China, Assange, Oil Tankers: Your Tuesday Briefing

> China hits back at the U.S. ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0R-aHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjIxNzcyJmxheW91dD1tYXJxdWVlJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1NQkVfMjAxOTA1MTQmbGk9TUJFVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ [The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0RGaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV8yMDE5MDUxNFcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0RGaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS8_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV8yMDE5MDUxNFcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [The New York Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9icmllZmluZy9jaGluYS1hc3NhbmdlLW9pbC10YW5rZXJzLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X2RrXzIwMTkwNTE0VwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Tuesday, May 14, 2019 | [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9icmllZmluZy9jaGluYS1hc3NhbmdlLW9pbC10YW5rZXJzLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV8yMDE5MDUxNFcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Supported by Good morning, We start today with China’s response to U.S. tariffs, a potential ban for Manchester City and a meeting between Orban and Trump. By Melina Delkic Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. Jeenah Moon for The New York Times China hits back at the U.S. by raising tariffs, too China’s Finance Ministry announced that it would increase duties on a wide variety of American goods to 20 percent or 25 percent from 10 percent on June 1. The news rippled through Wall Street, which had [its worst day since the beginning of the year](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9idXNpbmVzcy9nbG9iYWwtbWFya2V0cy5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPXRvcE5ld3NXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), as investors digested the prospect that the trade war could persist. Takeaway: While China’s decision intensifies the continuing trade war, delaying the start of the higher tariffs leaves room to reach a deal that could end the standoff. The move mirrors the Trump administration’s increased tariffs on Chinese goods. Those won’t bite immediately, either: They will apply to shipments that left China on Friday, which typically take two to four weeks by sea to reach the U.S. Bigger picture: The question now is whether the U.S. and China can reach a deal this time. Negotiators have met 11 times, with both sides asserting that a deal was close, only for talks to fall apart at the last minute. Related: The U.S. released [a list of the items that would face a tax of as much as 25 percent](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9idXNpbmVzcy90b3lzLXBob25lcy1hbmQtc25lYWtlcnMtdGhlLWNoaW5lc2UtZ29vZHMtdHJ1bXAtd2FudHMtdG8tdGF4LW5leHQuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). They include toys, shoes, coffee makers, watches, smartphones, fireworks, guns and much more. The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leaving court in London in May. Matt Dunham/Associated Press Sweden reopens rape case against Julian Assange The Swedish authorities announced that they would [reopen an investigation into a rape allegation against the WikiLeaks founder](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SOaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvd2lraWxlYWtzLWp1bGlhbi1hc3NhbmdlLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3c1cDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), adding a layer of complication to the cases he is tangled in. This investigation stems from an accusation in 2010 by a Swedish woman that was dropped after Mr. Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. He was removed from the embassy last month and promptly arrested and sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for jumping bail. Reminder: The U.S. is still seeking Mr. Assange’s extradition over accusations that he had tried to assist in a huge breach of classified information, primarily about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even without the rape investigation, extraditing him to the U.S. was bound to be a long and complicated process that could take years. What’s next: British officials will have to decide which of the two cases takes precedence. If he is extradited to Sweden to face the rape allegations, he can’t be sent to the U.S. without permission from Britain, Swedish prosecutors said. A Norwegian oil tanker near Fujairah Port, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday. Ali Haider/EPA, via Shutterstock Oil tankers sabotaged off coast of United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said [two of its oil tankers sustained “significant damage”](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy93b3JsZC9taWRkbGVlYXN0L3NhdWRpLWFyYWJpYS1vaWwtdGFua2VyLXNhYm90YWdlLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3c1cDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) near the Strait of Hormuz, the gateway to the Persian Gulf. A Norwegian company said one of its tankers was also damaged. Neither Saudi Arabia nor the United Arab Emirates assigned blame, and the nature of the sabotage was still unclear. But