(Want to receive this newsletter in your inbox? Here is register.)
1. Tucker Carlson is leaving Fox News.
Carlson’s top-rated show featured prominently after Fox settled a defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million, a stunning announcement that sent shockwaves through the conservative world and surprised even Donald Trump.
“Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” the network said in a brief statement, thanking him for his “services.” Carlson, whose last show was on Friday, seemed unaware that his time at Fox News was over when he quit.
“Tucker Carlson Tonight,” which Carlson has hosted since 2016, will be replaced by a temporary new show on Fox News’ rotation.
2. President Biden will announce his re-election bid. This time it’s more complicated.
As with the last campaign, his statement could come as soon as tomorrow, and possibly in video form. But this time, Biden will not only need to warn of the dangers of Donald Trump’s return, but also defend his record. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may also be in the running.
A recent poll found that 70% of Americans think Biden should not run for re-election. At 80, he’s already the oldest U.S. president in history — and many Democrats are eager for a new face. But none of them showed up. Some of Biden’s top donors say they support the president fully but nervously.
more political news: After more than two years, Susan Rice is stepping down as Biden’s domestic policy adviser.
3. The refugee crisis in the region is exacerbated by civilians fleeing Sudan into neighboring countries.
Gunfire, shelling and airstrikes rocked Sudan for 10 days as two generals battled for control. Four hundred people died and thousands were injured. Thousands have also poured into Chad, Egypt and South Sudan, as countries in the region also grapple with conflict, hunger and economic struggle.
Over the weekend, governments including the United States began evacuating diplomatic personnel by air or by coach convoy. Continue to escape today. Some Sudanese feel abandoned and angry that a broad international diplomatic effort has failed. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said “dozens” of Americans wanted to leave Sudan but arranging transport was too dangerous. There are an estimated 16,000 Americans in the country.
Other international news: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired a UN Security Council meeting and was condemned by Western members and senior UN officials for the invasion of Ukraine.
4. Jury selection began with the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre trial.
Federal prosecutors will seek the death penalty for outspoken white supremacist Robert Powers accused of killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in October 2018. It was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history. He was charged with 63 crimes, including 11 hate crimes resulting in death.
Powers’ lawyers argued he suffered from “serious mental illness” and was willing to plead guilty to all counts in exchange for life in prison without the possibility of parole. Federal prosecutors rejected the offer. The congregation, family members and synagogue representatives were divided over whether the death penalty was appropriate.
More legal news: The civil trial of Donald Trump, who was accused of rape Nearly 25 years ago, the trial will begin tomorrow in Manhattan federal district court. Columnist and author E. Jean Carroll sued Trump last year over the alleged incident.
5. The Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets.
The deal, confirmed by a source familiar with the matter, ends a three-year power struggle between the team and Rodgers, one of the game’s greatest pass-rushers.
Ever since Joe Namath led the Jets to their only Super Bowl win in 1969, the team has struggled to find a long-term winning quarterback. In exchange for Rodgers, the Jets agreed to trade the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft; two late-round picks; and a conditional second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They’ll get Rodgers; the 15th overall pick and a late round pick.
Rodgers spent 18 seasons with Green Bay, winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award four times. But he’s growing dissatisfied with some aspects of the franchise’s direction.
6. Bed Bath & Beyond has filed for bankruptcy protection.
The 52-year-old home furnishings retailer will begin closing its 360 stores and 120 Buy Buy Baby stores on Wednesday and conduct store closure sales. Customers have until May 8 to use the gift card. All stores are expected to be closed until June 30.
The chain has fallen victim to today’s uncertain economic climate, clumsy corporate structures and a failure to consider online shopping. The company’s decline offers a glimpse into the overall forces shaping the post-pandemic turbulent retail landscape.
In other business news, Underscoring the bank’s worsening woes, clients withdrew nearly $69 billion from Credit Suisse in the first quarter.
7. Young workers may be missing out on remote work, according to a new study.
More than 50 million Americans, mostly in white-collar jobs, have started working from home during the pandemic. One of the first major studies on remote work has found that despite the advantages of convenience and flexibility, younger workers may pay a professional price.
A study of a group of engineers found that the “power of proximity” is especially strong for new hires, younger workers and women, who receive less feedback and are more likely to quit. Although the findings are somewhat narrow, the study suggests that offices can play an important role in early career development.
In health news: Covid-19 was different this spring, experts say: Death rates and case rates in the U.S. have fallen because almost everyone is immune or can take Paxlovid. Game-changing variants are yet to emerge.
8. We remember Lady Edna, aka Australian-born comedian Barry Humphreys.
Humphreys died in Sydney on Saturday aged 89 after undergoing hip surgery. For nearly seven years, he embodied the impetuous personality of Dame Edna Everage, mingling with British, Hollywood and Broadway royalty.
A master of improvisation, Humphreys was one of the world’s foremost theatrical clowns. In 1955, he envisioned Edna as Mrs Norm Everage, the quintessential Australian housewife. (“Everage” means “average” in Australian.) In Edna’s quip: “I made a decision: I put my family last” or as she tends to call her audience “possums “. My retired colleague Ben Brantley wrote that she was “The Real Housewife.” Or surreal housewives, if you will. “
10. Finally, They found a way to get Gen Z to love chess.
Since early November, the number of daily active users of the learning app and website Chess.com has jumped from 5.4 million to more than 11 million. The fastest growing players are under the age of 24.
The pandemic and the “Queen’s Gamble” miniseries may have helped. But Chess.com has targeted a younger crowd on social media, hoping to transform the game’s wacky image into something cooler. Users can play against humans of the same skill level or against AI avatars. The most popular by far is Mittens the cat robot, which can beat almost any human player in the world.
Spend a night strategically.
brent lewis Photos compiled for this conference.
Want to read about past briefings? You can browse them here.
what do you like? What do you want to see here?let us know briefing@nytimes.com.
