Moscow claims its forces thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive, the US Navy has releases a video of what it called an “unsafe interaction” in the Taiwan Strait, and India begins official investigation into its deadliest rail crash in over two decades.

Plus, Japanese train in ‘Hollywood’ smiles as masks slowly come off.

By Kate Turton

The Daily Briefing relaunched with a new design two months ago, and we are interested in hearing what you think about the new format. Please take seven minutes to share your feedback with us here. 

A Ukrainian serviceman looks on near the Ukraine-Russia border, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi

Donald Trump attends a campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire, US, April 27, 2023. REUTERS/Brian Snyder//File Photo

A growing number of contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination could clear the way for a Donald Trump victory while throwing up roadblocks for his main rival Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, party members and strategists said.

Republicans who fear Trump is too polarizing a figure to beat Democratic President Joe Biden in 2024 worry that if too many candidates jump into the party’s contest, they will splinter the anti-Trump vote. That would allow the former president to clinch the nomination, just as he did in similar circumstances in 2016.

A student practices smiling with a mirror at a smile training course at Sokei Art School in Tokyo, Japan, May 30, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

In one of Keiko Kawano’s recent classes, more than a dozen Tokyo art school students held mirrors to their faces, stretching the sides of their mouths upward with their fingers: they were practicing how to smile.

It’s not something most people would think to pay for but Kawano’s services as a smile instructor are seeing a surge in demand in Japan, where mask-wearing was near universal during the pandemic.

Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content.

Reuters Daily Briefing is sent 5 days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here.

Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here.
To manage which newsletters you’re signed up for, click here.