The bloody position of Ukraine for Bakhmut
Andrew Kramer, our Kiev bureau chief, and Mauricio Lima, a photographer, recently traveled to Bakhmut, the site of one of the longest and bloodiest battles of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ukraine’s military is determined to defend the devastated city, although allies question the cost.
After 10 months of fighting, Ukraine has lost ground in the city. His soldiers have been pushed into a shrinking half-circle of ruins that is only about 20 blocks wide. Continuously deploys small units in close-range urban combat, with heavy casualties. Ukrainian soldiers said they were often close enough to hear the Russians talking in nearby buildings.
One commander, who was interviewed in a basement bunker, said his soldiers were engaging in about 15 firefights each day. He said his units lacked artillery shells, tanks and rocket-propelled grenades: “We pay with our lives for the lack of ammunition.”
Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are also defending an access road that is still passable. The route allows Ukraine to resupply and evacuate the wounded from Bakhmut. But it’s a harrowing journey: Travelers pass the hulks of blown-up, burned-out trucks that never made it.
Wearing down the enemy: Both Russia and Ukraine claim that the battle for Bakhmut, which has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties, has been vital in weakening the other side. Ukraine is trying to erode Russia’s strength before an early counteroffensive.
In other war news:
The United States is stepping up the shift to electric vehicles
The Biden administration unveiled plans to ensure most new cars sold in the U.S. are fully electric by 2032. The proposals would lead to the nation’s most ambitious climate regulations yet.
The rules would require nothing short of a revolution in the auto industry. The US government cannot force automakers to sell a certain number of electric vehicles, but it can limit the pollution generated by the total number of cars each manufacturer sells. The proposed strict new pollution limits will force the car industry to comply with the sale of a certain percentage of vehicles with zero emissions.
The proposed regulations would require two-thirds of new passenger cars and a quarter of new heavy-duty trucks to be fully electric in less than a decade. That would be a big lift. Last year, fully electric vehicles made up just 5.8 percent of new cars. All-electric trucks were even rarer, accounting for less than 2 percent of new heavy-duty trucks.
Climate boost: If the new rules are enacted, the US could eliminate the equivalent of two years’ worth of carbon dioxide emissions generated by all sectors of its economy. That would put the United States on track to reduce its emissions at the pace scientists say is needed for all nations to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Challenges: Some see the rules as an overreach of the government and will most likely ask the courts to intervene. Others fear job losses and lower profits.
In related news: China is leading the race in the next big innovation in rechargeable batteries: replacing lithium with sodium, a much cheaper and more abundant material.
The consequences of Macron’s trip to China
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, returned from a meeting in Beijing with Xi Jinping, the leader of China, and faced scathing criticism from some allies. Many saw him as welcoming Beijing.
Macron drew attention for adopting the Chinese lexicon of a “multipolar” world and suggesting that Taiwan is not Europe’s problem. On Tuesday, the president’s office felt it necessary to clarify France’s loyalties, suggesting Macron had confused his allies.
Also travel to Beijing: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is scheduled to meet with Xi tomorrow. He will share his own plan for a peace deal to end the war.
Elsewhere in Europe: Even as the US tries to weaken Western economic ties with Beijing, German companies are expanding in China.
THE LATEST NEWS
Asia Pacific
In Indonesia, a new conservative Islamic movement known as Hijrah is attracting millions of believers. Many are young, drawn by famous preachers on Instagram.
Its popularity is worrying government and religious officials, who fear the Hijra could erode a more moderate brand of Islam. The government wants to curb its influence.
Tourism recovers
After a pandemic hiatus, tourism in Africa is on the rise. Last year, 45 million visitors traveled to the continent, more than double the roughly 20 million who arrived in 2020 and 2021 (though down from nearly 69 million in 2019). But the nature of travel has changed.
In Africa, more visitors are looking for sustainable options that benefit the continent’s natural wildlife, as well as the communities living on the fringes of the parks. Change has been slow, but progressive parks are no longer isolated from the often impoverished nearby communities. In some cases, such as South Africa and Botswana, local communities or governments co-own luxury resorts.
Tourism is expanding to islands such as Santo Tomé and Príncipe and Cape Verde as adventurous travelers seek hidden tropical adventures, allowing them to compete with other regional islands such as the Seychelles and Mauritius.
The continent is also highlighting its cultural offerings to attract more visitors to urban Africa. Accra, the capital of Ghana, has attracted visitors through the Chale Wote Street Art festival. The Dakar Biennale, an art gathering in Senegal, has become a barometer of contemporary art in Africa.
Looking for some suggestions on where to travel? This year’s Times 52 places to go included Accra and lesser-known destinations such as the Namib Desert in southern Africa and the Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria’s vast Saharan landscape. Or try an urban safari making your way through Johannesburg, the urban heartbeat of South Africa.— Lynsey Chutel, Briefings writer in Johannesburg
PLAY, WATCH, EAT
what to cook
That’s it for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow. – Amelia
PS The word “catfluencer” first appeared in The Times recently, in an article I wrote about cats filming their own stunts.
“The Daily” is about the criminal case against Donald Trump.
We would like your opinion. Share your suggestions at briefing@nytimes.com.
