Good evening. Here’s the latest at the end of Thursday.
Trump threatened to send the military to MinneapolisPresident Trump said this morning that he might use the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to Minneapolis. His comments came a day after a second person in the city was shot by a federal agent, fueling clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. U.S. law generally forbids the use of the military as a domestic police force. But the Insurrection Act, which hasn’t been used since 1992, allows the president to deploy the military in extraordinary circumstances. A footnote in a recent Supreme Court opinion, my colleague Adam Liptak writes, may have emboldened Trump to float the idea. Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, pleaded with Trump to “turn the temperature down” and “stop this campaign of retribution.” He also called for protesters to demonstrate peacefully. “We cannot fan the flames of chaos,” Walz said. The White House accused Walz and other local leaders of encouraging violence. For more:
Israel and Arab countries asked Trump not to attack IranIsrael’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, asked Trump yesterday to postpone any plans for an American attack on Iran, which Trump had threatened as Iran’s government brutally cracked down on protests. The call with Netanyahu took place on the same day that Trump said he had received information that Iran had backed away from executing protesters — a possible signal that the U.S. was backing away from military action. But a senior U.S. official said last night that the president had not yet dismissed the possibility of an attack. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Egypt also have asked Trump not to strike Iran, warning that it could lead to a wider regional conflict. For more: Israelis would cheer if the Iranian government were to fall. But their government is unlikely to do much to try to precipitate a regime change. Our Jerusalem bureau chief explains why.
Trump officials cut global health aid in new systemState Department officials are working to replace the system of global health aid that U.S.A.I.D. had managed before the Trump administration dismantled it. So far, officials have signed deals with 16 African countries to provide more than $11 billion in health aid over the next five years. The agreements represent a steep drop in funding levels and reduce the role of nongovernmental organizations. Governments and some analysts think the shift could help make African health systems stronger and less reliant on international support, but others say the deals lack transparency and demand unattainable conditions. In other Trump administration news:
Nick Reiner was once in a mental health conservatorshipNick Reiner, who has been charged with the murder of his parents — the director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner — was placed in a yearlong mental health conservatorship from 2020 to 2021, under a law that allows for involuntary psychiatric treatment. The revelation of his being in a conservatorship underscores the severity of his mental health challenges, which are likely to be central to his legal defense. People familiar with Nick Reiner’s health said he had struggled in the weeks before his arrest with a change in his medication. One said he had been diagnosed at different times with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. More top news
We’re experimenting this week with including Times videos in this newsletter. Check them out below and let me know what you think, if you haven’t already.
What’s the best activity for longevity?Research has repeatedly shown that regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to lengthen your life. Even just a few minutes a day has real benefits. However, some activities seem to come with extra benefits. In particular, tennis has been linked with longevity. One study found that tennis players lived almost 10 years longer than their sedentary peers — and longer than soccer players, cyclists and swimmers. That may be because tennis is a full-body workout that often involves socializing and can be played later in life.
Megadeth counts down to its extinctionThe singer and guitarist Dave Mustaine founded Megadeth in 1983 — not long after he was kicked out of Metallica — and turned it into a Grammy-winning pioneer of thrash metal. Now, the band is about to release its 17th and final album. Retirement at 64 was not part of the plan for Mustaine, who is known for his lightning-fast shredding and snarling vocal style. But hand issues made performing painful, and he decided to walk out on his own terms. We talked to Mustaine about his career and his plans for the future.
Dinner table topics
Cook: Shahi toast is a creamy, crunchy, fragrant and classic South Asian dessert. Try it out. |
