What We’re Following
Attack in London: A rush-hour explosion from what officials described as an “improvised explosive device” injured at least 19 people on one of London’s underground rail lines. President Trump quickly condemned the attack as the work of “a loser terrorist” and reiterated his call for a “travel ban into the United States” from several Muslim-majority countries—a response that not only drew unfavorable recollections of his delayed condemnation of white supremacists in Charlotteville last month, but also risked straining the U.S. alliance with Britain.
Missile Test: North Korea flew a ballistic missile over Japan on Thursday night, escalating its provocations after the UN passed increased sanctions on North Korea in response to its nuclear test earlier this month. The tests suggest that Pyongyang is growing ever closer to being able to target the U.S., and other countries with a nuclear weapon soon. Could the U.S. peacefully tolerate a nuclear-armed North Korea? Uri Friedman evaluates the option of deterrence.
End of an Odyssey: NASA’s Cassini spacecraft crashed into Saturn’s atmosphere early Friday morning after 13 years spent orbiting and observing the planet. (The plunge was expected—Cassini was running out of fuel after 20 years in space.) Scientists involved with the mission described its end as the last of many emotional moments, although others cautioned against describing the robot’s crash as suicide. Still, if you can’t help but mourn Cassini, here’s a collection of the awe-inspiring images it sent back.
