You’re reading the Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition newsletter. Get what you need to know to start your day. Get it sent to your inbox.
Image
Members of the Chinese delegation at the trade talks in Geneva.Credit...Denis Balibouse/Reuters
U.S. said it made ‘progress’ toward a deal with China Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said yesterday that the U.S. had made “substantial progress” in talks with China after a weekend of meetings in Geneva, and that more details would be announced today.
Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative who joined Bessent for the talks, suggested that some form of a “deal” addressed U.S. national security concerns about China’s trade practices. He did not say whether the two nations had agreed to drop any of their punishing tariffs.
China’s vice premier for economic policy, He Lifeng, described the talks as “candid, in-depth and constructive” and said that the two countries had reached a deal to establish a “consultation mechanism” to discuss economic and trade issues, according to Chinese state media.
For some context, I spoke with Ana Swanson, who covers trade for The Times.
“Any reduction in tensions is good news for businesses that depend on trade between the United States and China,” Ana wrote, “but I would be cautious about expecting too much from just two days of meetings.”
Advertisement
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT
Other than lower tariffs, a possible outcome tomorrow “may just be more meetings,” she added.
Image
A house damaged by Pakistani artillery shelling in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir on Saturday.Credit...Atul Loke for The New York Times
India and Pakistan maintained a cease-fire The fragile truce between India and Pakistan appeared to be largely holding yesterday, on its first full day. Both countries claimed to have won the four-day conflict they had been engaged in.
After some initial fighting on Saturday, President Trump later announced that both sides had agreed to a cease-fire with the help of U.S. mediation. He added that he would increase trade “substantially” with both countries and work with them to settle their dispute over Kashmir.
Pakistan praised America for mediating, but India initially made no mention of U.S. involvement. Later, New Delhi acknowledged discussions with U.S. officials, but said it had made its own decisions. Here’s what else to know about the conflict.
Advertisement
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT
Under the guns: Showkat Nanda, born and raised in Kashmir, grew up hearing gunfire but had never spent a night under military bombardment until Pakistan and India started fighting. He wrote about the experience.
Image
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Trump at the White House in February.Credit...Eric Lee/The New York Times
Signs of division between Trump and Netanyahu As Trump prepares to visit the Middle East this week for his first major foreign trip, he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel are showing signs of a rift that has grown since April.
In February, they were in sync on issues like the Houthis, Iran and Gaza. Since then, Trump has rejected Netanyahu’s desire for joint action to take out Iran’s nuclear abilities. He also announced a deal with Houthi militias to halt U.S. airstrikes against them, just days after a Houthi missile struck Israel’s main airport. There is even some evidence of a divide on Gaza.
Advertisement
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT
Hamas: The Palestinian armed group said it would free Edan Alexander, the last living U.S. citizen held captive in Gaza.
MORE TOP NEWS
Image
Credit...Pool photo by Ludovic Marin
Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to attend in-person talks with Russia after Trump urged him to set aside his demand for an immediate truce first.
U.K.: Wildfires over the past week burned through forested areas in Scotland, Wales and England.
Politics: Trump plans to accept a luxury Boeing plane from the Qatari royal family that would be used as Air Force One, raising big ethical questions.
Bangladesh: The interim government said that it would ban all activities of the Awami League, the political party of the ousted leader Sheikh Hasina.
South Korea: The presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo have both vowed to bring national unity. But they are as politically opposite as it gets.
South Africa: The Trump administration is planning to allow a first group of white South Africans to enter the U.S. as refugees today, according to officials and documents.
The Vatican
Image
Credit...Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
First blessing: Pope Leo XIV used his first Sunday address to the faithful to call for peace.
A stunning consensus: This is how a quiet American became the new pope.
Origin story: The revelation that Leo XIV has roots among New Orleans Creoles has stirred curiosity and joy.
SPORTS NEWS
Image
Credit...Albert Gea/Reuters
Soccer: Barcelona took a dominant hold of La Liga’s title race with a wild 4-3 win over Real Madrid in yesterday’s El Clasico.
Formula 1: Rookie drivers aren’t being given a chance to shine. But there’s a reason for that.
Tennis: A secret tennis court is waiting for the new pope. Good thing Pope Leo XIV is a fan of the game.
MORNING READ
Image
Credit...Matthew DeFeo for The New York Times
Crypto bros, tech executives and start-up founders are ditching the boardroom for the ring. One company created Influencer Fight Club to give tech guys a chance to chase an old-fashioned ideal of masculinity. Lately, it has featured big names in the crypto world.
“I love to see these nerds all of a sudden try to man up,” one venture capitalist’s trainer said.
CONVERSATION STARTERS Next weekend: In his new film, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” Abel Tesfaye plays the Weeknd for the last time. What’s next for him?
Complicated feelings: This chef has a love-hate relationship with burgers.
Found footage: A long-lost pilot for “Thomas & Friends” was found in storage by accident. In it, Thomas the Tank Engine notices a funny smell.
Advertisement
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT
ARTS AND IDEAS
Image
Credit...Ricci Shryock for The New York Times
A small country with big artistic dreams Guinea-Bissau has virtually no art galleries, no art schools and little government funding for the arts. Despite this, the tiny West African nation just staged its first biennale.
The MoAC Biss, which runs through May 31, features some 150 artists, from 17 countries. The festival is designed in part to offer more opportunities for local artists, who have few current ways to display their work. As one curator put it, culture and art “feed our soul.”
Advertisement
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS
Image
Credit...David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich.
Cook: Miso rice cakes with spinach and peas are vitality in a skillet.
Watch: Here are eight new movies our critics are talking about.
Read: “The Family Dynamic” examines what makes some families exceptional.
Travel: We’ve compiled a list of apps that can make your trip smoother, safer and more fun.
Smile: Here are three tips for cultivating joy.
Play: Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle and Sudoku. Find all our games here.
That’s it for today. See you tomorrow. — Emmett
We welcome your feedback. Send us your suggestions at briefing@nytimes.com.