the news raised fears of escalating tensions with Iran. In recent years, Iran has threatened to block traffic in the strait in response to Western sanctions but has not followed through. Context: The news came after the Trump administration deployed aircraft carriers and bombers to the gulf to counter what it says is the possibility of increased aggression from Iran. The pressure tactics are aimed at forcing political change in Tehran. Manchester City after the Premier League match with Brighton on Sunday. James Boardman/EPA, via Shutterstock UEFA to seek Manchester City ban Manchester City, which won the Premier League title on Sunday, [faces a minimum one-year ban from the Champions League](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0S-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9zcG9ydHMvbWFuY2hlc3Rlci1jaXR5LWNoYW1waW9ucy1sZWFndWUtdWVmYS5odG1sP2FjdGlvbj1jbGljayZtb2R1bGU9TmV3cyZwZ3R5cGU9SG9tZXBhZ2UmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249dG9wTmV3c1cDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) over allegations of financial impropriety and rule-breaking. The English soccer authorities and officials at UEFA, European soccer’s governing body and the organizer of the Champions League, have for months been investigating Manchester City after the allegations were revealed in [damaging](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0S3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3BpZWdlbC5kZS9pbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsL3dvcmxkL21hbmNoZXN0ZXItY2l0eS1hY2N1c2VkLW9mLXVzaW5nLXNoYWRvdy1maXJtcy10by1mbG91dC1ydWxlcy1hLTEyNTU3OTYuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj10b3BOZXdzVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [leaks](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0S2aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3BpZWdlbC5kZS9pbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsL21hbmNoZXN0ZXItY2l0eS1leHBvc2VkLWJlbmRpbmctdGhlLXJ1bGVzLXRvLXRoZS10dW5lLW9mLW1pbGxpb25zLWEtMTIzNjM0Ni5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPXRvcE5ld3NXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) over much of the past year. Any effort to ban Manchester City also carries risks for UEFA, because it sets up a legal battle against a powerful, deep-pocketed club. If UEFA loses, the integrity of its rules is at stake. What’s next: The investigatory panel’s leader will have the final say on the submission to a separate adjudicatory chamber, which could be filed as soon as this week. It remains unclear if any ban, if levied, would be enforced next season or in the 2020-21 campaign. If you have 13 minutes, this is worth it Cumbria, a land of beauty and austerity Laetitia Vancon for The New York Times In Britain, the government’s decade-long austerity program has rippled through every aspect of life, resulting in the closing of tiny community centers and the elimination of bus routes. For many retired people, those small changes can [profoundly upend their lives](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvY3VtYnJpYS11ay1hdXN0ZXJpdHktY3V0cy5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPWxvbmdSZWFkVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) — particularly in Cumbria, one of the poorest rural areas in England. PAID POST: A MESSAGE FROM CAMPAIGN MONITOR Email Marketing 101: Never Sacrifice Beauty for Simplicity A drag-and-drop email builder, a gallery of templates and turnkey designs, personalized customer journeys, and engagement segments. It's everything you need to create stunning, results-driven email campaigns in minutes. And with Campaign Monitor, you have access to it all, along with award-winning support around the clock. It's beautiful email marketing done simply. [Learn More](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2FtcGFpZ25tb25pdG9yLmNvbS9lbWFpbC1tYXJrZXRpbmctc29mdHdhcmUvP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZGlzcGxheSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPW55dCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249MDQwMjE5JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PW5hdGl2ZVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Here’s what else is happening Sudan: The country’s former president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, has been [charged in connection with the deaths of protesters](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SOaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy93b3JsZC9hZnJpY2EvYWwtYmFzaGlyLWNoYXJnZWQtc3VkYW4uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) who were killed in demonstrations last month that led to his ouster, the nation’s public prosecutor said. The military council said it was holding Mr. al-Bashir at a prison in the capital city, Khartoum. Sri Lanka: The country declared a nationwide curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. in an attempt to [curb violence after attacks](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy93b3JsZC9hc2lhL3NyaS1sYW5rYS1jdXJmZXctbW9icy5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) against the minority Muslim population. Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orban sat down with President Trump, who [lavished praise on the authoritarian leader](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SUaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy91cy9wb2xpdGljcy90cnVtcC12aWt0b3Itb3JiYW4tb3ZhbC1vZmZpY2UuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). “Respected all over Europe,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Orban. “Probably like me, a little bit controversial, but that’s O.K.” Germany: The microscopic remains of dozens of prisoners, most of them women, who were executed for resisting Adolf Hitler and whose bodies were used for research by Nazi doctors, [were buried in a simple wooden box at a Berlin cemetery](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvbmF6aS12aWN0aW0tYnVyaWFsLWJlcmxpbi5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPXdoYXRFbHNlVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) on Monday. Science: Can stem-cell injections treat damaged joints? While some claim to have been helped, there is [no clear evidence](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9oZWFsdGgvc3RlbS1jZWxscy1mZGEuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) that these treatments work, and their safety has yet to be established. Ireland: [An American pastor who has been accused of anti-Semitic and homophobic hate speech](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy93b3JsZC9ldXJvcGUvYW1lcmljYW4tcGFzdG9yLWlyZWxhbmQtaGF0ZS1zcGVlY2guaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) was barred from entering the country. It was the first use of a 1999 law that allows the government to exclude people for national security or public policy reasons. Alex Majoli Snapshot: Above, Dexa Beach on Ithaca, Greece. [One writer chronicled his voyage](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy90LW1hZ2F6aW5lL2dyZWVjZS1pdGhhY2EtdmlzaXQuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) to the island, once thought to be the home of Odysseus as told in Homer’s epic eighth-century B.C. poem “The Odyssey.” Amazon: Under a new incentive program, Amazon said that it would [fund up to $10,000 in start-up costs and provide three months of pay to any employees](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9idXNpbmVzcy9hbWF6b24tZGVsaXZlcnktYnVzaW5lc3MuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj13aGF0RWxzZVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) who decide to quit and start their own delivery businesses. What we’re reading: [This article in The Washingtonian.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0ShaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2FzaGluZ3Rvbmlhbi5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMi9pbnNpZGUtdGhlLXBhbXBlcmVkLXBlcnNvbmFsaXplZC13b3JsZC1kY3MtdmlwLWRpbmVycy8_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249d2hhdEVsc2VXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) “This look at how high-end Washington restaurants treat their V.I.P. customers really drove home a central truth of fine dining,” says Michael Gold, a Metro reporter: “The people you might expect to say ‘don’t you know who I am?’ to get a table really don’t need to.” ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjIxNzY5JmxpPU1CRSZtPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnA9TUJFXzIwMTkwNTE0VwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjIxNzcwJmxpPU1CRSZtPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnA9TUJFXzIwMTkwNTE0VwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjIxNzcxJmxpPU1CRSZtPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnA9TUJFXzIwMTkwNTE0VwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ Now, a break from the news Ryan Liebe for The New York Times Cook: This take on a Niçoise salad turns the recipe into an elegant [sheet-pan dinner with roasted mustard-glazed salmon](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SSaHR0cHM6Ly9jb29raW5nLm55dGltZXMuY29tL3JlY2lwZXMvMTAyMDIyMC1zaGVldC1wYW4tcm9hc3RlZC1zYWxtb24tbmljb2lzZS1zYWxhZD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWtXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) in place of tuna. (Our [Five Weeknight Dishes](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SHaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvZml2ZS13ZWVrbmlnaHQtZGlzaGVzP21vZHVsZT1pbmxpbmUmdGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) newsletter has more recommendations.) Listen: Vampire Weekend has returned, spurring questions about how the band was received in the past, and where it stands in the current climate. [Our critics discuss on the new Popcast](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9hcnRzL211c2ljL3BvcGNhc3QtdmFtcGlyZS13ZWVrZW5kLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249YUJyZWFrVwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Watch: Zac Efron charms as Ted Bundy in a scene from “[Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8wMy9tb3ZpZXMvZXh0cmVtZWx5LXdpY2tlZC1zaG9ja2luZ2x5LWV2aWwtYW5kLXZpbGUtc2NlbmUuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWtXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA),” Joe Berlinger’s biopic about the serial killer. Go: There are more than 100 exhibitions and presentations taking place in this year’s Venice Biennale. [Which should you