A diplomatic tango with China

Antony Blinken's trip to China marks the first visit to the country for a U.S. secretary of state in five years. Also in the news: At least five people were killed in shootings over the weekend and Wyndham Clark has claimed his first major golf championship at the U.S. Open.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Today is Juneteenth. Here's what this day commemorates.

Now, here we go with Monday's news.

What's it going to take to improve US-China relations?

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping as he wrapped up a two-day high-stakes visit to Beijing aimed at easing soaring tensions between the countries.

In earlier meetings between Blinken and senior Chinese officials, the two sides expressed willingness to talk but showed little inclination to bend from hardened positions on disagreements ranging from trade to Taiwan.

• The meeting came as the U.S.-China relationship has continued to be dogged by tensions: Despite Blinken’s presence in China, he and other U.S. officials had played down the prospects for any significant breakthroughs on the most vexing issues facing the planet’s two largest economies.

• But as Blinken met with senior Chinese officials, some were skeptical that there was any possibility of easing tensions – or even that it is a good idea.

• Some experts say that efforts beyond brief high-level contact between diplomats are needed to thaw relations between the superpowers.

At least 5 dead, dozens more injured in weekend shootings

At least five people including a Pennsylvania state trooper were killed and dozens injured in a string of weekend violence and mass shootings across the U.S. The shootings in suburban Chicago, Washington state, Pennsylvania, St. Louis, Southern California and Baltimore follow a surge in homicides and other violence over the past several years that experts say accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more about the shootings across the country this weekend.

More news to know now

• Raffensperger challenged Trump to a debate as the ex-president faces more pressure after indictment.

• Germany will pay Holocaust survivors across the world over $1 billion in 2024.

• Pennsylvania governor says the collapsed portion of I-95 will be rebuilt within two weeks.

• ''I've kept her safe'': Families flee states with transgender care bans to protect their children.

• On today's 5 Things podcast, Black history in Silicon Valley and the fight to preserve it. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Growing evidence that Russia blew up Kakhovka Dam

A New York Times report Sunday said the Russians knew the weak spot in the Kakhovka Dam − a passageway that ran through the concrete block at its base − and most likely detonated explosives there to create a breach. The death toll in the collapse has reached at least 45. In some of the southern Ukraine provinces downstream from the dam, water contamination is becoming an increasingly dire problem following the massive flooding that has devastated dozens of towns along the lower Dnieper River and led to an ecological catastrophe, threatening crops and killing millions of fish. Read more

•  Biden says the U.S. won't support a fast-tracked path for Ukraine into NATO.

Justice Department finds Minneapolis police unlawfully deprived people of constitutional rights

Minneapolis and its police department engage in a pattern of violating people's rights through the unnecessary, unjustified use of deadly force and discrimination, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Friday after a two-year investigation following George Floyd’s death. The 92-page report by the Justice Department found the police use excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, discriminate against Black people and violate First Amendment rights, among other conclusions. The Justice Department plans to work collaboratively with the city and police on more reforms to remedy unlawful conduct cited in the report. Read more

• Don't whitewash Juneteenth: Black people shouldn't have to lose identity to promote holiday.

• Honor Black women educators this Juneteenth who've led the battle for social justice.

• ''Keep your lady-with-an-Afro tote bags'': Social media calls out Juneteenth pandering.

Just for subscribers:

• Forgotten no more: First slave freed by Abraham Lincoln in Illinois is now honored.

• ''You can battle through things'': First woman NFL ref chronicles challenges in new book.

• ''Take Care of Maya'' Netflix documentary peels back layers of Florida’s child welfare system.

• Millions of people are using an app to discover a hidden world all around them: Birds.

These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here. 

Wyndham Clark claims first major golf championship in Los Angeles

Wyndham Clark held off Rory McIlroy and outclassed Rickie Fowler while winning his first major championship at the U.S. Open on Sunday. Instead of one of golf’s big names celebrating on the 18^th green among roaring fans, it was the relative no-name Clark enjoying the moment at Los Angeles Country Club. Clark, 29, finished the tournament at 10-under, one stroke ahead of McIlroy and five strokes ahead of Fowler. "Obviously I put my own pressure on myself, but yeah, I guess it's nice being the underdog,'' Clark said after the final round. Read more

Quick hits

• Sally Ride made history 40 years ago. Her legacy lives on through NASA's Artemis program.

• The Suns are set to acquire Bradley Beal from the Wizards in a deal involving Chris Paul.

• Netflix hyped ''The Last Airbender'' and ''One Piece,'' and gave a ''Bridgerton'' first look at a starry fan event.

• Here's how to verify if your Taylor Swift tickets are real.

Photo of the day:  King Charles III’s first Trooping the Colour

Prince Louis was up to his usual scene-stealing antics Saturday at Trooping the Colour, an annual summer parade which celebrates the birth of the British monarch. The 5-year-old royal − Prince William and Princess Kate’s youngest child − fist-pumped from the balcony at Buckingham Palace amid the festivities. Read more

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Daily Briefing: A diplomatic tango with China