Biden sets his red lines — now it's Putin's move

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we ask what happens next after Wednesday's historic summit between Presidents Biden and Putin, we look at rising democratic participation among Asian Americans, and report from a Chinese space launch.   Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Friday morning. Biden drew the line on Putin. Now it's the Russian's president's move. So, what now?   President Joe Biden met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday amid intense scrutiny and fanfare — but there were few concrete outcomes.   However Biden did deliver a succinct message to his Russian counterpart: Stop messing with the U.S. and international norms. "The bottom line is I told President Putin that we need to have some basic rules," Biden said afterwards. "This is the road that we can all abide by."   Biden told reporters that he didn't threaten Putin directly but instead outlined 16 areas of "critical infrastructure" that he views as "off limits" to cyber or physical attack.   As NBC News' senior political analyst Jon Allen writes in a new analysis this morning, Biden's message is that he'll be watching what the Russian leader does next.   And here are some key takeaways from the summit. Friday's top stories Outrage over pandemic racism may boost Asian American voter turnout in NYC By Claire Wang | Read more  Ahead of next week's mayoral and City Council primaries in New York City, outrage over anti-Asian racism and excitement about the historic bids of Asian American candidates could boost the group's participation in local elections. The candidates sparred in a final debate on Wednesday, here's our summary of a lively event.   'Divine Vessel' rocket launches China's first human spaceflight since 2016 By Janis Mackey Frayer | Read more  A Chinese rocket blasted off from the Gobi Desert on Thursday, sending three astronauts on a historic mission to an orbiting space station China is building. China has long been frozen out of the International Space Station and is pouring billions of dollars into its own programs. How an annual pageant became a beloved Juneteenth celebration in Texas and beyond By Char Adams | Read more For its participants, Miss Juneteenth is more than a beauty pageant. It's a celebration of joy, a remembrance of pain and an honoring of Black girlhood. Juneteenth looks set to become a national federal holiday, meanwhile, with Democrats hopeful President Joe Biden will sign the measure into law by Saturday. OPINION How Biden and Democrats should react to McConnell's Supreme Court comments By Teri Kanefield  | Read more  Congress can either enact a creative good-governance solution depoliticizing the court or risk our government's slipping further into dysfunction, writes attorney and author Teri Kanefield. Into America podcast Listen here This week on Into America, ahead of Juneteenth Trymaine Lee heads to the nation's capital, where Black residents argue that statehood is the only path to full citizenship and liberation. BETTER Can the shape of your uterus lead to infertility? Experts discuss what to know By Meghan Holohan | Read more Often the quality of sperm or the egg contribute to infertility, but in some cases the uterus can be the culprit.  Want to receive the Morning Rundown in your inbox? Sign up here. Also in the news ... South Carolina executions blocked until firing squad formed Hong Kong police raid Apple Daily newspaper under national security law, arrest staff Rita Moreno apologizes for 'dismissive' comments about 'In the Heights' casting Dead 'murder hornet' found near Seattle is first in U.S. this year Alaska searchers look for hiker who reported being charged by bears Utah teen with Down syndrome devastated to be left out of cheer team photo in yearbook SHOPPING Whether you've been gardening for years or are slowly growing your green thumb, here are some of the best weeding tools for keeping your plants healthy. One hot thing Temperatures at California's Death Valley reached a sweltering 129 degrees for the first time in 2021 this week — but that didn't stop hardy tourists from flocking to the desert for a photo opportunity.   That might be hot, but it doesn't meet the all-time record of 134 degrees reached there in 1913.   Watch the video here. Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com. If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith Download the NBC News App Follow NBC News Privacy | Unsubscribe | More NBC Newsletters | Contact View in browser