continue its transition from military dictatorship to democracy. But after war erupted between forces led by two rival generals, the US faced questions about failed diplomacy.

Critics say America was naive about the two generals and missed an opportunity to strengthen civilian leadership. Fumbles may have contributed to the current outbreak of fighting.

Big picture: The Sudanese war created the kind of power vacuum the United States wanted. Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group are among those trying to fill the void, throwing their weight on one side or the other, US officials said. Sudan’s ousted prime minister, Abdalla Hamdok, said a civil war in Sudan would make the conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya look like “small plays.”

Evacuation: Saudi Arabia played a key role in helping people leave Sudan, sending naval and commercial ships on more than a dozen trips across the Red Sea. They have evacuated nearly 6,000 people so far, less than 250 of whom are Saudi citizens.

Bikini Atoll crisis

In the 1980s, the US established two funds to compensate residents of Bikini Atoll, who were displaced due to nuclear testing there. After a campaign by the leader of Bikini, the Trump administration in 2017 lifted the withdrawal limit and stopped the audit of the main fund, then worth $ 59 million.

Six years later, it was only $100,000.

The mayor of the council that oversees the displaced community has made several questionable purchases, including $4.8 million for land in Hawaii. He said the investment was made out of an awareness of rising climate threats, but he admitted to using the funds for personal expenses.

No more lifelines: The Bikini community is in crisis. Monthly payments of about $150 to each of the community’s 6,800 members to help cover food and rent have stopped.

Bristol, a city in the southwest of England, is younger than the rest of the country. As the coronation of King Charles III approaches, views of the royal family vary by age, with many younger citizens questioning the necessity of the monarchy.

ART and IDEAS

Live a less toxic life

Common household items may have hidden pollutants. We have suggestions for ways to reduce toxicity in your home.

Candle: Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. Gives off fumes when burned, which may irritate the eyes or worsen respiratory conditions. And wicks can contain lead. Try beeswax or soy wax, but read the fine print to make sure it doesn’t contain paraffin.

Plastic container: The kitchen is full of plastic bags and containers. Some contain Bisphenol A, or BPA, which has been linked to all kinds of health problems. (BPA-free plastic can contain Bisphenol S, which is the same chemical.) Try a glass or metal container with a silicone lid. There are also plastic-free wrappers – wax-covered cotton – which are often compostable.