Your Thursday Briefing – The 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 aged 83 at her home in Switzerland, near Zurich. The cause of his death was not announced; she had a stroke in recent years and was known to struggle with kidney disease and other ailments.

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 band’s star attraction – and Turner’s wife – and the set was renamed the Ike and Tina Turner Revue.

But Ike Turner was abusive and after escaping marriage in his thirties, his career faltered. Her solo album “Private Dancer”, released in 1984, returned her to the limelight – and propelled her into the pop stratosphere. The album would sell five million copies and launch a career that would establish him as a worldwide phenomenon.

In his own words: “My music doesn’t sound dated; he’s still solid,” she said in 2008. “Like me.

Simply the best: “She was truly an extremely talented performer 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 more tributes.

For more: See Turner’s life in photos and listen to a playlist of 11 essential tracks.

Intelligence on the Kremlin 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 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 senior officials knew about the operation.

U.S. intelligence agencies arrived at 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 appears to be part of a series of covert operations that have worried 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 beyond Ukraine.

The last: After leading a military incursion into Russian territory, commanders of anti-Kremlin armed groups taunted the Russian military for its slow response and threatened Moscow with more raids to come.

In other wartime news:

• China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, promised Sino-Russian cooperation would reach a “higher level” during talks with the Russian prime minister in Beijing.

• The leader of Russia’s biggest mercenary force has warned that the country will face further setbacks unless its ruling elite takes drastic and likely unpopular steps to win the war.

Ron DeSantis’ Big Moment Goes Wrong

Ron DeSantis’ long-awaited official entry into the 2024 presidential campaign went haywire at its start last night during a glitches-filled Twitter live stream that was marred by technical glitches and dead air. The audio cut out amid talk of “server merge”, hot mic whispers and on-site troubleshooting.

Despite the problems, DeSantis, the combative 44-year-old Republican governor of Florida who has championed conservative causes and thrown a flurry of punches at the American left for years, provides Donald Trump with the most formidable Republican rival. he has faced since his ascension in 2016.

His candidacy comes at a pivotal time for the Republican Party, which must choose between once again aligning itself behind Mr Trump – who lost in 2020 and continues to wrongly rage over a stolen election – or unite around of a new challenger to take on President Biden.

Answer: The prolonged social media hiccup – as more than 500,000 people waited – was gleefully cheered on the platform itself. Donald Trump Jr. wrote one word: “#DeSaster”. President Biden posted a donate button in his reelection campaign with the words “This link works.”

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 so far — he’s trailed Trump about 30 points in Republican polls year-to-date.”

To lie down or not to lie down? A seasoned stewardess lists her rules of airline etiquette, which aim to strike a balance between reasonable comfort and thoughtfulness of fellow passengers.

SPORTS NEWS FROM ATHLETIC

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

Debunking the best stories of the Premier League season: An evaluation of the most compelling stories to see which were justified and which were not.

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

From the Times: “It’s definitely bigger.” Andrea Varnier, Managing Director of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games Organizing Committee, talks about running the most sprawling Games in history.

Happy Africa Day

Today is the 60th anniversary of Africa Day, an opportunity to challenge negative perceptions about this rich continent. In some countries, May 25 is a public holiday; in others, it’s a day of concerts, food fairs and fashion. There is no one 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 defined modern storytelling. Achebe challenged simplistic depictions of Africa in books like Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.

Dancing in the present: Afrobeats artists sold out to venues in the United States, and Amapiano’s hard-hitting beats infiltrated dance clubs in Europe. These genres, and the viral social media dances they have spawned, showcase a cheerful and youthful side of the continent.

Look to the future: If superhero movies are a vision of the future, Africa’s future seems to be female. And these heroines kick ass and take names. “Supa Team 4”, the latest hit African animated project, will premiere on Netflix in July. The series follows four crime-fighting teenage girls in futuristic Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. — Lynsey Chutel, editor of Briefings in Johannesburg.

That’s it for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow. -Natasha

PS The Times has reached an agreement for a new contract with the union which represents the majority of employees in the company’s American newsroom.

The latest episode of “The Daily” is about the ruined city of Bakhmut.

You can reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com.