Adding to questions about the government’s competence, on Thursday the Sri Lankan authorities vastly revised the death toll from the attacks, saying that about 250 people had been killed, not 359.

Another angle: The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks, offering a reminder that it doesn’t need to control territory to be a threat.

Closer look: Zaharan Hashim, a radical Muslim preacher accused of leading the attacks, had spewed violent rhetoric for years. Many in Sri Lanka dismissed him.

Seeking deals on trade

President Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan are to meet in Washington today to discuss a bilateral trade deal that could give American farmers greater access to Japan and forestall tariffs on Japanese cars.