Your Thursday Briefing

Tina Turner, 1939-2023

Singer Tina Turner, an unforgettable live performer and one of the most successful recording artists of all time, Died at the age of 83. At his home in Switzerland near Zurich. His cause of death was not announced. She had suffered a stroke in recent years and was struggling 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 group’s star attraction—and Turner’s wife—and the ensemble was renamed the Ike and Tina Turner Revue.

But Ike Turner was abusive, and when she escaped the marriage in her 30s, her career was destroyed. Her solo album “Private Dancer,” released in 1984, returned her to the spotlight — and catapulted her into the pop stratosphere. The album would go on to sell five million copies and ignite a career that established him as a worldwide phenomenon.

In their own words: “My music is not the sound of history; it’s still going strong,” he said in 2008. “Like me.”

best: “She was a truly talented actor and singer,” McGiar wrote on Instagram. “She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. He helped me a lot when I was young and I will never forget him. Read other tributes.

For more: See Turner Life in picturesand listen to one. A playlist of 11 essential tracks.

Intelligence information on the Kremlin drone attack

The May 3 drone attack on the Kremlin in Moscow was probably carried out by him. One of the Ukrainian special forces or intelligence units according to US authorities. But he said he did not know which unit carried out the attack, and it was unclear whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi or his top officials were aware of the operation.

U.S. intelligence agencies conveyed their initial assessment partly through communications in which Russian officials blamed Ukraine and other communications in which Ukrainian officials said they believed their country was responsible for the attack. is responsible for

It did little damage but appears to be part of a series of covert operations that have puzzled US officials. The Biden administration is concerned about the risk that Russia will blame the United States for these actions and retaliate by extending the war beyond Ukraine.

the latest: Commanders of anti-Kremlin armed groups, fresh from leading military incursions into Russian territory He ridiculed the Russian military for its slow response. And threatened Moscow with further raids.

In other war news:

• China’s Supreme Leader Xi Jinping expressed this determination. China-Russia cooperation will reach a “higher level” during talks with the Russian prime minister in Beijing.

• The leader of Russia’s largest mercenary army warned that the country will face further setbacks unless its ruling elite is tough and potentially unpopular. Steps to win the war.

Ron DeSantis’ big moment goes awry.

Ron DeSant’s long-awaited official entry into the 2024 presidential campaign It was spoiled at the beginning During a glitch-filled live stream on Twitter last night that was marred by technical issues and dead air. The audio cut in and out between “server meltdowns,” the whisper of a hot mic, and on-the-spot troubleshooting talk.

Despite the problems, DeSantis, the 44-year-old embattled Republican governor of Florida, who has championed conservative causes and punched America’s left for years, is Donald Trump’s most popular candidate since his rise to power in 2016. Provides powerful Republican challengers.

His candidacy comes at a critical moment for the Republican Party, which must choose between aligning once again behind Mr. Trump — who lost in 2020 — and being wrongly angry about a stolen election. have been — or to unite around a new challenger to take on President Biden.

Reply: The extended social media hiccup – as more than 500,000 people were waiting – was met with joy on the platform itself. Donald Trump Jr. wrote one word: “#DeSaster.” President Biden posted a donation button for his re-election campaign with the words, “This link works.”

Analysis: “DeSantis has long been seen as the candidate by Republicans who want Trumpism without the chaos,” said Tripp Gabriel, who covers politics for the Times. “Although DeSantis is Trump’s closest challenger — indeed, the only serious one for now — he has trailed Trump by nearly 30 points in Republican polls since the start of the year.”

To lean or not? List of an experienced flight attendant Its airline etiquette rulesThe aim is to strike a balance between adequate comfort and thoughtfulness for fellow passengers.

Sports news from The Athletic.

Is Wrexham welcome in the US?: The rapid rise of Wrexham The popularity is undeniable, but this summer it will be quantified in dollars and cents.

Uncover the best stories of the Premier League season: Estimate the most Compelling narratives To see which ones were legitimate and which ones weren’t.

The most scrutinized shirt in football: Number 7 jersey Not currently being worn at Manchester United, and whoever uses it next should live up to the hype.

From the Times: “It’s definitely big.” Andrea Vernier, Chief Executive of the Organizing Committee of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, talks about this. Management of the most elaborate games in history.

Happy African Day.

Today is the 60th anniversary of Africa Day, an opportunity to challenge negative perceptions of the rich continent. May 25 is a public holiday in some countries. In others, it is a day of concerts, food fairs and fashion. There is no single way to celebrate. Below are some ideas:

Read from the past: Chinua Achebe revolutionized African literature in 1958 with “Things Fall Apart,” a book that defined modern storytelling. Achebe Challenged simple representations. of Africa in books such as “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad.

Currently dancing: Afrobeats artists have. sold out In places in America, and thumping The ampiano beats. has infiltrated dance clubs in Europe. These species, and viral Social media dance They have reborn, revealing a happier, younger side of the continent.

Keep an eye on the future: If superhero movies are a vision of the future, then the future of Africa appears to be women. And these heroines are kicking ass and calling names. “Supa Team 4”, the latest blockbuster African animation project, will premiere on Netflix this July. The series follows four teenage girls fighting crime in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. – Lynsey Chutel, a briefing writer in Johannesburg.

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

PS The Times An agreement was reached for a new contract with the union representing the majority of the company’s U.S. newsroom employees.

The latest episode of “Daily newspaper“On the ruined city of Bekhmut.

You can reach Natasha and the team. Briefing@nytimes.com.