Vladimir Putin signs partnership with Kim Jong Un and baseball legend Willie Mays remembered: Morning Rundown

Vladimir Putin signs a strategic partnership with Kim Jong Un in North Korea. Texas faces first storm warning of hurricane season. And baseball loses one of its legends.

Here’s what you should know today.

Kim Jong Un It is put on sign pact to help each other if attacked on rare visit to North Korea

The streets of the North Korean capital were filled this morning with excited crowds, mounted soldiers and large portraits – not of Kim Jong Un, but of his guest and growing ally, Vladimir Putin.

In a rare visit to the reclusive nuclear-armed state, the Russian leader and his host signed a comprehensive strategic partnership that could deepen their military and economic cooperation as both countries face a series of global sanctions and confrontations with the United States. and its allies.

The deal could expand military technology transfers to Pyongyang in exchange for much-needed munitions supplies to Moscow’s military for its war in Ukraine. U.S. officials previously told NBC News that such transfers could greatly increase North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and threaten the Asia-Pacific region.

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Putin’s first visit to North Korea in 24 years began with a handshake and a hug at Pyongyang International Airport, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. The pair then “exchanged their most private thoughts” during a limousine ride to the Kumsusan State Guest House, where Putin would be staying.

Read the full story here.

Texas faces first storm warning of hurricane season as extreme heat hits East Coast

South Texas is braced for a major storm later today and tomorrow, with the possibility of significant flash flooding, in the first warning of the hurricane season. The weather system is expected to become a tropical storm later when it is renamed Tropical Storm Alberto.

Tropical warnings are in effect across the state along the Gulf Coast, with rain and strong winds of 10 to 18 inches forecast in Corpus Christi. The state government enacted a large-scale emergency response in anticipation of widespread flooding.

The storm warning comes as 71 million people were under some type of heat watch or warning today, as a severe heat wave is expected to last until Friday. Several parts of the Midwest, inland Northeast and New England could reach temperatures of 95 degrees or higher today, with Bangor, Maine, poised to hit 106 on the heat index, a measure of how hot the humidity feels.

NBC News meteorologist Michelle Grossman warned that extreme heat is should not be taken lightly.

Baseball loses one of its greatest: Willie Mays

Baseball lost one of its legends yesterday with the death of Willie Mays at age 93. Mays, a Hall of Famer who spent most of his career with the San Francisco Giants, is widely considered one of the most talented players in baseball history. His combination of power with a bat, blinding speed and relentless defense thrilled fans from coast to coast during baseball’s golden era.

His statistics at home plate are remarkable and enduring: a .301 career batting average, 660 career home runs (sixth-most all-time), 3,293 hits (12th-most), and 1,909 runs batted in (11th-most). bigger). Mays also won 12 Gold Glove Awards as a consummate defender.

But it was his over-the-shoulder catch while running to center field during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series that immortalized him in baseball history. It is widely considered one of the greatest defensive plays in baseball, inspiring generations of young players to emulate his athleticism. David K. Li captures what made Mays a giant on and off the field.

Growing link between Mexican cartels and Chinese organized crime

New charges against associates of the Los Angeles-based Sinaloa cartel in a sophisticated money laundering scheme are evidence of a growing relationship between Mexican cartels and Chinese nationals in the United States, federal prosecutors said.

Details of the case were outlined in a 10-count superseding indictment. Authorities alleged that more than $50 million in drug money was laundered through an underground banking system run by Chinese nationals in the US. “Together, these groups have created an organization in which millions and millions of dollars are handled in proceeds from drug sales in the United States.” States retreat into Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, “and wealthy Chinese citizens in this country have access to virtually unlimited supplies of money.” Read more about the case.

Chuck Todd: The lack of fear of another Trump presidency

One of the biggest developments of the 2024 presidential campaign – and the biggest difference from the last two elections – is the lack of fear of another donald trump deadline, writes NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd in an analysis. Can you explain why President Joe BidenThe Trump campaign has struggled to turn voters away from Trump by reminding them of his questionable character traits and chaotic governing style. And right now, this lack of fear could be a real obstacle for Biden’s campaign.

It’s likely that a large portion of the public has forgotten the daily chaos that Trump intentionally created with his presidency during the pandemic, Todd argues. Furthermore, there is no clear consensus — or a desire for reflection, really — on why Trump lost in 2020. Meanwhile, growing acceptance of a possible second Trump term, even by those who previously spoke out against the former president, makes Biden’s decision challenging to inject fear into voters even more. Read the full review here.

More news about the 2024 elections:

• The Biden administration has no firm plan to warn the public about deepfakes or other false information during the election, with a few exceptions, current and former U.S. officials said. Here’s why.

Politics at a glance

Virginia Primary: Republican Rep. Bob Good, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, was locked in a heated primary fight for Virginia’s 5th District against his opponent, State Senator John McGuire. Just a few hundred votes separated them last night.

Georgia Primary: Chuck Hand, defendant convicted on January 6, lost a Republican primary runoff seat for a House seat in Georgia.

Gun Rights: Senate Democrats tried to pass legislation banning firearm stocks after the Supreme Court last week rejected a previous ban, but a single Republican opposedwhich effectively stalled the bill.

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Team pick: Meet the ‘Harriet Tubman of Texas’

Juneteenth is all about freedom—and in the 19th century, former slave Silvia Hector Webber made it her mission to help others feel free. With the help of her white husband, Webber was able to find freedom and used her land along the Rio Grande in Texas to help those fleeing slavery escape to Mexico. Thanks to new research, her descendants are only now learning about her and are honoring his legacy. -Michelle Garcia, NBC BLK Editorial Director

NBC Select: online shopping, made simple

With much of the country experiencing a heat wave, you may be looking for ideas to cool down. NBC Select employees tested cooling devices such as personal fans. Here are your favorites. And if you want to keep a larger space cooler, check out best portable ac units.

Sign up for the Selection newsletter for practical product reviews, expert shopping tips, and insight into the best deals and sales each week.

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This article was originally published in NBCNews. with