see](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMy9hcnRzL2Jlc3QtdGhpbmdzLXRvLXNlZS12ZW5pY2UtYmllbm5hbGUuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWtXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)? Smarter Living: Maintaining relationships is like earning compound interest: We make investments through our words and actions, and over time our relationships blossom. Shared experiences with our loved ones are what get us through the other parts of our lives. So today, check in with an old friend, text someone a meme or even take a minute to say an overdue thank you. [It could brighten both of your days](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SpaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8xMi9zbWFydGVyLWxpdmluZy9pbnZlc3QtaW4teW91ci1yZWxhdGlvbnNoaXBzLXRoZS1wYXlvZmYtaXMtaW1tZW5zZS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPWFCcmVha1cDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). When you want to shut everything out, there are many pros and cons to [noise-canceling headphones](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SeaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNS8wNy90cmF2ZWwvdGhlLXByb3MtYW5kLWNvbnMtb2Ytbm9pc2UtY2FuY2VsaW5nLWhlYWRwaG9uZXMuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1hQnJlYWtXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA). And now for the Back Story on … The straw Around the world, limits are being imposed on plastics, which break into particles that end up [permeating the oceans](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxNy8wNC8xOS9jbGltYXRlL2FyY3RpYy1wbGFzdGljcy1wb2xsdXRpb24uaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1iYWNrU3RvcnlXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), [the air](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOS8wNC8xOC9zY2llbmNlL3doYXQtYXJlLW1pY3JvcGxhc3RpY3MuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1iYWNrU3RvcnlXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), [the earth](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SbaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxNy8wNy8xOS9jbGltYXRlL3BsYXN0aWMtcG9sbHV0aW9uLXN0dWR5LXNjaWVuY2UtYWR2YW5jZXMuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1iYWNrU3RvcnlXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) and even [our bodies](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAxOC8xMC8yMi9oZWFsdGgvbWljcm9wbGFzdGljcy1odW1hbi1zdG9vbC5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPWJhY2tTdG9yeVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). One common target is the drinking straw. A McDonald’s cup with a plastic straw floating in the sea, off Britain’s southern coast. Andrew Aitchison/in pictures, via Getty Images In the U.S. alone, hundreds of millions of straws are used daily. Seattle has banned them. In Los Angeles, if you want a straw, [you have to ask for it](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0ScaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGF0aW1lcy5jb20vbG9jYWwvbGFub3cvbGEtbWUtbG4tcGxhc3RpYy1zdHJhd3MtZWFydGgtZGF5LTIwMTkwNDIyLXN0b3J5Lmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249YmFja1N0b3J5VwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Hipster bars far and wide are switching to paper. But humans and straws go way back. The Sumerian civilization (4,000 B.C.) in southern Mesopotamia used hollow reeds or golden tubes [to sip beer](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SQaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGVubi5tdXNldW0vZG9jdW1lbnRzL3B1YmxpY2F0aW9ucy9leHBlZGl0aW9uL1BERnMvMjgtMi9CcmVhZC5wZGY_dGU9MSZubD1tb3JuaW5nLWJyaWVmaW5nJmVtYz1lZGl0X01CRV9wXzIwMTkwNTE0JnNlY3Rpb249YmFja1N0b3J5VwNueXRCCgAkXEzaXL1F3aNSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), bypassing gunk left from fermentation. In 19th-century America, an inventor, [Marvin Stone](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SAaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVhcm5pbmctaGlzdG9yeS5jb20vbWFydmluLXN0b25lLWludmVudG9yLXN0cmF3Lz90ZT0xJm5sPW1vcm5pbmctYnJpZWZpbmcmZW1jPWVkaXRfTUJFX3BfMjAxOTA1MTQmc2VjdGlvbj1iYWNrU3RvcnlXA255dEIKACRcTNpcvUXdo1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA), wrapped paper strips around a pencil, glued and waxed them, and patented his creation in 1888. Forty years later, another inventor, [Joseph Friedman](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRevNFcP0SIaHR0cHM6Ly9pbnZlbnRpb24uc2kuZWR1L3N0cmFpZ2h0LXRydXRoLWFib3V0LWZsZXhpYmxlLWRyaW5raW5nLXN0cmF3P3RlPTEmbmw9bW9ybmluZy1icmllZmluZyZlbWM9ZWRpdF9NQkVfcF8yMDE5MDUxNCZzZWN0aW9uPWJhY2tTdG9yeVcDbnl0QgoAJFxM2ly9Rd2jUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), put a screw in a straw. Wrapping floss around the screw’s thread created small ridges that made the straw bendable, which proved helpful for hospital patients when drinking from cups. Only since the polymer boom of the 1960s have straws been predominantly made of plastic. That’s it for this briefing. See you next time. — Melina Thank you To Mark Josephson, Eleanor Stanford and Kenneth R. Rosen for the break from the news. James K. Williamson wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach the team at [briefing@nytimes.com](mailto:briefing+midnight@nytimes.com?subject=Briefing%20Feedback&te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_MBE_p_20190514§ion=endNote). 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