Monday Briefing: A majority of U.S. voters say democracy is under threat
Good morning. We’re covering American democracy and Japan’s parliamentary elections. Plus, a long-lost Chopin waltz.
Americans express deep concern for their democracyNearly half of all U.S. voters believe that American democracy does not do a good job of representing ordinary people, according to a new New York Times/Siena College poll. Three-quarters of voters in the U.S. say that democracy is under threat — though their perception of those threats varies widely based on partisan leanings — and a majority of voters believe that the country is plagued by corruption. The eroding faith in the nearly 250-year-old American system of government follows four years of unparalleled challenges: a violent riot in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election; the criminal conviction of Donald Trump; and his continued insistence that the democratic process is rigged. Those events, colliding with stubborn inflation, divisive culture wars and geopolitical crises, have voters exasperated with American politics and a government that they believe has failed to serve them at the most basic level. Such frustrations have left 58 percent of voters believing that the nation’s financial and political systems need major changes or a complete overhaul.
Japan’s Liberal Democrats lost its majorityJapan’s governing party lost its majority in parliamentary elections yesterday, as voters emphatically rejected the status quo, throwing Japanese politics into their most uncertain period in years. The polls also showed that the party, the Liberal Democrats, was unable to eke out a majority even in combination with its traditional coalition partner, Komeito, forcing it to consider whether it could expand its coalition to retain power or whether a group of opposition parties could come together to form a government. For more than a decade, elections in Japan had taken on a rubber-stamp quality for the Liberal Democrats, a conservative party that has governed Japan for all but four years since 1955. This time, a wearied public angered by a long-simmering political finance scandal, rising inflation and the burdens of raising families inflicted a humiliating blow to the party just one month after it anointed Shigeru Ishiba as the new prime minister.
Iran stresses its right to retaliate after Israel’s attackOver the weekend, questions swirled about how Iran would respond to Israel’s attacks on Saturday, which destroyed air-defense systems set up to protect important energy sites but avoided the facilities themselves. Yesterday, Iran’s leaders said that they had a right to respond to the attack but appeared to take a measured tone, which could help ease concerns about all-out war between the region’s largest militaries. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the retaliatory attack on Iran had achieved all of its objectives, as analysts questioned how his government might leverage its recent military gains diplomatically. Tehran now must decide whether to up the ante. Experts worry about the long-term possibility that Iran will see a nuclear weapon as its only defense. Peace talks: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt said yesterday his country presented a new cease-fire proposal to end the war between Israel and Hamas. Gaza: Israeli strikes on a residential block in Beit Lahia, a town in the north, killed and wounded dozens of people on Saturday night, Gazan officials said. Lebanon: Eight people were killed and 25 wounded in an Israeli strike on the southern coastal city of Sidon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Sports
For centuries, temples in India have given laddu, a ball-shaped sweet, to devotees. But last month, a newly elected Hindu politician accused his predecessor, a Christian, of allowing one temple’s laddu to be adulterated with other animal fats, calling into question the sanctity of the temple itself. It’s one of several cases that exemplify how India’s food cultures have become increasingly politicized amid the rise of Hindu nationalism.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times.
A Chopin waltz, unearthed after 200 yearsDeep in the vault of the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan on a late-spring day, the curator Robinson McClellan was sorting through a collection of cultural memorabilia. He came across a pockmarked musical scrap the size of an index card with a tiny notation and a conspicuous name: Chopin. After testing the manuscript’s paper and ink, analyzing its handwriting and musical style and consulting outside experts, the Morgan has come to a momentous conclusion: The work is likely an unknown waltz by Frédéric Chopin, the great fantasist of the Romantic era, the first such discovery in more than half a century. Read more — and listen to the pianist Lang Lang play the waltz — here.
Cook: This modern take on badam burfi, the classic South Asian almond confection, layers the it over tart, Barbie-pink, ruby chocolate in bark form. Inspire: These seven podcasts spotlight tips from experts and interviews with casual hobbyists that may move you to pick up a new pastime. Clean: You should swap out your towels every few days. Here are the best ways to keep them fresh and clean. Play: Spelling Bee, the Mini Crossword, Wordle and Sudoku. Find all our games here. That’s it for today. See you tomorrow. — Gaya We welcome your feedback. Send us your suggestions at briefing@nytimes.com.
|
Older messages
Cozy up. Then get outside.
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Our favorite down jackets, hiking boots, and more View in browser The Recommendation For a fall spent outdoors Photos: Wirecutter Staff Fall weather is beautiful … but fleeting. Soon, this just-chilly-
The best ketchup
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Is the one you think it is View in browser The Recommendation The very best ketchup Michael Murtaugh / NYT Wirecutter. Food Stylist: Maggie Ruggiero To find the absolute best ketchup, we tasted 13 of
What happened when we tested ghost-hunting gear
Friday, October 25, 2024
Boo View in browser The Recommendation We tested ghost-hunting gear. Yep, really. The writer, with an illustration of a thought bubble with a ghost in it, looking a REM pod during a paranormal
Our new favorite dishwasher detergents
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Soooo sparkling clean View in browser The Recommendation The best dishwasher detergents Our four picks for the best dishwasher detergent, next to stacks of white bowls, mugs, bowls and plates. Photo:
Friday Briefing: Stars rally for Harris
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Plus, an interview with the Taliban's most fearsome leader. View in browser|nytimes.com Ad Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition October 25, 2024 Author Headshot By Gaya Gupta Good morning. We
You Might Also Like
What’s To Come Under Trump 2.0
Thursday, November 7, 2024
What we've already uncovered about the next Trump administration. As Trump prepares to take power, here's what we know about his plans for his second term. Also: 🎩 Billionaire versus
The Answer to Trump’s Victory Is Radical Action
Thursday, November 7, 2024
As ever, don't expect the Democratic Party to save us. Now is the time for grassroots action. Most Read The Answer to Trump's Victory Is Radical Action Natasha Lennard As ever, don't expect
Why Americans turned to Trump
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Plus: Drought hits vast swaths of the US, how to summon post-election resilience and calm your anxieties, and more. November 7, 2024 View in browser Why American voters handed the presidency to Trump
Markets Soar, 'Planimal' Cells, and Vintage Mall Photos
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Financial markets surged Wednesday following Donald Trump's election win on Tuesday night. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Through the darkness, some rays of light
Thursday, November 7, 2024
There is no getting around it: the 2024 election was a sweeping win for former President Donald Trump and his political allies. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Numlock News: November 7, 2024 • Banknotes, Aluminosilicate Glass, Bandersnatch
Thursday, November 7, 2024
By Walt Hickey ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
☕ Seat at the table
Thursday, November 7, 2024
The prediction markets were right... November 07, 2024 View Online | Sign Up | Shop Morning Brew Presented By Frontieras Good morning. Anyone feeling nostalgic for those campaign text messages? —Matty
Congrats To Polymarket, But I Still Think They Were Mispriced
Thursday, November 7, 2024
... ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Sysadmin shock as Windows Server 2025 installs itself after update labeling error [Thu Nov 7 2024]
Thursday, November 7, 2024
Hi The Register Subscriber | Log in The Register Daily Headlines 7 November 2024 update unexpected Sysadmin shock as Windows Server 2025 installs itself after update labeling error Screens sprayed with
GeekWire Mid-Week Update
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Read the top tech stories so far this week from GeekWire Top stories so far this week Washington state voters reject initiatives that aimed to repeal capital gains tax and climate program Washington