Insider Finance - Business - Experts question Kremlin mystery

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May 5, 2023

Hello, Insiders. Jennifer H. Cunningham, editor in chief for news, here. Moscow’s superior air defense-system is among the reasons some experts are questioning the validity of Russia’s claim that it intercepted a Ukrainian drone hovering above the Kremlin that was sent to assassinate President Vladimir Putin. That’s today’s big story.

In today’s edition:

Ron DeSantis' memoir could come back to bite him in the Disney legal battle.
A visual explainer of everything that is set to happen at King Charles’ coronation.
The “dumb phones” that Gen Zers are most obsessed with.

— Jennifer H. Cunningham

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THE LATEST

Debt ceiling, Thomas, & meteors

The White House warned a debt-ceiling crisis could be as bad as the Great Recession — and there'd be no way for the government to help anyone. More here.
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is going to peak today, giving you the chance to see up to 40 shooting stars an hour. How to watch.
A conservative activist helped Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, make nearly $100,000 for “consulting,” per The Washington Post. Read more.

THE BIG STORY

Kremlin drone questions

Unverified footage on social media appeared to show an object flying over the Kremlin in Moscow

Reuters

There are big problems with the way the Kremlin drone incident went down.

Russia on Wednesday claimed that two drones were sent over the Kremlin as a "planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president's life." But in a war rife with propaganda, experts are questioning a number of things that “don’t quite add up.”

The Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank, says "several indicators suggest that the strike was internally conducted and purposefully staged" by Russia.

The ISW added that it’s "extremely unlikely" that two drones could get close enough to explode "just over the heart of the Kremlin in a way that provided spectacular imagery caught nicely on camera.”

They aren’t alone in their speculation. Some experts say that Russia is using the drone incident as an excuse to scale back its Victory Day parades. Others have shared theories on what might have actually happened, based on what little is known.

READ THE FULL STORY

TOP READS

AI dating, DeSantis, & more

Gif illustrating the Great People Shortage

Screenshot of Hot Chat 3000

"AI matched me with someone based on my 'hotness'." Insider’s Lakshmi Varanasi tried Hot Chat 3000, a tongue-in-cheek dating website from the art collective MSCHF. She uploaded her picture, got rated by the program, and was matched with someone it said rated similarly — and the whole thing was really messed up.
A new electric car could charge in the time it takes to fill a gas tank. Fisker, a US electric-vehicle startup, is bringing battery-swapping technology to its first model. Battery swaps will take a few minutes and cost less than getting gas, the startup says. More here.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ memoir could come back to bite him in the Disney lawsuit. The Happiest Place On Earth’s legal team quoted four passages of his bestselling book in their legal filing. Some of them even reference Disney by name. Read them all.
Gen Z’s favorite “dumb phones.” Gen Zers are swapping their smartphones for pared-down flip phones in an effort to reduce their screen time. The Nokia 2780 and AT&T Cingular Flex are among the most popular devices. Get the full list.
Silicon Valley is going sober. The “sober-curious” movement has been sweeping the country. Now, it’s reached Silicon Valley. From founders to investors, techies are abandoning alcohol to stay sharper and healthier. More on that here.
Signs, slogans, sunscreen: On the picket line with Hollywood writers. They’re ready to strike for “as long as it takes” to combat issues like stagnating wages and AI replacing them. Insider reports from the strike’s frontlines. Check it out.
The US Air Force practiced landing planes on a Wyoming highway. The exercise helped pilots practice using roads in case runways aren’t an option. Photos even captured one of the Air Force’s biggest planes landing on the asphalt. View the images.

TAKE A LOOK

Coronation prep

Nathan Hacket

King Charles III is set to be crowned in a historic coronation tomorrow, formalizing his role as monarch in the UK. We have a visual explainer of everything that will happen at King Charles’ coronation — check it out.

WATCH THIS

Satellite images

Russia has built extensive defenses across occupied parts of Ukraine in anticipation of a counteroffensive. These include anti-tank ditches, "dragon’s teeth”, and zig-zag trenches. Watch now.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH?

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This edition was curated by Jennifer H. Cunningham, and edited by Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan, Diamond Naga Siu, Spriha Srivastava, and J.R. Stacey. Get in touch: insidertoday@insider.com.

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Insider Finance - Business - Experts question Kremlin mystery

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