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Weekend Briefing

From Reuters Daily Briefing

By Robert MacMillan, Reuters.com Weekend Editor

Hello, weekend readers. We have the latest on Trump's federal indictment, the war in Ukraine and hard times for wheat, cashews and cocoa. Thanks to everyone who wrote to me about Jamie Dimon. Most of you do know who he is, which means I lost a bet.

Documents stored in a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago in early 2021. U.S. Justice Department/Handout via Reuters

'Wouldn't it be better if we just told them we don't have anything here?'

He kept them where? U.S. prosecutors accused Donald Trump of risking some of the country's most sensitive security secrets by taking classified documents with him after leaving the White House. The former president also considered lying to government officials seeking to recover the documents, the charges said, including some stored around a toilet.
What you need to know: Trump is scheduled to make his first appearance in a Florida federal court on Tuesday. Here is a look at the charges and Trump's possible defenses. And here's a spoiler of sorts: It is unlikely that the prosecution will proceed if Trump wins the 2024 presidential election.

Kiss me, Doctor Fauci

Fun with AI: Trump hugs Dr. Anthony Fauci. Trump kisses Dr. Anthony Fauci (on the nose). These images, apparently AI-generated fakes, came to us courtesy of the Ron DeSantis presidential-campaign team.
Even more fun with AI: Microsoft's and Google's strategy to test artificial-intelligence search ads is annoying some brands, while the FBI said AI is being used for "sextortion."

Is this the Ukraine counteroffensive?

It depends on your source: Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive has begun, while Volodymyr Zelenskiy said nothing either way. There is growing evidence that an explosion occurred at the Kakhovka dam around the time of its collapse. And life in Russian cities close to the border is getting more dangerous.
The tally: Our Moscow bureau chief Guy Faulconbridge adds up the cost of Russia's invasion, including the displacement of millions of people and the deaths of tens of thousands.

What a time to not go gluten-free

Wheat worries: China's growers are facing "disaster" after heavy rains, Ukraine might lose 20% of its winter-grain yield because of poor weather, and Australia's wheat and barley output might fall by a third next year because of el Niño.
Even less-tasty news: A slump in global cashew demand has pushed Ivory Coast's industry to the verge of collapse, and heavy rain in the west-African nation is raising fears of disease in its cocoa crop.

Before I forget:

Québec is starting efforts to control wildfires that many of us in North America couldn't fail to notice this week. Now they're spreading in British Columbia as Canada endures its worst start to wildfire season.

Our World News podcast host Kim Vinnell interviewed Kosovo's leaders and people about a smoldering situation between the government and its minority Serb population. Have a listen and learn interesting things.

Germany's far-right faction is the most successful party of its kind there since the Nazis. What's their secret? They want immigrants out and they hate the "green" agenda, and that seems to resonate.

Two toddlers gravely wounded by a Syrian knife-wielding attacker in Annecy, France, were in a stable condition and doctors are optimistic for their recovery. The outlook is less certain for President Emmanuel Macron's new immigration bill.

The founder of an "orgasmic meditation company" was charged with forced-labor conspiracy. Send punchlines here. I'll publish the winning entry as long as my editor thinks it won't get me fired.

Finally, there is much excited chatter that automation will unleash a fourth Industrial Revolution. Anyone who thinks that should take a second look at today's very different political and economic conditions, Breakingviews columnist Edward Chancellor writes.

Note: The June 9 edition of the Daily Briefing included an incorrect photo caption. The description should have read, 'The House of Culture on a flooded street in Nova Kakhovka, Kherson Region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, June 6, 2023. Alexey Konovalov/TASS/Handout via REUTERS.'

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