The killing of two Israelis in D.C. was called an act of terror
A suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was charged with first-degree murder and other crimes after the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington late Wednesday. Rodriguez had a history of pro-Palestinian activism, U.S. officials said, and he declared “Free, free Palestine” after he had been detained. Here’s what we know about him.
Officials said the gunman had approached four people who were leaving an event at a Jewish museum, shot the two victims and then entered the museum, where he was detained by security officers. He was filmed on surveillance video walking past the two victims, then turning to face their backs, firing several times and firing more shots after they fell to the ground, according to an F.B.I. affidavit filed yesterday.
The F.B.I. director referred to the killings as an act of terror. The shooting occurred outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where the American Jewish Committee was hosting a reception for young diplomats. Here’s the latest.
The victims: Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were a couple. She was a research assistant in the embassy’s political department, and he organized trips to Israel. Lischinsky had just bought an engagement ring.
Context: Groups that monitor hate crimes said the shooting was part of a global surge in antisemitic incidents.
History: More than 50 years ago, an Israeli military attaché was gunned down in front of his home in Maryland, a killing with parallels to the Wednesday attack. The gunman was never found.
Aid deliveries began to reach Gazans
The first substantial influx of food aid since Israel’s blockade began two months ago entered Gaza yesterday, the U.N. said. About 90 truckloads of aid — which U.N. officials called a tiny fraction of what’s needed — reached the territory after days of delays, the U.N. and Israel confirmed.
The U.N. agency that coordinates humanitarian relief said Israel had required its trucks to take an extremely perilous route. U.N. officials believed looting was “highly likely” unless the plans were changed, the agency said. Israel’s refusal to let food and fuel into Gaza has led to widespread hunger.
The latest: Yesterday, some bakeries resumed production for the first time since April 2, the head of the Gaza Bakers Association said. Large crowds rushed to get bread, raising concerns for bakery workers’ safety, he added.
Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named a new leader for the country’s domestic intelligence service, the Shin Bet, after clashing with the last one.
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| Mmalethabo Mokone watched a broadcast of the Oval Office meeting between South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and President Trump on Wednesday at her home in Pretoria, South Africa. Phill Magakoe/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images |
In South Africa, anger, disbelief and jokes
Since President Trump announced in February that white South Africans would be given an expedited path to resettle in the U.S. as refugees, Black South Africans have responded with jokes that mask deep-seated anger. Read more about the relationship between South Africa and the U.S.
After living through decades of brutal apartheid and the inequality that persists, watching the Trump administration cast Afrikaners — the white descendants of the colonizers responsible for apartheid — as victims has been infuriating, Black South Africans said.
Diplomacy: President Cyril Ramaphosa walked away from his White House meeting with Trump bruised and uncertain about his country’s relationship with the U.S. At the meeting, Trump presented a video that he claimed showed “burial sites” of white farmers in South Africa. (It didn’t.)
For more: Who is Julius Malema, the South African politician who was prominent in the video that Trump played?
| MORE TOP NEWS |
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| Eraldo Peres/Associated Press |
| Climate: The planet lost a record amount of forests last year, largely because of fires, a global survey found. War: Ukraine fired hundreds of drones targeting 10 Russian regions, including Moscow, in one of the largest attacks of the war, Russian officials said. Diplomacy: Finance ministers from G7 nations agreed to continue to support Ukraine and threatened Russia with further sanctions. Immigration: Net migration to Britain dropped by almost half in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting tighter controls imposed by the previous Conservative government. Canada: The western province of Alberta is laying the groundwork for a referendum on whether to secede. China: The reconstructed roof of the 14th-century Drum Tower in Fengyang County partly collapsed, leading to an investigation. Electric vehicles: The Chinese company BYD sold more electric cars in Europe than Tesla did last month, a first. A.I.: OpenAI unveiled plans to build a massive computing complex in the United Arab Emirates. Norway: An enormous cargo ship crashed into a retiree’s fjordside backyard. Music: The authorities in Britain charged a member of the hip-hop group Kneecap with a terrorism offense, accusing him of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a concert. Cinema: At the Cannes Film Festival, three movies from the distributor Neon are considered front-runners. And here’s why you can’t always trust a standing ovation. |
From the U.S.
| Education: The Trump administration informed Harvard University that it could no longer enroll international students. Fear and confusion mounted on campus. Politics: In a victory for Trump, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would slash taxes and cut Medicaid, food assistance and other programs. It now goes to the Senate. Entertainment: The rapper Kid Cudi testified at Sean Combs’s trial that his Porsche was set afire during a visit to the music mogul’s home. |
| California: A small jet crashed into a residential San Diego neighborhood, destroying several homes. The six people aboard the plane were feared dead. Currency: The Treasury Department is winding down the production of pennies. |
| SPORTS NEWS |
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| Catherine Ivill/AMA, via Getty Images |
| Soccer: How Tottenham ended their trophy drought by beating Manchester United. Camogie: Women playing the Irish stick-and-ball sport may now, after 121 years, choose to wear either shorts or a skort. Tennis: Novak Djokovic returns to Roland Garros in search of another milestone after finally securing an Olympic gold medal. Golf: Max Homa was once a coming force. Now, out of form and out of sorts, he is proof that golf is truly the cruelest game. |
| MORNING READ |
Scarlett Johansson wins over critics, conveys Old Hollywood glamour and — now — directs feature films.
At the Cannes Film Festival, which ends this weekend, Johansson presented her feature debut, “Eleanor the Great.” She told our chief film critic, Manohla Dargis, that despite a long career in front of the camera, she always thought she would end up behind it. Read their conversation.
| ARTS AND IDEAS |
It’s almost summer book season
The next few months are looking good for nonfiction fans and lovers of literature.
Prizewinning writers are tackling engaging subjects, like how streetwear became high fashion and what a meal with King Tut might have smelled like. If memoirs are more your thing, there are yarns about celibacy, spycraft and the risqué misadventures of an aspiring chef in London. Here’s the full list. We’ve also selected 31 new novels for you to choose from, featuring stories about queer vampires, a professor in hell and an actress’s revenge.
Watch Gilbert Cruz, our Book Review editor, preview four new books he’s looking forward to.
| RECOMMENDATIONS |
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| Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini. |
Cook: Treat yourself to a spectacular sandwich.
